Kinetic Affect filming television series

By Jolene Khor
Western Herald

Kalamazoo can expect a television show “unlike the kind anyone has seen in the area” beginning Sept. 4, according to Kirk Latimer of “Kinetic Affect LIVE.”

Kirk Latimer and Gabriel Giron of Speak It Forward, Inc., recently launched a new partnership with John Troxtel from RedMonkey Pictures to produce a new variety television show called “Kinetic Affect LIVE.” The show will act as an opportunity to expand the duo’s work with the community in positively changing the lives of at-risk teens and young adults by empowering young people with speech and self-confidence.

According to Latimer, executive producer and director of Kinetic Affect, the project is important because it is new to Kalamazoo and has a chance to give exposure to a wider range of people — a chance to reach into the minds and heart of the community.

“At-risk kids need our help more now than ever before,” Troxtel said. “The mission is to help Kinetic Affect reach a larger audience and continue to empower, build self-esteem and a higher level of awareness in today’s troubled youth.”

Latimer said that the community benefits from such a show because Kinetic Affect has already been changing lives.

“It’s even more powerful for us to be able to give a voice to others’ experiences,” Latimer said. “‘Kinetic Affect LIVE’ will be entertaining, but more importantly, it will also be used to give a stage for other important community members to be seen and heard.”

The comedy variety show will be hosted by Latimer and Giron and will feature community guests, guest artists, comedic skits and live band Funk 211, while promoting the powerful work of Kinetic Affect.

“Kinetic Affect LIVE” is not Latimer and Giron’s first attempt to assist troubled youth. Through their non-profit program, Speak It Forward, Inc., Latimer and Giron have worked with troubled youths in the juvenile homes through Starr Commonwealth Day Treatment, provided inspiring presentations for the Survivors of Suicide Day conference, To Write Love on Her Arms, and for nearly every major and minor community organization in Kalamazoo, Calhoun and Oakland Counties.

When asked about his interest in troubled youth, Latimer explained that many years ago, he was one himself.

“I was in poor shape when I was younger, nearly killed myself with my choices, hated most of the things about myself and never felt heard, even when I screamed,” Latimer said.

“It is amazing to go into the hearts and minds of these youths, these people, and find that they deal with the same things all of us do.”

Latimer experienced traumatic events when he was a senior in high school.

“I lost five of my friends to suicide. [Since then] I carry the weight of those who died with me everywhere I go, and I live my life to represent those who died.”

Latimer always wanted Kinetic Affect to be about reaching into the minds and heart of people, and now, the television show will be given an opportunity to take what has been achieved by Kinetic Affect and bring it to an even wider audience.

The collaboration between Kinetic Affect and Troxtel, CEO of RedMonkey Pictures, began when Troxtel approached the duo to create a comedy variety television show that would air on public access channels in Kalamazoo, Grand Rapids and Battle Creek, as well as online at www.kineticaffectLIVE.com.

“We have been talking about and conceptualizing this project for approximately half a year,” Latimer said. “It arose when John came across us during our performances at New Years’ Fest at the new Studio 246 space in downtown Kalamazoo.”

“He said that he is looking forward to retiring, but when he saw us said, ‘Oh crap. Now I can’t retire,’” Latimer said. “From there, the project came to life.”

“This is lightning in a bottle and one of the most amazing projects I’ve ever done,” Troxtel said.

Troxtel has over 20 years experience in entertainment and concert tour design. As executive producer at RedMonkey Pictures, Troxtel supervised all development of new reality shows, concert tour projects and video game titles including “Hip Hop Props,” a portable console game.

Troxtel has designed and directed many major concert tours and live television performances for artists including Tina Turner, Eminem, Michael Jackson, Boyz II Men, Snoop Dogg, Ice Cube, Dr. Dre, Puff Daddy, Destiny’s Child, David Copperfield, Jay-Z and Nelly. His credits also include a number of television and film projects including “Ocean’s Eleven,” Nickelodeon’s “All That” and “On the Ropes” for WB Television.

Production shoots for the show began on Saturday, June 5 at Studio 246 (formerly the Whole Art Theater). “Kinetic Affect LIVE” dedicates at least 15 seats to those who cannot afford the ticket prices or for those with special needs or special circumstances.

A complete list of upcoming shows is available online at www.kineticaffect.com. For more information or to get tickets, call 269-779-9663.

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Posted by HeraldAdmin on Jun 13 2010. Filed under A & E. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry

Cody Kimball
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