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Hi, and welcome to Confluence Conversations, where we explore the partnerships, programs, and experiences that elevate student success across Confluence Academies.
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I'm your host, Hailey Bruick, and today we're spotlighting an exciting creative project happening at Grand Center Arts Academy in the Grand Center Arts District.
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The Good Life is a student-involved video series that blends comedy, storytelling, and real life lessons, giving GCAA students the opportunity to work alongside professionals in film and production.
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Joining us today is Jamal the Comedian, Director of The Good Life.
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Welcome.
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Hey, thank you.
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Thank you.
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Eric Ingram, producer of The Good Life, and a member of the GCAA security team.
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Hello, good morning.
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Good morning.
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And we're excited to have one of the student participates with us as well, Jamaia Davis.
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Hi.
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So to begin, um, Jamal and Eric, can I get each of you to kind of explain your specific role in the project?
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Well, um, we have a mutual friend who introduced me to Jamal.
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I met Jamal.
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He said he had a project, and the project that he showed me is almost like back in the day when you would go in a record store and you look at an album and you'd be like, man, this looks exciting.
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You don't even know the music on it, right?
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That's what he presented to me.
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And when I saw it, I was like, oh, this got to be good.
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And just on that, I got involved.
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And then, of course, after reading a lot of it, it was great.
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So Yeah, and we had uh collab on different types of writing to make the series grow.
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A lot of stuff is life experience from college to high school and personal growth.
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Everybody goes to it on an everyday basis right now.
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So being the writer, producer, director is a lot, but the way this is formatted, it's gonna really hit home for everybody.
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Okay, and speaking of that, it's it's built off of like old school comedian uh sitcoms and everything like that.
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So, how does that work into the inspiration for the series?
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So, in all reality, we all, you know, went through college, high school, in the school of any sort of way, and we all had our personal challenges within that type of atmosphere.
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And the way I wrote it is based off what I went through personally and the upcoming generation as well.
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Because once you're in college, you're taking tests, you're going to parties, you're doing a lot of stuff that we usually do.
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You know what I'm saying?
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And I feel like this series is for this upcoming generation now of what to do and what not to do.
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So it's a lot of relatability involved.
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Okay, so you couldn't do this without the students, without connecting with the school and partnering with them.
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Right.
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Yeah, I needed the the real life peep.
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I needed ja because y'all go on through it right now.
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Because back in the day, it was a different story, you know.
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And how do you work with the students?
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Like they are, you know, Jamaica, do you have experience in acting?
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Have you you take those classes over at GCAA?
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I do, yeah.
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I'm in the um musical theater pathway, and I've been taking acting since I was in the sixth grade.
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So I'm really familiar with like the environment and everything like that, like when it comes to stage acting.
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But the filming was a whole new experience for me, although it was really, really enjoyable.
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Um I just love acting, and I'm gonna take every opportunity to do so.
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How many students are involved?
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How many like the cast, right?
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I think when we when we did that one shoot, it was like nine of them.
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Yeah, nine, ten, yeah.
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And all I did basically is, you know, I see them act every day, all day.
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I've seen all their plays, all their um different things that they've done, and I just said, I'm getting that one, I'm getting that one, I'm getting that one.
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Jamaia's one of the top.
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She's been in everything.
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And she's been like lead, co-lead.
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So she was a no-brainer.
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Okay.
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And then once she came, others came.
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Because no one wants to be left out something great.
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No, no, absolutely.
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And this experience, what a great experience for the students.
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Uh, what is it like working with actual students and not actors?
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So I saw them in person from a recent play.
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I was like, they cold.
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I need y'all in this.
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They cold.
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And I had talked to them individually.
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I was like, hey, y'all, I got this project coming up.
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I feel like y'all will be perfect for this.
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Because y'all going through it now, and y'all can actually have the passion of what it is to be in a high school senior, junior in this current era right now, versus back then.
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Because back then it was more, I wouldn't say challenging, but it was more obstacles to the point now where it's just like, okay, hey, this is a arts entertainment school district.
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I never went to a school like that.
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And I feel like that experience that y'all have, y'all can actually bring that to life in this series.
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So, Jamal, explain this when you record actually, or Eric, you can also comment on this, but are you doing this during the school day or is this after school hours, during the weekend?
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Like, is school actually happening when you're recording, taping?
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It's on the weekends on Saturday, between like uh 11 and 4, 5, depending on how long the episode is.
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Yeah.
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Coordinating schedules is really important uh for people who have to go to work.
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Some students have to go to work, but um this is what dedication is about.
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You know, you got to give up your Saturday, maybe your weekend.
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And then when you see the finished product, you're glad you did that, you know?
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Absolutely.
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Yeah.
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Yeah.
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Uh have you seen any of the edits?
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Have you seen your work?
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Um, I've seen I've seen little bitty clips of it, and I didn't even know that it was like out there yet.
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I didn't know that there were clips or anything.
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I just, I was in class one day and my friend was like, Jemia, you're on the news.
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I was like, Yeah, they showed up to you.
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Jemia, you're famous.
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Yeah.
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And I was, I was really shocked and stuff, and I had seen a clip of me running down the hall, and then I think a clip of me asking a teacher a question.
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It was just really, it was really surreal for me because I had never been in that position before.
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And it just made me really appreciative and really excited for what's to come.
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How does this help students having this hands-on experience?
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Like this is so rare.
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Well, for those who want to make this like their craft, this is a a great experience because, you know, you get to prepare yourself for the professionalism of being on a set.
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Um, and any steps that you want to take after that, this step right here will show her and other students what's to come when it comes to because I've shot other films before.
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And uh even when I shot my first film, I had to learn as I was shooting, and now I know quite a bit, so they'll be learning the same type of things.
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You know, the professionalism, being on time, you know, and then the repetitiveness of okay, if you didn't get this scene right, you gotta do it like another another take and another take and another take.
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You have to prepare yourself for stuff like that.
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How does it work with students and they're learning the script and their lines?
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Is that smooth?
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Oh, um uh it's a it's a hit or miss, you know.
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But as long as it flows and it sounds good, I make it work.
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Because a lot of times when we're on set, some people forget their lines, but like they be like, say something else, and I could use that.
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Keep that, keep that.
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Be you, just be you in the script.
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You ain't gotta say it word for word, but how say how you would say it.
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And that's why I like I'd be like, yeah, keep that.
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I won't that line, you know.
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Yeah, that's great.
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Um, what have you learned specifically from this experience that you will take moving forward?
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Um what I've taken from it, um, the first day that I got there, I didn't know anybody.
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I was there alone.
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Um, I was the only student from my school that was there that day.
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And I met a lot of new people.
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I met so many adults, and it it's just it shows me that you really have to adjust with who like to who you work with.
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Because a lot of the people that I'm always acting with or dancing or singing with are like a lot like me, like um, not soft spoken, but you know, just just children and stuff.
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And all the adults that I was working with were really outgoing, they were really funny, they were really like they had like really loud personalities, and I had to adjust to that because I'm really, I'm really like quiet and toned down and stuff.
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Um but yeah, I feel like it just it just adjusts you to different environments and adjusts you to working with all different kinds of people so that you can find a way to get yourself into certain doors and stuff like that.
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Yeah.
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Have you guys noticed how the students are growing and building confidence with this project?
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Oh, yeah, for sure.
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Like the first day, everybody was quiet.
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I'm like, what y'all doing?
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Say something.
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Next thing you know, the more shootings.
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Hey Jamal, hey, hey.
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I'm like, that's what I'm talking about.
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That's why I want to see the confidence, the buildup.
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And like they're more comfortable actually shooting.
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Because at first they was all quiet and stuff, reserved, but now they're outgoing.
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Their personality is louder.
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And that's what I'm looking for.
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It's about the growth within it.
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They they didn't want to miss out, and especially the ones that are taking it to the next level.
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They want to be involved in whatever they can be involved in to further their career or their career, career in this particular uh field.
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They now know that uh I'm not just in security.
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So they're they're walking to me in the hallways.
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Uh, you got something coming up?
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Yeah, you know, you got something coming up, and I'll let them know.
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And they're taking notes.
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Yeah, I think that's great for them.
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Great opportunity for them to see what's possible.
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Yeah.
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Right?
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Um, what else do you want to add?
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What else um should we talk about this the purpose of the sitcom, like and where is it going to be distributed?
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So, because student at GCAA participating in it, but I think there's lessons built into this sitcom.
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Uh, one of the biggest lessons within the series is uh is friendship, responsibility, uh, priorities, and also um just being you.
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Because one episode that to give you a little hint, uh it's about um being you.
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And uh the series, I mean the episode involves someone trying to be something that they're not.
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And I feel like at a point of everybody's lives, we tried to be something that we're not.
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And um that episode was really like a self-reflection when I was a sophomore junior.
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And um, when you watch, you're gonna be like, dang, he really went through A, B, and C just to get back to A.
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And I feel like a lot of times that we don't realize that if you wanna do something, just be us.
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Don't be something that you're not trying to be.
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So each episode has like a life lesson in it.
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Or a theme.
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Yes, okay.
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Yeah.
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Um, I'm sorry.
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And it'll be on YouTube, by the way.
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Okay, that was for YouTube.
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So and then when will it start?
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Oh, my release?
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Go is between uh July and August on platforms like uh uh Tubi, um Roku.
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That's my plan.
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But right now it's gonna be on YouTube for now.
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Okay, and in the show notes, we can go ahead and put those anticipated dates and locations so people can find it.
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Yes, yeah.
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Absolutely.
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All right.
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Um, what do you plan on doing this more projects?
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GCAA, other schools?
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Oh, I've got a couple uh projects coming up.
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I'm gonna discuss it with Dr.
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Carter Oliver, uh, Linda Anderson, and uh Christy Hewell is our head of school over there.
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Uh I've got some ideas, I've I've shown them some things, and it seems like everything that I show them, you know, uh they like it.
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And so it will further advance what we're trying to do over there.
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We have our own theater.
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How many high schools do you know that have their own 600-seater?
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So we've got a lot of stuff, and I'm bringing in people from outside as well, you know.
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Um producers, production teams, and uh and the fact that we're we're gonna be doing some building over there as well.
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I'm not gonna get all the way into it because it's it's still kind of planning itself out.
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But uh with this particular show, yeah, we plan to keep doing this for the rest of the summer and get it done so we can get it out.
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Yeah, this this is the beginning.
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This ain't the ending.
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Yeah, I who've got to do that.
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Well, that's why the question, right?
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It does sound like the beginning.
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Um do you have any students at GCAA that want to be in the behind the scenes?
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Are there any that are getting involved in that way?
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Oh yeah, we've got uh I've got five or six kids that are, I want to be on the uh set, you know, set team or lighting team or or something like that.
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Yeah, we've got that.
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They come from the theater department, you know.
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So I that's I'm always gonna have that with those kids.
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Yeah, I mean, this is such a cool story.
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Oh, yeah, for sure.
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And and uh a lot of kids be asking me, um, anything I can help with?
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I'm like, yes, yes, can you help me with A, B, and C?
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Yes.
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I'm here to learn to teach them what to do and how to do it, because down the road, you know, this is something that they have to add to their resume.
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I'm like, yeah, I I worked with Jamal with this and that, I know how to do lights, I know how to do uh photography, all that.
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So I have endless opportunities within this series.
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And they might not even realize that this might be a skill they have or a talent or an interest.
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Right, right.
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You bring that awareness to them.
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Uh, what would you like to add?
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What would you like the viewer to know that we haven't discussed?
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Let's have each of you take a turn here.
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Well, um, for instance, my uh admin team over at uh GCA, I remember when I first introduced Jamal and Brendan, and they were all in a meeting at the same time, which is like, okay, this is like the moment, you know, because usually you gotta chase one down, chase another one down.
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They were all in there at the same time.
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I brought Jamal and Brendan in and showed them the promo, and they were all like that quick, it was on.
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No brand because I knew when I saw it, that's how I felt.
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So once that happened, we were off and running.
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And so I say this because there are other projects just as good as that, you know, that we want to bring to the forefront and we're gonna do that.
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Great, great.
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And big big shout out to Brandon and his image productions.
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He's the mastermind from the visuals to the editing, all that.
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So just know Brandon's that guy.
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Yeah, y'all need anything, holla at him because this series, without him, this wouldn't be on pop.
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At all.
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Yeah.
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That's him right there.
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Yep, he's in the background there.
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You guys, our viewers and listeners can't see that with the camera.
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Okay, and um, yep, Jamaya.
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Yeah, I would just like to say for all the kids that are like me, um, I was I used to be really, really shy.
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I hated being on stage, and I definitely didn't want to be in front of a camera.
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But working with people like Jamal and like Officer Ingram and the other teachers at my school, and especially the students, my friends, it helps me to like branch out.
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Now the stage is my home.
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That's where I want to be.
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I want to be in front of the camera.
00:16:01.840 --> 00:16:05.039
And I never thought that I would say that like three years ago.
00:16:05.440 --> 00:16:13.440
Um, I just appreciate all the opportunities that I've gotten from the school and from Jamal and from Officer Ingram because they're so very supportive.
00:16:13.519 --> 00:16:19.440
Like whenever I'm there, they're like, hey, Jamai, you know, let's go do this, or do you want to do this and stuff like that?
00:16:20.000 --> 00:16:37.039
Um so I would say to all the students who are thinking about doing it or like hesitant or whatever, just jump right in because when you find people like the people that go to my school or people like Officer Ingram and Jamal, you won't have anything to be afraid of.
00:16:37.200 --> 00:16:52.879
There's nothing to be self-conscious about, there's nothing to be like you know, scared of because ultimately it's gonna be a good experience, a learning experience, and you're gonna have a new family to hold on to.
00:16:53.200 --> 00:16:55.039
We're gonna put you right where you fit.
00:16:55.840 --> 00:16:57.360
I think that's great advice.
00:16:57.600 --> 00:16:58.320
That's wonderful.
00:16:58.639 --> 00:17:02.720
You are in good hands, and thank you for bringing this to our students.
00:17:02.879 --> 00:17:05.119
And actually, thank you for being here, everyone.
00:17:05.279 --> 00:17:06.160
We appreciate it.
00:17:06.240 --> 00:17:14.319
Yeah, um, for sharing your creativity, insight, and your commitment to creating meaningful opportunities for students through this exciting project.
00:17:14.559 --> 00:17:18.640
And thank you to all our listeners for joining us for Confluence Conversations.
00:17:18.799 --> 00:17:29.440
Be sure to follow, share, and subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts so you never miss an episode about the partnerships and programs shaping student success across Confluence Academies.
00:17:29.599 --> 00:17:31.039
Have a great day.
00:00:12.400 --> 00:00:21.600
Hi, and welcome to Confluence Conversations, where we explore the partnerships, programs, and experiences that elevate student success across Confluence Academies.
00:00:21.760 --> 00:00:30.320
I'm your host, Hailey Bruick, and today we're spotlighting an exciting creative project happening at Grand Center Arts Academy in the Grand Center Arts District.
00:00:30.559 --> 00:00:43.439
The Good Life is a student-involved video series that blends comedy, storytelling, and real life lessons, giving GCAA students the opportunity to work alongside professionals in film and production.
00:00:44.079 --> 00:00:47.679
Joining us today is Jamal the Comedian, Director of The Good Life.
00:00:47.840 --> 00:00:48.079
Welcome.
00:00:48.399 --> 00:00:48.799
Hey, thank you.
00:00:48.960 --> 00:00:49.280
Thank you.
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Eric Ingram, producer of The Good Life, and a member of the GCAA security team.
00:00:54.719 --> 00:00:55.600
Hello, good morning.
00:00:55.920 --> 00:00:56.479
Good morning.
00:00:56.640 --> 00:01:02.079
And we're excited to have one of the student participates with us as well, Jamaia Davis.
00:01:02.560 --> 00:01:02.880
Hi.
00:01:04.159 --> 00:01:11.040
So to begin, um, Jamal and Eric, can I get each of you to kind of explain your specific role in the project?
00:01:13.439 --> 00:01:19.280
Well, um, we have a mutual friend who introduced me to Jamal.
00:01:19.840 --> 00:01:21.200
I met Jamal.
00:01:21.359 --> 00:01:32.319
He said he had a project, and the project that he showed me is almost like back in the day when you would go in a record store and you look at an album and you'd be like, man, this looks exciting.
00:01:32.480 --> 00:01:34.319
You don't even know the music on it, right?
00:01:34.719 --> 00:01:36.480
That's what he presented to me.
00:01:36.560 --> 00:01:39.439
And when I saw it, I was like, oh, this got to be good.
00:01:39.599 --> 00:01:42.719
And just on that, I got involved.
00:01:42.879 --> 00:01:46.799
And then, of course, after reading a lot of it, it was great.
00:01:47.359 --> 00:01:53.439
So Yeah, and we had uh collab on different types of writing to make the series grow.
00:01:53.599 --> 00:01:59.120
A lot of stuff is life experience from college to high school and personal growth.
00:01:59.599 --> 00:02:02.400
Everybody goes to it on an everyday basis right now.
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So being the writer, producer, director is a lot, but the way this is formatted, it's gonna really hit home for everybody.
00:02:10.000 --> 00:02:16.000
Okay, and speaking of that, it's it's built off of like old school comedian uh sitcoms and everything like that.
00:02:16.159 --> 00:02:20.159
So, how does that work into the inspiration for the series?
00:02:20.479 --> 00:02:30.560
So, in all reality, we all, you know, went through college, high school, in the school of any sort of way, and we all had our personal challenges within that type of atmosphere.
00:02:30.719 --> 00:02:38.159
And the way I wrote it is based off what I went through personally and the upcoming generation as well.
00:02:38.319 --> 00:02:44.319
Because once you're in college, you're taking tests, you're going to parties, you're doing a lot of stuff that we usually do.
00:02:44.479 --> 00:02:45.280
You know what I'm saying?
00:02:45.439 --> 00:02:52.560
And I feel like this series is for this upcoming generation now of what to do and what not to do.
00:02:52.719 --> 00:02:54.800
So it's a lot of relatability involved.
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Okay, so you couldn't do this without the students, without connecting with the school and partnering with them.
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Right.
00:03:01.199 --> 00:03:03.520
Yeah, I needed the the real life peep.
00:03:03.599 --> 00:03:05.919
I needed ja because y'all go on through it right now.
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Because back in the day, it was a different story, you know.
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And how do you work with the students?
00:03:12.000 --> 00:03:15.439
Like they are, you know, Jamaica, do you have experience in acting?
00:03:15.599 --> 00:03:18.000
Have you you take those classes over at GCAA?
00:03:18.479 --> 00:03:19.199
I do, yeah.
00:03:19.360 --> 00:03:25.680
I'm in the um musical theater pathway, and I've been taking acting since I was in the sixth grade.
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So I'm really familiar with like the environment and everything like that, like when it comes to stage acting.
00:03:32.960 --> 00:03:37.919
But the filming was a whole new experience for me, although it was really, really enjoyable.
00:03:38.240 --> 00:03:42.639
Um I just love acting, and I'm gonna take every opportunity to do so.
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How many students are involved?
00:03:45.599 --> 00:03:48.159
How many like the cast, right?
00:03:49.039 --> 00:03:52.240
I think when we when we did that one shoot, it was like nine of them.
00:03:52.479 --> 00:03:53.520
Yeah, nine, ten, yeah.
00:03:54.560 --> 00:03:58.639
And all I did basically is, you know, I see them act every day, all day.
00:03:58.800 --> 00:04:06.080
I've seen all their plays, all their um different things that they've done, and I just said, I'm getting that one, I'm getting that one, I'm getting that one.
00:04:06.240 --> 00:04:07.919
Jamaia's one of the top.
00:04:08.080 --> 00:04:09.280
She's been in everything.
00:04:09.439 --> 00:04:11.599
And she's been like lead, co-lead.
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So she was a no-brainer.
00:04:13.759 --> 00:04:13.919
Okay.
00:04:14.080 --> 00:04:17.120
And then once she came, others came.
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Because no one wants to be left out something great.
00:04:19.920 --> 00:04:21.519
No, no, absolutely.
00:04:21.600 --> 00:04:24.079
And this experience, what a great experience for the students.
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Uh, what is it like working with actual students and not actors?
00:04:28.079 --> 00:04:30.399
So I saw them in person from a recent play.
00:04:30.560 --> 00:04:31.680
I was like, they cold.
00:04:31.839 --> 00:04:32.879
I need y'all in this.
00:04:33.040 --> 00:04:33.920
They cold.
00:04:34.079 --> 00:04:35.360
And I had talked to them individually.
00:04:35.439 --> 00:04:37.120
I was like, hey, y'all, I got this project coming up.
00:04:37.199 --> 00:04:39.439
I feel like y'all will be perfect for this.
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Because y'all going through it now, and y'all can actually have the passion of what it is to be in a high school senior, junior in this current era right now, versus back then.
00:04:49.120 --> 00:04:59.120
Because back then it was more, I wouldn't say challenging, but it was more obstacles to the point now where it's just like, okay, hey, this is a arts entertainment school district.
00:04:59.279 --> 00:05:00.639
I never went to a school like that.
00:05:00.720 --> 00:05:04.399
And I feel like that experience that y'all have, y'all can actually bring that to life in this series.
00:05:04.639 --> 00:05:13.759
So, Jamal, explain this when you record actually, or Eric, you can also comment on this, but are you doing this during the school day or is this after school hours, during the weekend?
00:05:13.839 --> 00:05:17.199
Like, is school actually happening when you're recording, taping?
00:05:17.519 --> 00:05:24.399
It's on the weekends on Saturday, between like uh 11 and 4, 5, depending on how long the episode is.
00:05:24.879 --> 00:05:25.199
Yeah.
00:05:25.519 --> 00:05:31.920
Coordinating schedules is really important uh for people who have to go to work.
00:05:32.160 --> 00:05:36.319
Some students have to go to work, but um this is what dedication is about.
00:05:36.399 --> 00:05:39.199
You know, you got to give up your Saturday, maybe your weekend.
00:05:39.439 --> 00:05:42.800
And then when you see the finished product, you're glad you did that, you know?
00:05:43.199 --> 00:05:43.759
Absolutely.
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Yeah.
00:05:44.639 --> 00:05:45.040
Yeah.
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Uh have you seen any of the edits?
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Have you seen your work?
00:05:49.199 --> 00:05:56.160
Um, I've seen I've seen little bitty clips of it, and I didn't even know that it was like out there yet.
00:05:56.240 --> 00:05:58.160
I didn't know that there were clips or anything.
00:05:58.399 --> 00:06:02.399
I just, I was in class one day and my friend was like, Jemia, you're on the news.
00:06:02.560 --> 00:06:04.079
I was like, Yeah, they showed up to you.
00:06:04.240 --> 00:06:05.040
Jemia, you're famous.
00:06:05.279 --> 00:06:05.519
Yeah.
00:06:06.000 --> 00:06:15.519
And I was, I was really shocked and stuff, and I had seen a clip of me running down the hall, and then I think a clip of me asking a teacher a question.
00:06:15.680 --> 00:06:20.240
It was just really, it was really surreal for me because I had never been in that position before.
00:06:20.399 --> 00:06:24.240
And it just made me really appreciative and really excited for what's to come.
00:06:24.800 --> 00:06:27.920
How does this help students having this hands-on experience?
00:06:28.079 --> 00:06:29.600
Like this is so rare.
00:06:31.279 --> 00:06:42.480
Well, for those who want to make this like their craft, this is a a great experience because, you know, you get to prepare yourself for the professionalism of being on a set.
00:06:43.199 --> 00:06:55.279
Um, and any steps that you want to take after that, this step right here will show her and other students what's to come when it comes to because I've shot other films before.
00:06:55.680 --> 00:07:05.120
And uh even when I shot my first film, I had to learn as I was shooting, and now I know quite a bit, so they'll be learning the same type of things.
00:07:05.439 --> 00:07:17.040
You know, the professionalism, being on time, you know, and then the repetitiveness of okay, if you didn't get this scene right, you gotta do it like another another take and another take and another take.
00:07:17.199 --> 00:07:19.120
You have to prepare yourself for stuff like that.
00:07:19.439 --> 00:07:23.600
How does it work with students and they're learning the script and their lines?
00:07:23.759 --> 00:07:24.959
Is that smooth?
00:07:25.279 --> 00:07:29.439
Oh, um uh it's a it's a hit or miss, you know.
00:07:29.600 --> 00:07:32.800
But as long as it flows and it sounds good, I make it work.
00:07:32.879 --> 00:07:40.000
Because a lot of times when we're on set, some people forget their lines, but like they be like, say something else, and I could use that.
00:07:40.160 --> 00:07:41.199
Keep that, keep that.
00:07:41.360 --> 00:07:43.120
Be you, just be you in the script.
00:07:43.279 --> 00:07:46.959
You ain't gotta say it word for word, but how say how you would say it.
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And that's why I like I'd be like, yeah, keep that.
00:07:49.040 --> 00:07:50.399
I won't that line, you know.
00:07:50.639 --> 00:07:52.319
Yeah, that's great.
00:07:52.560 --> 00:07:58.240
Um, what have you learned specifically from this experience that you will take moving forward?
00:07:58.720 --> 00:08:04.959
Um what I've taken from it, um, the first day that I got there, I didn't know anybody.
00:08:05.040 --> 00:08:06.480
I was there alone.
00:08:06.639 --> 00:08:10.959
Um, I was the only student from my school that was there that day.
00:08:11.279 --> 00:08:14.000
And I met a lot of new people.
00:08:14.160 --> 00:08:21.519
I met so many adults, and it it's just it shows me that you really have to adjust with who like to who you work with.
00:08:21.680 --> 00:08:35.279
Because a lot of the people that I'm always acting with or dancing or singing with are like a lot like me, like um, not soft spoken, but you know, just just children and stuff.
00:08:35.519 --> 00:08:50.159
And all the adults that I was working with were really outgoing, they were really funny, they were really like they had like really loud personalities, and I had to adjust to that because I'm really, I'm really like quiet and toned down and stuff.
00:08:50.480 --> 00:09:06.000
Um but yeah, I feel like it just it just adjusts you to different environments and adjusts you to working with all different kinds of people so that you can find a way to get yourself into certain doors and stuff like that.
00:09:06.320 --> 00:09:06.960
Yeah.
00:09:07.440 --> 00:09:12.240
Have you guys noticed how the students are growing and building confidence with this project?
00:09:12.480 --> 00:09:13.279
Oh, yeah, for sure.
00:09:13.440 --> 00:09:15.200
Like the first day, everybody was quiet.
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I'm like, what y'all doing?
00:09:16.639 --> 00:09:17.279
Say something.
00:09:17.440 --> 00:09:19.279
Next thing you know, the more shootings.
00:09:19.600 --> 00:09:20.799
Hey Jamal, hey, hey.
00:09:20.879 --> 00:09:22.320
I'm like, that's what I'm talking about.
00:09:22.480 --> 00:09:24.960
That's why I want to see the confidence, the buildup.
00:09:25.279 --> 00:09:27.279
And like they're more comfortable actually shooting.
00:09:27.360 --> 00:09:30.639
Because at first they was all quiet and stuff, reserved, but now they're outgoing.
00:09:30.720 --> 00:09:32.000
Their personality is louder.
00:09:32.080 --> 00:09:33.039
And that's what I'm looking for.
00:09:33.120 --> 00:09:34.480
It's about the growth within it.
00:09:34.799 --> 00:09:39.759
They they didn't want to miss out, and especially the ones that are taking it to the next level.
00:09:39.919 --> 00:09:50.240
They want to be involved in whatever they can be involved in to further their career or their career, career in this particular uh field.
00:09:50.720 --> 00:09:55.200
They now know that uh I'm not just in security.
00:09:55.360 --> 00:09:58.000
So they're they're walking to me in the hallways.
00:09:58.159 --> 00:09:59.759
Uh, you got something coming up?
00:09:59.840 --> 00:10:02.799
Yeah, you know, you got something coming up, and I'll let them know.
00:10:03.120 --> 00:10:05.120
And they're taking notes.
00:10:05.440 --> 00:10:07.120
Yeah, I think that's great for them.
00:10:07.360 --> 00:10:09.840
Great opportunity for them to see what's possible.
00:10:10.080 --> 00:10:10.399
Yeah.
00:10:10.799 --> 00:10:11.440
Right?
00:10:12.080 --> 00:10:13.519
Um, what else do you want to add?
00:10:13.679 --> 00:10:19.919
What else um should we talk about this the purpose of the sitcom, like and where is it going to be distributed?
00:10:20.080 --> 00:10:26.480
So, because student at GCAA participating in it, but I think there's lessons built into this sitcom.
00:10:27.039 --> 00:10:38.320
Uh, one of the biggest lessons within the series is uh is friendship, responsibility, uh, priorities, and also um just being you.
00:10:38.559 --> 00:10:44.879
Because one episode that to give you a little hint, uh it's about um being you.
00:10:45.039 --> 00:10:49.440
And uh the series, I mean the episode involves someone trying to be something that they're not.
00:10:49.600 --> 00:10:53.840
And I feel like at a point of everybody's lives, we tried to be something that we're not.
00:10:54.080 --> 00:11:00.240
And um that episode was really like a self-reflection when I was a sophomore junior.
00:11:00.399 --> 00:11:07.519
And um, when you watch, you're gonna be like, dang, he really went through A, B, and C just to get back to A.
00:11:08.240 --> 00:11:14.799
And I feel like a lot of times that we don't realize that if you wanna do something, just be us.
00:11:14.960 --> 00:11:17.039
Don't be something that you're not trying to be.
00:11:17.200 --> 00:11:19.519
So each episode has like a life lesson in it.
00:11:19.919 --> 00:11:20.559
Or a theme.
00:11:20.720 --> 00:11:21.919
Yes, okay.
00:11:23.039 --> 00:11:23.679
Yeah.
00:11:24.879 --> 00:11:26.159
Um, I'm sorry.
00:11:26.399 --> 00:11:27.679
And it'll be on YouTube, by the way.
00:11:28.320 --> 00:11:29.679
Okay, that was for YouTube.
00:11:29.919 --> 00:11:32.559
So and then when will it start?
00:11:32.960 --> 00:11:34.080
Oh, my release?
00:11:34.639 --> 00:11:40.879
Go is between uh July and August on platforms like uh uh Tubi, um Roku.
00:11:41.200 --> 00:11:41.919
That's my plan.
00:11:42.159 --> 00:11:43.919
But right now it's gonna be on YouTube for now.
00:11:44.559 --> 00:11:50.399
Okay, and in the show notes, we can go ahead and put those anticipated dates and locations so people can find it.
00:11:50.639 --> 00:11:51.120
Yes, yeah.
00:11:51.360 --> 00:11:52.240
Absolutely.
00:11:52.559 --> 00:11:52.960
All right.
00:11:53.120 --> 00:11:56.159
Um, what do you plan on doing this more projects?
00:11:56.399 --> 00:11:58.080
GCAA, other schools?
00:11:58.399 --> 00:12:00.720
Oh, I've got a couple uh projects coming up.
00:12:00.799 --> 00:12:02.159
I'm gonna discuss it with Dr.
00:12:02.240 --> 00:12:08.559
Carter Oliver, uh, Linda Anderson, and uh Christy Hewell is our head of school over there.
00:12:08.799 --> 00:12:17.600
Uh I've got some ideas, I've I've shown them some things, and it seems like everything that I show them, you know, uh they like it.
00:12:17.679 --> 00:12:21.679
And so it will further advance what we're trying to do over there.
00:12:21.840 --> 00:12:23.600
We have our own theater.
00:12:23.759 --> 00:12:27.360
How many high schools do you know that have their own 600-seater?
00:12:28.080 --> 00:12:33.120
So we've got a lot of stuff, and I'm bringing in people from outside as well, you know.
00:12:33.200 --> 00:12:42.720
Um producers, production teams, and uh and the fact that we're we're gonna be doing some building over there as well.
00:12:42.879 --> 00:12:48.960
I'm not gonna get all the way into it because it's it's still kind of planning itself out.
00:12:49.679 --> 00:12:57.919
But uh with this particular show, yeah, we plan to keep doing this for the rest of the summer and get it done so we can get it out.
00:12:58.159 --> 00:12:59.279
Yeah, this this is the beginning.
00:12:59.440 --> 00:13:00.159
This ain't the ending.
00:13:00.240 --> 00:13:01.279
Yeah, I who've got to do that.
00:13:01.440 --> 00:13:02.879
Well, that's why the question, right?
00:13:02.960 --> 00:13:04.000
It does sound like the beginning.
00:13:04.080 --> 00:13:08.080
Um do you have any students at GCAA that want to be in the behind the scenes?
00:13:08.240 --> 00:13:10.240
Are there any that are getting involved in that way?
00:13:10.480 --> 00:13:20.480
Oh yeah, we've got uh I've got five or six kids that are, I want to be on the uh set, you know, set team or lighting team or or something like that.
00:13:20.639 --> 00:13:21.440
Yeah, we've got that.
00:13:21.600 --> 00:13:24.000
They come from the theater department, you know.
00:13:24.240 --> 00:13:28.240
So I that's I'm always gonna have that with those kids.
00:13:28.559 --> 00:13:30.240
Yeah, I mean, this is such a cool story.
00:13:30.399 --> 00:13:31.279
Oh, yeah, for sure.
00:13:31.440 --> 00:13:34.879
And and uh a lot of kids be asking me, um, anything I can help with?
00:13:34.960 --> 00:13:37.519
I'm like, yes, yes, can you help me with A, B, and C?
00:13:37.679 --> 00:13:37.919
Yes.
00:13:38.240 --> 00:13:45.759
I'm here to learn to teach them what to do and how to do it, because down the road, you know, this is something that they have to add to their resume.
00:13:45.840 --> 00:13:52.000
I'm like, yeah, I I worked with Jamal with this and that, I know how to do lights, I know how to do uh photography, all that.
00:13:52.080 --> 00:13:54.720
So I have endless opportunities within this series.
00:13:55.039 --> 00:13:59.679
And they might not even realize that this might be a skill they have or a talent or an interest.
00:13:59.919 --> 00:14:00.399
Right, right.
00:14:01.120 --> 00:14:02.799
You bring that awareness to them.
00:14:03.440 --> 00:14:05.120
Uh, what would you like to add?
00:14:05.279 --> 00:14:08.159
What would you like the viewer to know that we haven't discussed?
00:14:08.399 --> 00:14:10.799
Let's have each of you take a turn here.
00:14:11.360 --> 00:14:34.159
Well, um, for instance, my uh admin team over at uh GCA, I remember when I first introduced Jamal and Brendan, and they were all in a meeting at the same time, which is like, okay, this is like the moment, you know, because usually you gotta chase one down, chase another one down.
00:14:34.240 --> 00:14:36.080
They were all in there at the same time.
00:14:36.320 --> 00:14:45.039
I brought Jamal and Brendan in and showed them the promo, and they were all like that quick, it was on.
00:14:45.279 --> 00:14:49.679
No brand because I knew when I saw it, that's how I felt.
00:14:50.000 --> 00:14:52.399
So once that happened, we were off and running.
00:14:52.480 --> 00:15:01.840
And so I say this because there are other projects just as good as that, you know, that we want to bring to the forefront and we're gonna do that.
00:15:02.159 --> 00:15:03.360
Great, great.
00:15:03.600 --> 00:15:07.120
And big big shout out to Brandon and his image productions.
00:15:07.200 --> 00:15:10.720
He's the mastermind from the visuals to the editing, all that.
00:15:10.879 --> 00:15:12.480
So just know Brandon's that guy.
00:15:13.519 --> 00:15:19.279
Yeah, y'all need anything, holla at him because this series, without him, this wouldn't be on pop.
00:15:19.519 --> 00:15:19.759
At all.
00:15:20.159 --> 00:15:20.720
Yeah.
00:15:20.960 --> 00:15:21.759
That's him right there.
00:15:22.159 --> 00:15:23.200
Yep, he's in the background there.
00:15:23.279 --> 00:15:27.360
You guys, our viewers and listeners can't see that with the camera.
00:15:28.559 --> 00:15:31.200
Okay, and um, yep, Jamaya.
00:15:31.519 --> 00:15:38.799
Yeah, I would just like to say for all the kids that are like me, um, I was I used to be really, really shy.
00:15:38.879 --> 00:15:43.840
I hated being on stage, and I definitely didn't want to be in front of a camera.
00:15:44.159 --> 00:15:56.799
But working with people like Jamal and like Officer Ingram and the other teachers at my school, and especially the students, my friends, it helps me to like branch out.
00:15:56.879 --> 00:15:58.399
Now the stage is my home.
00:15:58.559 --> 00:15:59.679
That's where I want to be.
00:15:59.840 --> 00:16:01.600
I want to be in front of the camera.
00:16:01.840 --> 00:16:05.039
And I never thought that I would say that like three years ago.
00:16:05.440 --> 00:16:13.440
Um, I just appreciate all the opportunities that I've gotten from the school and from Jamal and from Officer Ingram because they're so very supportive.
00:16:13.519 --> 00:16:19.440
Like whenever I'm there, they're like, hey, Jamai, you know, let's go do this, or do you want to do this and stuff like that?
00:16:20.000 --> 00:16:37.039
Um so I would say to all the students who are thinking about doing it or like hesitant or whatever, just jump right in because when you find people like the people that go to my school or people like Officer Ingram and Jamal, you won't have anything to be afraid of.
00:16:37.200 --> 00:16:52.879
There's nothing to be self-conscious about, there's nothing to be like you know, scared of because ultimately it's gonna be a good experience, a learning experience, and you're gonna have a new family to hold on to.
00:16:53.200 --> 00:16:55.039
We're gonna put you right where you fit.
00:16:55.840 --> 00:16:57.360
I think that's great advice.
00:16:57.600 --> 00:16:58.320
That's wonderful.
00:16:58.639 --> 00:17:02.720
You are in good hands, and thank you for bringing this to our students.
00:17:02.879 --> 00:17:05.119
And actually, thank you for being here, everyone.
00:17:05.279 --> 00:17:06.160
We appreciate it.
00:17:06.240 --> 00:17:14.319
Yeah, um, for sharing your creativity, insight, and your commitment to creating meaningful opportunities for students through this exciting project.
00:17:14.559 --> 00:17:18.640
And thank you to all our listeners for joining us for Confluence Conversations.
00:17:18.799 --> 00:17:29.440
Be sure to follow, share, and subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts so you never miss an episode about the partnerships and programs shaping student success across Confluence Academies.
00:17:29.599 --> 00:17:31.039
Have a great day.
