Archive for February, 2010

Entry 399: Sunday, February 28th, 2010

Sunday, February 28th, 2010

Yesterday Denise sent the 1st draft of locations for the DR film. It will be a work in process. But the major work is done. Denise is away but grinding as if she’s here.
Kyle finished the Youu Tube early today. The new animated DR logo by Myrton Bewery is opening the You Tube entry. It looks good. On the entry we focus on our Friday night open mike and games club. Also the new addition to the staff Cue is featured trying to recruit for the mix tape.
Today Loretta and I met w/a potential investor/sponsor. He is interested in us using his space/restaurant for a fundraiser and also potentially investing in the project.
Shireal and I did a book signing at a church this afternoon and sold quite a few books and was able to get the word out about the project. Tomorrow Shireal will be in the audience of the Wendy Williams Show trying to promote her book and Diamond Ruff.

Entry 398: Saturday, February 27th, 2010

Saturday, February 27th, 2010

We have alot of work to do for tomorrow. I have a potential investors meeting w/Loretta tomorrow and a book signing Shireal set up. Kyle has some outstanding YS work to do. Also Geannetta and I will be working on business plan. Denise is preparing 1st draft of tentative locations for the film.

Entry 397: Friday, February 26th, 2010

Saturday, February 27th, 2010

A good day. We got alot done w/the DR school curriculum. John called from New Haven and said he had 2 possible investors. Winston did a good job w/the open Mike about 70 people showed up. We were able to promote the DR project and the DR mixed CD project Cue is working on.
Eric and Dwight had about 30 people show up to the DR gamer’s club.
CNN emailed me and let me know the segment has been pushed back till next Friday. Overall it was a good day.

Entry 396: Thursday, February 25th, 2010

Thursday, February 25th, 2010

9:36p.m. Myself , Shireal, Eric Geannetta, and Kyle are still in the office trying to knock work out and keep afloat. I’m trying to play catch up with follow up on DR meetings. Eric is working on DR Gamer’s night and Kyle is working on YS presentaion. Geannetta and Shireal are working on the nat’l campaign to make the DR a nat’l bestseller. Denise is out of the country and is knocking stuff out. This is a very crucial time for us. It’s scary and exhilarating at the same time. I met with the former head of a major social service agency in Hartford. He said he would come on to help us in trying to help us raise resources for the project.
We also received about 10 inquiries via phone, email, and text of people wanting to help out with the project. We’re close we just have to sustain. We will.

Entry 395: Wednesday, February 24, 2010

Thursday, February 25th, 2010

Things are moving very fast. Today was filled with meetings and me teaching a workshop with Geannetta. I’m working longer days(at least 18 hours) and focused, and it’s hard to keep up with everything. The toughest part is balancing administrative work that keeps the business afloat and still working on the DR project. We have a good team but we’re doing the work of a larger team. Our biggest challenge is resources. But I see us slowly working to overcome this. We just have to sustain.
I had a great meeting with the President of the Greater Hartford Boys and Girls Club who will help us bring the DR project to the next level with his clubs and clubs state and nationwide.
Kyle and I had to shift gears and begin putting a presentation for a major fast food company which is due to be presented on Friday. My main focus also today was working on revising the business plan for a potential major investor. Also I met with 2 other potential investors.
I was able to get work with Janis done for the CPA today that is necessary for the future of the project.

Entry 394: Tuesday, February 23rd, 2010

Tuesday, February 23rd, 2010

The day wen by super fast. I still alot of work to do. The main work I have to catch up on is putting my shoot locations and contacts in writing. Also Kyle and I will have to shoot a few more places tomorrow.
We had a great staff meeting. We seem to be productive and really getting organized.
I met with Kyle Anderson today who is setting up meetings with a major fast food corporation.
Myrton finished the new DR logo. It looks good. This is a sign we are constantly trying to bring the project to the level.

Entry 393: Monday, February 22nd, 2010

Tuesday, February 23rd, 2010

A busy day. I recieved a call from a potential investor who said they would put a group together to invest in the project. The will also assist in making the business plan tight. This will be alot of work, but we will have to rise to the challenge.
Today was very busy as we worked on outstanding HAFI and YS stuff. I’m trying to keep up with everything.
A business partner we were working with has been telling us alot of untruths. Geannetta was able to catch them red-handed. We lost money but the best thing is to walk away with a loss and not deal with the group again. the truth in business usually rises. At this level there is alot of business trickery and deceit. This incident will make us stronger and smarter as we deal with bigger partners.

Entry 392: Sunday, February 21st, 2010

Sunday, February 21st, 2010

I left the office about 4:00a.m. I’m trying to stay on top of things and get ahead. I need to work 7 days a week. This is a crucial time for the project. Kyle and I got in about 12:00. We met w/Myrton who is designing the new animated 3D  Diamond Ruff Logo. It will be done by next week. We’re trying to keep bringing everything to the next level.

Denise who is out of the country sent some location paperwork and pictures of scenes for the movie. At some point I will be sending her my findings today.

Shireal came in to work on some PR matters for DR. I will complete the staff weekly assignments and work w/Kyle on this weeks You Tube entry.

Entry 391: Saturday, February 20th, 2010

Saturday, February 20th, 2010

The CNN piece did not air yesterday. I think it was bumped because of the Tiger Woods coverage. Now it is suppose to air next Friday on the 26th at the same time. Hey this is TV…things are subject to change.
I’m in the office today. Myrton came in to work on a new DR logo is 3-D. Hopefully we will be able to post it on the latest You Tube Kyle and I will put up tomorrow. Kyle will be working from home trying to get the new Amazon Webstore up and running. Hopefully we get everything with the new store set next week.

Entry 390: Friday, February 19th, 2010

Friday, February 19th, 2010

A good day. Loretta got a diamond donated for the project and 2 book signings for the DR book. We have to figure out a big promotion for the diamond.
Kyle and I went to the XL civic center in Hartford to scope out locations for the movie. We were impressed with the facilities and are hopeful we will shoot there.
Our new account executive Q was able to sell a book today and set up a meeting with an executive in the State of CT juvenile services.
Tonight on the Anderson Cooper Show 360 on CNN at 10:00pm. Kyle Anderson will be interviewed about his youth male leadership program that has read the DR book for their activities. The program was also shot at Young! Studios. I think this will be a good promotion for the project.

YOUNG! FILMS 942 MAIN STREET, HARTFORD, CT 06103
860.560.1122 - DIAMONDRUFFPROJECT@YAHOO.COM