HOUSE OF GEE

Gee, as many friends call her is a Nigerian-American filmmaker located in the Atlanta, GA area. She has a deep passion for capturing & sharing imagery via videography and photography. Gladys is also the CEO of Kokoatdawn Productions, LLC...

[houseofgeee]

On to 6th grade she goes. Mummy is so proud!

On May 25th, my daughter graduated from 5th grade and what a memorable send off it was at her school. Kids K-4 and parents lined up in the hallways of the school and gave them a resounding round of applause. Some 5th graduates cried and other like my daughter just seemed to be thrilled. 

[houseofgeee]

Sightseeing photos in Las Vegas

[houseofgeee]

I had the pleasure of being invited by a close friend to a 40th Birthday party that was to take place in Las Vegas in early May of 2017. The beautiful Bellagio was the hotel choice and oh what a time it was!!! She celebrated the special event with her birthday mate and it sure added up to double fun with friends coming from London, Nigeria and various parts of the US. This was a work/play trip for me as I was asked to be the professional photographer for the weekend. 

Here are just a few photographs of the celebrants that I loved!

More sightseeing photos to come.

[houseofgeee]

In this 12-minute directed by Nigerian-American actress, To Be Free, shares the one moment Nina Simone has in a tiny-after hours club.

Showtime: March 25th, 2017 at 4:45PM

Place: 7 Stages

#AdeperoOduye

#Nigerian #africanfilmmaker

#atlantafilmfestival

[houseofgeee]

The Atlanta Film Festival Is Here

A long long time ago when I was on the hunt for creative beings especially beings in the filmmaking realm, I came across IMAGE 365 now known as the Atlanta Film Festival. IMAGE was an organization that put a film festival together as well as other film educational programs. I learnt about the festival and quickly signed up as a volunteer. And boy, what an experience I had! My first assignment was to welcome filmmakers as they attended panel events, screenings, etc. in the hospitality suite at the CNN Omni hotel. One of the first filmmakers I was able to interact with was Will Packer and Rob Hardy of then Rain Forest Films. They were very nice and took the time to talk to a few volunteers in the room. This was in 2005. The following year, I meet Spike Lee (She's Gotta Have it and Do the Right Thing) and then Charles S. Dutton (Roc) and the list goes on. My stint with the film festival came to an end in 2011 as I started to focus on my own film and video projects. The festival now known as the Atlanta Film Festival has come a long way. Its film lineup  is becoming more diverse each year especially for African films . As an African filmmaker, I am always looking out for movies that feature any hint of an African theme or movies produced, directed and written by an African This year I came across a few films made by or featuring an African.

In my up coming posts, I will be sharing the films that will be screening at the festival in Atlanta this upcoming weekend. So stay tuned!

The Atlanta Film Festival is taking place from March 23d - April 2nd, 2017

Here's to the celebration of African Cinema around the world!!

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Mr. Gele is never afraid of the camera..lol. He will turn on the camera with no idea of what will come out, no script sef?😱 I'm trying to get in front of the camera a little more...I hate it though..Argh. I'm very comfortable behind the lens and giving directions 🎬😊 #whathappenedtomyvoice #kokoatdawn #segungele #cameragirlchronicles #comingoutofmyshell #headwrapexpo2016 (at Dearborn, Michigan)

[houseofgeee]

My son loves him some baseball and has always wanted to see a live baseball game. I have tried to understand the game for years but have never succeeded. I just can’t get into it. So it’s kind of ironic that this is the sport he really loves :-)

For his sake I decided to purchase tickets from his school’s P.T.A (it was part of a Family Fun Day packet) and head on down to Turner Field. The game was between the Atlanta Braves and the New York Mets which turns to be one of the last games that will be taking place at Turner Field. It was a fun experience for both of us. As soon as we got through the gates, he had to get a a good ole hot dog. After watching the game for about an hour, being a typical 7 year old, he got a little restless and wanted to leave (i just think it was the heat). He said watching it on T.V. is much better (ahh kids).  On our way out, we took some great photographs (shown above) and ended the afternoon with ice cream from the Dippin’ Dots. This I could tell was one of his favorite moments. 

Cool fact: Chipper Jones retired jersey is No. 10 and he will be tearing down this number during the 10th game towards the end of the 2016 season. The Atlanta Braves will be leaving Turner Field to play in a new stadium in Cobb Country, GA in the 2017 season. 

#atlantabraves #braves #turnerfield #atlanta

[houseofgeee]

Interviewed the Nollywood actor, Deyemi Okunlawon recently for the KokoAtDawn Who Is series (coming soon). Filming took place in Atlanta, GA

Well known for his role as ‘Tokunbo’ in Ndani TV’s webseries, Gidi up, he has acted in several Nollywood movies such as If Tomorrow Comes, Grain of Wheat, Dependence, Journey to Self, Oblivious and A Place Called Happy, to name a few. 

To learn more about him, check out his YouTube Channel: youtube.com/deyemiokan

[houseofgeee]

Pain is temporary but film is forever

Alejandro González Iñárritu - Director, The Revenant

[houseofgeee]

The Sundance Film Festival 2016

Ahhh..my dream finally came true this year. I attended the recently concluded Sundance Film Festival that took place between January 21st - 31st. It was an unforgettable and adventurous time. I’ve never prepared and planned for a trip as hard as I did for this trip. Since this is a well attended and popular film festival, everyone wants in on the latest world premiere movies so it is quite difficult ( but possible ) to get to see the movies you really want to watch. The hottest movies that were a challenge to get into for me were, Miles Ahead ( Don Cheadle), Tallullah (Uzo Aduba) and Birth of a Nation ( Nat Turner ). But at the same time I was able to watch incredible films such as “Michael Jackson’s Journey from Motown to Off the Wall”, Captain Fantastic (Viggo Mortenson ), 80′s theme flick, Sing Street (Jack Reynor) and “Nothing Left Unsaid”               (Anderson Cooper) and Little Gangster. The coolest thing of all, the filmmakers and the actors showed up for Q&A! I was able to capture a few shots which I will share shortly. For now enjoy some photographs I was able to capture while weaving my way around to get to my movies on time :-)

[houseofgeee]

The Final Lesson Shoot

After being away from a film set for sometime, I was quite excited to be back on a set working with a team! I’ve been a lone ranger for about 2-3 years now filming and editing all on my own so I was glad to get the invitation to be a part of the Camera Department as the 2nd Camera Assistant. I worked with talented Cinematographer, Alexxiss Jackson (sfpoetic.tv) and 1st AC, Steve Carley. In between takes, I photographed some of the cast and crew in action, or not :-) 

Above are some of my favorite shoots of the day

#RomanSantacroce #BJWinfrey #sfpoetic #stevecarley #BTS #AlexxissJackson #Icestormstudios #FinalLessonFilm

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A few weeks ago, I submitted a 90 secs video to B & H as part of a competition to attend a Filmmakers Master Class in NY for a week for FREE (Thanks JULIE for sharing!!). It took me about two days to edit this video collage which contains some of the work I've done in past years since 2012 and it took me about 2 days to complete (I’ve never edited anything that short before). That was challenging within itself!

It didn't make the cut but it sure surprised me on how many events I've shot and how many I got to go...lol. So really it was a WIN-WIN for me. Sometimes we forget how much we’ve accomplished until we take time to sit still for a MINUTE and take it all in. 

Enjoy

Still learning, still growing!  #docufilmmaker #filmmakinglife #loveit #studentoffilm #cinematographer #stillgrowingandlearning

[houseofgeee]

I just love this video and I had a blast creating this with the kids. We shot this earlier in the year when there was a snow storm and the kids were out of school for a few days. I had to amp up the fun to a different level to shake off that cabin fever. I edited and shared the music video on their birthday. A great gift, I think :-)

[houseofgeee]

During the Memorial Day weekend, I had the pleasure of photographing my very first Sip and See for little miss Azalea, hosted by mum, Tia Hebron (Bobbi Brown Executive). Azalea was making her debut to her Georgia family and the room was filled with lots of smiles and giggles. The event was held in Atlanta, GA at The J Spot Hair Salon owned by Derek J (Real Housewives of Atlanta). 

[houseofgeee]

#TiaHebron #AzaleaGrayson #SipandSee #DerekJ #JSpot #AzaleaGraysonVillage

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Lagbaja performed in Atlanta on Mother’s Day at the Variety Playhouse. What a treat! During his performance a few audience members came straight to the dance floor and danced all night. I was one of them and got this shot. 

Fun times. 

[houseofgeee]

After doing some spring cleaning in the garage, I stumbled across this video archive ( the good ole' VHS times ). Back Story: I had the privilege of working as a video producer for the Nigerian Reunion Committee (NRC) in 2002( Miami ) and 2003(Los Angeles). Kevin Hart was invited by comedian Michael Blackson to perform at the Los Angeles Reunion and we got him backstage for an interview. 

He was interviewed by my dear friend, Marlyn Uzoigwe. Enjoy!

P.S: Please note this was not a Gee Shot but I thought it worthy to share :)

[houseofgeee]

Well, well...look what I pulled out of my VHS pile! A piece I produced and directed way back when for NRC. My dear friend Mary Uzoigwe interviewing @kevinhart4real at the LA Reunion 2001. #moreclipscomingsoon #kevinhartatNRCreunionLA #throwbackvideo #gottaloveit