The Task: A Short Film

Back in 2006 I executive produced, wrote and directed The Task, a short film excerpt of a feature project* entitled Glenda's Girlz. Briefly, The Task is a portrait of Samantha "Sam" Jones, 16, who is court mandated to be escorted to a group home by Ms. Brown, a new MSW.  It's her first day on the job and she's got to get Sam in that house.  Will Ms. Brown succeed?

I entered The Task to the 2007 Philadelphia Film Festival, travelled with friends to experience the Festival  and came home. The intent was to just "get the word out" about our film.  Just a few weeks later I received a small box in the mail. i thought maybe i had ordered something and forgot about. The pleasant surprise was a small trophy for best short film!

I had NO filmmaking experience so  there were naysayers and yes, hatuhz, who thought I couldn't do it --  BUT I surrounded myself with a cast and crew who knew the process and believed so much in the project and trusted my ability (I did some research about  filmmaking so I wouldn’t look like a complete moron).  Honestly, there were a few hiccups but with perseverance (and a great editor - make sure you get a great editor if you choose to make your own first film!), we made it happen.

Believe in your work, stay true to your principles yet be graceful enough to learn from others and teach in a way in which everyone can assimilate your thoughts and ideas without hurt – a huge lesson for me not only as a director but as an educator, businesswoman and human being.  Laurie Ann Gibson’s Born To Dance show on BET comes to mind.  What an incredible teacher!

Anyway, without further adieu, i present The Task. The information is a little dated but the topic and story remain compelling...even today.  Oh, feedback definitely welcome.  http://youtu.be/5JRs8-7lNkU  

For appearances, book signings and talks contact: The Butterfly Book Tour™Team at beyondlabelz@yahoo.com. 

Get Validation Denied Grace Bestowed
at iUNIVERSE.COM.....

.....and wherever books are sold, TODAY!

 ~ Quelyn

*Fun Fact:  MSW – Master of Social Work

                    Feature Project – in the film industry a film project expected to be more than 1 hour

Copyright©2011 Quelyn Purdie

A Butterfly Is Born

from a slinky, sometimes fuzzy, vulnerable yet not entirely defenseless

illusive

adapting to its environment…and food it’s about to devour,

a nuisance to some, a delicious nutrient for others

a caterpillar

the audacity to adhere to its true expression, its true nature

to transform itself into something ever more beautiful, graceful and Light

A butterfly  is Born!

We kicked off our 2011 Butterfly Tour™ this month at the Connecting Spirit, Mind and Practice Speakers Platform Series sponsored by Banks Enterprise founded by the dynamic Velma D. Banks, MSW (banksenterpriseonline.com).  Our event was held in the heart of Harlem, New York City.

Educators, teen counselors, a theologian, human service professionals and students, were among those who  were engaged as I recalled how my brother and I ended up in foster care (our mother wasn’t home and a neighbor had had enough of seeing us being home alone – or in social work terms, “unsupervised” – at  ages 4 and 6,  p. 2, “Removed” Validation Denied, Grace Bestowed:somewhere between the ghetto and God was something called foster care….).

We enjoyed mouth-watering hors d’oeuvres and treats by Ruby Valdez and Cook Time – Betty Anne, President/Chef, but for me, the icing-on-the-cake – no pun intended - was meeting *octogenarian Frances Manning, MSW.  She gave us a taste of her own wisdom as a legendary MSW* and she bought a copy of my book!  I guess it’s safe to say my experience was the equivalent of a sophomore songstress meeting Chaka Khan or Dianna Ross, Tina Turner, Pattie Labelle or any of the true divas of our time.  Visit banksenterpriseonline.com for information on how to meet Ms. Manning in December!

It’s always great to be with and bask in the wisdom of the legends of any profession.

I’d like to end by inviting you to get Validation Denied, Grace Bestowed.  Here are 5 of my top favorite selling points:
5. you will appreciate (perhaps even be inspired) how meditation played a pivotal role in Quelyn’s ability to forgive her past, love self and no longer crave validation of who she is
4. Quelyn keeps her word to find a very close relative (p. 77 “Beginning of the End”)
3. Quelyn shares show she learned to contemplate her experiences and translate epiphanies- aha moments  - into action
2. Validation Denied, Grace Bestowed lends an honest yet entertaining portrait of a (defiant teen) turned productive woman….without the ‘fat’
1. the intent of Validation Denied, Grace Bestowed is to inspire freedom from guilt and other negativities associated with one’s past or current situation.

For appearances, book signings and talks contact: The Butterfly Book Tour™Team at beyondlabelz@yahoo.com.

Thank you for reading and keep expressing your own truth!

~ Quelyn

*Fun Fact:  Octogenarian – a person who is 80 years young!

                  MSW – Master of Social Work


Copyright©2011 Quelyn Purdie