Louisiana Heritage Media Award – “A Place Called Desire” Leonard Smith III
- Recognizing outstanding works published or produced within the last two years (journalism, films, books, websites or other media) on Louisiana historic preservation themes, topics, issues, projects or local history and architecture.
Filmmaker Leonard Smith III’s documentary film highlights and shares the stories of the New Orleans Lower 9th Ward Desire community. He recreates the historical memory of a community and documents the legacy of pride by those who lived in this post-World War II development. Smith enables the viewer to look beyond unfair stereotypes and see the thriving, loving community of Desire’s public housing community.
The Louisiana Trust for Historic Preservation recognizes 11 new award recipients for their impact on historic places, build pride and foster engagement in their communities. Awardees have been nominated by the public and selected based on
- Significance and magnitude of the nominee’s contributions and/or achievements.
- Consistent or innovative involvement with and commitment to culture.
- Benefit of the nominee’s contributions to Louisiana’s cultural understanding.
A Place Called Desire Unforgettable History Lessons
A Place Called Desire offers unforgettable history lessons applicable to American history, Louisiana history, African American history, urban history, racial history, studies of neighborhoods, studies of survival, and memorable stories of love and community. Somehow the filmmaker manages to share hard truths with a gentle touch.
~ Dr. Al Kennedy
Winner 2020 Silver Telly Award | 2020 AVA Gold Award | Finalist Best Documentary San Diego Black Film Festival | Official Selection San Francisco Black Film Festival | Award of Recognition Impact DOCS Awards | Semifinalist Rootstech Film Festival | Nominated for the 2020 LEH Humanities Documentary Film of the Year | Official Selection New Orleans Film Festival | 2021 Winner of the Best Documentary and Winner of the Audience Jury Award in the Black Film Festival of New Orleans | 2021 Winner of Louisiana Heritage Media Award.
“Nobody can dim the light which shines from within”
as penned by Maya Angelou, is the perfect metaphor for Desire.
THE FILM
“When you look at the times we’re in, Desire is the perfect storm of black America’s plight. Nixon, landfill, shoddy construction, war on drugs, geographic isolation, police showdown, incarceration. And it all started out as just a place where families were trying to nurture their kids in an affordable location. What a story.” LJ
The story of A Place Called Desire is one that will resonate with most people trying to find strength in a tough place. The story of trials and tribulations teaches us, as only a few stories can, about the essential wisdom of pushing through when times get tough, learning to fight against all odds. How many people in Desire preserved with grit and courage.
Those outside of the community told the stories you may have heard. We will present this film from a unique vantage point–that of insiders. Since 2008, we have interviewed over 60 individuals telling the stories of their lives in the Desire Community. They speak of a place that is not the same story that the press often portrayed. There were struggles, many struggles, but there were also strengths and positives in this tight-knit community of thousands.
A PLACE CALLED DESIRE
Multimedia Presentation
A multimedia presentation literally conjures up various images for people, depending upon which raw tools are being worked with on the project.
When we think of the term multimedia, we tend to think of information that has been put together using two or more different art forms, such as video, photographic images, text, music, audio and film, to form one whole presentation. An interactive presentation of different media formats is fun, exciting, and interesting, especially if done by professionals using the most modern techniques and equipment.
Multimedia presentations are usually enjoyable and fascinating to view because of the various art forms that have been combined. Depending on who is defining the term multimedia, it can mean different things to different people. Most people would not consider a book to be a multimedia experience, but add photographs to the text and perhaps a CD to be viewed in addition to reading the book, and you have different forms of media placed all in one package. A music video is a multimedia art form combining both music, film, and often text, too.
What is the definition of multimedia? Multimedia presentations are usually enjoyable and fascinating to view because of the various art forms that have been combined. Depending on who is defining the term multimedia, it can mean different things to different people.
Most people would not consider a book to be a multimedia experience, but add photographs to the text and perhaps a CD to be viewed in addition to reading the book, and you have different forms of media placed all in one package. A music video is a multimedia art form combining both music, film, and often text, too.
A Multimedia Presentation
A multimedia presentation literally conjures up various images for people, depending upon which raw tools are being worked with on the project. When we think of the term multimedia, we tend to think of information that has been put together using two or more different art forms, such as video, photographic images, text, music, audio and film, to form one whole presentation. An interactive presentation of different media formats is fun, exciting, and interesting, especially if done by professionals using the most modern techniques and equipment.
What some might consider to be simple PowerPoint presentations can actually be powerful multimedia presentations. Some of these presentations seen via computer contain text, animation, video, voice and much more. A multimedia experience will keep your attention on the subject being presented because of the layered ingredients that make it a complete package.
Who, in general, uses multimedia?
Well, really, just about anyone! In the business world, multimedia projects are used in advertising, journalism, publishing firms, government agencies, commercial businesses and more. You may have seen a multimedia presentation on the stage or at a concert, where the artist uses video, lights and other art forms to entertain you. Wherever creativity is needed, the multimedia art form can be utilized.
In our personal lives we put together different art forms to create items that are familiar and important just for ourselves and, perhaps, our entire family. As a hobby, scrap-booking can be considered to be a very personalized form of multimedia work. Scrapbooks can be personal keepsakes made up of photographs, mementos, letters and other items that can be incorporated into these special books.
A family history can be organized and pulled together to form a beautiful multimedia project to be kept and remembered, even passed down to other generations, for years to come. Old family photographs and new family photographs are combined and inter-weaved with letters, film, keepsakes, audio tapes and more to create a one-of-a-kind experience for all to enjoy. Without the use of these various forms of artistic media, most people would simply own a shoebox full of photographs and letters or a photo album of unidentified or poorly kept pictures. Put it all together, though, and history is brought to light.
Click this link to tell us about your project and how we can help!LS3 Studios Wins 2nd AVA Digital Award
AVA DIGITAL AWARDS ANNOUNCE 2013 WINNERS Narrative Network and LS3 Studios net Gold Award from among 2000 global entrants www.avaawards.com New York, NY (February 1, 2013) Narrative Network and LS3 Studios are winners of the AVA Digital-Gold Awards, for co-producing documentary trailer “From Shanghai to Harlem,” in the category of Creativity Video Production/Editing, it was announced on February 1, 2013. AVA recognizes outstanding achievement by creative professionals involved in the concept, direction, design and production of media that is part of the evolution of digital communication. Work ranges from audio and video productions to websites and social media sites that present interactive components such as video, animation, blogs, and podcasts to other user-generated digital communication.
There were 2,000 entries from throughout the United States, Canada and several other countries in the 2013 competition. Entrants included digital professionals from audio, video and film production companies; web developers; advertising agencies; PR firms; corporate and government communication departments; and independent creative professionals such as designers, producers, directors, editors and shooters.
AVA Digital Awards is sponsored and judged by the Association of Marketing and Communication Professionals (AMCP). The international organization consists of several thousand productions, marketing, communication, advertising, public relations, and free-lance professionals. AMCP administers recognition programs; provides judges and rewards outstanding achievement and service to the profession. As part of its mission, AMCP fosters and supports the efforts of creative professionals who contribute their unique talents to public service and charitable organizations.
Judges are industry professionals who look for companies and individuals whose talent exceeds a high standard of excellence and whose work serves as a benchmark for the industry.
Winners, who will receive certificates and inscribed statuettes, were selected from over 200 categories in Audio, Video, and Web-based production. A list of Platinum and Gold Winners can be found on the AVA Digital Awards website at www.avaawards.com.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LBHYtofVnh0
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