Hip Hop Artist Turned Independent Writer Uses Social Media To Produce Film

Online, December 13, 2010 (Newswire.com) - Michael Antonio Brown aka "Khanqwest" of 1990's Seattle Underground group DSD-1 wrote a script about the Underground Music Scene during Seattle's oppression against hip hop in 2002. After turning down an offer to buy the script, two attempts were made to produce it. One attempt in his hometown Seattle and one in Phoenix, AZ. After the second attempt, talented new professionals read the script and agreed to help produce it with a budget. Michael found a site called Indie Go Go partnered with MTV Networks and Facebook that helps independent artists raise funds using social networking. Now the team is reaching out to the public on and offline.

2005 was when the film went by the name "Cultivated". Michael was still part of a fledgling, aging group DSD-1 or Down Since Day 1. The story had been refined and rewritten several times, attracting attention from most who read it due to it's realism. A disagreement in the soundtrack ultimately influenced Michael to leave the group but also his hometown of Seattle to pursue his dream of filmmaking. In 2008, with no money, he pulled together student film makers in Arizona and some talented actors to shoot his film. However, using graduating students proved to cause scheduling problems and a no budget film couldn't be shot in a six month time frame. But through that two talented young film makers came on board and almost saved the project. Colten Currey and Aaron Luppe both loved the story and has joined Michael's vision of its full potential. Both young film makers had the quality Michael needed. Finished, quality projects, and experience on major sets. For two years they shared knowledge, recruited a solid crew, and prepared to rebirth the project properly from start to finish. A couple of actors were retained from the first project, adding their professional input as well. In August of 2010 the project was tentatively renamed "The Cash Flo". Looking to keep creative control of the project and finding funding in this economy was a challenge until Michael was informed of Indie Go Go. The budget for the film would normally be over $400,000 but all the crew and actors have agreed to pay cuts totaling less than $25,000, hoping that once it is finished they will receive their full pay. Indie Go Go allows musicians, filmmakers, and other artists to place their project online. They may link to the many social media sites, post videos, and receive advice on to how to raise money through friends, family, and fans. "The Cash Flo" is hoping that out of the 50 million fans of hip hop they can find 8,000 to donate $5 during this holiday season. Their goal is to raise the needed funds and begin shooting in February. They will have a soundtrack of independent musicians to go with the theme of the film. "The Cash Flo" will be premiered online and various film festivals this fall. The entire project can be followed with daily video updates online.

"Like the characters in the film, hip hop is about struggle, making something out of nothing. Even though I'm not rockin the mic, hip hop rocks my soul and is the driving force behind me seeing this film made for others like me." Michael Antonio Brown, Producer/Writer "The Cash Flo"