MVP Meets with Director Sam Weisman

Lendl Tellington and I met with a great all around individual at the Maryland Film Festival: filmmaker extraordinaire, Sam Weisman - the director of many movies, including George of the Jungle, and episodes of T.V. hits such as Family Ties and Law &Order. Mr. Weisman is very interesting character to talk to - down to earth, funny, lively, and very knowledgeable about the current movie business, as well as what it takes to be a great filmmaker.

We showed him a segment from BeMore TV - our youth-run TV show - called Schools by Stereotype, and our award-winning documentary Schooling Baltimore Street. Mr. Weisman then gave us a little constructive criticism, which in turn helped me as a novice filmmaker realize what the real critics look for in a movie.

He pointed out that in Schooling Baltimore Street, a more antagonistic point of view would have created additional drama for the movie, and given the viewer more information about the other side of things (the perspective of the school system, for example). Mr. Weisman then went on to say the camera work was excellent and the music fit the video perfectly. He seemed very interested in our work and thought it should get more recognition.
 
From talking to Mr. Weisman it was apparent that his work has had an impact on his family. His son Daniel works in the music industry, and had made his own hip hop/rap based documentary during college. This was a coincidence because our current episode of BeMoreTV discusses Hip-hop culture in Baltimore.

Being able to meet and talk with and interview Sam Weisman was a blessing and an honor. He really showed us what it meant to be a true filmmaker and how much work it took to climb the ladder of entertainment success. I would, without a doubt, like to be a part of this kind of experience again.

- Chaz Walters, MVP Member

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