Back from L.A. (again)

I had went to LA again to see our composer, Kahil El'Zabar perform with the Ritual Trio featuring Ari Brown at the Jazz Bakery. Ohhh! It was so inspiring, I have been vibin' on it ever since. The thing is that the soundtrack/score is so important to this film b/c the family is headed by musicians and that music is their lives. Our new producer, Alexandra Overton was able to join me at the concert...and we had a ball. here's us at her apartment:


I think Alex reminds me of my sister, I showed my mom the picture she said Alex looks like kin...

Sundance Independent Producer's Conference

When I got home from LA, I found out that we were accepted into the Producers Conference at Sundance! This is very exciting and a great opportunity for me and the project. It takes place end of July-early August...Keep sendin' up the good energy for us.

It is so exciting to see this happening!

At the Hollywood Black Film Festival

I've been very blessed to attend the HBFF this year. We spent a good deal of time taking in the festival and connecting with many different filmmakers. I am glad to say that there are a lot of folks who are out doin' their thang...and a lot of creativity! I got a chance to pitch the project, it went very well! One exec said that he will never forget the pitch...We have been able to connect with some exec's interested in FB, I'll keep you all posted as things solidify. Keep sendin' up your love!

T

Hollywood Black Film Festival

We're at it again, on our way to Hollywood to attend the Film Festival! They have an awesome line up this year, and I will have pics and a nice report-back as soon as I get home!

Safe Travels!

Supporting Firstborn

A lot of folks have been asking how they can contribute to the project, and your support means a great deal to us. Click on the link http://www.bavc.org/media/sponsorship/support.htm to make a tax-deductible donation through BAVC (Bay Area Video Coalition). Be sure to put "Firstborn" or Tiffany Golden in the Project/Mediamaker line to make sure your donation goes to our project.

Thank you so much!

Where we are now...

Life is amazing! It really challenges you to grow and do things that you need on your path. April was a great month for healing and getting myself ready for the upcoming production. There is a power in this work/film that I myself can find overwhelming at times...but that power also pushes me forward during difficult times. Firstborn, the project itself, has required me to grow past my comfort zones and challenge some of my own fears to follow a higher calling. April served up a lot of life's lessons and things I had to deal with in my personal life that needed to be released...a spring cleaning for the soul, if you will. I am truly thankful for my health improving day by day...

Great News!

Our Producer, Klara Grunning-Harris has just received an emmy for her documentary "Gumby Dharma"! It's about Gumby's creator, Art Clokey. Find out more about it www.gumbydharma.com

Director's Interview

In this clip, I share how confronting the clergyman that sexually abused me as a child was a critical factor in writing FIRSTBORN.

The Scene

In this scene, "At the Piano", 15-year-old Daja Wilson asks her musician father, Eli, about his disconnect during her mother's death. In their first heart to heart, they remember the power of love. (Ed L. Gillies, III as ELI, and introducing Jazmin Bell in her first acting role as DAJA.)

for those of you who missed it...

Our host, Greg Bridges was so wonderful. His belief and support in this project is truly special. Prior to the event, we got a chance to be on his radio show Transitions on Traditions on KPFA 94.1 FM. It was my first radio show interview with the project and although I was a little nervous, Greg made both me and lead actor from the Firstborn scene, Ed L. Gillies III, feel more than comfortable. We got a chance to discuss some of the deeper issues that the film deals with and why it is imortant to see healing and healthy images in the Black Community specifically, and why speaking up about some of the rampant sexual abuse in the community (and exploitation in general) is so critical to our healing. I truly thank Greg for that opportunity. (To hear that interview, click the link: http://www.kpfa.org/cgi-bin/gen-mpegurl.m3u?server=157.22.130.4&port=80&file=dummy.m3u&mount=/data/20080121-Mon2000.mp3 we start at about 62 minutes in and go on for 15 minutes) Eddie Gale gave it to us! We thoroughly enjoyed his blessing the stage and space with his talent and time. His songs both uplifted and gave peace as he played to a soul stirred audience. I was turly amazing to be among someone who has given so much to music.

The rest of Eddie's Quartet, Inner Peace

So much to be thankful for, folks were exceptionally receptive to the clips we had shown, which was extrememly fulfilling, especially when the material is so personal at times. You put your whole heart out and run naked in front of the world when creating sometimes...so it's always nice to get a warm blanket when you come back inside.

Here Klara and I are with long time friend and supporter of our work, Patrick Kriwanek, Dean of the Berkeley Digital Film Institute (http://www.berkeleydigital.com/). Patrick was the first screenwriting instructor I had and had seen the first manifestation of Firstborn, then titled "Personal Justice".

Look at this spread! Fancy for real! Thank you again to Hunia, Larena, Susie, Elizabeth, Evelyn, Elena and big ups to my big sister Desma!

Chef-Activist Bryant Terry (middle)...you gotta try his citrus collard greens! Look for the book GRUB (http://www.eatgrub.org/), and he has another book coming out really soon(http://www.bryant-terry.com/) --oh and he made this barbeque tempeh one time, I wanted to knock him in his head! (and for the record I normally hate tempeh!)

My beautiful mother Audrey Golden (Mommy) yes I still say Mommy...Daddy too. The above slide is a behind-the-scenes still of me working with actors Ed L. Gillies, III and newcomer Jazmin Bell on the At the Piano scene.


THANK YOU SO MUCH JENNIFER TONG FOR ALL THESE BEAUTIFUL PHOTOS!

Here We Are! Fundraiser Fresh!

Here is the team that makes up ScorpioRising Productions:

Producer Klara Grunning-Harris (l) and

Writer/Director Tiffany Golden (r)

Thanks to Jennifer Tong for this beautiful photo!

Oh, What a Night!

There are no words to express the beauty of our first fundraiser...I can try to find some (I do profess to be a writer). It was overwhelming with love, support and people who believe in this project. The week leading up to the event had been quite challenging because the clergyman who had abused me (who was considered family) had died, and I was going through a whirlwind of emotions. I had tried to write about it on the blog, but wasn't ready.

Eddie Gale, who played an amazing set for us, was joined by his quartet and really lifted the room with inner peace. Greg Bridges, local jazz dj on both KPFA and KCSM brought both his silky voice and all around genuine love to the evening.

Many people came up to me and trusted me with personal and often unshared information about being abused and that they were grateful that this film is being made. One man in particular, shared his story and told me he originally thought both he and other folks who had been through something similar should "just get over it"--but after seeing the clips from the evening, he told me that he now realizes that there's a different approach that has to be taken and that we do need to recognize the sacredness of our children. I was moved that an 8-minute clip had changed his mind. That is why we do this work.

There are many people that I want to thank for the success of the night: in particular Klara Grunning-Harris, our producer who is my comrade in the trenches on this project. She gives her heart and time, and I truly appreciate her. My sister Desma, who really supported us all throughout the planning. My Mom, whose support on this project means more than she knows--thanks for making the chicken! My best friend, Darice who listened to me bellyache and cry many a night. I also want to thank all the volunteers who gave their time so graciously: Hunia, Susie, Evelyn, Elizabeth, Jennifer, Larena, Elena, Josh, Susanne, Johnny and Damien.

There were friends I hadn't seen in a long time and lots of new people who will become new allies. All and all, I could not have asked for a more beautiful and heartfelt event. Look for pictures soon!

In Unity,

MsTee

Our first Fundraiser!

This Friday, February 15th, 2008 is the first fundraiser for Firstborn. We are really excited about it. Eddie Gale, the legendary trumpeter will play an inspiring set, and it will be hosted by Greg Bridges from both KPFA and KCSM.

We're going to show the scene "At the Piano" from the film and also a Director's interview clip where I talk about how confronting the clergyman that sexually abused me as a child influenced my writing Firstborn. It's an evening that will be most memorable.

Join us at East Side Arts Alliance, 2277 International Blvd in Oakland, CA from 6:30 -8:30 pm. To find out more info, access the evite and RSVP click on the following link:

http://www.evite.com/app/publicUrl/NSZSTBWUFQPFNOPTWDVO/firstbornfundraiser

We look forward to seeing you there!

Welcome!

Hi all,

I decided to post a blog for the production of my first feature film, Firstborn. It will be a journey that you can follow and post comments to, etc. Firstly, a little about the project--the story is about a 15-year-old spiritually gifted girl who is struggling to hold her family together after the death of her songstress mother. It follows her family's journey as they learn to reconnect with one another after their grieving has caused bitter distance between them.

a little about me--I am a storyteller and community worker. I believe in healing through arts and action.