What began as a professional lighting assignment for Christian Epps on Beyonce’s much-anticipated visual album “BLACK IS KING,” turned into an opportunity for Lights, Camera, Diaspora! (LCD!), founded by Epps, to secure positions for 10 trainees from Kangala District, Mpumalanga (northeastern South Africa), to train on a world-class production for Beyonce.
The project received creative contributions from a global cast and crew representing diversity and connectivity, including Epps’ professional collaboration with Blitz Bazawule, Director on South Africa and some LA segments. LCD!, via African Technology Foundation’s Silicon Valley Initiative, partnered with Kangala District Management and Limco Consulting to place 10 trainees as part of the production crew in camera, lighting, costume, and more.
“This kind of opportunity to provide hands-on experience and skill-enhancement to the young talent in Africa is precisely what I envisioned with Lights, Camera, Diaspora!,” says Epps, founder and CEO of LCD! “We were formed to serve as a bridge between production communities of the US and African entertainment industries. What could be more universal in achieving that than LCD! participating on a visual album by one of the world’s best-selling music artists?”
“We have been fortunate to have like-minded individuals and organizations who believe in our mission,” said Lorna K. Johnson, Chairperson, Board of Trustees. “We would be honored to add to that list so our colleagues across the Continent and Diaspora feel our support of their current growth and the future of African entertainment markets.”
LCD! seeks to provide opportunities for African filmmakers seeking to upgrade skills, as well as equipment acquisition and production consulting for film and television stakeholders. Anyone interested in supporting the growth and future of African entertainment markets can visit www.lightscameradiaspora.org.
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