Tag: United States

Today we’d like to introduce you to Chevel Nelson.

It’s an honor to speak with you today. Why don’t you give us some details about you and your story. How did you get to where you are today?

Allow me first to describe what I mean about words are incredibly sexy. I mean not sexy in the sensual way but sexy in the exciting appealing way. In order to tell stories that leave you vested in the characters you have to make their stories exciting. Writing has always been my safe space, my escapism from the craziness of life. I am more known for being a poet and have read all over New York City and have previously written two poetry books. Originally, I was writing another book and God said no, that this was the book I was to write. Had no context on the subject matter. I fought tooth and nail not to write this book, however here it is and I am super excited about it.

I’m sure your success has not come easily. What challenges have you had to overcome along the way?

Life itself is a challenge. Just the basic day to day. As Langston Hughes wrote, “Life for me ain’t been no crystal stair. It’s had tacks in it, and splinters, and boards torn up, and places with no carpet on the floor—Bare.”

I have felt bare before. Stripped to my core. When I started to write this book, I had two characters. Diane & Patrick. Those two became thirteen. The year I started writing this book, I was going to the school part time to finish my bachelor’s degree, I did this while being a full-time employee, full time wife, full time mother, full time daughter, sister and friend. Failure has never been an option. Does failure happen? Sure, it does, however instead of looking at it as an F, flip it sideways and use it as a step to your next level. My confidence did struggle during this new writing journey. I didn’t feel confident to write a novel and didn’t feel qualified to write this novel. What I realized in the process is that I am more than confident and qualified. All I had to do with was just to start. The first step is to just start. Start somewhere, anywhere.

Let’s talk about the work you do. What do you specialize in and why should someone work with you over the competition?

My books are aimed at marginalized individuals. Those who feel unheard and unseen. This book is about characters who went through difficulties and how they persevered, and the characters just happen to be gay. Hence the play on words in the title, My Gay Ain’t Happy. Reading other authors and figuring out how their minds work is thrilling to me. Everyone has a story, and every story deserves to be heard. Being a poet is my core, however I have a bunch of stories and individuals in my head that want their stories told. If I tell a fictional story and someone can see themselves in it then I did something right. I will always tell anyone that you want to work with me because I am beautifully indomitable, which means I am beautifully resilient beyond belief. Beautifully impossible to subdue or defeat. We can all win. There is enough out here for all of us and enough stories for all of us to learn from. Why compete when we can collaborate.

What’s your best piece of advice for readers who desire to find success in their life?

Find joy. Make finding joy your goal and mission. Joy will make the dark times much lighter. Also, learn something new every day.
Always remember that no one can take away what you know. Knowledge is free.

Speaking of success, what does the word mean to you?

Success for me is simply waking up every day. Waking up allows me to do new things. Contrary to popular belief fame and money are not success. Fame is fleeting and money is numbers and numbers never end.
Having joy is successful to me. Some people never find joy.

The biggest success is when someone says it was because of me they could. There is no better feeling for me.

What’s next for you?

Recently it seems this short story book is going to be the start of a series. Each character will have their own book. I believe the characters and the readers deserve a back story of what made the characters the way they are. There is also another three unrelated books ready to go sitting in my head.

Simple answer is, I plan to keep writing as long as I have stories to write about.

Finally, how can people connect with you if they want to learn more?

My website is: https://chevel-nelson.myshopify.com
Instagram – @chevelnelsonauthor
Facebook – @chevelnelsonauthor
Tik Tok – @chevelnelsonauthor

March 2023, Superstar Art Foundation completed the production of its humanity themed feature film “Lost In 24”. As a part of SAF’s film production program for humanitarian purpose.

“Lost In 24” is a captivating and heartwarming suspense film that tells the story of divorced mother Jennifer and her daughter Emily who travel to Texas for a vacation, preparing to start a new romance. However, Jennifer suddenly discovers that her daughter has mysteriously disappeared and has been involved in a murder case. Desperate, she seek help with police officer Court to find her missing daughter and implement her revenge plan.

The film reveals for the first time the criminal underworld of illegal organ trafficking. With a tight plot and gripping suspense at every turn, the film impacts the viewer’s visual senses with its strong visual contrasts, emotional core, and unexpected story ending. This film is a must-see for anyone who loves this genre of film, as it blends suspense, action, and emotion.

May Liu, who served as the film’s screenwriter, director, and producer, said in an interview with journalist, “I have always wanted to make a film about humanity. In my heart, I am a warrior, and I believe that film is the best way to spread positive energy to society and help people recognize good from evil and fight for justice. This film is a humanity-themed film that I created for the Superstar Art Foundation and my first film as a director. It was very difficult because we did not have external investment, but we were fortunate to have the support of my friends, which allowed us to complete the film in such a short period of time. Of course, if we had more investment, I think I could have done better, such as achieving better picture quality with better equipment.”

This film was a comprehensive challenge for me. Although I had previously worked as a producer on several films, in this film, I was the director, leading the story and script creation, selecting actors, purchasing props and costumes, starring, and performing post-production editing. These tasks were not ones that we were unwilling to pay others to do, but they believed that these tasks were impossible to complete within the specified time, so I had to do them myself. Because I am someone who pursues results, in my dictionary, there is nothing that is “impossible.” When I decide to do something, no matter how difficult it is, I will complete it.

Our casts also accepted the challenge of this film, realistically interpreting their roles, and add their own spice into the role. The performance of the heroine is also remarkable, especially the image of the rebellious girl Emily played by the 17-year-old Texas actress Lana Gillett. The police officer played by actor Marcus Medina contributed a lot of action scenes to the film, which added to the film’s highlights. Although some of them had doubts during the filming process about whether I could complete the filming in time. I think this is a fixed mindset people have about female directors, and this is exactly why I wanted to make this movie.

During the 3-year pandemic, I saw many people’s misfortunes around me. I cannot provide economic help to everyone, but as an artistic creator, the only thing I can do is to use my own creation to call for attention from the world and provide more help to the unfortunate people.

“If we were to look at it from a business perspective, this may not be a perfect commercial film, but it is a genuine one because each character in the film represents our true selves.”

“Lost In 24” uses aerial photography to capture the beautiful scenery of the city and discovers the beautiful scenery of Texas. The emotional core of the film lies in Jennifer’s emotional and psychological changes, from her rebellious attitude towards her daughter, to her desire for a new romance, from her anxiety upon learning of her daughter’s disappearance to carrying out her revenge plan. The audience’s concern for the fate of her daughter, Emily, continues to push the story to a climax, and the ending of the story is both unexpected and reasonable.

The pacing of the movie is well-balanced, with tense and suspenseful moments interspersed with quieter scenes that allow the characters to develop. The editing is also top-notch, with seamless transitions and a consistent tone throughout.

Another strong point of the movie is its use of violence. While there are some intense and graphic scenes, they serve a purpose in advancing the plot and developing the characters. The violence is never gratuitous or excessive, and it adds to the realism of the story.

Overall, “Lost in 24” is a gripping crime-thriller that will satisfy fans of the genre. It features impressive acting performances, an intricate plot, and strong pacing and editing. If you’re looking for a movie that will keep you on the edge of your seat and leave you thinking long after the credits roll, “Lost in 24” is definitely worth watching.

The film is joining the competition of Film Festival, and estimated screening in USA in May, 2023.

Movie Trailer:

IMDB Profile:

Chuck Knabusch is a business consultant, executive coach, and keynote speaker with a wealth of experience in operations management, project management, and leadership. His approach to leadership is grounded in the power of positivity, and he has helped numerous clients achieve success by focusing on building a positive work culture and cultivating a mindset of growth and possibility.

Chuck believes that the key to effective leadership lies in creating a positive environment where employees feel valued, supported, and empowered to do their best work. This means recognizing and celebrating their accomplishments, providing constructive feedback, and creating opportunities for growth and development. By fostering a culture of positivity, Chuck believes that businesses can create a more engaged and productive workforce, leading to increased profitability and long-term success.

One of Chuck’s core philosophies is the idea that positivity is contagious. When leaders model positive behaviors and attitudes, it sets the tone for the entire organization. This means leading by example, demonstrating empathy and compassion, and creating a supportive and inclusive work environment. By prioritizing positivity, Chuck believes that businesses can improve employee morale, reduce turnover, and attract and retain top talent.

Chuck’s approach to leadership is grounded in his own experiences as a leader and a coach. He has held numerous leadership roles throughout his career, including serving as a Senior Operations Analyst at La-Z-Boy Incorporated, where he oversaw critical, division-wide projects impacting service, quality, profitability, and lead time. During his time at La-Z-Boy, he led and managed operations of more than 200 personnel, contributing to a $35 million operating cost reduction realized through the development and implementation of Cellular Manufacturing.

Chuck’s experiences have taught him that effective leadership is not just about achieving results, but about inspiring and motivating others to do their best work. He believes that leadership is about building relationships and trust, and that the most successful leaders are those who can create a shared vision and inspire others to work towards it.

As an executive coach and consultant, Chuck brings his experience and expertise to businesses of all sizes and industries. His services are designed to help leaders develop the skills and strategies needed to build a positive work culture and achieve long-term success. This includes leadership coaching, team building, and consulting on operations management and project management.

Chuck’s approach is highly individualized, and he works closely with each client to understand their unique challenges and goals. He believes that effective coaching and consulting requires a deep understanding of the client’s business, culture, and leadership style, and he takes a collaborative approach to problem-solving and strategy development.

Ultimately, Chuck believes that the power of positive leadership lies in its ability to inspire and motivate others. By creating a culture of positivity and possibility, leaders can help their employees achieve their full potential and contribute to the success of the organization. Whether through coaching, consulting, or keynote speaking, Chuck’s goal is to help leaders harness the power of positivity to achieve their goals and build a thriving business.