Friday 28 September 2012

Spotlight - Erich Hicks





Shah Fazli

Erich Hicks, Thanks for coming to Spotlight, shall we start this interview with knowing a little bit about yourself, do you write to earn your living, if not, tell us how is everything for you please?







Erich Hicks Hello Shah. Thank you for having me on the Spotlight Show.

I really earn my living as a Special Effects Coordinator in the Motion Picture Industry, and write on the side, such as my Buffalo Soldier Novel, "Rescue at Pine Ridge", based on my mini-series/feature film project now in pre-production.


Shah Fazli Tell us more about the connection between your work as a Special Effect Coordinator and your writing please?


Erich Hicks Good question...I started writing because there was a lack of good hero African-American/Black movies being produced, and I wanted to make a difference, and show how America became to be...


Shah Fazli Thanks, do you make any of your books into a film, if yes, how and which company is involved please?


Erich Hicks No...this is currently my only novel in consideration for movie form. I actually wrote the mini-series first, then the novel to keep the story alive. I wrote the mini-series about 11 years ago and the novel 7 years later. I have another epic script I wrote, entitled, Stagecoach Mary, which I'm just finishing writing in novel form.


Shah Fazli Which one comes first in your life, working as a coordinator, or writing, tell us about your job as well, what do you have to do there?


Erich Hicks Well...I love my work as a Special Effects Coordinator, and writing HOLLYWOOD scripts to help bolster the history of African-American/Blacks and a novel(s) to bolster the script ideas.

I'm the first African-American to obtain this license, which achievement marks a milestone in the HOLLYWOOD Motion Picture and Television industry. My SPECIAL EFFECTS LICENSE qualifies me to plan, lead, coordinate, and determine the safety of every action sequences, from stunts to major explosions to achieve a realistic scene.

Please review the behind the scenes video on Vimeo, and look to the 5 minute mark...enjoy: https://vimeo.com/25703640

Behind the Scenes: Chris Brown x Justin Bieber "Next 2 You"
www.rivetingentertainment.com http://www.mechanicaldummy.com/ http://www.justinbiebermusic.com/http://www.jiverecords.com/


Shah Fazli What is your novel about, you may want to tell us a little please?


Erich Hicks My novel "Rescue at Pine Ridge is the epic story of the 9th Cavalry from its Congressional conception in 1866, to the rescue of the famed 7th Cavalry by the 9th Cavalry Buffalo Soldiers, 1890. The 7th Cavalry was entrapped again after the Little Big Horn Massacre, fourteen years later, the day after the Wounded Knee Massacre. If it wasn't for the 9th Cavalry Buffalo Soldiers, there would of been a second massacre of the 7th Cavalry.

The story embodies the Native Americans, Outlaws and African-American/Black soldiers, Buffalo Soldiers, from the east to the west, from the south to the north, in the days of the Native American Wars with the approaching United States of America.

This story is about, brutality, compassion, reprisal, bravery, heroism, redemption and gallantry.
Shah Fazli Do you want to read from your book for us please?


Erich Hicks Yes...


Erich Hicks Captain Carroll and his date marvel at the extravaganza as Sergeant Shaw escorts them to the bar. When they reach the bar through the crowd, Sergeant Jordan reaches into a box on the bar and brings out four cigars, the best of that time. Sergeant Jordan then hands one each to Colonel Hatch, Captain Carroll, and Sergeant Shaw, keeping one for himself. He lights Colonel Hatch's cigar, as Mrs. Hatch looks to Captain Carroll and says, “Brandy Captain, for you and the lady?” “Why yes, thank you Mrs. Hatch,” says Captain Carroll. Captain Carroll bows his head to Mrs. Hatch, as she then looks to the bartender to place her order. Sergeant Jordan has finished lighting Captain Carroll's cigar, and then lights his own. After lighting his cigar, Sergeant Jordan looks up and sees Corporal Wilson in the background waving respectfully for him and Sergeant Shaw to come to his locality near the band. Sergeant Jordan taps Sergeant Shaw on the shoulder and points to Corporal Wilson signaling to them. Sergeant Shaw looks at Corporal Wilson then to Colonel Hatch, his wife, to Captain Carroll, and to his date and says, “Sirs, madams, please excuse us, we need to attend to affairs.” “Certainly Sergeant, go ahead,” says Colonel Hatch. Sergeants Jordan and Shaw bow their heads to the ladies and walk towards Corporal Wilson, who is standing near Sergeant Major Brown. Captain Carroll takes his brandy glass off the bar, toasts the ladies, then with a bewildered expression, looks to the flags in the foyer, then to Colonel Hatch and says, “Colonel, what are those two other flags the soldiers have standing alongside the United States flag?” “Captain, the black and red flag with the palm tree in the center is Haitian, and the other flag, the one that looks like ours except for the eleven stripes, and the one large white star in the blue pattern is Liberian. They use these flags at all their gatherings. It symbolizes parts of their African ancestry.” “I see Colonel...is this proper and respectful? I've heard many stories about these men that bring into question their capabilities and loyalties.” “Captain, for the Buffalo Soldier⎯proper and respect have never crossed their path. Having pride in their ancestry, and of the slave issue, there is nothing wrong with that Captain. As for their capabilities and loyalties, they're impeccable. Tomorrow morning, Captain, I'll share a letter with you that I'm sending to General Pope regarding the latest travesties that happened to these marvelous soldiers.” After Colonel Hatch's comment, Captain Carroll looks out into the assembly hall towards the Buffalo Soldiers, to the 9th Cavalry Band, to the extravaganza. He begins to realize that there is something special about these men. As the gala continues, Sergeants Jordan and Shaw stand near the band, as Sergeant Shaw whispers into the adjutant's ear.


Shah Fazli Thanks, you are actually working for Hollywood, can you name a few actors or singers you come across with or work with?


Erich Hicks Working on a production project currently, "The Lone Ranger", starring - Johnny Depp. As you'll see in the post above, I work with entertainers too...like Chris Brown and Justin Bieber.


Shah Fazli Can you post a YouTube of your work here please?


Erich Hicks Yes...this is a video prestation of my novel, "Rescue at Pine Ridge".

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xEgEqgNi2Is

"Rescue at Pine Ridge" - Epic Buffalo Soldier Novel
Rescue at Pine Ridge is the epic story of the 9th Cavalry from its Congressional...See More


Shah Fazli What do you want add at the end of this interview please, as we are running out of time, I am afraid?


Erich Hicks Please tell 'all' your family, friends and associates to purchase "Rescue at Pine Ridge", 5 stars Amazon internationally, Germany, Europe, Australia, New Zealand and America and Barnes & Noble. Thank you very much for the interview Shah.


Shah Fazli Such a pleasure to be with you today, thank you so much. We enjoyed our time.


Shah Fazli http://shahsightshop.blogspot.de/2012/09/rescue-at-pine-ridge-erich-martin-hicks.html

ShahSight Literary Book Shop: Rescue at Pine Ridge - Erich Martin Hicksshahsightshop.blogspot.com


Shah Fazli To book or give feedback visit:http://www.facebook.com/BeInTheSpotlight

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