Bronx Artist Spotlight – Everette Hamlette
Director of 75 Park: 1 of the 35: Everette Hamlette
Our Bronx Artist Spotlight continues with Everette Hamlette. Visual storytelling is a gift that blends so many different creative fields into one beautifully weaved piece of content. From filming, directing and editing, to music, and audio moods to writing and ensuring that the integrity of the story has continuity, creating a documentary is no small feat. Everette Hamlette is a gifted story teller, blending his passion for his community in Longwood with his creative talents. His documentary helps tackle some of the questions Bronxites near Longwood have been asking about their park for years. One of those questions is “why now?” With a historical lack of investment in Bronx communities, coupled with an increase in various property developments, and rezoning, it’s hard not to wonder what sudden interest outside parties have for our home. It seems to be a question many of us around the borough have been asking.
Learn more about Everette, his documentary, and production studio below. Be sure to support the documentary by donating to his kickstarter and share the release.
What part of the Bronx are you from? Where did you grow up?
I am from the Longwood area of the Bronx. I was born and raised on Longfellow Ave. I lived here for 25 years, which is my entire life.
How has living in the Bronx inspired or influenced your work?
Living in the Bronx molded me to be the artist I am today. I went to Taft Campus from ’07-’11 and in that time I was bred to become a great poet. UAAHC, the high school I went to, taught me how to love the art of story telling. It wasn’t until after I graduated college and began working at Bronx Net Television I discovered my passion for broadcast journalism. Working day in and day out on Bronx stories influenced me to tell my own Bronx stories.
What did you learn while embarking on this documentary?
This is a tough question because I learned a lot while embarking on this documentary. The Bronx has such a rich history. This history reaches the far ends of every block corner, including the blocks in my own neighborhood. To give you a broad answer, I learned about; why we live where we live, the origin of my park and the New York City Parks Department, health issues in the Bronx, different organizations that benefit the borough of the Bronx, and the impact that one park has on a single community.
How do you feel about the changes in your community?
I feel that some of the changes in my community are much needed because I live in a community that wasn’t taken well cared of for decades. I’m just curious to see what these changes may mean for my community.
What does 75 Park mean to you?
How can we support you and the documentary?
You can learn more about my film and support it by visiting my Kickstarter page! https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/944664243/75-park-1-of-the-35
Why do you think the Bronx needs a production studio? What is your goal in creating one?
Bronxites travel to Manhattan to rent out a over priced space for a photoshoot or a videoshoot. I created this space so Bronxites could have a close and affordable option right here. My goal is to provide Bronxites with a convenient production studio for their creative work.
What are some of the influences that lead you to pursue your passion?
I think I may have answered this question in my previous answers! But, to wrap everything up for you nice and neat… Some of the influences that lead me to pursue my passion in life was learned about my community. This borough influenced me to become a poet. This borough influenced me to become a journalist. This borough influenced me to become a documentarian. If it wasn’t for the Bronx… I am not sure what my passion in life may be, but I am sure glad that it is story telling!
