In this episode, we have a conversation with the Documentarian, Author, Poet, and Nephew of ‘Roots’ author, Alex Haley, Chris Haley. We talk about John Brown’s place in history, how his life changed after Roots premiered on television, the trials of growing up related to Alex Haley, his documentary ‘Unmarked,’ his poem books ‘Obsessions’ and ‘Until the Right One Comes Along,’ and his annual film Festival, ‘Utopia.’
About Chris Haley
Actor, Archivist, Filmmaker, Writer, Chris Haley wears many hats. Director, The Study of the Legacy of Slavery at the Maryland State Archives, Director of the Utopia Film Festival, and Annapolis Pride, Annapolis Film Festival, Kunta Kinte-Alex Haley Foundation Board member, he is a recent recipient of the Anne Arundel County Arts Council 2021 Literary Arts Award recipient and co-director of the Capital Region Emmy nominated documentary, 'Unmarked', and author of two books of poetry currently available on Amazon, 'Until The Right One Comes Along', and, 'Obsessions'. Having also appeared on screen and stage on among other productions: The Wire and Ain't Misbehavin' at the Claridge Casino in Atlantic City, Chris is also a nephew of author Alex Haley and direct descendant of Kunta Kinte. If I Could (As read during the conversation) by Chris Haley If I could die For just a little while, And briefly take a break, If I could close my mind, My consciousness, Meditate on a lake. If I could dial down the volume Of voices Screaming daily woes, If I could gently close my eyes, No tears, no cries, No nightmares to hide, I think I would feel better. My passion would return. I’d breathe a life renewed, My candle not all burned. And dreams would reawaken me To the future I’d once yearned, of Grand occasions, Oscar nominations, Standing ovations, Devoted fans – A beloved man – Beautifully free of strife. If I could wake to that I’d beat this desperate rap, Dash my suicidal sway; I’d drink life’s sap I’d safely nap I would not end today Links:
Website Instagram Twitter FaceBook LinkedIn Unmarked (documentary) Utopia Film Festival Until The Right One Comes Along (book) Obsessions (book) The Study of the Legacy of Slavery in Maryland Alex Haley (website) Roots: The Saga of an American Family by Alex Haley (book) Roots (tv mini series) Autobiography of Malcom X by Alex Haley (book) Kunta Kinte-Alex Haley Foundation Howard University Chadwick Boseman (actor) The Wire (tv series) Tyler Perry (writer) Slave Trade Database Enslaved.org (database) Measuring Worth (database) Ibram X. Kendi (author)
About the MAKE IT Podcast The MAKE IT podcast is a platform for the voice of independent filmmaker. We offer a variety of educational, aspirational, and entertaining content that promotes the success of creatives across the filmmaking community and the film industry. Our Conversations with filmmaking professionals are dedicated to sharing the advice, knowledge, and insights of experienced filmmakers while exploring what it truly means to be an independent creative in the highly competitive world of filmmaking. Each filmmaker conversation is backed by thoughtful research that allows us to uncover the raw, authentic truths behind each filmmaker's journey. Through our Indie Talks, we share our thoughts and perspectives on navigating independent film from the perspective of Advisory and Executive Producers. We discuss topics that are relevant to filmmakers across a wide spectrum of filmmaking perspectives, and we do our best to uncover hidden truths and new developments in the film industry. Our goal is to help filmmakers avoid the pitfalls and obstacles on the business side of film so that their filmmaking creativity can thrive. Our Industry Insights provide bite-sized actionable advice that filmmaking professionals and creatives of all kinds can use to keep their heads up as they continue their filmmaking journeys. With advice sourced from the filmmaking community, we build upon the wisdom of our filmmaking guests to provide our audience with truly aspirational and inspirational content. The Mistakes in the Making series gives our filmmaking friends an opportunity to speak directly to our filmmaking audience to share a specific lesson they've learned through a mistake they've made. We are firm believers that mistakes can be the gateway to success when we open our hearts and minds to learning from them, sharing them, and using them to Be Better.
