VSB: The Series

Hello everybody,

Today, in conjunction with Solo Journey Productions (an LA-based production company made up of Andrea (Andi) Thornton – an avid VSB reader and regular – and founder Earl Bolden), we’re embarking on a journey, and we’d love for everyone to join us on the ride. This is the official launch of the first phase of our VSB: The Series project.

What exactly is VSB: The Series? Well, with the three videos we’ve dropped so far — short clips that debuted on VSB with no introduction or explanation — we’ve givien you all a small glimpse into some of the work we’ve created. Each were vastly different with no real connection to the others, short of the lead characters of Brandon and Andre, two individuals loosely based on The Champ and I. (And by “loosely based” I mean…well, you’ll see what I mean). Damon and Andrea have spent dozens of hours scripting episode upon episode of a prospective show based upon the lives of two full-time bloggers/authors and the relationship pitfalls they undergo along the way. Basically, “relationship experts” who, for whatever reason, fail to exhibit that expertise in their own relationship lives.

Initially, the goal was to create a webseries, much like the entire internet seems to be doing right now. But, that just didn’t feel right. See, we’re not trying to stop at the ‘net. We’re looking bigger. We collectively decided to shoot for the moon and create a television pilot.

Yes. A pilot. We decided to shoot for the moon, because even if you miss, you’re still amongst the stars. And, for this analogy to work, let’s collectively disregard the fact that the moon is actually closer than any star.

Anyway, we’ve crafted a well-written and soon to be well-produced project in hopes of being one of the bastions of hope on television we all claim to want so badly. Since our inception, VSB has managed to accomplish so much and influence so much in this online game that I find myself surprised at times. I also find myself extremely appreciative of the individuals who have helped us achieve goals we didn’t even know that we had.

It’s this belief in us, in Damon and I, and what we bring to the table, that makes us believe doing this is not only possible, but inevitable. We’re writers. Writers write. Artists are. Singers sing.

VSBs VSB.

And, we appreciate you for that confidence and inspiration.

Now comes the fun part. We are attempting to raise $20,000 to shoot, produce, and edit this pilot. That is our goal. Some of that money obviously will come from the pockets of Damon and I. Some will come from the pockets and support of family and friends. But, since neither of us have cousins with NBA contracts, we’re going to need your help. We have a significantly sized community at VSB. If we could get everybody to chip in at least $5, well, we’d run this town like ‘Ye, Ri, and Z. Or ‘Yeriz. That was doper in my head than it turned out.

If you have more to give, please by all means, donate as much as you are willing and able to donate. I’d personally come do a jig for everybody that donated. And, I’d at the very least call everybody personally to thank them.

Luckily we came up with a list of incentives that won’t require me to do that, though I may still do a dancing jig video if we achieve our goal. We’ve created an Indiegogo account with a video of Andrea and I explaining some of this in more depth.

Point is, we need your help. VSB is nothing without its community and, regardless of what we do, that won’t change. This pilot is an extension of our community. If the running back wins MVP, he has to thank his line and take his line out to dinner.

Help us take you out to dinner!

Thanks again for the support you’ve given and what you will give. You could have been anywhere in the world, but you’re here with us, and we appreciate you for that.

See you in Paris.

-VSB P (for the entire VSB squad and Solo Journey Productions)

Again, check out ourIndiegogo page for a video and more explanationof what we’re going to accomplish with the funds that are donated and where we intend to take the project!

 

197 thoughts on “VSB: The Series

  1. I’ve been down with VSB since Jackson G. Tickle, and I do believe this is the first time you’ve damned near made me cry. So, so proud. And yes, I’ll say that with my chest. One donation down, bro.

  2. “And, for this analogy to work, let’s collectively disregard the fact that the moon is actually closer than any star.”

    No. Besides Physics, Astronomy is my favorite science subject. Therefore, I can’t support this offensively inaccurate analogy. May what ever deity you pray to have no mercy on your souls.

  3. Payday is on Thursday! I am doooooooooooowwwwwwwwwwwwnnnnnnnn for this!!!

    Do you all have all the actors and actressess? If we want to submit to help or be apart of this, HOW DO WE DO IT???

  4. I put “twenny” in the plate. Proud of you all and wishing you much success! :) I paid my $ and posted my comment under my gubment name.

    Andi! So good to see you and see you have a major hand with this! I missed you as a poster (hugs)!

  5. This is so awesome!! Also, you look extra bright and cute in that pic on the video page Panama; might hafta bump your rating up to at least a 3.8 or something.

  6. If my donation guarantees me a cameo appearance, or a reoccurring character loosely based on me, then sure. Either that, or I demand producer credits on the series. Think about it… you can’t spell VSB without SoBo.

    How about I donate a $20 t-shirt for one of the cast members to wear during an episode?

  7. Aww, greast job guys! I like your aims and hope this blows the hell up! I just got paidt *throws money at invisible skrippers* so I’ll drop what I can. I’m just pissed I won’t be in the US for a while so my acting skills won’t be of any use. Unless, there is a a role for a long distant skype girlfriend ;)

    A girl can hope.

  8. Wow. This sounds great. After seeing a bit of the Emmy’s last night I can say that TV definitely needs some diversity. The Emmy’s looked like the Republican convention and for the most part so does TV.

    Good luck with this project!

    Oh, and I’ll check to see what I have in my piggy bank. :-)

  9. *Public Service Announcement*

    People may not know this but every time I’ve asked P to support any do-gooder cause, he’s done his part and then some. Books for kids in Liberia with no library, supporting an event to give toys to underprivileged youth at Christmas, and music lessons for underprivileged kids via The MusicianShip as well. He has done so much more than just enrich us college-educated folks; he’s helped to make the Washington, DC area and if you include Liberia, the world a better place. He’s the reason your car may not get jacked if you park on U Street. Some kid he helped is playing with a Tonka truck instead of stealing yours. I am eternally grateful to have a friend like you and the VSB family!

    *End Announcement*

    With that being said, I am elated to support the series and let others know too! If there’s anything I can do from the West Coast, let me know! I am in grad school at the place with the #1 film school in the country…. :)

  10. WOW thats actually really exciting! and cool! I hope you guys get wherever youre shooting for, if not a star you can still wish on one right? I bet its gonna be really cool for the regulars who’ve been on this journey with you guys. seeing as how they contributed to the success congrats to them too!

    • absolutely. and that’s really part of the goal.

      one thing i’ve never ever taken for granted is the folks we have here that venture. even the folks that can’t stand us, the fact that htey have an opinoin…lol…means we matter. to that end, we’ll always try our best to keep the community apart of what we do.

      that’s why one dya…that damn VSB BBQ is going ot happen!!!!

      *ducks tomatoes.*

    • maaaaan, look. first time I came here it was by link to an article. 500 comments? (wow they hadda good day) 480….600….535….(wtf!)

      you guys will have zilch difficulty doing anything of the sort. *especially* with food involved. and speaking of pulled pork, I have a four-hour-sammich I need to test out. I will be debuting it at the bbq if I have to hoard piglets in my bedroom like honey boo boo. oh there will be p — does boar count as pork?? wild boar. *gets lost in thought* is there even boar in america? man, vsb road trip. we must find some pigs b4 bacon apocalypse!

      course I’ll be eating banana pudding and burgers anyway but still. lamb ribs for substitutes?

  11. I’ve been a silent reader of VSB for nearly a year now. All I can say is congratulations on all the success. I would love to support you guys on this amazing journey and will do so as soon as possible.

    Peace from the Mid-East <3

  12. *flings 3 pieces of giant confetti for VSB* Confetti deez!

    So proud of y’all. <— That statement doesn't seem to express or hold the weight of my pride for y'all, but y'all get it! Consider yourselves supported! :D

  13. Don’t y’all know it’s a recession?
    I’ll pass on the jig (we jook down here) but can I be an extra?

    I’m down for the cause.
    congratulations!!

  14. I’m broke as f*ck so I can’t contribute. I can barely pay my rent thanks to these fools with the city. Real talk though, if you need some help on the production tip, hit me up on Twitter. I know people on the production side of the business.

    Real talk though, somebody needs to do something with these refs. Forget about the integrity of the game; think of the integrity of the bodies of the NFL players. Some of the penalties I’ve seen not called aren’t even legal in MMA, let alone the NFL. With all the NFL fan in America, they could add a $5 one-time surcharge to every cable and satellite bill in America to meet those pension demands. Hell, offer the referees massages with happy endings after every game. Just bring them back please!

  15. I’m down for the cause.

    Now…if only the link could be fixed so that there’s an actual page for me to go to so that this won’t feel ghetto.

    I tease, I don’t know what happened but somebody look into that when they get a chance, because Indiegogo says the page has been removed.

  16. Yeah, I’ll put in some cash. But I want two things in return. You have to come see my fight. October 13. Eastern Market. And if I ever do a show about my cougar adventures, it would be cool to have your support. I know I dont have to give you money to get that, tho. Cuz you cool like that.

    • Which means waiting in the parking lot for that summabytch dealer to show up after being 40 minutes late and not picking up his phone is going to be extra excruciating.

  17. Payday is Friday. Rent, Utilities, VSB donation!!!!!!

    In return I want you to….

    Be the successful badazzes that you are!

    *muah* *muah* *muah* *muah*

  18. Hey ya’ll. Good ish mayne! Good ish.
    I’ll hafta holla at ya’ll next week, on the donation tip,—(because I’m a baller, of course!) but a donation will most definitely be coming ya’lls way. :)
    Keep up the good work.

  19. I got a dub for y’all when I get paid. And I offer up my acting chops and spoken word poetry skills for inclusion with the project, if ya’ll do some shooting in the DMV. Congrats on fighting for your dream. Don’t give up, I’m praying for y’all!

  20. —-Anyway, we’ve crafted a well-written and soon to be well-produced project in hopes of being one of the bastions of hope on television we all claim to want so badly.—-

    this alone makes me happy! So excited for the VSB-Solo Journey Productions collective simply based on the what I’ve seen so far…as my ultimate career goal is to change how people of color are represented on television [in one way or another] I will gladly donate to those also desirous of affecting change !!

    Also…and this is important…. add mellow. to the virtual happy hour guest book. Thanks, Mgmt

  21. Congratulations on all the success. I definitely got you all on the donation…I’d happily give $5000 if I could, but see there’s this problem with my bank. I have a checkings acct and a savings acct… ;-)

  22. I’m in for a twin! As soon as i can find the correct link that is :-/

    Incredibly i’m starting an Indiogogo this week for a film as well. I’m giving it two months to raise the money though. I think 30 days is just too short.

  23. I had my card out, clicked on the link, and:

    “The page you are looking for is no longer available or has been moved.
    To look further, enter a search in the top right corner of this page or send us Feedback if you think you reached this page in error.”

    Why can’t you Negroes ever pay your bills on time? I am seriously ready to throw some money in the collection plate and the lights got cut off.

  24. Pingback: Back these Entrepreneurs! « Chaud: The Magazine

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