Autumn Simmons - June Member of the Month

There is tremendous power within human thought, and my journey towards PhillyCAM happened rather unexpectedly. It was early August of 2013, and it had been eight months since the launch of my podcast, Talk Fuzion (Don’t call it radio.), and though I was enjoying producing and hosting my bi-weekly podcast, I aspired to develop additional new media content. One particular summer evening, I was alone at my secret hideaway, shooting a video for my Talk Fuzion website. 

Suddenly, the thought of expanding the concept of Talk Fuzion (Don’t call it radio.) to include digital videos came to mind. Then while visiting my local library, I picked up a copy of the City Paper, and discovered that the first annual Philadelphia Podcast Festival was taking place within the City of Brotherly Love that weekend. 

Upon visiting their Twitter page, I soon discovered PhillyCAM. At the time, PhillyCAM seemed to be the best kept secret in Philadelphia. 

Soon thereafter, I registered to become a member online, and attended my first members orientation meeting that same month. By September, I registered for my first PhillyCAM workshop, and by October, I was on my way to producing my vision. Since March of this year, I am now an official certified PhillyCAM producer, with a television talk-show that airs on PhillyCAM every Wednesday at 1:30pm. 

Though the show is still in its first season, undergoing the necessary infant stages, I never dreamed that Talk Fuzion would be viewable throughout Philadelphia, via public access cable channels provided by Comcast and Verizon. Moreover, PhillyCAM is a fantastic haven for visionaries, who are determined to learn as much as they can about creating independent television programs for the community. At PhillyCAM, it is not just about being in front of the camera, but learning what goes on behind the camera. The staff at PhillyCAM are accessible, dedicated, and by far some of the most brightest individuals that I have ever met in local media. 

Nevertheless, my latest project that I am creating, producing and starring in is my first sitcom web series, The Quirk Chronicles, which highlights the whimsical life of a thirty-something Black woman, who resides in the Greater Philadelphia Area. The first episode, "Mishaps and Misunderstandings," features legendary actor and Philadelphia native, John Canada Terrell, who is most memorable for his portrayal of Greer Childs in Spike Lee’s first film, She’s Gotta Have It (1986) and as Michael “Flash” Turner in Robert Townsend’s classic film, The Five Heartbeats (1991). 

Follow Autumn Simmons on Twitter @TalkFuzion and like TalkFuzion on Facebook, and visit www.talkfuzion.vpweb for more details.