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Michael and I finish our conversation about the present and future of Web Series and how Hollywood views it. If you are a web series creator look into submitting your web series into the LA Web Fest and meet Michael and say you heard about him here. He is a great person and am so grateful to cross paths with him.
Blog
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I met Michael in 2011 at the LA Web Series Festival where Often Awesome the series took home Outstanding Documentary Series from 2010-2012. He put on a great showcase for a ton of independent web series in Los Angeles, CA. I was so impressed by all the talented creative web series that displayed true professional talent from; writing, acting, directing and producing. His vision helped our series reach a new audience and encouraged creative professionals around the world. Every time we talk he inspires me. This is going to be one I listen over and over. Here is a brief paragraph from his bio on his web site…
Michael Ajakwe jr. (creator-writer–director-producer)
Since 1993, this first-generation Nigerian-American has worked in the theatre with renowned performers like Emmy-winner Glynn Turman, Vanessa Bell Calloway, Debbie Allen, Ted Lange, Phil Morris, Robert Ri’chard, Hill Harper, Niecy Nash, Tommy Hicks, Tracee Ellis Ross, Art Evans, Gary Sturgis, James Pickens, Tatyana Ali, Marc Coppage, Estelle Harris, Wendy Raquel Robinson, Lee Garlington, Robert Pine, Shayla Rivera, Gary Anthony Williams, Ralph Carter, Deniece Williams, Charles Dutton and Oscar winner Mo’Nique. As a tv and film writer, he’s worked with Martin Lawrence, Greg Kinnear, Sherman Hemsley, Sheryl Lee Ralph, Tichina Arnold, Tisha Campbell, Charles Barkley, Marc Curry, Tracey Morgan, Tia & Tamera Mowry, Kadeem Hardisson, Kelita Smith, Brandy, Diondre Whitfield, Ali Landry, Kelly Perrine, Tim Reid, Tommy Davidson, Ernest Thomas, Richard Lawson, Jackee, Steve Harvey, Steve Trevino, Valery Ortiz, Eve, Paul Winfield, and 3-time Oscar nominee Djimon Honsou. As a live events show writer, he’s written for Anthony Anderson, Kimberly Elise, Jo Marie Payton, L.A. City Council President Eric Garcetti, ex-L.A. Police Chief Bernard Parks, NAACP National President Benjamin Todd Jealous, Jason Alexander, Ben Stiller, and the NAACP Theater Awards (’04-08). He’s also developed TV and/or film projects for Russell Simmons, Dr. Dre, Bret Ratner, Kim Fields, Reuben Cannon, Norman Howard (nephew of The Three Stooges), Beverly Todd, Vidal Sassoon, ex-NBA great Kenny “The Jet” Smith and Natalie Cole. Mike has written and directed 9 plays and produced 16 that have garnered 27 NAACP Theater Award Nominations, winning 5. He is a two-time NAACP Award-winning Playwright/Producer (Company Policy/Ted Lange’s Four Queens, No Trump!), two-time NAACP Award Nominated Director (If You Don’t Believe, Body Language), an Emmy Award-winning TV producer (E! Network’s Talk Soup), an award-winning filmmaker (Happy Anniversary, Punk!) and a trailblazing web tv creator (Ajakwetv.com’s Who…)
Duracell knocked it out of the park with this video. First they hired on of the best young directors on the internet in Eliot Rausch (2010 Vimeo Grand Prize Winner) and followed his vision. The emotional connection is one of the strongest and most memorable connection you can make with your audience. That is the difference in advertising and marketing. You might ask, what does Duracell have to do with Patrick Willis’s story? Nothing. But they share the same beliefs and they recognize that. This commercial is not about what they sell…it is about why the sell batteries. Think about it and watch brilliance.