 MD
Walton, SHS 1997, is hosting a benefit for film creation
Walton gives back to the community
Michael M.D.
Walton, 1997 graduate of Schenectady High School,is hosting a
benefit, "The Championship Rounds," on Friday,
December 30, 2011 from 7 - 10 p.m. at Proctor's
Theatre. The cost is $40.
"The
Championship Rounds" is a film created,written and
produced by Walton and directed by Daniel Stine. The
cost of the ticket price will be donated to the Schenectady
graduate's film project.
The
Championship Rounds is the story of a young, deaf, African
American boxer and single father of a 6 month-old boy whose
life is against the ropes on the brink of homelessness.
After being stricken with tragedy, James Deacon receives an
unlikely shot at redemption, and now his very survival is
dependent on his faith and his decision to seize the moment.
Michael
Anthony Spady, one of the most notable deaf actors on
screen, will star as James Deacon Jr. The movie also
stars Harold Perrineau Jr., Larry Gilliard Jr. and Linden
Ashby.
Included in his
statement, Walton said he grew up in high school with a friend
who was deaf. "From an observer’s point of view I would witness
the delineation of the hearing and deaf communities. Far too
often, people would label him as handicapped or not take the
time to sit down and communicate with him based on their own
laziness or judgment."
Walton also said
that
homelessness or individuals surviving to keep a roof over their
head have been circumstances he has seen firsthand living in in
Los Angeles. "I had the chance to work within a homeless shelter
in the first two years of being here in L.A. and was exposed to
many different stories and walks of life," he added.
Giving Back
"In efforts to
give back to my own local Schenectady community, I am aiming to
form a partnership with the Schenectady Youth Boxing Program,"
said Walton. "Their youth programs not only provide
fitness and mentoring, but helps kids thrive academically on a
daily basis by providing academic tutoring." He
lauded the Junior Olympic program for promising young athletes
and Peaceful Warrior, which reinforces violence prevention and
anger management, school attendance, social awareness and drug
free lifestyles. "My goal is to not just spread awareness
about this program on a global level, but also to contribute any
additional funds realized after our short film budget goal is
met," said Walton.
Walton has also
formed a partnership in Los Angeles with the Greater Los Angeles
Agency on Deafness Inc., whose general mission is to provide the
same opportunities for the deaf community as their hearing
counterparts. "They are instrumental as a resource for
this film and ensuring that we are 100% authentic in our efforts
regarding the deaf community within the film," said Walton.
Walton said the
goal is to shoot a feature film version and garner a major
motion picture theatrical release. "We've taken a draft to
a studio executive at Paramount Pictures who has mentioned it
has "awards' potential," said Walton. "This is very
promising." He said if they reach this goal, it would mark
the first time ever in history of cinema that an African
American deaf male actor would play the lead role at a major
motion picture release level. "My goal is to shoot the
short first, and then shoot a feature film version in
Schenectady," said Walton.
Please show your
support!
Click here for
further event details:
http://championshiprounds.eventbrite.com/
Back |
