'Player Hating: A Love Story' director Maggie Hadleigh-West on the Devastating Realities of American Culture #indiefilm

How does a woman who describes herself as a white, middle class, feminist filmmaker – prevail through dangerous encounters including being robbed at gun point -- to bring her documentary about (who some consider) “a bunch of young thugs” from the Brooklyn Housing Projects to audiences around the country?

Maggie Hadleigh-West, director of “Player Hating: A Love Story” and her crew received harsh lessons on survival while making a movie in an environment where people carried guns 24/7 and lived by a code of “anybody can get it” (killed). In the midst of her culture shock, she found an atmosphere that preyed on the weak, tested the strong and almost became a soul-sucking battle ground for one charismatic, smart and talented man who dared to dream of a brighter future.

In an interview for my blog, Maggie expresses her views on American culture, violence, racism and how she came to love a group of men with whom she had nothing in common but grew to understand.

Madlab Post: Would you agree with viewers who say that you gained a bit of street credibility or "blackness"due to the relationships you've developed and the experiences that you had because of this film? Why or why not?

Maggie Hadleigh-West (MHW): Well, unless God strikes me Black, when I wake up tomorrow I’ll still be a white chick, and my experience will always be informed by my race. I feel honored to have spent as much time in the projects as I did with Half-a-Mill and Godfia Criminals, and I will always love the people I worked with.

What I do have is street smarts and I knew not to even think about bullshitting anyone, so I went in as me, and imperfect white woman-very clear I was going to make many mistakes-but dedicated to telling the truth and that’s what I think they understood through my behavior and how I made the film. I have real people cred.

In what ways did "racist white fears" help or hinder the morale among your film crew and that of the Godfia Criminals while making the film?

MHW: Well, I’d have to say my fears helped me ultimately, because if I hadn’t felt them I probably never would have made the movie. 

Regarding the morale of my crew, it’s my job to keep things moving and talking to them about that kind of thing was not relevant, because we were there to record life and to be invited into a world that was unfamiliar.  We were there as respectful guests. 

How has "Player Hating: A Love Story" affected your perspectives on crime, violence, American culture, family dynamics and the definition of success?

MHW: I was aware that crime and violence was outta control, and I guess it’s best summed up by Half-a-Mill when he says in the movie, “Your stomach does not say, do not stick that guy up. Your stomach says, you gotta eat.” I understand that. I believe that had I grown up poor in the projects as Half and the Godfia Criminals did, the choices that I made might be the same, or similar to theirs. But as a white person that grew up more culturally privileged than those guys, I was never more than randomly hungry and certainly never had the responsibility as a child to feed other children. As a social justice filmmaker, I understand my job as being an advocate and not a judge.  

Regarding family dynamics, I try not to generalize, so I’ll just say that Shaquana -- Half’s wife and the mother of his children  -- is one of the best, strongest and most courageous mothers I know. As a family unit, they do the best they can, which is good enough, versus me who has no (known ;) children and haven’t had to face the same battles that this crazy, racist world produces. Their kids are stellar human beings and really good artists.

If I had to face each day internalizing the sheer numbers of young black men murdered either through crime, police misconduct or whatever, and know that MY CHILD could be killed any time -- well, I believe having to even contemplate that is a crime. And THIS IS American Culture. WE are a culture of violence, degradation and injustice. We're also a magnificent culture, where I can say what’s wrong publically and we can collectively get a little better and more inclusive every day.

My definition of success has very little to do with race or capitalism, except in so much as it impedes my ability to wake up happy, appreciating the people in my life, being grateful for what I have and trying to make the world a better place. I wish that was the general definition for success in this country, but generally it is equated with wealth.

Since Half-a-Mill's quest for improved living conditions is not uncommon for many young men living in the projects, does the elimination of Arts education programs around the country increase the possibilities of these same men getting caught up in gang violence, drugs and related issues that plague inner city neighborhoods?

MHW: Absolutely, it increases the probability of any young person getting into trouble.  For me it’s a very simple equation: If kids don’t have a place to dream, to be creative and understand their potential as artists/workers/ human beings-how do they understand their value/ability to contribute to the world? We need to believe in our potential-that is a part of what art does for any of us.

While making Player Hating: A Love Story, did any of the men whom you encountered have opposite dreams/aspirations than those of Half-a-Mills or has music come to be the only way out, for those who come from such harsh circumstances? 

MHW: Most of the guys in the Godfia Criminals wanted Half to blow up in the music biz, and if that happened they would have gotten paid in theory, because that’s how it works. And in Half’s case, he’d gotten a huge advance in the past, so it was a real possibility. Flam wanted to be a film director, and was unwilling to take a job for minimum because he didn’t want to be humiliated, and he knew he was smart and full of ideas, but didn’t have a path to follow. 

My impression is that if you live in a neighborhood where there are very few (legal) businesses/job opportunities -- you live in a bleak environment. Just like arts programs, if you don’t see it, how can you imagine working there? The flip side of that is advertising and the WANT it creates in most Americans.

So you’re in a bleak, impoverished neighborhood, hounded by police and everyone wants, so you figure out how to GET. The businesses that aren’t there are what would help guys like Unique or Mel to understand that there are shades of gray job opportunities -- and that most people aren’t going to blow up as an artist or a ball player and get rich and famous. So the music/sports seems to be a fantasy and reality way out because there aren’t enough visible and literal opportunities for people to believe in. 

If there is one lesson or takeaway that 'Player Hating: A Love Story' viewers leave with after watching this documentary, what should it be?

MHW: “People are people…if you judge people that you don’t even know-now you’re being ignorant.”-Half-a-Mill

Does the violent and offensive lyrics in hip-hop music create a double-edged sword for artists who are trying to escape a life of drugs and violence, yet, must appease the audience in their "hood" who are supporting the music? 

MHW: Well, first of all I’d qualify the statement and say that not all the lyrics in hip hop music are violent and offensive. I’d also suggest that if listeners can divorce themselves from the stereotypes about rap music and actually listen to the stories, many of those “offensive” lyrics are very informative about what American life is all about for some people.

Finally, the biggest consumers of hip hop music are white people at this point, and although there is street cred to maintain for artists, the culprit is the music industry, in my opinion. It’s really no different then the film industry, dumbing products down for consumers-having no faith in their ability to appreciate better work.

The music industry fans the flames of violence in lyrics and in reality which creates press that impacts sales. I had a major label tell me, when I was simply shopping the idea for Player Hating around, that if they were going to take on the project, they wanted creative control, defined as control over products the artists were wearing or promoting, but the violence was ok.

Why does music seem to be among the top -- if not the only -- force that unites people regardless of culture, race, gender, background, age, religion and viewpoints -- yet -- we remain separated from, judgmental toward, fearful of those who are different from us in other aspects of our everyday lives?

MHW: We fear the unknown. It’s cliché and it’s true. Plus we literally create behaviors through a cultural capitalistic mentality that one group of people is better than another.  You want to see some amazing proof of that? Check out Brown Eye Blue Eye from the 60”s (on PBS).

The reality is that when we reach out to others that are different from who we are or what we know-we get the greatest gifts.  To me, it’s where love hides.

While the very definition of player hating can be seen in a variety of environments -- from the projects to corporate America and everything in between, are there any factors that separate the player haters that Half-a-Mill encountered from the player haters that the average middle class American may encounter or, are they one in the same? -- Either way, can the Godfia Criminals' methods of circumventing player hating or dealing with it when it occurs be applied outside of the projects?

MHW: I don’t think the Godfia Criminals are circumventing player hating-I think they are falling victim to it.

And for me player hating is very specific, and it’s about racism. It’s about oppression, deprivation and lack of a level playing field for poor black men and women-out of which comes this extreme form of competition that includes killing.

I reject the idea of bringing the expression into the general conversation about competition (even though it’s true) because it then dilutes the devastating realities of life and death in poor black neighborhoods.  We need to stop the violence in these neighborhoods before we move the conversation along. 

There you have it, folks! -- An extended version of the story behind a risky documentary that became a labor of love for one of the women working in film today!

Much thanks to Maggie for sharing her experiencing making "Player Hating: A Love Story" with hop-hop artist Half-a-Mill and the Godfia Criminals.

According to Half-a-Mill’s manager, the phrase “Player Hating” is described as someone being in a position where he’s about to shine and you’ll do anything to keep that bastard from getting his money. It’s as subtle as negative lyrics or as extreme as trying to shoot him.

The act of anyone trying to bring another person down because he or she wants to improve one's quality of life is despicable -- and that is evident whether you live in the projects, on a prairie, suburbia or nestled somewhere in between!

*Read my “Player Hating: A Love Story” review here and check out my introduction of the filmmaker behind this movie here. 

The Woman who Made ‘Player Hating: A Love Story’ – A Prelude #indiefilm

In an upcoming interview that’s long overdue, I will be introducing you to Maggie Hadleigh-West, a film director who took several leaps of faith to capture the kind of stories that are not seen on your local morning (or evening) TV news shows.

Embarking on the documentary “Player Hating: A Love Story,” about a young hip-hop artist who has a record deal and plans to use his debut album as his ticket out of the projects, she risked her safety – and that of her interview subjects – to highlight the grim realities that some of us are privileged to not having ever experienced in our lifetimes.

On Maggie’s first day of production at the Brownsville Housing Projects, some neighborhood teenagers robbed her film crew – stealing their equipment and almost blowing her cameraman’s brains out with a 9mm pistol. When the rapper she was working with dropped out for safety reasons, her search for a new main character of the film led to the Albany Projects in the Crown Heights neighborhood, where lyricist Half-a-Mill (who was managed by a former NYPD detective) became the subject of this movie. Half’s protection by Brooklyn Bloods also extended to Maggie but she eventually obtained her own security while filming the rest of “Player Hating: A Love Story.”

Blood Sport, one of the founding members of the Crown Heights Chapter of the Brooklyn Bloods, was among Half’s many associates that Maggie came to know while making her movie. He lost his mother to homicide after she was raped and then thrown off of a building.

While many of us do not know what it’s like to lose a friend or loved one to such violent deaths, we all share the common grief and possibly even anger that accompanies the loss of anyone closest to us. We also know what it’s like to feel abandoned or less important to the entities that are supposed to serve and protect our communities. Yet, there is very little concern for the fires, gas leaks, missing persons and homicides that go unnoticed in the media headlines nationwide – probably due to a mentality of people not having to “deal” with the troubles that are present in what has become a melting pot for fear and hopelessness.

I have no idea how one would go about exploring, and even attempt to address, all of the issues that plague the poverty stricken areas of our nation but I’ve wondered -- how does a filmmaker -- any filmmaker -- literally put herself or himself in harm’s way for a labor of love that focuses on day-to-day realities that a lot of people prefer to avoid and/or even refuse to acknowledge? Maggie’s experiences in making “Player Hating: A Love Story” is just one example of the lengths that many filmmakers are willing to go to bring their work to fruition.  

As I try to scream and throw my hands up to rid the stress of finishing my own movie, I hope – for the sake of every filmmakers’ sanity and health, no matter where they are in the world -- it’s all worth the hassles in the end. Maggie is one of the filmmakers whose work is a reminder that some of the challenges that we face are not as bad as they seem to us at the moment. I mean, if you aren’t in a workplace or situation where it’s likely you will be shot at any given time (as Maggie and her associates were while making this movie), then chances are you’re doing just fine.

Stay tuned for an interview with one of the most daring women directors of our time!

*Also, tomorrow’s Monday Movie Meme will be posted in the evening.

A Lesson on Quality from ‘The Lone Ranger’ #atozchallenge

“Forget the movie; I’d pay ten bucks just to look at this picture,” said David Letterman during his Johnny Depp interview for the upcoming action western, “The Lone Ranger.”

Letterman loves the still photo of a horse-riding scene where Depp plays a North American warrior named Tonto in the movie.

There is little room for error in the making and marketing of this $200+ million budgeted Disney flick. So, when an Emmy-winning talk show host like David Letterman delivers positive remarks about the smallest of details – a photo being just as worthwhile as the movie it represents -- you know the producers, cast and crew have done well by executing on one of key factors that makes all the difference in whether or not we live exceptional lives: Quality.

It is important to aim for quality in what you do as well as in the materials and services received from other people. This doesn’t mean you should meet or expect perfection always without fail; setting yourself up to get it right every time puts you in a better position to excel or come closer to doing so, right out of the gate.

• Put your best foot forward when participating in activities at home and at work. Don’t throw something together just to get it done. Do the kind of work that you’d be proud to share with others or at the very least, satisfied enough to want to repeat it or revel in it. 

• Put yourself in another person’s shoes and ask if you would pay for the work that you’ve done, the advice that you’ve given or the acts of service that you received. If the answer is yes, then chances are that it is of some quality. If the answer is no, then it’s time to go back to the drawing board to make improvements, or else you’ll be flirting with a state of mediocrity – and that does you no good.

• Give your undivided attention to the people who you interact with and the tasks you’re engaged in at the moment. Imagine how off-putting it feels to share a meal with someone who is so busy on his or her phone that the conversation between you two lacks substance. Think about how (not) fun it is to be in a car surrounded by drivers who are so busy texting, doing their makeup or participating in other distractions that they aren’t even looking at the road.

• Accept and use items that are built to last; cheap products and lots of mass-produced goods do not spell Q-U-A-L-I-T-Y. Buy local if you can.

While there is no guarantee that you will get high quality results in all areas of life that involve both short and long-term needs, refusing to settle for the easiest or most convenient options will likely backfire, eventually leaving you unfulfilled.

David Letterman considers Johnny Depp’s horse-riding photo from “The Lone Ranger” to be so fantastic that it “looks like a Charles Russell rendering,” especially since the actor looks like he knows what he’s doing on a pony.

Interestingly enough, Depp, who slipped, dropped and was almost “horrifically mangled” by this horse during one speedy obstacle run while shooting, told Letterman that the photo is the result of a few seconds before things went very sideways on set. Depp’s experience with what Letterman calls an “excellent” movie reminded me that while you don’t need to be perfect, you can find grand moments in the rubble of almost any circumstance to create, consume and engage in something of merit. This applies in the details of a thing; the pieces of a puzzle; not just in the main attraction.

What are one some of the things that affect YOUR Quality of life for better or worse?

Can YOU an item, product or service where you refuse to skimp on Quality?

When was the last time that YOU put convenience (or size, name, referral, color, price, familiarity, smell, texture, brand recognition, etc.) over Quality?