Celestial Greetings!
Previous Public Screenings
2023 Newark Arts Festival screening, Newark NJ
April 23, 2023 we screened Gone Too Soon on the Livingston Campus of Rutgers University (@ Rutgers Cinema) The event was co–sponsored by Rutgers African-American Alumni Alliance, the Rutgers University Alumni Association and the New Brunswick-area NAACP.
May 1 we screened the doc at the beautiful Montclair Art Museum. Special thanks to the African American Cultural Committee especially event co-chairs Joyce Wilson Harley and Matilda Williams.
Gone Too Soon was a labor of love, full of emotional ups and down. As a team, we worked to create a spiritually uplifting, visually captivating and historically significant piece that would do justice to our Icons and to our community. Special thanks to our collaborators, Woman in Media-Newark, Inc., the staff and interns at Rutgers University-Newark, particularly the Office of University Community Partnerships and the Office of Public Relations and Marketing, for hosting public screenings in December 2021 and to The Newark Public Library for hosting the premiere on October 9, 2021.
Celeste A. Bateman, Producer/Director
Gone Too Soon garnered local and international film festival recognition and now e invite everyone to see it on YouTube. Please be sure to LIKE, COMMENT and SHARE. Our sound engineer and music composer Carter “Roc” Mangan, Jr. received a jury selection for “Best Sound Track” from the New York International Film Awards; Director Celeste Bateman won “Best Senior Film” from the Cannes World Film Festival and our closing song “One More Life” by German producer Wolfgang Lackerschmid, (sung by Newark vocalist Ronnell Bey), received a nomination for “Best Song” from the Cannes fest. Finally, we were a semifinalist in this year’s Berlin Art Film Festival. See trailer below.
Newark Times Interview with Celeste Bateman, Tehsuan Glover, Host
Celeste A. Bateman on WBGO Journal | WBGO with Host Doug Doyle
It was an extraordinary documentary. Rich and exceptionally well-done production! I am looking forward to more of this work from our Keeper of the Culture. ~ Shakira Abdul-Ali
Gone Too Soon: The Life, Legacy and Loss of Newark’s Cultural Icons is an absolutely masterful tribute to 11 of Newark’s political, social and cultural icons who left major contributions to our fair city. ~ Anonymous
CONGRATULATIONS Celeste A. Bateman, Carter Roc Mangan Jr., Jose Manuel Cruz, Patricia Faison and the entire production team. ~ Anonymous
Attended Celeste A. Bateman’s screening of acclaimed documentary “Gone Too Soon… Very informative and rich with gems I didn’t know…highly recommend seeing if you get the chance. Happy I got [the] opportunity to see this wonderful piece. ~ Linda McMillan Sargeant
Thank you for creating a phenomenal film. Abundant Blessings on letting the Universe experience seeing this Historical film… ~Vivian Carter
It was FANTASTIC! Hi Five to Celeste Bateman Carter “Roc” Mangan Jr. ,Jamil Mangan and crew!
~ Karen Brown Stovell
My brother’s legacy lives!! Thank you Celeste for your brilliant voice!! Through my pain I am given respites via the love of the Community.! #rodneygilbert. ~ Kym Gilghrist
Saturday 10/9/21 Gone too Soon Documentary presentation by Celeste Bateman. Very informative and enjoyable. Thank You My Dear Friend, Celeste. ~ Frances Jeter Towe
Congratulations to Celeste Bateman on the debut of Gone Too Soon: The Life, Legacy and Loss of Newark’s Cultural Icons.” ~ Anonymous
It was beautiful to see folks — some who I knew, some I didn’t but who helped me by just doing the work they did. Besides Jerry Gant, the movie also highlighted Kabu Okai-Davies. It was with Kabu that I had the chance to do my first cultural activity when I was 15-years-old. It was an activity on Adinkra symbols that I would do again in my own teaching plan. I remember how he was patient but taught me an important lesson – how to teach historical and spiritual lessons through art. The documentary examines the lives and documents the artistic, cultural and educational contributions of several of Newark’s cultural icons. #newarkhistory #gonetoosoon #jerrygant #kabuokaidavies #documentary. – Noelle Lorraine Williams
It was moving indeed! ~ Zayid Muhammad
It was an awesome time and an awesome film. Congratulations Celeste! ~ Sonya Kimble-Ellis
What a wonderful event! The NPL garden space is beautiful! So proud of you and your team, Celeste Bateman!! So happy to be there with everyone!! ~ Dorothy Knauer
Absolutely awesome! ~ Caryl Lucas
The Film was a great success. Everyone enjoyed taking a look into the lives of the people (Icons) and discovering their great contributions to the world. ~ Felicia Bateman
Congratulations to all! What history and very well done. ~ Dorthaan Kirk
The film was wonderful! Congratulations to all who worked on it. That her very talented Sons, Jamil, as narrator and Carter (Rocky) as musical director, made the showing all the more special! Bravo Celeste!!
~ Marie Thomas Foster
Congratulations Celeste Bateman and Crew. ~ Charlotte Stafford
That documentary was fire! ~ Khalil Sabu Rashidi
Gone Too Soon: The Life, Legacy and Loss of Newark’s Cultural Icons is a documentary that examines the lives and documents the artistic, cultural and educational contributions of several of Newark’s cultural icons who died before fully enjoying the fruits of their efforts. Among them are: Cephas Bowles former WBGO Jazz-88 President/CEO, Poet, Playwright, Activist Amiri Baraka, Poets Breya “Blkbrry Molassez” Knight and Halim Suliman; Actor/Director/Arts Administrator Rodney Gilbert, Historians Dr. Clement Alexander Price, Charles Cummings and Dr. Robert Curvin, Artists Russell A. Murray and Jerry Gant and Theater Producer Kabu Okai-Davies
Interviews took place in and around the city of Newark as we brought together family members, colleagues, friends and supporters to create well-rounded portraits of these individuals whose lives factored significantly in positioning Newark as the cultural “Mecca” of the state of New Jersey, landing the city on the National Center for Arts Research top 10 list of “Most Vibrant Arts Communities in America (2017).” The process took us to all corners of Newark (and beyond) as we sat down with over 30 interviewees for this project.
The shooting schedule was just about take off in March 2020 when it was immediately shut down by the COVID19 pandemic. By November 2020, we were up and running again. The documentary premiered on October 9, 2021 at The Newark Public Library to an enthusiastic audience. Ultimately, the film will be screened in film festivals, schools, colleges, community and arts venues, public TV and/or streaming services.
CREW
Celeste A. Bateman, Producer/Director
Vanessa Blake, Director of Photography/Camera Operator
Carter “Roc” Mangan, Jr. Sound Recorder/Music Director
Jamil A.C. Mangan, Narrator
Jonathan Bain, Contributing Editor
Axel Ortiz, Associate Editor
Danielle Rogers, Associate Editor/Colorist
Patricia Faison, Production Assistant
Jose Manuel Cruz, Graphic Designer
Godson Entertainment, Film Editor
ADVISORS
Igor Alves, DreamPlay Media
MaryLou & Jerome Bongiorno
Gary Campbell, Filmmaker/Camera Operator
Lisa Durden, TV Commentator/Filmmaker
Elizabeth Del Tufo, Retired Arts Administrator
Hisani DuBose, Filmmaker
Pamela E. Goldstein, Retired Publicist
Dr. Akil Khalfani, Director, Afrikana Institute, Essex County College
LeRon Lee, Filmmaker
Ralph & Zelda Patterson, Filmmakers
Al Santana, Filmmaker
David Schoner, NJ Film & TV Commission/Filmmaker
Onnie Strother, Artist/Curator
Richard Wesley, Playwright/Screenwriter
Junius Williams, Esq., Historian
Edna Bailey Woody, Retired Independent Producer
We are extremely grateful to the staff and crew at the following organizations for allowing us to film at their venues: Express Newark, The Newark Public Library, Rutgers University-Newark, New Jersey Performing Arts Center, Gallery Aferro, Akwaaba Gallery and Ironbound Film and Television Studio.
The mission of the GTS documentary is to memorialize the lives and contributions of these individuals who contributed greatly to the artistic and cultural landscape of the city of Newark. Additionally, we want emerging artists to know on whose shoulders they stand as they make their own contributions to the current art scene. Finally, we want those who are new to the city – residents, workers, students, teachers, developers, etc. to know about these individuals so that their history is not lost as the city grows and changes.
Fun
ding has been provided by Newark Arts (ArtStart Grant 2019) and the City of Newark Creative Catalyst Fund in Partnership with Newark Arts (2020 & 2021). Additional funds have been received from the M&T Weiner Foundation and the New Jersey Performing Arts Center. We are grateful for the generous contributions from family members, colleagues and friends through our 2019 Facebook campaign and our current GoFundMe which was launched in July 2020. CB&A is grateful for additional support from the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) and the Small Business Administration (SBA) Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL). Finally, we would like to recognize and thank our fiscal agents: Woman In Media-Newark, Inc. (2019) and Lincoln Park Coast Cultural District (2021).
Celeste A. Bateman (Producer/Director), has extensive experience as a producer/organizer of numerous cultural initiatives. She has a long career history in arts administration in the city of Newark and beyond. She began her career in arts administration at The Newark Museum as the program coordinator and eventually became the Cultural Affairs Supervisor for the City of Newark before starting her own business in 1998. She later became Interim Executive Director of the Newark Arts Council. In 2015 she served as Interim Executive Director at Art House Productions, an eclectic visual and performing arts venue in Jersey City, NJ. She earned a Bachelor’s Degree in speech and theater arts at Rutgers University-Newark and earned a Master’s Degree in Communication Arts from Montclair State University. She is a filmmaker, Director of ELMART Theatre Service which takes audiences to the Black theater and is creative director of Five Women Performance Ensemble. Celeste A. Bateman is the recipient of a 2024 Fellowship from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts.
Vanessa Blake (Director of Photography/ Camera Operator) is a filmmaker and a photographer. In 2017, she was awarded a video residency at Express Newark which afforded her the opportunity to connect with other like-minded creatives. In 2018, she wrote and produced her first stage play, The Race Before, A story of liberty and justice for some. In 2019, she wrote, directed and produced her first short film, In My Solitude. In 2019, the feature length documentary titled Being Gladys, that Vanessa worked on in several capacities, won “best documentary” at the Newark International Film Festival. In 2020, after the multiple police involved killings of Black men, Vanessa created a digital series, I Am Not a Threat, to give Black men an opportunity to speak about who they are and how they see themselves. Vanessa believes that art is a powerful tool that can educate and heal. (www.summershowerproductions.com)
José Manuel Cruz (Graphic Designer) was born on April 13, 1966, in Newark, New Jersey. COLORICAN, a term coined by the Artist, reflects his identity as an individual born of a Colombian mother, a Puerto Rican father and being born in the United States of America. Cruz graduated from Arts High School with honors in Art and earned his Bachelor of Art in Fine Arts degree in 1996, graduating Summa Cum Laude from New Jersey City University. In 1998, he became a certified teacher in Art. For 46 years Cruz has exhibited his works in the United States and abroad. His career as an exhibitionist began at the Newark Museum’s Elementary Art Exhibits and continues to this day with his most recent works being featured in Humacao, Puerto Rico. Cruz’s works were also included in the Colores exhibition in 2012 at North Carolina Central University Art Museum. Colores was a group exhibition that included works by 10 different Latino artists in observance of Latino Heritage Month.Cruz’s influence as an artist is attributed to Professor Bernard, Eleta Caldwell, Mr. K, Russell A. Murray, Ben Jones, Keith Haring, Jean-Michel Basquiat, Miro, Caldor, Peter Max, Gustav Klimt, Orozco, Diego, Frida, and many others. His works can be found in prominent places, including the Smithsonian Anacostia Community Museum. For GTS, Jose designed 11 portraits of the icons: Ebony Pencil on 300lb Archers Watercolor Paper. The final images have colorful photoshopped backgrounds. Visit www.cruzwearstudios.com
Patricia Faison (Production Assistant) is a retired Marketing Associate, Marketing Department at The Newark Museum of Art. In this capacity she guided the production of print communications, working closely with designers, printers and mail houses. She coordinated with Museum staff and project managers, on the submission of text and images, maintaining strict deadlines. Worked on the production of internal and external collateral material including catalogs, flyers, brochures and the Museum’s monthly newsletter. With her arts background, she designed journal ads and flyers. She oversaw and coordinated with colleagues, the dissemination of marketing information — advertisements, banners, etc. — via digital platforms, mail, and street teams. She served as liaison, building connections and maintaining relationships with the greater-Newark community. She served as the coordinator of the Newark Black Film Festival — the nation’s longest running Black film festival dedicated to independent African-American and Diaspora films. In this capacity, she worked with planning committee members, organizing submissions, the selection of the films for screening, booking speakers, organizing travel and other logistics for filmmakers and panelists, obtaining screening rights, and coordinating all on-site and post-screening logistics including production, receptions, etc.
Carter “Roc” Mangan Jr. (Sound Engineer/Music Director) is a music producer, musician and sound engineer from Newark, New Jersey. In Carter’s hometown high-school, Newark Tech Career Center, he took music production classes taught by well-known House music artist CeCe Rogers, and later went on to The Institute of Audio Research in Manhattan, New York. Carter, a musician/producer, creates original music content for film, television, individual artists and other media. His company has music placements in television shows on CBS, FOX, Showtime, HBO, MTV, VH1, E!, Oxygen, BET, Bravo, The Travel Channel, OWN, Telemundo, Hulu, YouTube Red, Revolt TV and Netflix. Carter also does music and audio production work with many musicians, recording artists, voice-over artists, content creators and filmmakers across many genres, countries and media platforms. (www.TheRocProductions.com)
Jamil A.C. Mangan (Narrator) is a professional Actor, Director & Voice Over Artists from Newark, New Jersey where he attended the prestigious Newark Arts High School. He is a graduate of the University of The Arts in Philadelphia; the first conservatory for the Arts. Mangan’s recent acting credits include Harmond Wilks in Radio Golf (Everyman Theater), Surely Goodness & Mercy (Passage Theatre Co.), Martin Luther King Jr. in The Man in Room 306 (Luna Stage Company), Water By The Spoonful; Lost Boys Found In Whole Foods (Premiere Stages), Martin Luther On Trial (National Tour), North of The Boulevard (Contemporary American Theater Festival), Othello (Perseverance Theater), To Kill A Mockingbird (Orlando Shakes) and Mother Courage (Classic Stage Company). Mangan has appeared on Gotham (Fox), Manifest (NBC), Quantico (ABC), The Good Cop (Netflix), The Following (Fox), and Blue Bloods (CBS). His directing credits include Gospel At Colonus (Newark Symphony Hall-NJ), Sons of Johnny Johnson (The Duke Theater — NYC), Hecho en Ecuador (Teatro IATI – NYC), Outrunning (Tantrum East- NYC), LEAP (Actor’s Guild – NYC), All of Everything (Renaissance Theatreworks) and most recently award-winning playwright Dominique Morisseau’s Pipeline at Next Act Theatre in Milwaukee. www.JamilMangan.com
Axel Ortiz (Associate Editor) is a New Jersey based editor and filmmaker from Chile. He has a BFA in filmmaking from Montclair State University where he won various student awards. His last short film was selected for the Lexus Design Award shortlist and he has worked on short narratives, documentaries, commercial films, and most recently, an experimental film residency.
(select photo below to view bio)
