I Have A Rough-Cut!

Well, I thought I had a rough-cut before, but I had to go back to the drawing board. To make a long story short, my previous rough-cut wasn’t received very well SO… I am grateful to connect with another Film Editor… A WOMAN! A female Motion Graphics Editor is also on my team. Talk about excited!!!

That’s exactly what I originally envisioned! If not an all female film crew, at the least, I wanted to collaborate with other women.

Thanks to my small but amazingly mighty team, Editor Daniela Ettrich and Motion Graphics Artist Tiffany Lewis.

Last Saturday, February 23rd, I held a private screening of the rough-cut version of my documentary I Am More Than My Hair. I invited other filmmakers with the request that they provide me with feedback for my fine-cut (the final version of my film). Thanks to the support of filmmakers from Creative Edge Collaborative, Brown Girls Doc Mafia and Women In Film and Video DC (WIFV), the feedback received was a tremendous help.

Much thanks to Melissa J. Houghton, Executive Director of WIFV, for taking the time to advise me on the hows and where to hold a screening, during my desperate attempt to figure it out. My local public library worked out just fine. Who would have known?

My next cut will be the fine-cut. Wooohooo! That’s after the next few edited cuts. It’s a process but we’re headed in the right direction.

“Think like a queen. A queen is not afraid to fail. Failure is another stepping stone to greatness.” ~Oprah Winfrey

I am forever grateful for these talented filmmakers!

If you’d like to support the next stage of my film, feel free to make a tax-deductible donation via my Fiscal Sponsor, Docs In Progress. I appreciate your support!

 

Bald, Beautiful, & Bold Fashion Show

You’re invited!

Thanks to the generous support of Carolyn Phillips, a model and participant in my project, we have secured a venue, the Designers and Models as well as a host and a few celebrity guests, for the 2018 Bald Beautiful & Bold Benefit Fashion Show. Carolyn offered to host this event as a fundraiser for “I Am More Than My Hair” film as well as a bald awareness campaign – #BaldBeautifulBold

The Fashion Show takes place on Saturday, April 21, 2018 at Montgomery Park (1800 Washington Blvd, Baltimore, MD), from 5pm-7pm. Doors open at 3pm for vendors as well as a meet-and-greet.

Everyone involved has graciously offered to volunteer their time, including all models, make-up artists, designers, photographers, the host, a blogger… the list goes on an on. What a blessing is has been to be a part of a committee dedicated to bringing the fashion show to life, all in support of my film. I am truly grateful.

All we need now is your presence. Tickets are only $25, VIP is $35, and children under 16 are FREE. Purchase your tickets at – http://www.baldbeautifulbold.eventbrite.com/

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By now you should know that I enjoy creating projects. This time around, it’s a project based off I Am More Than My Hair, a two-part project (film and book).

For consideration in an exhibition with the National Portrait Gallery, I’m looking for bald girls and women who would allow me to photograph them for my application submission. Even better, if I’ve taken your photo for I Am More Than My Hair coffee table book, I already have your story and I wouldn’t’ need you to submit another one for this project.

If you or someone you know interested in participating, please contact me and we’ll set a date.

I’m down to the wire

With just 6 hours remaining before the end of my campaign I can’t help but reflect on this 3 year journey. It has been so rewarding yet challenging and fruitful all at the same time. Along the way I’ve learned that my obstacles created a path of experiences that opened up a handful of opportunities… now and for the near future.

I love Zig Ziglar’s words…

“When obstacles arise, you change your direction to reach your goal; you do not change your decision to get there.”

With that in mind, I will always be transparent with all of you. The reality is, not reaching my goal on Indiegogo may delay the completion date of I Am More Than My Hair, but it won’t stop me from finishing it.

Please know that one way or another I will share I Am More Than My Hair with the world. 

For the last few hours, please continue to help me spread the word with your networks!

Much thanks to my recent contributors: Kinky Peaches, Janet Evans-Watkins, Steven Hutchinson and an anonymous donor.

I am so grateful for all of your support and words of encouragement throughout my campaign. Thank you!

Coming to a close.

I can’t believe that the end of my 30 day campaign is almost near. Anyone who has ever launched a crowdfunding campaign, or a fundraiser in general, knows that you don’t get much sleep. You spend much of your time networking, doing outreach, organizing speaking opportunities, following -up, marketing, follow-up, follow-up and still follow-up.

After all, it’s worth it in the end.

Reaching my fundraising goal is my target of course. However, the connections made and awareness raised, about female hairloss, has been a truly rewarding experience.

To help recharge my energy, it definitely helps when I venture out and meet various women for filming and photoshoots. It’s also refreshing that each participant’s meeting place is usually located someplace differently each time.

Spontaneity is a beautiful thing!

Here’s a short video I captured, with my cell phone, during a brunch with Sisters with Alopecia Group (SWAG) at Bus Boys and Poets. Aren’t they gorgeous!

Please continue to help spread the word for continued support and contributions. 

I’ll make it easy for you. Feel free to copy and past the post below:

Twitter: Help artist @AlysciaCPhoto produce her documentary #film & #book #IamMoreThanMyHair redefines female baldness- https://igg.me/at/MoreThanMyHair

Facebook, LinkedIn, Google+, Instagram, Pinterest, etc: Let’s support female artist, Alyscia Cunningham, and help raise funding in order to produce her documentary film & coffee table book #IamMoreThanMyHair. Through her project she is capturing the personal stories of girls and women who’ve experienced hairloss and redefines the beauty of female baldness. Donate via Indiegogo – https://igg.me/at/MoreThanMyHair

To everyone who has contributed by making a donation and/or sharing my fundraiser… Thank you!

On another note…

Freelance Journalist Christina Portilla, owner of Roam Free Writes, wrote an article about my project. I wanted to share my interview with you. See it at http://www.roamfreewrites.com/single-post/2017/04/03/Community-Call-Redefining-the-beauty-of-female-baldness

Much thanks to Christian for her interest women’s issues and passion to spread awareness about of female hairloss!

I Give Up

As an artist and entrepreneur, I’ve find myself questioning whether or not to pursue certain endeavors. When I first made the decision to leave corporate America in pursuit of my entrepreneurial path, reality kicked in when I first experienced hard times. When the lifestyle I was living based, pretty much based on a consistent paycheck, dissipated.

In the beginning I often had to remind myself why I left and what was most important. My children.

Although entrepreneurial and life challenges has periods of difficulty, I wouldn’t give up the freedom of peace of mind and time spend with my husband and children for anything.

As I continue my journey as a first time filmmaker, I admit that it hasn’t been easy. Not that I’m expecting it to be but I can’t help but notice and feel the challenge of being a woman of color breaking into a new industry, which has been pointed out to me multiple times on multiple levels.

I’ve tried my best not to let the lack of support for my fundraiser and opportunities that seem to not be a “right fit” (yes I’ve been told that), get to me. At times it’s hard. And during these times I’ve thought to myself…

Then it hit me…

I thought about my mom yesterday. She was 25, married with 3 children (2, 4 & 6) and had an aneurysm on the right side of her brain. The aneurysm caused her to have a stroke and left her paralyzed on the left side of her body. She told me she went through periods of “Why me?”, anger and bitterness about her diagnosis. But all I remember about my mom is that paralysis on the left side of her body was never an excuse for her to NOT do anything.

She drove by herself, cooked for her family, went to and from work on the busy streets of Manhattan, NY, and was so determined to keep going, despite her stroke. My mom set the tone for me when it comes to determination.

If she never made an excuse, how can I?

In no way am I comparing my moms illness to the frustration I feel about my art. Instead I am drawing a comparison to the level of difficulty she experienced and what I feel personally about my art.

I have no excuse and giving up is not an option.

Despite the negative comments I’ve received from various women (yes women) about I Am More Than My Hair, there is an entire community of girls and women involved in my project, that are not only counting on me but sincerely believe in the mission of my work. Of OUR work. And if I give up, we lose.

Today gave a speaking engagement and presented my work to young ladies of Albion College (Albion, MI) Women’s and Gender Studies. The positives responses and questions during the discussion about embracing who are are and learning to love ourselves just as we are, was another confirmation that I am on the right path.

Taken at Albion College (Albion, MI) during my presentation Embracing Your Natural Beauty, for the women of Women’s and Gender Studies. 

In the end, my lesson learned is what will be must be. What is for me shall be. What I am born to create, has no option but to be created. I’m allowing life to takes it’s course. Thank you for taking the time to read.

With just 15 days left for my fundraiser, your support is appreciated. Contribute via Indiegogo – https://igg.me/at/MoreThanMyHair

Thank you,

Alyscia

ACT WITHOUT EXPECTATION

We live in a society where the cultural norm is to give with the expectation of receiving.

I call it the “what’s in it for me?” syndrome.

Although this doesn’t change my mind about moving there, as much as I love California, that attitude was one that I noticed to be most prominent of many during my visits. I know that it’s not just Cali but worldwide. Especially in America, unfortunately.

In these situations I  can’t help but to wonder what happen to “giving to give”? Whether it be information, referrals, advice or monetary support.

I often meet people that respond to my candidness of sharing information as unbelievable and even questioning my “expertise”, as if to think there’s no way I can have knowledge in so many different areas (thankfully I live outside the box). Going deeper, when I volunteer my time to help children and those less fortunate that I, I’m simply helping just to help. I can care less about what looks good on my resume, or capturing images of me volunteering… I just want to make a difference in the lives of others.

When I launched a campaign for Keep a Child Alive, I did just that. Despite the fact that my initial introduction to the organization was a result of my research for Alicia Keys contact information in order to interview her about her “No-Makeup Movement“, I saw the significance and wanted to be involved.

I said all that to say, please consider giving to my campaign without the expectation of getting something in return. Knowing that you’re helping to make a difference in the lives of children and families affected by HIV is life transforming for those on the receiving end.

So I ask that, for a moment, we maneuver out of our bubbles and give to those in need. I hope that you will join me in successfully funding my campaign for Keep a Child Alive and other organizations you feel most passionate about. Please show your support (with a little as $5) here. My campaign ends approximately at 11:59pm on World AIDS Day, Thursday December 1, 2016.

Thank you,
Alyscia Cunningham

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