100+ New York City Stories: Unscripted conversations with artists, entrepreneurs, small businesses and everyday people. Filmed, interviewed, edited & shared by LaRon Batchelor.
”When I first became homeless, I use to pray that I die for 6 months…that was back in ’87″ Jerry,52, may be homeless but his mind isnt. I met Jerry in Tribeca. Our conversation is inspiring to say the least. The street lights are on a timer. They come on and off every 2 minutes. Jerry’s face begins to appear at the :35 second mark. He shares his story, a new year’s resolution, tips if you become homelsss, this favorite Bible passage and strongly suggests that everyone “diversify their finances”.
Detroit Inspired. NYC Executed. The initial stories I filmed in my hometown of Detroit have grown into over 100 NYC stories. This is a mix of clips from 12 stories I filmed btwn February 2010 to July 2011. Motown to Grotown (a conversation @Detroit hospital is the impetus for www.mysmallstory.com) , Schott Free (former LOUD a&R, think Wutang, MoBB Deep), Stacey Mckenzie (Model/Entrepreneur told she was “too ugly to be” the supermodel she is today), Steven Mark Klein (New Yorker), Georgia (Family Beauty Business), Omar Dubois (Culture writer, traveler), Beans (Music artist@Label store), Openhouse Gallery (NYC’s #1 pop up space/experimential marketing), Uplifting Men (Homeless Activist), Samia & I@World Cup (unbeknownst to us, samia is 2-3 weeks pregnant with our daughter Chloe), Hussein Warmack (Founder, Nu South Lemonade) and Amel Larrieux (music artist loved by many, I first met Amel while filming the making of GURU’s Jazzmatazz).
I bumped into longtime friend J Griff , founder of The Stache Group Collective, Jets Fan and new Dad on NYC’s Spring Street for an animated conversation on being a father. “The first month of childhood be calm..keep it lax..that scream..that first scream will shake you to your core like u aint been shook in a longtime..but you see what life is all about.” And then he gives a great visual demonstration on the art of changing diapers. J Griff..Good People!
Born in Denver, Maya grew up in a creative family. She has done everything in the arts from writing, performance to management. We had a refreshing conversation at NYC’s Gramercy Park Hotel about her novel “The Him Book: One Woman’s Almost Religious Search to Find the One” , NYC , Family, longer editorial, Jeffrey Wright and the story behind her bi-annual print magazine THE DDD – Dirty Durty Diary. As an Artist Manager, Maya has worked with distinguished stage and film composers including, Marvin Hamlisch who received an Oscar, Grammy, Emmy, Tony, Golden Globe and Pulitzer Prize, as well as Bill Conti, an Oscar and three-time Emmy winner and one of Hollywood’s most sought-after composers and conductors.As a musician, Maya has worked with producer Dallas Austin, Professor Griff, composed the music for the Jomadi/Crossroads production of Six from the Rainbow, and was a student of Grammy Award winning drummer Woody Williams.
As a professional writer Maya has covered everything from New York Nightlife to the current climate of the music industry. Her interview credits include: Legendary MCs- KRS-ONE and Pharoahe Monch, Editor-in-Chief of Complex, Noah Callahan-Bever, Editor-in-Chief of the Austin Chronically and Founder of SXSW Louis Black, playwright and actor Paul Stoval-Oakley (Clear, Metamorphoses, The Notebooks of Leonardo Da Vinci), actor Amina Robinson (Precious, Mamma Mia), Award Winning Director and Producer Jeremy Simmons (Trans-Generation, Eyes of Tammy Faye, One Punk Under God, and The Last Beekeeper) and legendary New York Graffiti crew The Tats Cru.
The Kid’s are alright! I shadowed Iesha of Street Corner Resources at Harlem Renaissance High School for their 1st annual Video Expo. The students created videos to enhance their college applications and presented their work to family, friends and colleges. The classrooms became exhibition spaces. Meet 4 students and the Principal that empowers them. Harlem Renaissance High School is part of a network of schools designed for teenagers who have been unsuccessful in other settings. These “transfer alternative” programs strive to get students interested enough in education to do what it takes to earn a high school diploma.
Street Corner Resources is a movement combatting youth violence through programs like “I Am Peace”. Together they instill love, support and education in Harlem youth. Street Corner Resources is a movement combatting youth violence through programs like “I Am Peace”.
I just finished filming some kids selling t-shirts out of the trunk of their car and heard a voice from across the street. “LaRon, I got a story for you”. He wasn’t exaggerating. He shares stories about his NYC journey, the ups and the downs . And then he sings. A NYC Small Story. Meet Yasin unscripted..Singer, Songwriter & Model.
Born in Montreal and flourished in NYC. He plays more instruments than he has fingers,. He’s a polygot who has played with David Bowie, Chic, Amy Winehouse, Blondie and was a member of Wylcef’s band for more than a decade. We had a chat in front of the mural at Houston avenue and Bowery.
Leaving my editing office on Broadway, I bumped into “Gabe The Jeweler” for another unscripted conversation with a NYC entrepreneur. Gabriel Urist is simply a “1man show”. His past work/clients include the Air Jordan 5 “Platinum Gold” Pendants, ALIFE , the Air Jordan 4 Military Blue Pendant; the Adidas TS Pro Model Pendant are nothing less than amazing and he crafted a keychain of Converse’s newest silhouette dubbed the Pappalardo Pro to highlight some of his creation
I met up w/ Gemini Christian Alexander at his NYC Bloody Sundays event and turned on the camera following him through a sea of people to find a quieter place to chat. He is the Event Dir. for Dirty Durty Diary, Industry Relations For Frank151, Promoter of La Esquina & The Box, member of G.T.G. (Atlanta Based party gang The Good Time Guys) & self proclaimed “International Player”! Best quotes: “Cross Country Pimpin, Figure 8″…”The Culture is our baby”…”Gangsters and Artists”…”Stay Present”
