Entertainment

Actor Big Spence’s Directorial Debut “Set Me Free”

Published

11 years ago

May 1, 2014

For actor Marcus “Big Spence” Spencer, his biggest inspiration came on set of the movie “Four Christmases” filming with Vince Vaughn, the 6’5” leading actor and producer, who told him, “Once people see you as a lead, they’ll hire you as a lead.”

Big Spence took that and ran with it. Fast forward several movie roles later and the actor-turned-producer-turned-director premieres his first film “Set Me Free” at the Oakland International Film Festival.

Starring Big Spence, Alan Walker, Alphonso Thompson, and Skipper Elekwachi, the movie is about finding self-worth and learning to love oneself. It follows four boys as they grow up to become young men and struggle to deal with different issues such as fatherlessness, self-worth, self-confidence, and trust. Each character tries to find freedom from their poverty-stricken neighborhood.

Director Marcus “Big Spence” Spencer at the “Set Me Free” film premiere in Berkeley.

Based on experiences from his own life, Big Spence says he wanted the movie to give insight to the issues that Black men go through, issues that usually stem from childhood.

“I’ve worked with kids that go through all these issues,” said Big Spence. “They don’t realize they’re in a certain kind of bondage to identify these issues. But once you identify them, then you have the power to fix them.”

The movie is produced by Big Spence’s company Touch the Heart Productions, which he started in 2010. The writer, director says he wanted to put a message in the film to “educate and entertain you at the same time.”

“I want people to be able to feel and get emotion from the film. With a lot of films, there’s no story, there’s no message. If I put messages in my films, I can use it as a teaching tool,” said Big Spence.

He has also written and produced two other movies under Touch the Heart Productions, “The American Dream” and “Milk Money.”

“I want to control the content that is put out because I have a certain message that I want to be out there,” he said.

For more information about the film, visit www.facebook.com/setmefreethemovie.

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Activism

Richmond Seniors Still Having a Ball After 25 Years

The Senior Winter Ball is a symbol of the Commission on Aging’s broader mission of providing enriching life experiences to the local senior community, particularly those in need of them. “Besides the social activities, we focus on issues such as housing, transportation and health,” said Michelle Hayes, the commission’s chairperson. “We get things done for our senior population.”

Published

3 days ago

November 24, 2024

Oakland Post

Myrtle Braxton (l-r), Byran H. Harris, and Michelle Hayes. Photo by Mike Kinney.

By Mike Kinney
The Richmond Standard

For a quarter century, seniors in the local community have had a prime location in the heart of the city to gather and celebrate the holidays.

That is courtesy of the annual Senior Winter Ball, which will mark a milestone this year when it takes place for the 25^th time. The gala will run from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. at Richmond Memorial Auditorium.

The holiday tradition was started by the City of Richmond’s Commission on Aging in 1999 to entertain and celebrate seniors. The event also raises funds for local senior causes. Attendees wear their finest attire and enjoy dinner and dancing.

“It’s so exciting to see all of the gala attendees all dressed up and seeing their lifetime friends and making new friends as well,” said Bryan M. Harris, secretary for the Commission on Aging. “They will reminisce about old Winter Ball memories and at the same time create new ones.”

Richmond’s very own Chef Josephine Orozco of El Sol Catering will serve at this year’s anniversary dinner. The gala will also feature the band Top Shelf Classics, which plays hits from the 50s through the 80s and has been the gala’s annual performer for the last decade.

The Senior Winter Ball symbolizes the Commission on Aging’s broader mission of providing enriching life experiences to the local senior community, particularly those in need of them.

“Besides the social activities, we focus on issues such as housing, transportation and health,” said Michelle Hayes, the commission’s chairperson. “We get things done for our senior population.”

Myrtle Braxton, 97, has served on the commission for 17 years and is its current vice president. She says her goal is to increase the quality of life for seniors through safe social events.

“So many seniors are isolated and are sometimes forgotten by society,” Braxton said. “So, our commission is their advocate and makes sure they are not left behind.”

Tickets to the 25th Silver Anniversary Annual Senior Winter Ball are $45 per person or $360 for a table of eight. They are available in person via the Main Recreation office at 3230 Macdonald Ave., via email at csdregistration@ci.richmond.ca.us or by phone at 510-620-6793.