Looking to get married?
Visit Baba Ali's Muslim Marriage site
halfourdeen.com
Monday, February 26, 2007
Ummah Films Blog - 1 year later
Bismillah ar-Rahmaan ar-Raheem,
Ummah Films is comprised of a few individuals who are trying to make films for Muslims. We often times don’t carry the same ideas nor do we agree upon various issues but our overall goal of making films for Muslims is the same. Thus if I or anyone else working on an Ummah Films project makes a statement, or puts up a post on the blog, it doesn’t reflect the opinion or the view of rest of those involved with Ummah Films.
The Reminder videos, which many of you are familiar with, started off as just an experiment. I wrote, filmed, and edited these videos so I could practice filmmaking so when we were ready to make films, I would have a little bit of experience under my belt so I would be able to contribute to future Ummah Films projects. Once I noticed that a large number of people were watching, I decided to continue making the Reminder videos, until we were ready to work on a film.
Just so that no one is deceived, we are amateur filmmakers with little or no experience with making films. Although the Ummah Films name has gained some popularity, in reality we are just a few newbies who are trying to learn the craft of film making and we hope that these short films will help each of us gain experience.
Just like our personalities are very different, so is our methods of putting together the different films. We hope that is this not only a learning experience for us, but for those who reading these side blogs as well. I hope keeping a track record will be a good way to inspire others because if we (people who starting off with basically no experience or equipment) can do it, anyone can do it InshAllah.
Looking to get married?
Visit Baba Ali's Muslim Marriage site
halfourdeen.com
Links to Other Muslim Filmmakers
Bismillah ar-Rahmaan ar-Raheem,
We have been receiving MANY requests to put up links to other filmmakers on the Ummah Films blog. In order to be fair to everyone, we are putting up this post up so all the Muslim Filmmakers out there can not only put up links to their site but they can also give some information about them or their film company. This can be a great opportunity work with and network about other Muslim Filmmakers InshAllah.
Please post a comment with a description and a link to your site InshAllah.
Looking to get married?
Visit Baba Ali's Muslim Marriage site
halfourdeen.com
Tuesday, February 20, 2007
Interactive Marriage Workshop (Ali from Ummah Films Guest Speaking @ Event)
Bismillah ar-Rahmaan ar-Raheem,
The seems like an interesting event as young Muslims are often interested in conversations that involve the world "Marriage". I will be guest speaking at this event InshAllah so I hope to see all of you there. The event is not just a lecture but rather its has more than that. There is a series of interactive workshops which means that its interactive.
The Reminder Videos are often about my 2 cents regarding random subjects. If you enjoyed the $25k Muslim Weddings and Finding Your Spouse Online video, then I think you'll kick out of this event too as the program is meant not just to be interesting but thought provoking as well InshAllah.
The Muslim Student @ the University of California Riverside is hosting an educational and interactive Marriage Workshop that will provide young Muslims with information regarding Marriage in Islam. It will be held on Sunday March 4th, 2007 @ UCR. Free Parking will be provided @ the Masjid of Riverside and Paid Parking is available on campus. Tickets will be on pre-sale for $10.00 and at the door it will be $15.00. Dinner will be provided. The event will run from 11 am to 7 pm.
Featured Speakers: - Brother Ali from Ummah Films - Dr. Ahmed Soboh - Brother Omar Ezzeldine - Sister Munira Ezzeldine author of “Before the Wedding: 150 Questions for Muslims to Ask Before Getting Married”
For more information or to purchase tickets call Sister Wafaa @ 951-212-3876 or Brother Adnan @ 951-288-6317 or email us @ msu.riverside@gmail.com.
Looking to get married?
Visit Baba Ali's Muslim Marriage site
halfourdeen.com
Monday, February 12, 2007
JazakAllah khair for all the viewer's support!
Bismillah ar-Rahmaan ar-Raheem,
Of course all success is only in Allah (swt) hands but its up to us to put in the effort. When I first decided on doing the Reminder videos, I wasn't sure how people were going to react because I wanted to cover issues that weren't discussed. For whatever reason, people would discuss these subjects in their circle of friends but never in the public arena. Maybe because it is politically incorrect, or not appropriate, or maybe there just wasn't a forum to give your 2 cents about these subjects. Well, the forum is here now and anyone can comment and can do so even anonymously.
That being said, I just wanted to say JazkAllah khair for all the viewer's support. Each time a new video has come out, those who support the ideas behind Ummah Films have helped us promote and market it via posting the videos on their websites, blogs, myspace pages, etc... Even though I write, film, & edit these reminder videos, I only play a small part of all this. The real effort is from all of YOU who have helped spread these messages to all over the world and I wanted to say once again, JazakAllah khair.
I also wanted to thank everyone for supporting UF by buying the UF products. As you know, both the DVD and Shirt sales are going towards helping us with making our first two short movies InshAllah. We have been keeping a record of what is going on with each project on our blogs (see links on the right side of the page) so you'll be in the loop. How many times have you been to a fundraiser and then you wonder were the money went? Wouldn't it be cool if each organization was asking for funds, they would keep a record of what's going on with that project? For example, if the local people were raising funds to open a Masjid, it would be nice to be kept in the loop on what was going on with building that Masjid. Sometimes, months or years go by and then you ask yourself...uh..what happened to the "new" Masjid?..you know what I'm sayin'? I wanted people to know what is going on with UF and its projects This filmmaking thing is new to all of us and we're just learning along the way so JazakAllah khair for being patient with us.
Remember, no matter how much success we have in this life, the real success is seeing the fruits of our efforts on the Day of Judgment (that is if Allah (swt) accepts our efforts).
Alhamdulillah. One of UF viewers emailed me the other day and suggested that I email YouTube and ask them to check out the Reminder videos. I figured there are millions of videos on youtube and we really didn't have a chance...especially since the videos are meant for the Muslim audience. Then again, I never thought we had a chance with the film festival, which we ended up coming first place or the recent Current TV submission thing which the video got picked to air for TV. So I figured, why not...its worth a shot so I sent an email yesterday and got this response today: _______________ hi ali-
actually i've seen and loved your blogs and just featured one of them in the categories today. keep up the great work. you're treat to see on youtube.
-sadia _______________
Who knew the person who picks the featured videos on youtube was actually one of our viewers. Anyways, the latest video, Arrogant People, got featured on YouTube. Alhamdulillah. All the success is in Allah (swt)hands but we must put in the effort InshAllah.
Looking to get married?
Visit Baba Ali's Muslim Marriage site
halfourdeen.com
Monday, February 05, 2007
Ummah Films Movies Blogs: What's new?
Bismillah ar-Rahmaan ar-Raheem,
As noted in last weeks posts, we have two side blogs branched out of Ummah Films. Both blogs are meant to keep records of the two movie projects that we are working on, Tomorrow Never Comes and Going Up North. Both projects are independent from one another but they are both being produced by Ummah Films.
The two new movie blogs are more for those who are interested in the film making process. Many of us, including myself, are brand new to film making so everything is pretty much a learning process. The idea is to keep a record of what we're doing so if there are others out there like us (who have the ideas but don't know the process), the blog could be the guideline InshAllah. So far, the blogs have been updated pretty consistently since there is so much going on. If anyone is interested, make sure to subscribe to them.
**Note: the 3700+ subscribers on this blog are only subscribed to this blog so if you are interested getting updates on the other blogs, you'll need to subscribe to them seperately.
I recently appeared in a commercial for Muxlim. The other actor is a professional actor and I'm well, a rookie. Actually, this is my first commercial and I'm not an actor whatsoever but I tried :)
The commercial was shot in a green screen studio last week and was edited by a local company. There were two versions of the commercial shot, and the version above is the shorter version.
I really want to make our first short film InshAllah. Nothing major, something between 7 to 10 minutes long. A new video blog has been started to keep a record of it so people can see what is involved in making a movie. The idea is to keep track of everything from the idea phase to the time when the film is completed. I hope the blog will be a learning experience InshAllah and will inspire others. Many times we have ideas of making a movie but we have no idea where to start. Welcome to the club! :) We're just trying to figure it all out too.
Of course, every project cost money to start. The money we raise by selling Ummah Films shirts, DVDs, and wristbands go directly towards funding projects like this movie. This is not my movie, but rather OUR movie. This is why I decided on starting a blog instead of a website to keep track of what is going on. Your feedback is important and impacts the direction of the film.
Ummah Films shirts are back in stock. If you ordered a shirt recently and have not received it, it will be shipped out today InshAllah.
We have sold out our shirts twice so far Alhamdulillah. We have NEW SIZES and of both above shirts come in LONG SLEEVE at no additional charge (all shirts are just $12). Just follow the LINK to see if we now carry your size.
Alhamdulillah, the Ummah Films shirts have become quite popular. If you like the message behind Ummah Films, please continue to support it InshAllah
Looking to get married?
Visit Baba Ali's Muslim Marriage site
halfourdeen.com
Ummah Films is a Muslim film company that strives to provide Halaal (Islamically permissible) entertainment to Muslims and non-Muslims alike. We are not affiliated with any particular movement, sect, group, etc. We absolutely condemn in the strongest terms terrorism and any extremism done in the name of Islam and we refuse to associate ourselves with those who practice and condone such behavior and thoughts.
