LANGSTON'S a film by (4) colored boys needs your support... GIVE TODAY!!!

"I went down to the river,
I set down on the bank.
I tried to think but couldn't,
So I jumped in and sank."
― Langston Hughes

WHAT
Whether old or young, masc or fem, prep or urban, we all share an attraction that draws us together and forces us to see the similarities in our differences...and in the club, there's no hiding from this truth.

An unparalleled collaboration between 4 noted filmmakers, LANGSTON'S is a modern portrait of gay men of color who are linked together by a tragic act.

A film by and 4 boys of color.

WHY
Together we can stop other young men of color from sinking.

Novo Film Project is dedicated to examining the questions latent in the LGBT community of color. In every project, Novo Film Project builds upon the contemporary and classic concerns and themes that remain timeless in order to introduce more "colorful" images in the cinematic landscape. In association with Off The Clock Productions, LANGSTON'S is the first feature length effort in achieving this goal.

In short, LANGSTON'S is a response to the diminishing presence of "colored folks" in mainstream film, a novel opportunity for us to tell our story and affect positive change within our community.

WHO
LANGSTON'S fuses the talents of 4 emerging, award-winning filmmakers:

Dane Harrington Joseph
Co-producer and writer of Drama Queenz, the hit comedy series about three friends and roommates dealing with life, love, and trying to make it in New York City. Now in its third season, the show has been presented at film festivals and pride events across the country, on many notable blogs and websites, and has a special partnership with BGCLive.com.

Dwight Allen O’Neal
Executive Producer/Creator/Writer of Christopher Street TV (now available through TLA Releasing) and the forthcoming spin-off series cockTALES. A notable blogger, celebrity make-up artist, and international GAYlebrity, Dwight’s work has featured in Vogue Magazine, TheFutureFoward.net, and various other hot spots across the world wide web.

Daniel Armando
Executive producer/director/writer, Boys Like You (winner “Best Male Short,” North Carolina Int’l Gay and Lesbian Film Festival) and vice president of development at Novo Film project.

James Peoples
BET/Urbanworld Screenwriting finalist and writer of the first novo film project, Where Truth Lies (Official Selection, North Carolina Int’l Gay and Lesbian Film Festival). James' work has also been featured in the NBC Shortcuts festival. James was also one of the recipients for Best Science Fiction film at the Terror Film Festival.

HOW
YOU can make this happen. Through your support, you can help give voice to emerging artists, a disenfranchised community, and the individuals within that may be sinking. By partnering with Novo Film Project and Off the Clock Productions, you will bring to life work by us, for ALL of us.

Give today.

Christopher Street TV Lands Major Distribution Deal with TLA Video

TLA VIDEO RELAUNCHES CHRISTOPHER STREET TV!
“WITH A BONUS EPISODE!”

CHRISTOPHER STREET TV RETURNS WITH DISTRIBUTION WITH TLA VIDEO RELEASING ON JULY 12, 2011!

New York, NY (June 20, 2011) – OFF THE CLOCK PRODUCTIONS today announced that the first New York City tale of a group of friends is being re-released with TLA Video on July 12, 2011 with a total of 3 episodes for only $12.99.

“Fans have truly made this opportunity a reality,” SAID DWIGHT ALLEN O’NEAL, EXECUTIVE PRODUCER. “TLA Video said they have had several inquiries about Christopher Street and it was time to get the show out to the entire world.”

Christopher Street celebrates the lives of four young gay adults. Each character dealing with their own individual trouble, ranging from being closeted, domestic abuse, discrimination, hate crimes, identity, self-love, HIV/AIDS, and the harassment that lies within a homophobic society. Christopher Street never fails to examine the reality of what goes on with today's younger gay generation and the affect your older mentor may have on you. With Christopher Street you will get the satisfaction for your craving of black gay entertainment. This underground phenomenon will give many age demographics a story line to relate to, unlike some series that have come before it.

CHRISTOPHER STREET stars JR Rolley of “A Four Letter Word” and Ray Cunningham of “BET’s College Hill.” The series introduces Jared DeWese, Dante, Sheppard, Lamar Staton and Rodney Austin. Creator, Executive Producer, and worldwide gaylebrity Dwight Allen O’Neal also participates in the very talented cast. Evan Storey directed this gay life Melrose’s Place with just enough drama and laughter to keep you glued to your seat.

PRE-ORDER YOUR COPY TODAY AT TLA VIDEO

Chi-Chiz Will Live On Into The New Year, But Not Long After

by Next Magazine

It seems as if the trials and tribulations of West Village watering hole Chi Chiz, reported by Next Magazine and elsewhere, have finally come to an end. After losing a recent appeal against charges by the State Liquor Authority, the owners announced they would be closing the predominantly African-American gay bar for good on January 3, 2011. In a recent e-mail, Chi Chiz attorney Tom Shanahan wrote about the decision and the actions of David Poster, vice-president of the Greenwich Village Block Association and one of the main forces in the effort to shut it down:

“This [closure] was forced but [still] our decision, as we cannot run a business with sustained harassment by the NYPD, as has been occurring. Deputy Inspector Caroli issued twelve summons since March…and all have been dismissed. The time and [cost] of litigating one thing after another—and all of it being dismissed—are too expensive for a private-sector business the size of ours. It is truly sad—and bad for Christopher Street and the LGBT Community. Moreover, it is clear that David Poster and his minions will be whatever they can to chase African-Americans and the transgendered away from Christopher Street and the community. The continuing harassment by these ‘village idiots’ has continued and poses a problem to running a small business. Now they [will] deal with a vacant block on Christopher Street, which has a 50% commercial vacancy rate.” —Dan Avery

To read the entire article click here: Next Magazine

Chi Chiz: Actor turned Activist--- SMH

So on Wednesday March 10, 2010 I had the opportunity to be an activist. With the collection of a petition, letters, and by showing up with my right hand man I was able to stand with about 30 other people who wanted to make sure that the popular West Village bar Chi Chiz remained open. Although some have questioned why this actor decided to turn activist, the feedback did not bother me at all. I understand the importance of standing for something that you want and believe in, here is a copy of a letter that myself and The FUTURE’s Vice President Cornelius Jones Jr. drafted to showcase our individual support in keeping Chi Chiz open.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

March 9, 2010


To Whom it May Concern:

Christopher Street is the heart of the LGBTQ Community around the world and it is a Mecca of expression for many people of color. Today we are standing to show support to the founders, owners, and staff of Chi Chiz which has showcased an overwhelming support of love and camaraderie in the black and hispanic same gender loving community. Chi Chiz is part of a diverse and growing LGBTQ community who advocate for social justice and acceptance of a community of people regardless of race, sex, class and gender. Chi Chiz has helped in building an alliance of communality and commonality between the gay and straight residence of The West Village.

This establishment provides exposure to the many artists who do not have the means or opportunities to showcase their beautiful master pieces any other place in the New York City area. To add, it is marking history for films that have been produced and are being produced on location at Chi Chiz, while never forgetting the success the establishment has given these artists and filmmakers. Works such as Finding Me, Ski Trip and my independent film that I produced Christopher Street- The Series all have been supported and or produced on location at Chi Chiz. There are not very many places in New York City where people of color can go and feel a sense of camaraderie and connectedness. Please reconsider any plans to disband this establishment by looking at this letter of support as a call to preserve a piece of history that is a major part of the black gay and hispanic renaissance, which is very vital to a community of black and hispanic LGBTQ people that is often ignored or forgotten about.

Sincerely yours,

Cornelius Jones Jr.
Dwight Allen O’Neal
Men of The FUTURE

I LOVE NY 15 of 28 Places to Visit

So with the celebration of my hot new series Christopher Street being released in only two weeks, I had to pay tribute to the real street Christopher Street. This street is the mother and the inspiration of our entire writing and development team.

Christopher Street is a street in the West Village neighborhood of the New York City borough of Manhattan. It is the continuation of 9th St. west of the intersection with 6th Ave. The Stonewall Inn is located on Christopher Street, and, therefore, the street and was at the center of New York's gay rights movement in the late 1970s. To this day the street serves as a symbol of gay pride.

Christopher Street is the oldest street in the West Village, as it ran along the south boundary of Admiral Sir Peter Warren's estate, which abutted the old Greenwich Road (now Greenwich Avenue) to the east and extended north to the next landing on the North River, at present-day Gansevoort Street. The street was briefly called Skinner Road after Colonel William Skinner, Sir Peter's son-in-law. The street received its current name in 1799, when the Warren land was acquired by Warren's eventual heir, Charles Christopher Amos. Charles Street remains, but Amos Street is now 10th Street.

Does It Take a Whole Gay Village to Raise Our Own Youth

It takes a whole village to raise a child is an old African Proverb that I would love to see reflected upon all youth. Growing up in Little Rock, Arkansas I was perceived as a young heterosexual man for my entire time living there and it was a lie that I was living, I had known since I was a little boy that I was different and that I felt an attraction toward other boys; however I did not want to be rejected from the village that I was being raised in. In our society we actually teach our children that it is not okay to be different without even realizing it, youth everyday are denying who they are just to fit in. Where is the village that is there to raise our young LGBT youth, since they are being forced out of this other village that society has created?

Earlier this year I heard two horrifying stories about two little boys who took their own lives because their classmates where bullying them because they thought they were gay and I was deeply hurt, because I felt like I was letting down my own. Although I did not personally know either one of these children I saw so much of a young Dwight in them and that was a connection I could not let go of. As I sat on my couch watching Oprah the tears began to run down my face and I revisited the memories I had of children teasing me and the many prayers that I sent up to God asking him to make me normal, this village that I was being raised in had brainwashed me into thinking that there was something wrong with me and that I would go to Hell for me being the way that I am. In my adult life I want to be that support system that teaches youth through my example that it is okay for you to be different, it is okay that you may not want to play sports with the other boys or with baby dolls with the other girls, God created each of us all differently.

As a young person it is very important to see role models that you admire, so that they can aspire to be great, it was not to long ago that some of the first black shows reached television and people of color old and young were very excited to see themselves on TV. One show in particular that comes to mind was The Cosby Show that showcased a very successful African American family that reflected the African American community positively, as a young black boy that meant a lot to me and I wanted to be just as successful; however I began to get sad as I struggled with my sexuality and had no one to see in a positive light to help me with those difficult feelings, questions, or curiosities. This is why I have put so much effort in my own work, such as my series targeted at young LGBT Christopher Street (which has been tagged as a gay 90210), my reality dating show Dating Dwight (which shows that gay men do more than just have sex), and my blog Dishin’ It with Dwight (which highlights different topics from entertainment, fashion, and self empowerment topics) powered by The Future Forward.net. I have put so much effort in all of these works to create positive images of gay men of color, so our youth can see themselves in the media doing great things. I want to be their gay Michael Jordan, Madonna, or Beyonce’ I want gay youth of all colors to look at me and say if Dwight Allen O’Neal can do it, so can I.

The catch phrase for my series Christopher Street is “How many people does it take to hold a street together.” By saying that we are recreating the old African Proverb and urging the LGBT community to come together and mold our youth, because our mainstream community many times fail them and if they do fail them we should be there to help our own and offer them love, support, and most importantly acceptance.

Dating Dwight: My Date With MARLON Personal Trainer to the STARS