SlamNation - Let the Be Bee

May 7, 2015, 10:04 pm

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Tue, 2015-05-26 (All day)

Posted by Paul Devlin:

 

Back before everyone had a video camera in their pocket, SlamNationco-producer Tom Poole lent a camera to muMs da Schemer (HBO's Oz) and that gave us fresh, candid footage of his fellow Nuyorican slam team mates, Saul Williams, Jessica Care Moore, and Beau Sia during their journey to the National Poetry Slam.

 

 

Here's a little sample of them goofing off and just being themselves, before they became famous.

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SLAMNATION MINI DOC

June 4, 2015, 5:16 pm

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Fri, 2015-06-05 (All day)

Posted by Paul Devlin:

 

This outtake from SlamNation takes place at the Slammaster’s meeting at the Portland National Poetry Slam in 1996. These used to be completely democratic meetings, that anyone competing in the National Poetry Slam could participate and vote in.

The quality is rough and the original is lost, but this mini-doc captures a turning point in the poetry slam movement: the birth of the non-profit organization Poetry Slam Inc (PSi). The piece shows that the organization was born out of the fear that some big corporation would trademark the phrase “Poetry Slam” and block the poets from using it for their events. (The reality of copyright law is that “Poetry Slam” had already become part of the common language and could no longer be trademarked for performance poetry events. So the fear was unfounded, and no one, not even PSi, owns the phrase “Poetry Slam.”)

 

For those who have the context and know the players, this is a study of subtle power plays. Participating in the early slam poetry movement was a profound, close-up lesson in politics. The stakes may be lower, but I’m convinced the dynamics are similar to any government or big corporation.

This is the beginning of the end of what I found most fascinating about the ad-hoc national community of slam poetry – that grass-roots anarchy which managed to generate spectacular events like the National Poetry Slam. When Poetry Slam, Inc. became an official non-profit and started referring to by-laws instead of family at meetings like this, something magical about the movement was sacrificed.

 

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BLAST Production Update - Nick Fraser

May 7, 2015, 10:57 pm

≫ Next: The Front Man - Ode to the Female Buttocks

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Mon, 2015-06-15 (All day)

Posted by Paul Devlin:

 

We kept our Artist Share Participants (who helped fund BLAST!) updated with these reports. Nick Fraser is the Executive Producer of BLAST! And, as the programmer of BBC’s Storyville, an important figure in the international documentary world. It was great to have his early support to get the project started, and his insight and wisdom to navigate the difficult edit. Without him, BLAST! would not exist.

 

And he’s fun to listen to. We were making a movie in Antarctica at the same time Werner Herzog was making Encounters at the End of the World.  It’s fascinating to hear Nick’s take on the two films.

 

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The Front Man - Ode to the Female Buttocks

June 6, 2015, 2:37 pm

≫ Next: SlamNation - "Words Don't Fit in My Mouth"

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Thu, 2015-06-25 (All day)

Posted by Paul Devlin:

 

Enjoy this hilarious outtake from The Front Man.

 

 

As you can see anyone can write good poetry. Even if the subject matter is butts.

 

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SlamNation - "Words Don't Fit in My Mouth"

May 8, 2015, 11:46 pm

≫ Next: The Front Man - Be the Turtle

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Mon, 2015-07-06 (All day)

Posted by Paul Devlin:

 

Jessica Care Moore delivers a poetic mouthful in this outtake from SlamNation.

 

 

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The Front Man - Be the Turtle

June 6, 2015, 3:06 pm

≫ Next: INTRO TO BLAST!

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Thu, 2015-07-16 (All day)

Posted by Paul Devlin:

 

Enjoy this hilarious outtake from The Front Man.

 

Jim Wood teaches us how to be zen thanks to a friendly neighborhood turtle. We can all learn a thing or two from this little guy.

 

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INTRO TO BLAST!

May 9, 2015, 10:34 pm

≫ Next: SlamNation - Jerry Quickley - "Door Broken"

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Sun, 2015-05-10 (All day)

Posted by Paul Devlin:

 

Exposition can be deadly to a story and set up in a movie is always a challenge. This is especially so when you’re trying to set up science for a general audience. It took a long time to get it right, but I think we did a decent job with set up in my movie BLAST!.

 

 

Of course it helps to have some good tools to work with. This clip has catchy music that establishes a lively pace, and it help to be able to use high-end NASA animations of space, and intriguing lines like “We want to look back in time...”  Best of luck with setting up your movies!

 

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SlamNation - Jerry Quickley - "Door Broken"

May 10, 2015, 2:54 pm

≫ Next: The Front Man - The Man Alone

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Fri, 2015-08-07 (All day)

Posted by Paul Devlin:

 

A young Jerry Quickley gives great energy in this hilarious outtake from SlamNation.

 

 

He went on to become one of the foremost performance poets in Los Angeles.

 

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The Front Man - The Man Alone

June 6, 2015, 3:22 pm

≫ Next: Music Video - Ricky Martin

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Tue, 2015-08-18 (All day)

Posted by Paul Devlin:

 

Enjoy this hilarious outtake from The Front Man.

 

 

What if you were the last man on earth? Jim Wood pitches an idea for a TV show that only one person would be around to watch.

 

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Music Video - Ricky Martin

May 10, 2015, 8:50 pm

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Fri, 2015-08-28 (All day)

Posted by Paul Devlin:

 

Oh the nostalgic '90s, back when you could actually make a living creating music videos.

 

 

I cranked out dozens of these back when I was freelance editing at post-production houses around New York City. Go Ricky!

Arthur Ashe Kids Day Teaser

October 4, 2014, 3:04 pm

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Wed, 2015-09-02 (All day)

Posted by Paul Devlin:

Arthur Ashe Kids Day is a warm up to the U.S. Open Tennis Tournament in New York City. Promoting the legacy of the great Arthur Ashe, the fun event fills the main arena with young tennis enthusiasts who are treated to performances by the greatest tennis champions in the world as well as rising stars in pop music. Talents like Rihanna and Justin Bieber appeared at Arthur Ashe Kids Day early in their careers before they were superstars.

CBS Sports broadcasts the event, and twice I have edited the complete hour-long show. This poignant tease, produced by Alana Campbell, preceded the 2012 broadcast.

The Front Man - Baby Abdominizer

June 6, 2015, 4:08 pm

≫ Next: SlamNation - Patricia Smith Jukebox

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Thu, 2015-09-10 (All day)

Posted by Paul Devlin:

 

Enjoy this hilarious outtake from The Front Man.

 

 

Jim Wood shows off his new workout machine...and also his child.

 

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SlamNation - Patricia Smith Jukebox

May 10, 2015, 9:15 pm

≫ Next: SlamNation - Saul Williams Interview: Part 1

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Fri, 2015-09-18 (All day)

Posted by Paul Devlin:

 

Patricia Smith is a master of the persona poem, taking on the voice of a character in order to give us insight into their story.

 

 

Here is the complete performance from a poem excerpted in SlamNation.

 

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SlamNation - Saul Williams Interview: Part 1

May 11, 2015, 1:05 pm

≫ Next: SlamNation - Saul Williams Interview: Part 2

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Mon, 2015-09-28 (All day)

Posted by Paul Devlin:

 

Part 1, Saul Williams on the influence of hip hop on poetry.

 

These series of poignant moments with Saul Williams were captured by our dear friend Gabrielle Bouliane, poet and filmmaker, who recently lost her battle with cancer.  Originally intended as DVD extras for SlamNation, we offer them now as a tribute to the talent of both Gabrielle and Saul.

 

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SlamNation - Saul Williams Interview: Part 2

May 11, 2015, 2:29 pm

≫ Next: Jersey Kite Festival!

≪ Previous: SlamNation - Saul Williams Interview: Part 1

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Thu, 2015-10-08 (All day)

Previous Episode

 

Posted by Paul Devlin:

 

Part 2, Saul Williams on the influence of hip hop on poetry.

 

These series of poignant moments with Saul Williams were captured by our dear friend Gabrielle Bouliane, poet and filmmaker, who recently lost her battle with cancer.  Originally intended as DVD extras for SlamNation, we offer them now as a tribute to the talent of both Gabrielle and Saul.

 

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Jersey Kite Festival!

October 11, 2015, 9:40 am

≫ Next: SlamNation - Saul Williams Interview: Part 3

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Sun, 2015-10-11 (All day)

Posted by Paul Devlin:

So great hanging with my boys at Dan Snyder's house in Long Beach Island, New Jersey. Took a walk on the beach and this is what we found.

Thanks for hosting us Dan!

https://www.facebook.com/LBIFLY

 

 

 

 

 

 

SlamNation - Saul Williams Interview: Part 3

May 11, 2015, 2:47 pm

≫ Next: Slamnation - "Children of the Night"

≪ Previous: Jersey Kite Festival!

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Mon, 2015-10-19 (All day)

Part 1, Part 2.

 

Posted by Paul Devlin:

 

Part 3, Saul Williams on the influence of hip hop on poetry.

 

These series of poignant moments with Saul Williams were captured by our dear friend Gabrielle Bouliane, poet and filmmaker, who recently lost her battle with cancer.  Originally intended as DVD extras for SlamNation, we offer them now as a tribute to the talent of both Gabrielle and Saul.

 

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Slamnation - "Children of the Night"

June 6, 2015, 10:46 pm

≫ Next: Slammin' Becomes SlamNation

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Thu, 2015-10-29 (All day)

Posted by Paul Devlin:

 

Enjoy Saul Williams as he performs his poem "Children of the Night". This and much more is featured on SlamNation.

 

Slam Poetry melds the art of writing and the art of performance in the context of a good old fashion brawl.

 

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Slammin' Becomes SlamNation

May 11, 2015, 5:49 pm

≫ Next: Spin Doctors, Jimmy Olsen Blues

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Mon, 2015-11-09 (All day)

Posted by Paul Devlin:

 

I had completed my television pilot shot, Slammin’, shot at New York City’s Nuyorican Poets Café,and was shopping it to TV as a series. By then I was hooked into slam poetry in a big way. So in the summer of 1995 I went on a pilgrimage of sorts to Ann Arbor where the National Poetry Slam was happening that year.

There I met the movement’s founder Marc Smith. Man, did he give me the evil eye! He did not trust television people and he was very wary of someone appropriating and perverting the great thing that he had started. He also did not like the fact that Slammin’  was centered in New York, a place he was naturally suspicious of, being from Chicago.

 

 
So he and poets Gary Glazner and Allan Wolf sat me down, and explained their vision of where slam poetry should go and their reservations about putting it on television. I listened carefully and their interest in maintaining the integrity of the movement and keeping it inclusive to represent the diversity of slam poetry across the entire country had resonance. This meeting is the seed that germinated intoSlamNation. Eventually I became good friends with all of them and part of the community myself.

 

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Spin Doctors, Jimmy Olsen Blues

May 26, 2015, 6:31 pm

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Thu, 2015-11-19 (All day)

Posted by Paul Devlin:

 

Spin Doctors were one of my favorite bands in the late ‘80s early ‘90s when I had recently moved to New York City.  They played 3,4,5 times a night, often in my neighborhood in the East Village and always put on a great show. I remember one at the old Nightingale’s club on 2nd Avenue, that was so packed the audience filled the small stage and the band stood on their amps, hovering above a sea of fans as they played. Whenever friends came to town, I knew I could show them a great time by bringing them to a Spin Doctors show.

 

Then Pocket Full of Kryptonite came out and the band went huge, and didn’t play in the neighborhood as much. But when the music video for “Jimmy Olsen Blues” came Chromavision, where I was freelancing, I jumped at the chance to online edit it.

I think there are later versions out there, but this is the one we delivered.  Pocket Full of Kryptonite is celebrating its 20th anniversary and Spin Doctors are going back out on a world tour.