So I was called a few months ago by the Bill White For Texas Campaign to create a spot highlighting Bill’s campaign as he runs for governor. Little did I know that the spot I created would be so well received. It has been reviewed in the San Antonio-Express News and on Salon.com. Here are excerpts from both:
{Produced by Ralph Lopez and written/directed by Ya’Ke}, the 60-second spot aims at one of the most important issues facing the state. It’s also one voters haven’t heard enough about in the governor’s race: education. Lopez and Ya’Ke’s work is effective for what it doesn’t do — there’s no mudslinging or finger-pointing — as much as it’s effective for what itdoes do: with stark, simple images, the short film spells out what happens when a child’s education isn’t nurtured. The child drops out.
– Veronica Flores-Paniagua, SAN ANTONIIO-EXPRESS NEWS
“What a simple yet radical departure it is, a different species from the rest of this cycle’s torrent of nuclear personal attacks, wildly amplified rhetoric and serial distractions…It transcends politics by activating deep emotional reservoirs. It’s the way a lot of advertising works today – it’s stylish, attitudinal, involving – it trusts the viewer to stay with it, with the implicit promise of a worthwhile pay-off. I’ve seen hundreds of commercials this cycle, and this is the first one that addresses the national embarrassment that is our education system.”
– Adam Hanft, SALON.COM
Katrina’s Son was awarded Best Narrative Short at the Austin Film Festival this past weekend. This is so AWESOME and I can’t even hardly put it into words. This festival is an Academy Qualifying Fest and makes Katrina’s Son eligible to be nominated for an Academy Award in 2012. How GREAT is that!!!
I want to thank the entire cast and crew of this film because without you all none of this would be possible. BIG SHOUT OUT to my Co-Producer Ralph Lopez who made sure I had what I needed to take this vision from page to screen. And just the entire creative team who put their blood, sweat and tears into this project…which is receiving STELLAR reviews all around the country. ACADEMY HERE WE COME!!!!
This past weekend Katrina’s Son was awarded the Preston E. Smith Award at the Flatland Film Festival!
All I can say is WOW!! I never expected this film to take off as much as it has. I’m thanking God right now for taking this thing I had in my head and bringing it to life. Everytime we screen this film there is an overwhelming response and people are walking out of the theatre affected and wondering again about the vicitms of Hurricane Katrina.
Thanks to everyone for their support. The entire cast and crew made this possible. THANKS from the bottom of my heart!
Katrina’s Son is heading to Austin, where it will screen as part of the Austin Film Festival. I love this festival because they are so filmmaker friendly and I have made so many great connections there over the years. If you’re in Austin, please come and check us out. I will be at the first screening…so please come out so we can pack the house!! Screening details are as follows:
If you’re in Lubbock, please go and check out Katrina’s Son at this years Flatland Film Festival. I won’t be in attendance, but my co-producer, Ralph Lopez will be on hand for the Q&A. Screening details are as follows:
