The Snoop Dogg Chronicles of Kristen V Carter

For those who don’t know, I am hard at work on BET’s The Deal, a hip-hop entertainment show that airs at 3am AKA the graveyard shift. I am very proud of our show because we’re not just playing what’s hot; we are showcasing many aspects of hip-hop and shining a light on mixtape artists, producers, executives, entrepreneurs, and even some culture. Clutch the pearls.

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Script writer Kristen V. Carter

BET Producer Kristen V. Carter


Kristen V. Carter is the owner and CEO of JazziDreamer Entertainment and producer/writer for BET Networks. Please follow her on Twitter. This is her celebrity blog post and WE absolutely love everything Kristen V. Carter does! Thanks Kris.

“Happy Spring Everyone,
Thank God for some sunshine. I don’t care how long it lasts; warmer temperatures are here for now and that’s all that matters. For those who don’t know, I am hard at work on BET’s The Deal, a hip-hop entertainment show that airs at 3am AKA the graveyard shift. I am very proud of our show because we’re not just playing what’s hot; we are showcasing many aspects of hip-hop and shining a light on mixtape artists, producers, executives, entrepreneurs, and even some culture. Clutch the pearls. (If you can, please DVR the show and spread the word.)

Last week, we hooked up with Snoop Dogg so that he could co-host the show. Prior to our tape day, I was a little nervous. I knew I’d have to prep him for his reads, etc and I’m always a little bit weary of ‘high-profile’ talent. They are usually pretty detached, moody, and they like to show off by singing and dancing all over the place while their team laughs at all of their jokes. But my producer quickly told me that Uncle Snoop is a ball of fun and will do anything that I ask of him.

Although reassured, I did get a little worried when Snoop showed up hours late and went straight into his dressing room to smoke. That dude is a straight chimney! I mean firrraaaaah. I thought maybe he’d be very mellow & kinda grumpy (I don’t know a thing about smoking or smokers), but when he came out of his room, he was awesome and so sweet. He danced around, he joked around, he even messed up and said ‘wait am I supposed to start off, baby girl’? Also, he didn’t have enough clothing to change for three shoots so we thought he was going to stay in the same outfit for the second shot of the day. When we asked him, he turned around and said, ‘I can’t look like yesterday’ and ran off to get a new jacket.

Besides getting a mean contact and smelling like weed on the way home, the experience was great and I realized why Snoop has been a mainstay for so long. He connects with everyone and makes people feel comfortable without being flashy, arrogant, or showy. And you know it’s a good shoot when my staff (who are comprised of people who are ‘unimpressed by fame’) all got up to take pics with Uncle Snoop. By this point, I was holding in coughs because of the smoke but I’ll do it for tha Doggfather.

Good times…

except for the fact that the train conductor started sniffing when he went by me to take my ticket! :)

The Chronicles of Kristen Carter (School Supplies) Dating Issue #1

Recently, a friend of mine came to me about a dating question. She wanted to know if the person she was digging really likes her, based on a few scenarios presented. I don’t like commenting on people’s situations because Lawd knows I have gotten plenty of sound advice and have not taken it until going through the fire myself.

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Script writer Kristen V. Carter

BET Producer Kristen V. Carter


Superstar Guest Post by BET Producer and Screen Writer Kristen V. Carter of JazziDreamer Entertainment. Kristen Carter is a show segment writer and producer for BET, VH1, and MTV Networks.

It’s officially ‘back to school’ time. Five-Star commercials are running like wild fire and kids are pushing passed me in the supermarket for notebooks. I don’t care what gadgets these new fangled kids are getting, us 80s babies got the best and brightest hook ups of them all. I will never forget my mother getting a swarm of Chucky Cheese pencils, only for me to give out each and every one of them before the week was out. By Friday, I was known as the Indian giver because I had to ask for them back. (Sidebar: Why is that called “Indian giver?” I don’t believe Indians gave things and then asked for them back!?! Please let me know!)

Anyway – as Jay-Z says, “You can pay for school but you can’t buy class” and he’s absolutely right. We all know that common sense is the most valuable smarts of them all, but it’s funny how we just don’t wanna pay attention.

Recently, a friend of mine came to me about a dating question. She wanted to know if the person she was digging really likes her, based on a few scenarios presented. I don’t like commenting on people’s situations because Lawd knows I have gotten plenty of sound advice and have not taken it until going through the fire myself. I carefully broke down some of the reasons why I felt the person was not all that interested, most specifically he wasn’t showing initiative. She continued to say, “But he hits me up…but he talks to me for X amount of time.” NO, NO my sister. Not the same thing. Anyone can talk, but who is backing it up!?! Look, don’t listen! PLEASE…I’m telling you…Check yourself before you wreck yourself and wind up swimming in the pool of lovelike by yo’self!!!

As I sat and reflected on my own experiences, I just thought about all the stupid moves I have made, thinking that someone would like me more if I “worked” harder for their attention. What kind of assanine thought is that?!?! That sounds so ridiculous, but that’s really how I was maneuvering. Maybe if I show up…maybe if I just talk about what I want…aww, it doesn’t hurt to reach out first…again…again…and again. It doesn’t hurt them cause they don’t care but it most certainly puts a damper on your parade if you’re hoping and wishing for something that’s not there.

But it’s ok, we all put ourselves through emotional agony. And what’s funny, we know it all along. If we listen closely to our inner voice, we’ll breathe and remain calm for a few more moments so we can catch ourselves…but usually, we’re so hung up those thoughts of tranquility don’t seep through in the least.

t’s so interesting how much thought and weight we put on things that don’t feel great. If it doesn’t feel good, if we’re not laughing, loving, and learning, just cut it off. End of story! Don’t even waste your time. Our time is too precious and too valuable to just waste on contemplation. (This is really easy to say now that I’m not crying my eyes out. LOL But I think I’ve finally gotten it. Maybe.)

Now if someone IS showing you interest and you are interested back, please just have fun with them and learn what it feels like to be appreciated. I’m not really sure how or why we got tricked into just letting our mind jump down the aisle, but let’s dial it back and just enjoy our present.

What a difference 5 years makes when it comes to life lessons and just age old personal experience. Goodness gracious great northern beans…LOL.

Ok, that’s it for me for now!! Let’s use our common sense. If it doesn’t fit, we must acquit! Size 7 shoes on Size 9 feet never fit, no matter how hard you squeeze. Try another shoe on or get crazy corns and an irritated heel. HA. Gotta get back to writing.

Love,
Kris

JazziDreamer Entertainment Film Casting Call for Sellout and Slipknot films in NYC

The Chronicles of Kristen Carter (In Search Of The True Self)

As she continued talking, I could see tears forming as she vented about her inability to pursue her passion and share her writing with others. I was very touched by this moment, and asked if I could interrupt her thought for a brief second. I thanked her for first of all, sharing her deepest thoughts and fears with me.

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Script writer Kristen V. Carter

BET Producer Kristen V. Carter

Guest Post by Kristen Carter, producer at BET and screen/scriptwriter who is presently writing, producing, and directing her debut film SlipKnot in New York, New York.

Last week I spoke at two colleges about “life after graduation.” I love presenting at schools because I vividly remember being in their seats, raising my hand to ask questions and to connect with said speaker, only to reflect on their answers afterwards and understand that no one has “the answer.” And yes, I still inquire, hoping to somehow break the code and get hit upside the head every time with the same conclusion. Our answers lie within…

Many students keep in touch with me but one young lady from last week’s sessions really stood out. She approached me after the presentation, very meek and softspoken. I asked her to speak up so that I could hear what she was saying. She explained how much she loves to write but how terrified she is to show her work. As she continued talking, I could see tears forming as she vented about her inability to pursue her passion and share her writing with others. I was very touched by this moment, and asked if I could interrupt her thought for a brief second. I thanked her for first of all, sharing her deepest thoughts and fears with me. I was truly truly humbled to have been selected to hear her…and secondly, I congratulated her for making the first step of vocalizing her desires. No matter how much she shook with fear, she was still standing there and telling her story! Something triggered her to say what she had to say, no matter how softly – SHE SAID IT! I offered my own trials and tribulations briefly, and asked her to stay in touch with me, continue writing, and send along some writing whenever the Spirit moves her. I won’t comment on it, I just want her to send something. The act of presenting herself, myself, yourself is really all that matters. The belief that what we have to say means something, and that we have the power to uplift ourselves and others in the process.

Life is funny…because I saw myself in her although I was giving her advice. It’s sooo amazing how that happens. It’s like one side of yourself talking to the other side of yourself OUTSIDE of yourself. Dog on it, God is great!!! I explained briefly that in ways, I experience the same anxiety but you know who creates that anxiety – we do. And you know who creates the freedom we all seem to long for – we do. I’ve been reading alot of “Metaphysical” books lately and understanding how important it is to hone in on what we want. And even if we are not sure, instead of stating “I don’t know what I want,” flip it and say to yourself “I want to know what I want out of life, out of myself.”

So here goes a few of my long list of desires: I want to know my emotional self. I want to be able to trust. I want to know my father. I want to get over past hurts. I want to experience love in all of its forms. I want to be around people who inspire me. I want to honor my creative voice.

I have always known that what you think about you bring about, but it goes deeper than that WHEN we are ready. We’re catalysts for our own growth because when we think, speak, and act, those circumstances are drawn to us. So within a week (cause this stuff moves FAAASSST), I forced myself to apply to a number of fellowships, I have accepted my father’s daily phone calls (a new occurance, yes) and I am working toward clearing out my anger and disappointment, and I ran into a high school “friendemy” that I haven’t seen or spoken to in six years. This time last year I wasn’t ready to do any of that because my mindset was focused on all the things I could not achieve. “Well I’m over this but…oohhh, if I see her in the street…or you know, I just don’t think I’ll ever get to know my father…or what if my screenplay’s not good enough?”

Where do we learn to doubt ourselves and give negativity power in the first place? We came here with such infinite power, and then we learned to fear greatness. I’m currently reading “Conversations with God” and this passage really struck me the other night -

“Every single free choice you ever undertake arises out of one of the only two possible thoughts there are: a thought of love or a thought of fear. Fear is the energy which contracts, closes down, draws in, runs, hides, hoards, harms. Love is the energy that expands, opens up, sends out, stays, reveals, shares, heals. Fear wraps our bodies in clothing, love allows us to stand naked. Fear clings to and clutches all that we have, love gives all that we have away. Fear holds close, love holds dear. Fear grasps, love lets go. Fear rankles, love soothes, Fear attacks, love amends.”

So I have to ask myself – do I have more fear or love in my heart? Do I aspire to more love? Is my heart open enough to love? And will I stop at nothing to love?

Those are the questions, dear friends…life and love is there for us to experience when we are ready. We’re just not looking or feeling or thinking freely enough. Hmmm, everyday is an awesome adventure…

The Little Engine That Could and Will,
Kristen Victoria

All posts are original content by Gerard Spinks Publishing, LLC, Atlanta, GA USA 678-993-7743