Bahamas in Atlanta at Tyler Perry Studios Simply Haute

Last Week, I had the pleasure of attending The Bahamas in Atlanta event at Tyler Perry Studios (TPS). It was amazing! Officials from the Bahamas Tourism Board transformed TPS into a Bahamian retreat. More than 400 people turned out for the invitation-only affair to sample Bahamian cuisine and culture.

 The Minister of Tourism and Aviation Vincent Vanderpool-Wallace spoke earlier in the day during a private media luncheon at the Four Seasons Hotel Atlanta… and then played host once again for the evening event along with U.S. Ambassador to The Islands of the Bahamas Nicole Avant who served as the keynote speaker.

Vanderpool-Wallace makes a compelling story of why Atlantans should consider the islands of the Bahamas as their next vacation destination with more than 700 options… there is plenty to see and do in the tropical paradise. It’s absolutely one of my favorite places to visit in the world… because we all know that It’s Better in the Bahamas! I would also venture to say that Tyler Perry would probably agree… after all he owns his own island along with film star Johnny Depp! Now that’s beyond HAUTE!

The celebration continued with Junkanoo dancers and give-a-ways like a trip to the Bahamas for two with accommodations at the exclusive Cove Atlantis on Paradise Island! Next year, the Bahamas travels to our nation’s capital and you better believe that I’ll be making a return trip.

Which islands are on your list of favorites?

In the photos: Vincent Vanderpool-Wallace, Minister of Tourism and Aviation for The Islands of the Bahamas, Anita Johnson-Patty, General Manager Communications for The Islands of the Bahamas and Yvette Castlin with Rolling OUT, Katherine B. Smith, Consul General for The Commonwealth of The Bahamas and Brienne Herbert, Shoe Designer

Advice to a Haute Travels Girl

Yesterday, I got a wonderful email from a Haute Travels follower who is wrestling with the notion of leaving the world that offers financial security to one that truly makes her happy. So she asked me… How I did it? When I first read the email, I wasn’t sure if I should give advice to someone that I didn’t know. But as a Pisces girl, I threw caution to the wind and told her my story.

Here’s what I said…

Hi!

I really appreciate your support for Haute Travels... and I love feedback!

Well, to answer your question I thought about leaving television years before but I didn't because I was in my comfort zone... perhaps fear of the unknown played a role. But after a series of things that took place I was able to leave the business and explore something new. There was a bigger plan at work for my life and every excuse to not do what made me happy disappeared when the job was no longer an issue.

I wanted to write for magazines so I did some research and pitched a travel mag that targeted African American travelers. They loved my pitch and my life as a travel writer was born.

But, I didn't rest there because freelance writing didn't offer the financial rewards that I deserved. So I started to consult with a multi cultural advertising agency as a PR, media and communications expert and coupled that with speech writing. Working as an independent consultant gave me the freedom that working in an office didn't... time to travel. Keep in mind, I had no experience in PR or advertising but I brought value as a seasoned journalist, great thought partner and writer to their world. I learned their language and used it to build my skill level and professional experience.

If you're seeing a pattern that's because at the heart of everything that I do... I'm a story teller. I just discovered new and different ways to reposition and reinvent myself using skills that I already have to do things that feed my creativity and my love for travel... while affording me a lifestyle that makes me happy.

I've discovered that as I stay true to myself, my loves and my sanity... I attract people who support, inspire and encourage my growth. People who bring the best out of you will become more valuable than you will ever know. Their strength will support you when you feel like giving up. But first, you have to take a leap of faith and everything falls into place. Just believe in yourself and keep going.

Think about what you love to do and whether you have a skill level that supports it. Create a plan and seek out opportunities that encourage calculated risks. Don't abandon your responsibilities but follow your heart and take your brain along with you. Create a life that's free of things that weigh you down like debt or unhealthy relationships.

You may encounter obstacles but they don't have to derail you... instead use them to make you better and smarter about how you'll make your dreams come true. I'm still learning and in some ways starting over since I relocated to Atlanta. But I'm still in the game doing what I love to do and making it work. I dream bigger because I don't know how not to. There are so many people who believe in me and see me doing things that even I had not imagined but it's possible. I have friends who just don't encourage me but invest in my dreams.

I wouldn't say walk away from your life or job... but rather reposition yourself so that you can live a life that makes you happy.

I hope this helps... take care.

Marian

"When the heart is at ease... the body is healthy." Chinese Proverb

Are you following your passion? How did you do it?

Rivne General III

A few more photos around downtown Rivne. We spent some time just walking around in the freezing cold, exploring, people watching, and photographing anything that looked unique or interesting.

-Yuriy

Ghostkeeper and it's audience

Things are moving on two fronts, both Ghostkeeper and Christmas story. First Ghostkeeper, you should go back to Thursday's posting where one of you posted a good point. Basically, put young people in to attract an audience.

As I said in the post, I had thought of this especially after watching a screening of a really awful 16mm print, magenta-tinted and scratchy as hell. The audience was 80 people in a small screening room called Trash Palace in Toronto and only 5 were over 25. I toke a hands up poll.

It didn't take a rocket scientist to realize that my audience would be19 upwards to maybe 25 and that they would be single urbanites with some film knowledge and who enjoyed movies that were obscure and the older the better. I didn't think younger teens would be interested as Scream 4 was a flop, after 3 weeks it still hasn't made it's cost. So much for that coveted teen audience.

 So I added two characters in that age group, 21-ish. One is an Australian girl who is traveling around the world, taking odd jobs for a few months here and there. This is actually based on one such girl who revealed that a lot of Australians are doing that. So staying five minutes ahead of the trend, I added the Australian girl to the cast.

One of the recurring notes in imdb.com (somewhere between "it's a classic movie to it's the worst movie ever made") was that I failed to really utilize the Indian mythology of the "Windigo", the creature that "preys on human flesh". While there are several spellings of the word, Windigo is the accepted Cree Indian tribes.

This time I added a lot of mythology, as you probably saw in the posting of two storyboard frames on March 28, 2011. You'll notice it's mostly about a creature, a Windigo, that was based on some old crude drawings, but more on descriptions by Indians.

By the way I use the term Indians for the American readers. In Canada they are referred to as First Nations.

In reality, there actually is a "Windigo psychosis" that occurs with some people, mostly isolated and in winter, become cannibalistic and probably helped create the myth. So to this I added another younger character, a male, same age, 21, who was half white, half Indian.

These people are often called "Metis", defining themselves as half Indian and half French-Canadian. One of the most famous Metis was Louis Riel, who in 1885 rebelled against the Canadian government in a short war that had maybe 100 casualties. Not much compared to the US Civil War casualties, but hey, we did our best.

Both the Australian girl and the Metis are considered the leads, thus having a connection with the audience of the same age. And since this isn't a slasher nor a torture horror film (Saw), I considered I would probably lose some of the audience.

I'm taking a chance on not being tremendously explicit in horror, again that was one of the things the positive reviews mentioned. In their own words it was creepy, not gory. It was a combination of the isolation, the cold and the terror inside them as well as a real threat from a crazy woman and her brood. The horror is as much in the atmosphere as it is in the characters. The hotel smells evil.

Ultimately nobody can really predict the audience, I feel certain that my audience is that age span starting at 19 to 25. I also changed the genre to "supernatural thriller", rather than horror, again maybe splitting the audience but my expectations are more realistic. 

I don't see this as making millions of dollars, in fact I would be happy if it gets a good audience from DVD, pay-for-view and cable sale to someone like HBO. If it does get a theatrical... well, lets not get ahead of ourselves.

I really am doing it for those kids who discovered my 1980 movie, something I forgot about to some extent, and never expected that fan base, small but growing each week by the looks of the Ghostkeeper clip on Youtube. It's in the Materials section of this blog.

And of course, it gives me a good gig of writing and directing and also leading to next year when I want to make Emperor of Mars, my final movie.

Or at least until I write another screenplay.

Haute Stuff: Meeting the Neelys!

As a Haute Travels girl I’m not the type who spends a lot of time in the kitchen although I love good food. So it may be surprising to know that I spent today at the Metropolitan Cooking and Entertainment Show in Atlanta.

My mom came along because she loves cooking and picking up a great cookbook. But she also loves the Neelys… she watches their show Down Home with the Neelys on The Food Network and even picked up their cookbook. If you love good food and entertainment… this power couple puts on a great show while preparing an amazing meal. I have never watched a cooking show and laughed so much while being taught how to grill pork chops. Gina is a clown! She was so much fun to watch and the way that she and Pat engaged the audience was sheer comedy. But more importantly, I love the example that they set when it comes to African American couples who truly love and respect each other.

I loved when one woman asked Gina how to prepare a meal to make a man “put a ring on it.” Gina told her that it depends on the man… but what they eat may not be the same thing that we should be eating. After all, you gotta learn how to keep him so cooking, staying attractive and making him happy is what she calls multitasking! She told the girls in the audience to hit her up on facebook to learn more as she started her Beyonce routine!

After the show, I surprised my mom by taking her backstage to meet them. Let’s just say she was so excited especially when both Pat and Gina gave her a hug and a kiss southern-style. So I want to say thanks guys for making my mother’s day.

Now you might ask what’s next for the couple with an appetite for food, fun and affection… a new restaurant, Neelys Barbecue Parlor with partners Merchant’s Hospitality, Inc. set to open in New York City in June! I can’t wait to check it out… I’m sure it will be HAUTE!

The restaurateurs also operate three family-run barbecue restaurants in Tennessee with two more in Memphis. They are also writing another cookbook.

To learn more visit http://www.ginaandpat.com/index.php

What’s your favorite southern-inspired dish?

do is Atlanta's Haute New Restaurant!

A Haute new restaurant makes its musical debut in Atlanta… do officially opens this week! Last night, I had a blast with friends and Haute Travels followers at the pre-opening of do (pronounced dough) in Midtown. So many people turned out to congratulate owners Christian Ruffin and his wife Nacasha on their new venture... their dream coming to life was inspiring to just about everybody.

Ruffin has used sound and theatrical lighting to integrate technology into restaurant design for an experience unlike any other in Atlanta. do marries science with substance… guests use Apple iPads to change the music, place orders without having to wait for a server and going paperless means going GREEN. You can even call for your car with the touch of the screen! Ruffin really gave a lot of thought to the atmosphere… iPads are everywhere, video on walls, good food and lots of fun flows throughout the two-story industrial building transformed into the new it-spot. The all-white furnishing and waterfalls remind me of Miami meeting Atlanta.

 If you’re looking to meet friends to catch up over salads, specialty pizzas and desserts―do is the spot for you. The Ruffins have also made sure that there’s something for everybody… they even have gluten-free pies!

If you like Al fresco dining just head to the top level and sit on the terrace to view the skyline with a glass of wine. I sat out there with Tammie (@TalkingwithTami) and Shane (@IamFAshionWeak) for girl talk, sipped Chardonnay and let our hair blow in the gentle breeze of a beautiful spring evening in our favorite southern city, while the music kept the vibe haute… think NYC meets the ATL!

do officially opens May 6th just in time for Cinco de Mayo to learn more visit www.DoAtTheView.com

Will you check out do at The View?