FILMMAKERS
Director, PRODUCER, WRITER Kecia J. Benson
A young filmmaker originally from Yonkers, NY, Kecia Benson’s journey started during high school when she was introduced to the local television studio in Yonkers, NY and her interest continued through her undergraduate studies at Johnson C. Smith University in Charlotte, NC. Post graduation, Kecia worked at FOX Charlotte News Station and The Charlotte Post but within a year she decided to move to New York to pursue a career as a filmmaking. After various internships, Kecia landed her first freelancing gig on actress/director Azariah Gunn’s feature debut Spare Change. She was soon introduced to guerrilla-style filmmaking after meeting her mentor Michael “Boogie” Pinckney, Spike Lee’s Assistant Director and went to work with profound directors like Spike Lee, Tim Story, Charles Stone III and with shows like “Sesame Street Workshop”, “BET Apollo Live”, “Gossip Girl”, HBO “Da Brick”, Spike Lee’s “Red Hook Summer” and many more.
In 2010 Kecia debuted her first short film Unidentified a suspenseful thriller about a mysterious man trying to redefine himself through someone else life; Unidentified was feature in 2011 at the Reel Sisters of Diaspora Film Festival. Played at the 3rd annual New Voices in Black Cinema Beale Street Blues, a short controversial documentary about struggling African-American Blues artists on Beale Street in Memphis, TN. The second film from film director Kecia J. Benson, it examines the life of several blues historians on Beale Street and reveals an up-close interaction with some of Memphis’ finest including: Memphis Gold, Earl the Pearl, Sonny Mack, John MoBlues, Mz. Zeno, Carl Drew, Rudy Williams, and Big Jerry in their day-to-day struggle as an “ole blues artist”.
PRODUCER JIMMIE "PENNY" PINCKNEY
Jimmie "penny" Pinckney, is a student of the film industry. Having close to 20 years in the business he has done many things. From being a production assistant on numerous films, music videos and commercials to being a transcriber on "Kathy Griffins D-list"show to driving trucks/vans and ending up as Spike Lee's personal assistant on various projects. He is now taking on the roll as a producer. He's using all the knowledge and know-how to obtain a wider view on being a successful producer. He has done numerous Black College Tours, Aids walks, Lupus
walks and other charitable events to lend his hand in helping people and making society better. Jimmie Pinckney's ultimate goal is to help young boys grow up to become better men which he feels will have a huge impact
in life!
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER MICHAEL "BOOGIE" PINCKNEY
Michael "Boogie" Pinckney is the founder and managing director of Black Noise Media, a full service production house based in New York City. He got his start over twelve years ago under the tutelage of filmmaker Spike Lee and soon after joined The Director’s Guild of America. He has over 10 years experience as an assistant director on films and television series such as The 25th Hour, 7th Heaven, The Best Man, Law & Order, Inside Man and The academy award nominated film Precious in which he was nominated for a DGA award along with the director Lee Daniels as part of his directing team. He has also worked as an assistant director on countless TV commercials for clients like Coco Cola, McDonald's Nike, Microsoft and Burger King. Mr. Pinckney has directed short films, commercials, music videos and PSA’s for clients like Goodwill Industries, The NY GIANTS, Select Media, Youth Communications, Def Jam and 4mm Games. He won an award for Excellence in Media from The Black Men’s Film Conference for his HIV film “The Candy Store” and toured the film festival circuit with films from his short film collection. He made his feature film debut with “You’re Nobody til somebody kills you”, a gritty crime thriller Executive Produced by his mentor Spike Lee and distributed by Lionsgate. He consistently speaks at high schools and colleges which prompted him to start The Black Noise Foundation, the non-profit arm for Black Noise Media as a tool to give back and help nurture young aspiring filmmakers. Under Pinckney’s leadership Black Noise Media currently has a wide range of film and television projects in various phases of development.
2010-2011 Debut of 30 Rock syndication-cable and network television channels (September 2011) Executive produced and cast as Magnum in Off-Broadway stage play titled "Box," written by Fred Shahadi(September 15h- October 6 2011) Cast as Fake Dikembe Mutombo in web series titled "Fake Henrik Zetterberg" Cast in the movie "Sex and the City 2" Launched campaign to run for President and garnered support at New York Comic Con 2011 Lead performer in martial art epic DVD titled "Empty Hands"
As a Stand-up Comedian, Kevin was featured on "Late Night with Conan O'Brien, MTV's "Human Giant, NBC's "Last Comic Standing and BET's Comic View", etc. May of 2010 Kevin opened for Tracy Morgan at Caroline's Comedy Club in Times Square and later that year headlined at Caroline's. Kevin frequents the stage at "Ha Comedy Club Times Square. He hosted the Legendary vocalist Reverend Al Green at "B.B. King Blues Club and Grill New York Times Square". Trivia Impersonations: Tracy Morgan; Terry Crews (Old Spice Black guy) Certified Black Belt in the martial arts, highly skilled in the Judo & Wolfox Karate disciplines. Student of Bikram Yoga (Hot Yoga) What's on the horizon for Kevin "Dot Com" Brown? Launched campaign for President last year. Kevin decided to support President Obama for re-election and he will throw his hat in the presidential ring 2016
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER KEVIN BROWN
Casting Director Naza Usher
Naza Usher is an actress who also loves working behind the scenes of film and stage. She has cast films, plays, webseries and found talent for everything in between. She is proud to be a part of Kenya's Eyes because it
addresses the issues of bullying and low self-esteem among young girls. Kenya's Eyes is a film that can bring about change and healing! Naza is known to say, “I am an actress because when I act stories come off the page
and come to life.” Connect with Naza at nazausher@gmail.com http://resumes.actorsaccess.com/nazajana
Cinematographer Max Zampieri
Born and raised in Argentina, Max spent two years studying Formal Cinema Studies at Universidad Nacional de Córdoba focusing in cinematography and directing. He currently works as a 1st AC, Assistant Stereographer and Colorist in a Brooklyn-based production company. Originally trained in still photography, Max also studied film processing, laboratory film retouching, and documentary photography. As Max exhibited his still work publicly, he further developed his visual expressive medium by directing and photographing short films. One of his works, La Mujer en el Balcón (DP), was officially selected for FICIC, an international film festival in Argentina. Another one of his works, En el Mapa (DP), a feature-length independent film, was declared to be of “Cultural and Public Interest” by the Río Negro State Government in Argentina. Max has also worked as a Cinematographer for theater and film fusion productions. He currently studies at the School of Visual Arts in New York where he advances his knowledge in celluloid cinematography by shooting on 16mm film. He lives in Queens with his wife and mutt, absorbing the throbbing pulse of daily rhythms and the chaotic beauty of New York.
