Connecting the Dots
bUneke Productions has worked on some remarkable projects as a result of dots connected from one event to another, attracting more volunteers along the way.
One of the first events bUneke sponsored was the 2019 b The Change Awards, where hundreds of separate nonprofits nominated one volunteer for their work. Of the 10 winners, one was from Newfoundland, Canada and nine were from Florida. In addition to creating them, bUneke covers events for others, such as Nubability’s spring training in Fort Meyers and Authors for Authors Writers Conference in Melbourne, bUneke Productions covered St. Augustine Film Festival (SAFF) and Jacksonville’s Southeast Regional Film Festival (SERFF). The team has attended many festivals and gatherings in the Orlando area, including several indoor and outdoor events. bUneke filmed Florida Steppers International Extravaganza, Women of Worth Conference, two fashion events and the Global Peace Film Festival, where we met Elizabeth Fullington, who had this to say: “I bumped into a film maker named Jennifer East at the premiere of a short documentary called MyGration Story that told how I migrated from Guyana to the USA. This was sponsored by the City of Orlando FusionFest and featured at the Peace Film Festival. Jennifer introduced me to Mary Brotherton who arranged for an interview on bUneke Radio. These events all led to the creation of the Ruby
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Holland Foundation’s first documentary. I never realized the depth and scope and all that it takes in the production of a film like this. Jennifer’s gentle prods made me pause and reflect on the journey. I am grateful for the support, love, and care of her amazing production team. Lynn Dilks, Donnie Crawford, Franklin Prather and Trilby Saldana are true professionals and I’m so grateful for the work they put into the creation of this film. This isn’t the first time bUneke was in the right place at the right time. Invited to speak with Seeta Begui on Viewpoint with Seeta and Friends, recorded in the studio in Cocoa, our founders, Jennifer and Mary, met Marion Ambrose from Green Gables at Historic Riverview Village. The dots connected quickly when we realized bUneke Productions needed an extraordinary plan to help. The result was Forgotten Enchantress, a documentary that takes viewers inside the historic home of William and Nora Wells for a glimpse into the past, and provides a vision into future capabilities of the property. The film was used to help generate awareness and matching funds for Green Gables’ grant application, which will help purchase the property and preserve it for generations to come. More than a dozen bUneke volunteers drove from all over the state to participate in the creation and promotion of this film.
While filming Forgotten Enchantress, bUneke connected with Joe McNeil and Charles Jackson, who had volunteered to be in the film. Joe and Charles also volunteer with The Greater Allen Development Corporation, and Joe asked us to create a documentary about the relocation of the first house of worship, built by freedmen in the area that would later become Melbourne, Florida. The documentary of the Melbourne Founders’ Museum will cover moving the historic building to its new location and will include memories from some of the area’s older residents. If you know about an organization that could benefit from a bUneke Productions documentary, reach out through our website, bUneke. org or email mary@buneke.org ,
