MUSIC IN FILM (Encore Presentation)

Encore Presentation from the 10th Toronto Black Film Festival.

This panel/workshop will look at how music influences film and its importance in creating a mood and setting the tone of a story. We will look at: How to create and or select music for film? The importance of music in a film? What do Filmmakers need to keep in mind when selecting music for their films?

Moderator: Shakura S’Aida - Actor, Music Producer, Singer/Songwriter

Shakura S’Aida is an award-winning performer who has travelled the globe for more than two decades, connecting and inspiring audiences with her powerful vocals. An undeniable talent and an outspoken advocate for human rights and racial equality, her artistic work reflects that which impacts and connects us all: love. “I believe that we all have a responsibility to look after each other,” says the Toronto-based artist. “I see, create, and use music as a way to bring people together.” A central figure in Canada’s music scene, the Brooklyn-born, Swiss-raised entertainer has garnered not only an international recording and touring career but has shined on the theatre stage as star and creator of the four-woman tribute to Nina Simone, The Nina Project, and in roles on-screen including as Lena, member of the beloved “Jazzagals” in the acclaimed series Schitt’s Creek, and most recently in the part of Cora Lewis, mother to Batwoman in DC Comics / Warner Brother’s hit series of the same name.

Panellists

Simon Poole: Composer

Simon Poole has been a composer for film, television and advertising for the past 15 years. He’s a graduate of the UCLA Film Scoring Program and is a former composer-in-residence at the Canadian Film Centre. Most recently, he scored Season 1 of Overlord and the Underwoods airing on CBC Gem.

Amos Adetuyi: CEO at Circle Blue Entertainment

Amos Adetuyi is an award-winning Canadian Producer and Executive Producer with over 20 years of experience in the film and television industry. He is the producer of the groundbreaking television drama series DIGGSTOWN currently on its third season aired on CBC.

Cheryl Foggo: Author, Playwright and Filmmaker

Cheryl Foggo is a multiple award winning playwright, author and filmmaker, whose work over the last 30 years has focused on the lives of Western Canadians of African descent. Recent works include the release of her NFB feature documentary John Ware Reclaimed, available on nfb.ca, as well as the 30th anniversary edition of her book Pourin’ Down Rain: A Black Woman Claims Her Place in the Canadian West. Her play The Sender can be viewed as part of Obsidian Theatre’s 21 Black Futures. She has multiple projects upcoming in 2022, including a production of her play Heaven at Lunchbox Theatre. Cheryl is the recipient of the Lieutenant Governor of Alberta Outstanding Artist Award, The Doug and Lois Mitchell Outstanding Calgary Artist Award and the Arts, Media and Entertainment Award from the Calgary Black Chambers, all in 2021.

Robert Ball: (Singer, Actor & Vocal Coach)

Robert Ball has traveled to and performed in over 60 countries as a featured vocalist and headliner with Royal Caribbean International. His theatre credits include; The Soul of Motown - Stage West Calgary, Freedom Cabaret - Stratford Festival, A Little Black Lie - Tarragon Theatre, Funkentine Rapture - CUNY College NY, Dreamgirls - Brooklyn Parks Department. Robert has worked with; Tony Award Winner Lillias White - Producers; Robbie Patterson ( known for - Snow, Jacksoul ), Promise ( known for - Drake), Ray Angry ( known for - Joss Stone, The Roots), Donald Lawrence (Grammy & Stellar Award Winner)… As a solo artist and background vocalist Robert has shared the stage with and opened for; Mary Mary, Nikki Yanofsky, Keshia Chante, Mya, Big Freeda among others. He has toured various Pride circuits (Toronto, Jamaica, Brooklyn, DC, London ON). Recently Robert curated a solo cabaret he called “Bold Bruised Born to Be” for the Stratford Festivals virtual series “Up Close & Musical”. Robert can also be seen in the movie “Christmas on 5th Avenue” and in various tv commercials and print ads.

Kaya Pino: Music Supervisor at The Wilders

Kaya Pino is a music supervisor working at The Wilders in Toronto. Blending a deeply personal understanding of music’s effect on both audience and art form with an ability to create relationships between movement, musicality, rhythm and sound, Kaya takes an anthropological approach to music supervision. She started her career in advertising, and continues to work in the branding space alongside film and series projects. Kaya’s recent credits include: Sort Of (CBC/HBO MAX), Ginny & Georgia (Netflix), Strays (CBC), Pretty Hard Cases (CBC), Kim’s Convenience Season 5 (CBC).