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Update: March 2009

Hey everyone. Hope ‘09 is treating you well? For me it seems to be flying by! In addition to developing new projects, I’m trying to get the feature version of “Akira’s Hip Hop Shop” into production. With its post-racial themes about love and happiness, I believe “Akira’s” time is now… in the Obama age!

A few prominent Hollywood folks have contacted me about helping to produce the feature. Nothing concrete, but the future looks bright. With “Slumdog Millionaire” (a music heavy film starring people of color) cleaning up at the Oscars and hip-hop showing its might at the box office (from the “Step Up” series to “Notorious”) the time seems ripe. And Tyler Perry’s strong showing at the box office continues to demonstrate the viability of urban films.

There are several business models and budgets to make “Akira” into a full-length feature film. And I just finished a rewrite of the script, which takes the story to places that even surprised me! So stay tuned.

Feel free to post on the blog. That is if you can pull yourselves off Facebook or Twitter. Speaking of the latter be sure you follow us on Twitter via my personal page or the AHHS feed.

Many of you have written to ask, so here’s the low-down on HOW TO OWN OR WATCH THE FILM ONLINE. The choices are many!

1) Purchase the DVD right here for a mere $9.95 plus shipping.

2) Watch the Director’s Cut On Demand via Amazon.com for $1.99
(A download to own option is available as well.)

3) Buy the DVD via Amazon.com

4) Buy the DVD via Createspace.com
(You may need an account to log-in.)

Get your fix of drama and romance however you can! Buying the DVD direct from me is still the best way to show your support. But however you ingest it, we appreciate your support for the “little movie that could.”

MORE NEWS…

INTERESTING SALES FIGURES

Available online for less than three months, AHHS is performing well on Amazon.com. Check out these numbers:

Currently ranks #5,038 in Amazon Video On Demand.
#5 in Amazon Video On Demand > Movies > Comedy > African American Comedy
#13 in Amazon Video On Demand > Movies > Drama > African American Drama
#16 in Amazon Video On Demand > Movies > African American Cinema

Our little film is hanging with the big boys! In the African American Comedy category we’re especially strong. Note: These figures are updated hourly but we’ve consistently performed well.

We’re also in the Top 100 of the Amazon sales chart for African American Cinema:

Amazon.com Sales Rank: #73,403 in Movies & TV (See Bestsellers in Movies & TV)
Popular in these categories:
#79 in Movies & TV > African American Cinema > Comedy
#84 in Movies & TV > African American Cinema > Drama

UPCOMING SCREENINGS

AHHS will be playing at two upcoming festivals in Atlanta and California.

On Saturday March 21st, “Akira’s Hip Hop Shop” screens at the 5th annual Women of Color Arts & Film (WOCAF) Festival in Atlanta. The screening is scheduled to take place between 5:10 – 7:00pm with a few select other short films.

Next month, AHHS will be screening at the 11th Annual California Independent Film Festival slated for April 16th – 19th 2009 in Livermore California. ‘Nuff respect to Derek Zemrak who saw the film at the Sapporo Short Fest Market in Japan last September and extended an invitation for us to participate. I may even make the trip up north to attend the screening and Q&A so stay tuned.

While the film is off the festival circuit officially, we will continue to consider themed festivals and college screenings so please inquire.

THE ONLINE “SHOP” IS NOW OPEN!

Now you can get your very own “Akira’s Hip Hop Shop” T-shirt. Let that fine Asian guy or sexy Chocolate sista know you’re ‘down with the swirl’ by sporting your allegiance to a post-racial world. New shirt designs coming soon!

You can also decorate your swinging pad (or Mom’s basement in these hard times) with a mini (12×18) or mega (full movie poster sized) “Akira’s Hip Hop Shop” poster. Get your swagger on with our swag!

As always, I couldn’t do any of this without your support. From Joliet to Japan … Jerusalem to Johannesburg, I remain in your debt.

Thanks and One Love,

Joe