Friday, September 6, 2013

Budding Documentarian Breaks The Mold With Hometown Perspective



TRENTON—  Will Foskey, co-founder of Trenton Going Global, a civilian based content curator for Young Adults in Trenton, recently entered his documentary “What Did The World Take? The Oppression and Misconceptions of Trenton, NJ”, into the 2013 Abelcine Documentary Grant contest. 

What Did The World Take? is a heartfelt look at a resilient group of Trenton residents fighting for the good name their selfless actions merit.

Foskey is known in Trenton as a motivational servant to his peers. He currently produces two web-shows for the city:

Pretty Business Television, an entertainment/fashion based web-show hosted by Ericka Pressley.

Trenton: Homebase, is a hub for Trentonians whom travelled abroad and achieved tremendous success, giving them a place to come home and express how being born and raised in Trenton benefited their careers.

According to a press release, “What Did The World Take?” presents a clear, unbiased approach to the social tug-of-war that is Trenton, NJ. As the title of the new documentary indicates, Foskey, the filmmaker, seeks to document what he calls the Oppression and Misconception here in the city. The Oppression refers to the unfortunate reality that the average age of Trenton residents is 32 years old; yet this generation isn’t represented in political office, community development, and is often held back by their elders. The Misconception refers to unforgiving facts like Trenton’s desperate need of new jobs despite there being many state jobs here in the city that most of the time go to non-residents.
Will Foskey with Rap Artist T.I.

This new documentary comes at a time when the world has previously seen other documentaries that have told a quite different story about Trenton. In the past, there was Gangland, a History Channel documentary that highlighted gang life in New Jersey’s capital. Along with that piece, there was a recent documentary done by Princeton University students that documented homelessness here in the city. Foskey’s documentary takes a different look at Trenton.

Foskey says that “this documentary will promote the best of us". The young filmmaker, 35, went on to address the local government and local newspapers by saying “time is up on promoting the rest of us for their selfish gain. We’re a city of passionate, resilient individuals. We’re a city of triumphant success stories. I need my City, my County and my State’s help in telling this story. Check out the trailer; share the trailer on social networks, “Like” the trailer. By winning this contest, I’ll receive the equipment needed to elevate the quality of the documentary to best reflect the good people of my hometown.”

For more information about the documentary and how you can help or get involved, contact Will Foskey at Willie.Foskey@gmail.com or 609.672.6123.

To view the What Did The World Take? Documentary Trailer, click here or view below:

Tuesday, September 3, 2013

Anwar's Reflections Remembers Dion Clark

TRENTON-- It was a truly sad day in the city of Trenton when I heard through the grapevine that Wilbur Section’s champion Zane Dion Clark had passed away in his Walnut Avenue home. It was a Sunday, I believe. For those that didn’t know Dion, I’ll tell you that he was a good man that had a strong and passionate commitment to his hometown.

In each and every conversation we had over breakfast at Pat’s Diner, Dunkin Donuts, or the Parkside Diner, he would at some point mention how important it was to improve the city of Trenton. In the middle of jokes, catching up, and chewing the fat, we would eventually get to Trenton’s dire straits.

Despite the sad and unfortunate nature of Mr. Clark’s untimely death, I think his departure from this earth shows me something fundamental about the nature of time and how important it is to use time wisely while you still have a chance. Indeed, Mr. Clark used his short time on planet earth to help others, build up his community, and last but not least, take care of his precious granddaughter. During his lifespan, Mr. Clark had no time for hate, finger-pointing, and criticizing the powers that be. He was better than that.

Dion was a man of principle that never missed a city council meeting. Dion fought for this city with every fiber of his being and never asked for a reward. He lived and breathed Trenton, and in particular his beloved Wilbur Section. Indeed, Dion had a fierce sense of urgency about urban blight, ATV’s in the community, illegal dumping and a host of other quality of life issues that plagued this great, yet beleaguered city. In different conversations, he was fond of saying that he was not some great hero, rather he saw himself as simply being a good neighbor.

Dion used his time to make a difference while he was here. He taught me that you don't have to be flashy or dribble a basketball to be a hero. Lo and behold, he showed me that caring about your community makes you a hero albeit an unsung hero, but a hero nonetheless. Indeed, Dion’s life and legacy will live on as long as I have something to say about it. That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

Below you will find different video interviews he and I had while he was with us…