Welcome to the Blog of Samuel Barr Photography!

Happy Monday!  This is going to be a great week.  This weekend I had the opportunity to attend Robert Townsend’s “Master Class” workshop and it was simply superb!  The workshop served two purposes - to teach aspiring actors, directors, writers and producers how Hollywood works, how to pitch an idea to network/movie execs, and to raise money for Robert’s foundation that teaches young people to become film makers.

Due to my schedule I don’t often have the opportunity to attend these types of events so I was really happy to be there and to be surrounded by so many artists and creative people.  Originally, the workshop was scheduled for 3 hours but it lasted 4 and I could have easily listened for another 4 hours.  Robert was so “real” and his openness, honesty, humor, and passion was rich and he had all of us in the room literally hanging on every word he spoke.  He gave us hard in-your-face truth about making it in Hollywood and all of those in attendance will never be the same.

Gotta run but will share more later so here’s a few pics from a truly wonderful event.  If his workshop comes to a town near you don’t miss this opportunity to learn from a truly gifted, passionate and generous actor and brother in Christ.  Wow, what a night!

Ah, the joys of registration!

I just loved this lovely young lady’s expression!

Meet the new young Hollywood - these gentlemen are doing their thing and carving a new path for themselves and their art.  It is always motivating to be around people who are pursuing their dreams as some of their tenacity always rubs off on you.  Make note of them as you will see them again in a very big way!

This young lady and I worked together last summer as she was an intern at my day gig.  It was so cool to see her again so I had to take a snapshot so that I could say “I knew her when.”

If at first you don’t succeed…

…try, try again!

Robert Townsend spent a lot of time walking us through actual story pitches.  In fact, he came prepared to buy ideas and take them to Hollywood.   What a wonderful opportunity!

This young lady was so cute I couldn’t resist capturing her picture.  She was a little camera shy and was reluctant to create a video testimony of the workshop’s impact on her.  But, with a little coaching she did and was great.  Yes, a star was born!

Mr. Townsend was like this all night as he is from Chicago and was genuinely happy to meet and greet everyone.  Despite the workshop organizers trying to help him out of the room he took the time to personally greet and talk with everyone that wanted to speak with him.

This young lady had an idea that was so good that the whole room voted “yes” it should be a show.  And, Mr. Townsend offered to help her pitch her idea to Disney - that’s right Disney!

I met Mr. Townsend almost 20 years ago at a Phyllis Hyman concert in the village in NYC.  Then, as is now, he was friendly, kind, and humorous.  You know how I love to see good things happen to good people and I’m so glad to see all of the great things God is doing in his life.  That night I didn’t get a picture of us together but like he said during the workshop “if it’s meant to be we will see each other again.”  Well, it was meant to be that at this time in my life and career that we met again.  Thank you Mr. Townsend for inspiring us all to believe in the gifts God has given us and to never give up on our dreams!