Jessica Emonds
Christopher Brown, Production Manager of HPL studios, recently wrote and directed Thoughts Are Things, a short film executive produced by Hartford Public Library (HPL). “Thoughts Are Things is a story about the importance of the reading, libraries, and small acts of kindness” said Christopher. “Neither of which are popular subjects, so it’s an honor to see the film be embraced in the way it has been. The little boy in the film that pulled himself up through reading, and the use of library represents me”
Thoughts Are Things has been making its way around the awards circuit and making a name for itself. The film won Platinum Remi Award for Dramatic Original short film production at WorldFest Houston International Film Festival 2022 and Best Short Film at Charlotte Black Film Festival. It was nominated for the 54th NAACP Image Award, Hollywood. Thoughts Are Things screened in the Hampton Block on August 8th at the Martha’s Vineyard African American Film Festival. It was selected for Hollyshorts 2023 where it screened in SAG Indie Block on August 12th. Thoughts Are Things was also selected for the 2022 Palm Springs International Film Festival’s ShortFest, in the Market Library.
The Martha’s Vineyard African American Film Festival (MVAAFF) is one of the most accredited short film showcases. The film screened to a packed Hampton University: One of the Wonders of the World, HBCU Audience in the vineyard. Thoughts Are Things participated in the Facebook Virtual Winter MVAAFF from December 23-31, 2022, where it accumulated over 17.5k views by December 31, 2022.
HPL Studios is the media production arm of the Hartford Public Library that will provide access to media production tools and experts to support lifelong learners, partners and community stakeholders with guided learning and opportunities for self-paced exploration and content creation with digital storytelling as a means of workforce development.
HPL Studios will produce industry-standard- audio and visual content that represents, supports, and helps to innovate the culture of HPL, while inspiring and informing Hartford residents about the vast possibilities & career opportunities offered in professional media.
“The success of this film is evidence that reading, libraries, and small acts of kindness are subjects people appreciate. Thoughts Are Things is a testament to the vision and foresight of HPL CEO Bridget Quinn, who was the first to see the values in the story. We need more Bridget’s. We need more visionaries, who are able to see outside the box” said Christopher Brown.
Thoughts Are Things is still making it’s rounds and is excited to be included in more Film Festivals and hopeful to bring more awards home to Hartford.
For a full list of awards and festivals, see below:
- The Pan African Film Festival
- WorldFest Houston International Film Festival, where it won the Platinum Remi Award for Dramatic Original Short Production
- March On Washington Film Festival
- San Diego Black Film Festival
- Charlotte Black Film Festival, where it won Best Short Film
Nelson Bello, a well-known Connecticut-based percussionist and Hartford native, is featured on Hartford Public Library’s (HPL) The Beat, a 24 hour streaming service featuring the some of the best of Hartford regional musicians. Nelson began his musical studies at the Hartford Conservatory Jazz Summer Program at age 13 and the Performing Arts Academy in Hartford Connecticut. At 15, he traveled to Cuba for the International Jazz Festival (with Latin Flavor, now better known as INSIGHT) and invited guest Pianist Chucho Valdez.
Nelson is co-founder of the Latin Jazz band TROMBEATZ. You can find their first recording titled A Caribbean Thing on The Beat. Over the years, Nelson performed with Andy Gonzalez, Cheo Feliciano, Ismael Miranda, Tony Vega, Charles Flores, Zaccai and Luques Curtis, among others.
The Beat is a collection of Hartford regional based music, curated by the Hartford Public Library and a group of Community Curators from the Hartford music community. Streaming the sounds of Hartford’s diverse communities The Beat delivers commercial-free, curated music from artists who represent CT’s Capital City. Jam, groove, or vibe out to Hartford’s best tunes, which can be accessed, 24/7, through a user-friendly digital music platform, free of charge. You can also download your favorite tracks for free, as long as you are a Hartford Public Library card holder.
HPL is honored to have someone of Nelson’s talents be included in The Beat. Discover your new favorite musician on the current The Beat’s roster that includes up-and-coming artists and Hartford music legends. To learn more about The Beat head to their website: https://thebeathartford.co/
Our Communications and Marketing Director, Jess Emonds, had a chance to ask Nelson a few questions. Read the full interview below!
Can you tell us a bit about what you play/group/genre? How long have you been playing music?
I’ve been a percussionist for over 25 years and have played with many artists in both tropical music (salsa) and Latin Jazz. I am the co-founder of Trombeatz, and we specialize in Latin Afro Caribbean Jazz.
What made you want to become a musician or who inspired you to make music?
Listening to Tito Puente, Giovanni Hidalgo and local legends is what got me inspired to want to become a musician.
What is it about music that makes you feel passionate?
I love music of all sorts, but when I preform for the people and they love it, it gives me more drive to leave it all on the stage.
What is the best advice you’ve been given?
The best advice I was giving as a youth was “practice every day”.
What is your favorite thing about Hartford?
My favorite thing about Hartford is the diversity! Every show I do, I see all ethnicities enjoying what we do.
Do you have a favorite library memory?
I remember as a kid, going to the original Park Street Branch to get books and later in life I gave workshops there.
Would you mind sharing what you are currently reading and/or listening too?
In my listing rotation I have various artists. Cuban singer and musician Alain Perez, Diego “El Cigala”, who’s a flamenco singer and Mario Bauzá, an Afro-Cuban Jazz musician, just to name a few.
HPL’s Digital Library Lab (DLL) welcomes Elviana Guterres as its summer intern. Elviana, or Via for short, will be with the Library’s digital lab through the end of August. The DLL@HPL is a 1,900 square foot photography and digitization lab offering a full range of digitization services for for-profit and non-profit customers.
Via is a rising sophomore at Trinity College. She is from Timor-Leste, studied abroad in Hong Kong and attending Trinity College marks her first time in the United States. She intends on double majoring in Urban Studies and Environmental Science. When asked why she wants to go into that field, she replied “I am passionate about sustainability and interested in understanding the complexities of urban environments. By studying these disciplines, I hope to contribute to creating more sustainable cities and addressing environmental challenges.”
Via has a passion for photography and is looking forward to taking some photography classes this upcoming school year. “One exciting aspect of working at the Digital Library Lab in Hartford Public Library is the opportunity to leverage cutting-edge technology and collaborate with experts to digitize, preserve, and provide global access to valuable digital collections. I am also interested in Photography; therefore, I am excited to be able to apply the skills in DLL and learn at the same time.” Via said.
The DLL team is delighted to have such a bright and passionate intern this summer. When asked what’s next for Via, she said “I also dream of opening a public library in my country, Timor-Leste, because we don’t have one.”
To learn more about the DLL@HPL on their website: https://www.hplct.org/library-services/dll/
Our Communications and Marketing Director, Jess Emonds, had a chance to sit down with Via her first week with the DLL. Read the full interview below!
What is your name, and where are you from?
My name is Elviana Guterres, and I am from Timor-Leste. This is my first time in the United States!
That’s awesome! How are you liking it so far?
It’s great. It’s different, but I’m enjoying my time here. The country has a vibrant energy, and there are many things to see here. I’ve already visited iconic landmarks like the Statue of Liberty and prominent universities like Harvard University, which left me in awe. Overall, I’m having a fantastic experience and looking forward to discovering more of what the United States offers.
Where are you going to school, what’s your major and what year are you?
I’m a rising sophomore at Trinity College here in Hartford. I am intending to double major in Urban Studies and Environmental Science. I am passionate about sustainability and interested in understanding the complexities of urban environments. By studying these disciplines, I hope to contribute to creating more sustainable cities and addressing environmental challenges.
That’s really important work. What is one thing that excited you most about working at HPL?
One exciting aspect of working at the Digital Library Lab in Hartford Public Library is the opportunity to leverage cutting-edge technology and collaborate with experts to digitize, preserve, and provide global access to valuable digital collections. I am also interested in Photography; therefore, I am excited to be able to apply the skills in DLL and learn at the same time.
Super cool. I have a love of photography as well. Can you tell me about your favorite library memory?
I studied abroad at United World College Li Po Chun Hong Kong. I did the International Baccalaureate (IB), which is considered one of the most challenging school curricula. I remember I pulled all-nighters to write 4000 words of an extended essay at our school library.
Will you share what you are currently reading?
I am currently reading Designing your life by Bill Burnett and Dave Evans and Brainscape by Rebecca Schwarzlose
What’s next for you?
Next semester, I am looking forward to taking some photography classes and am excited to take a documentary film class. I also recently applied for a grant to purchase a camera and start documenting my life. I also dream of opening a public library in my country, Timor-Leste, because we don’t have one.