Private Project

City Solace

City Solace is a 30 minute travel variety show that encourages people to escape the stress and strain of city life by seeking solace in natural places that are in close proximity. The show addresses conservation issues and points out hidden gems to visit for this purpose. City Solace invites spaciousness, the conservation ethic and peace into the lives of urban dwellers. Globetrotting, adventure lover and host, Valerie Rose, travels nationally and abroad to disclose sometimes secret places of city solace.

The pilot episode features rare, archival footage of Former President Theodore Roosevelt as his conservation ethic is highlighted. Also featured is an interview with Congressman Keith Ellison about connecting people to nature, particularly those of color. The plight of the imperiled Monarch Butterfly is also addressed. The validation of nontraditional ways of connecting to nature is discussed, as well.

"The loss of spaciousness is the most terrible loss in life."
-- Eckhart Tolle

Human beings are at an important precipice. We have to change the way we are doing things or, simply put, as a species, we face extinction. We have to slow down and let some space into our psyche. Many problems get solved when space is allowed to enter our collective consciousness. While this show is geared to all humans on the planet and their mental health, it does sometimes focus on children and diversity. This, because socio-economic factors do come into play when it comes to a connection to nature for urban dwellers, many of whom are people of color. In addition, when people have a connection with nature, they start to think about things differently. Not only are we already having to deal with over fished waters, but other species are going extinct in an unprecedented rate. An increased human connection to nature would most assuredly have an impact on this and other issues humans face on the planet. This show is about how to invite spaciousness in one’s life. And how to connect with nature, even when seemingly surrounded by concrete, cars and city lights.

  • Valerie A Redmond
    Director
    Hope Sessions, The Pink Visitor, A New Idea About An Old Idea
  • Valerie Rose
    Key Cast
    Hope Sessions, The Pink Visitor, A New Idea About An Old Idea
  • Project Type:
    Documentary, Experimental, Short, Television, Web / New Media, Other
  • Genres:
    Documentary Short, Television
  • Runtime:
    21 minutes 40 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    May 15, 2017
  • Production Budget:
    100 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
Director Biography - Valerie A Redmond

VALERIE ROSE

​Valerie Rose is an author, producer, screenwriter, model/ voice over talent and the CEO of Roses Are READ Productions LLC. She is a member of the National Association of Black Journalists and the Twin Cities Black Journalists. Rose served for seven years as Editor-in-Chief for Inside Region 3, a U.S. government publication. She has authored a number of books including Cappuccino in the Winter, The Family Reunion Is Not a Real Vacation (featuring The Triangleheads), Dream Your Dream: Getting Your Writing Out There! and the Minnesota Book Award nominee, You Better Recognize! A Spiritual Guide Because Life’s a Trip!

Rose has appeared in a number of films including, Dear White People, Run, Blue Balloons, Torpedo the Damned and Wilson starring Woody Harrelson and directed by Craig Johnson of the Skeleton Twins. She has also worked in television, appearing in ABC TV’s In An Instant, The Learning Channel’s Randy to the Rescue, and in the TV pilot, For Art’s Sake, produced by Tim Gaetz.

Rose is also the creative concept developer and producer for an animation project and two films: The Triangleheads, Hope Sessions and The Pink Visitor, respectively. The latter premiered at the Theatres at the Mall of America (MOA) as part of a film completion in which it garnered the Best Actress Award. Her first documentary, Hope Sessions, is also slated to premiere at the MOA in February 2016. In the development of these projects, Rose wore many hats including executive producer, producer, director, casting director, cast member and screenwriter.

Rose graduated with a B.S. from the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee where she majored in Computer Science and minored in Management Information Systems.

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