My first appearance in a TV ad.

 That time I appeared in a commercial

Nope this picture wasn't taken out in the 70's and no I haven't lost my mind and tried to bring back orange bell bottoms pants (chest hair not included). This is me after being filmed in a segment of a television advertisement for Erin Farm Foods. I actually did the shoot back in October but I couldn't post about it until the ad was released.

It is now being shown on Trinidad and Tobago local television stations like CNC 3 and TV6, usually around 6pm to 9pm. I was pleasantly surprised that people recognized me in the ad because I am only on screen for a couple seconds.

I thought maybe I would not have even be featured in the final ad because we shot so many scenes and we knew that it would be chopped down to only 30 seconds of actual screen time.

The original concept is Christmas in Trinidad and Tobago over four decades (1970's, 80's, 90's and 2000's). I play a guy in the 1970's who just lost a heated card game, I am saddened by my misfortune but lo and behold my spirits are revamped when I am presented with a ham sandwich made from Erin Farm meats. All in all it took about 5 takes to get my scenes done but the entire shoot ran from around 10 am to 8 pm on a Sunday in San Fernando.

Who knows, this could be the start of a career in film for me, I mean anything could happen. Even if it isn't, I was really happy to get some experience on a film set and getting noticed on TV was really cool.
I must thank my good friends Tami and Jian for giving me this opportunity. I was very pleased also to have worked with Corinne, Jehan, Qadir, Johann, Dwane, Kai and Kyle.  All of whom I met for the first time on the day of the shoot. The vibes was so chill that everyone just gelled together and we did our thing. Also my fellow Trinidad and Tobago Theatre Workshop graduate Patrice appears in the family scene around the table, so proud.

If you want to check out the advertisement there are two versions please click here for Version 1 and here for Version 2. I am also sharing some behind the scene pictures of the set and the make up (yes I got make up and even got my hair styled). I mean really, how do you expect the orange pants to pop with out my hair did ? Do look out for the Erin Farm advertisement, it will run for the entire Christmas period on TV and thanks so much for checking out my blog.

UWI (St. Augustine) FESTIVAL OF PLAYS Nov 27,28 and 29.

 FESTIVAL OF PLAYS (UWI St. Augustine) T&T

Every year the University of the West Indies (UWI), St. Augustine through its Department of Creative and Festival Arts or DCFA holds what it calls "THE FESTIVAL OF PLAYS".  I attended this event in 2014 for the first time and as a film, art, theatre and culture fan, I was totally blown away. 

This is a weekend filled with some of the best known plays from local and foreign writers that are directed by students who will be graduating with degrees in Theatre Arts. It is an awesome opportunity to experience the "NEXT BIG THING" in theatre before they are BIG !!!

This event is happening this weekend from November 27 to 29 at the Learning Resource Centre (LRC). There are 6 plays in all (2 per night) and you can purchase tickets @ the LRC. My suggestion is to get the season pass for just $100 TT, you won't regret it. 

If you are just checking out one night then it is $50 TT (that is for 2 plays on the night) and students with their ID's pay just $ 35 TT (again 2 plays on the night). More details of the plays, times and cost are in the poster below.

As you see, the writers of the plays being performed range from Shakespeare to our T&T theatre genius Tony Hall. If you want to stay in the know about future events from DCFA then check out their Facebook page here. If you want to study the Arts in Trinidad and Tobago then check out the UWI's DCFA page for more details of all programmes available.

I especially look forward to Sunday night as my friends Ahmad Ali and Ambika Rampersad will be acting in "Much Ado about Nothing" and my sister Shivana Sawh will also be acting in "Patricia A Love Story". My "theatre soul mate" Tyker Giselle Pionero will also be working behind the scenes, no seriously Sunday night is like a family experience for me.

There are six plays this year, look for the posters below for details on each one (directors, actors, times) and don't miss this year's FESTIVAL of PLAYS 2015.

"A Better Place" showing at the IMAX and UWI, Nov 23 & 26.

 A BETTER PLACE

"A Better Place" a documentary directed by Miquel Galofre was the lead film in the recently concluded Green Screen Environmental Film Series. Unfortunately, I did not get to see it during the film series but we all are in luck because Sustain T&T and T&T Rocks (producers of A Better Place) has organized two upcoming screenings of the film.

The first screening is at the IMAX, Port of Spain on Monday 23 November @ 6:45pm, the cost is $50 TT. (tickets are available at the IMAX box office).

The second screening at the Amphitheatre A, UWI Faculty of Medical Sciences, Eric Williams Medical Science Complex (that is in the Mount Hope Hospital see this map for directions) on Thursday 26 November @ 7pm. This screening is FREE but it is advised that you send an email to greenscreen.rsvp@gmail.com to reserve your place.

There was suppose to be another screening on Wednesday 25 November but it was CANCELLED as a result of circumstances beyond the control of Sustain T&T. Please see the poster below for details.

The film is about an hour long and tells the stories of five different environmental projects within Trinidad and Tobago. It also features the local musical talents of Black Loyalty, Gillian Moor with Shiva Mannick, Solman, Ruth Osman with Anders Kappel Øvre (the only non-national) and Freetown Collective.

Writer BC Pires did a great review of the film for the Trinidad Guardian on November 5, called "Music meets environment in Galofre's film "A Better Place", do check it out.

I am a huge fan of Miquel Galofre's films such as  Art Connect, Why Do Jamaicans Run So Fast (about Usain Bolt),  Songs of Redemption  , Hit Me With Music (documentary about Dancehall music) among others. I would love some day soon to get involved in one of his productions. Check out Miquel's website at miquelgalofre and subscribe to his YouTube page.

Since last time I blogged about the Green Screen Film Series, I actually met Carver Bacchus (head of Sustain T&T) and the rest of team of GREEN SCREEN 2015. They loved the blog and I appreciate that love, I will continue to support them for all their productions and events.

Please view the trailer for A Better Place . Also a behind the scenes video on "How we made a Better Place" and see Carver, Gillian and Miquel express their love for making the film. Come see the film and find your passion for our environment.

The team behind the Green Screen 2015, CONGRATS, photo courtesy Carver Bacchus

To PARIS with LOVE.

Photo courtesy Artist Jean Jullien

 TO PARIS WITH   LOVE !!!

It has been over 24 hours since the multiple terrorist bombings in the city of Paris, France on 13/11/15. What shocked me the most about these attacks were the locations that the suicide bombers and gunmen choose. Outside a football stadium, inside a rock concert, at a cafe, at a restaurant; this is not just attack on French citizens but an attack on life.

I have never been to Paris but I wish to see it one day. The power of cinema has time and time again given me the opportunity to visit France through the many films that I have seen in my life. Some of my favourite movies and actors are French and I know when I go there I will surely fall in love with that country and their capital city.

As I mourn those who died in the attacks, I can't help but think of the films, music and art that I love that are based in France and I wish to share a few links of memories as we try to heal.

If you have never seen Woody Allen's 2011 film 'Midnight in Paris" then you should do yourself a favour and see it. Owen Wilson play a modern American writer who idolizes Paris in the 1920's.

In an almost magical way he gets transported to the time period of 1920's Paris and has many epiphanies about life by interacting with Ernest Hemingway, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Pablo Picasso and Gertrude Stein among others.

This movie is Woody Allen's love note to the city of Paris. It opens with beautiful shots of the city and even shows Paris in the rain. Click here to see the opening scene.

Click here for the trailer.



Please check out this scene from the 1942 film "Casablanca" starring Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman. It is a powerful scene set in World War II where Nazis and French citizens clash in song. It is "La Marseillaise", the French national anthem being sung and it a scene that always move me.

Please also watch this video of French singer Mireille Mathieu singing La Marseillaise with the iconic Eiffel Tower in the background. If you want to understand what the lyrics mean in English please click here.


Please also see this video of French singer Serge Gainsbourg's 1966 song "Je t'aime...mon non plus" with his girlfriend at the time Jane Birkin. It is an absolute favourite of mine and this video shows some amazing shots of Paris and the Eiffel Tower in the 1960's.

I also would like you to check out Russian born singer Regina Spektor's  version of the song "Don't Leave Me (Ne me Quitte Pas) from 2012 click here. She says "I Love Paris in the Rain" in the last part of the song and I think it ties in beautifully with the film Midnight in Paris. The original was sung by legendary Belgian born singer Jacques Brel in 1959, you can hear it by clicking here.

I often heal from tragedy and sorrow through art so it would be my pleasure if any of these links and suggestions can help you to heal and find your love for Paris, France and for the French way of life.
VIVE LA FRANCE !!!

                                                                             

5 Reasons You Should Check Out THE GREEN SCREEN Environmental Series 2015 !!!

If you have never been to the annual Green Screen Environmental Series before, then 2015 is your year to check it out and become not just a fan but an activist.

GREEN SCREEN The Environmental Film Series was created by Sustain T&T, an environmental and sustainability education non-profit organization. There mission is to educate the public about local and global environmental issues that we face through the powerful medium of film.

I have been a fan of this film series since its inception five years ago.Through the many films, short films and other events of the GREEN SCREEN  I have learned so much about everything from the crisis we are facing from our polluted oceans, to modern natural architecture that can help rehabilitate the sick, to the slave labour used by corporate chocolate companies and so much more.

This year promises to be most engaging and I offer you 5 Reasons You Should Check Out GREEN SCREEN 2015.

1.TOGETHERNESS : this year's Green Screen theme is "together" and trust me it is true. If you always wanted to find out how you can participate in creating a better environment for the present and the future then you need to join this community. You will become part of movement for local and global change just by choosing to educate yourself.

2. MUSIC : yes it is a film series but there are two outstanding musical events on November 5th at the De Nu Pub and on November 13 at the Black Box. Both shows will feature some of our best local singer/song writers such as the Freetown Collective, Gillian Moor and Black Loyalty to name a few. Click here for more info. The cost is just $60 for each show.

3. A BETTER PLACE : this is a new film from acclaimed film director Miquel Galofre. I am a huge fan of Galofre who was born in Barcelona but loves the Caribbean. He has made films in Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, Bahamas and Haiti. Check out his website and Facebook page and I am sure you will become a fan as well. Click here for a preview of A Better Place.

4. VENUES : this year GREEN SCREEN is offering their events at some really cool venues. Medulla Art Gallery,  Big Black Box and there is a screening at San Fernando Hill on Divali Night (November 10th). I've only been to Medulla Art Gallery before so it is going to be a treat to experience these venues !

5. FREE : as mentioned before the musical performances have a small fee but ALL FILMS ARE FREE !!! (excluding benefit night and school screening). You have the pleasure of seeing these great films, filling your mind with goodness and not emptying your pockets, cyah go wrong.

So check out the Green Screen Film Series 2015 (November 2 to 13). This is their website for further info, like the Facebook page and come enjoy and educate yourself and your friends, family and communities.

IISuperwomanII in Trinidad and Tobago : My Trip to UNICORN ISLAND :)

I had the absolute pleasure of being and experiencing IISuperwomanII in concert entitled "A trip to UNICORN ISLAND" at the Center of Excellence, Trinidad on Saturday 17th October, 2015. It was 2 hours plus of the greatest entertainment on stage that spanned video productions, choreographed dances, musical numbers, stand up comedy and a soca and chutney finale that TOTALLY MASH UP DE PLACE; come on, KI (3Veni), RaviB  (Karma) and MACHEL MONTANO performed.

But it was not just the entertainment that struck me during "my trip to UNICORN ISLAND". Lilly Singh aka "IISuperwomanII bared her heart, soul and mind to each member of that audience. You see, people see Lilly's fame and think maybe she has always been this positive.

Lilly revealed to the audience that she struggled with depression and reached rock bottom in 2010. Somehow she reached into herself and found her "inner superhero" hence the name IISuperwomanII then pulled herself up and started to make her videos on Youtube. For someone like myself who has also struggled with depression; I can totally relate to IISuperwomanII, maybe you can as well. Whenever I am depressed, I always appreciate a good laugh to make me forget myself and realize how much possibilities lay before me and how grateful I am for life. IISuperwomanII has provided many of those laughs and I hope she does for a long, long time to come !!!

The Unicorn Island is Lilly's "happy place" that she has created inside her to keep herself centered. She introduced the audience to this place by dance, song and comedy and encouraged everyone to find their own Unicorn Island. There was a moment in the concert that I will cherish for a very long time. It was close to the end of the show (after the soca-chutney Mash Up) when Lilly bought a solitary stool on stage and started talking directly to the audience. She leveled with us about how happy she was to be in Trinidad and Tobago (a dream come true to her) and how hard she fought to make this concert happen. What resonated with me was her candor and her down-to-earth nature. IISuperwomanII came to T&T not only to "Razzle Dazzle" us (which did btw) but to connect with us, inspire us and motivate us with the bonus of laughter !!! 

Now if you don't know who IISuperwomanII is let me just fill you in a bit.
IISuperwomanII is the pseudonym of Canadian entertainer Lilly Singh (27 years old) who is one the biggest stars on YouTube. Since she started her channel in 2010, her videos have received over 880 million views and she has over 6.8 million subscribers. Her parents emigrated to Canada from the Punjab region of India but Lilly was born in Ontario and moved to Toronto when she was about 2 years old.

She still identifies with her Punjabi roots and has made a sensation imitating her mother and father in her videos and has amazingly connected with a diaspora of east Indian people and people of all races from every corner of the world.  Her videos are usually straight to camera comedic talks about everything from dating to dreams to depression to POSITIVE VIBES and even farts :). What is absolutely cool is that IISuperwomanII often collaborates with other Youtubers and celebrities and SHE RAPS and REPS for all her fans.

Hear what...take your trip to Unicorn Island and discover IISuperwomanII. You can find her videos on her YouTube page, connect with her on Facebook or read this really cool article which also links to some her vids. My hope is that IISPERWOMANII returns to sweet T&T one day very soon, cyah wait !!! I will post one of my favourite vids from her, it called "How to Stay Positive", it is from 2013... please enjoy and that is a wrap...Zoooop ( is just ah borrow Lilly) !!!

4 Reasons to see TRAFFICKED at the IMAX Trinidad NOW !!!

The 2015 Trinidad and Tobago film "Trafficked" is being screened at the IMAX Trinidad (located at One Woodbrook Place in Port of Spain) from Friday October 16th 2015 to Tuesday 20th October 2015. I am a little late with this post but since there are four days left, I will offer four reasons why you should go and see this film TODAY or tomorrow, or Monday or Tuesday are ALL DAYS if you like :).

1. YOU WILL BE SUPPORTING LOCAL FILM.
This movie features Trinidad and Tobago actors, it was directed by a Trinbagonian (Sean Hodgkinson), it is set in Trinidad...in other words "Yuh Supporting T&T Film" !!!

2. THIS FILM HAS SOME ACCLAIM
Don't take my word for it, Trafficked won BEST LOCAL FEATURE at the 2015 Trinidad and Tobago Film Festival and those people know a ting or two about film.

3. IMAX for $50.00 TT ( YUH CYAH GO WRONG).
If you wanted to see a film at the IMAX Trinidad usually you can end up paying between 65-100 dollars. ALL TRAFFICKED SCREENING ARE JUST $50.00. Make this your movie lime this weekend and get the friends pumping !!!

4. THIS MOVIE IS A REFLECTION OF REALITY in T&T !!!
I am not giving any spoilers away but this film deals with some REAL ISSUES in our small Caribbean islands. Film can be a mirror of society so I will leave you with this tantalizing review from a film fan like myself who saw TRAFFICKED recently
"...beneath the veil of civility the scene is set for a well-placed unraveling of a tragedy."
★★★★
- Janine Charles-Farray, Trinidad Guardian

See Teaser Trailer for TRAFFICKED below and join the Facebook page.