Private Project

CITY SOLACE - A DOCUSERIES

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.

  • Project Type:
    Documentary, Experimental, Short, Television
  • Runtime:
    31 minutes 56 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    March 1, 2015
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
Director Biography

Valerie Rose is an author, producer,
screenwriter, model/ voice over talent and the
CEO of Roses Are READ Productions LLC.
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, Black, Tuscaloosa, House of Tomorrow, She has also worked in television, appearing in ABC
TV’s In An Instant, Dynasty, The Chi, Chicago P.D., Star and Greenleaf. 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 is also the creator of Picture's Up Academy. She 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.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

I am a content provider specializing in telling the stories of women, people of color but particularly, women of color with a common thread of spirituality. I have authored several books, scripts and produced several films. My films have appeared in several festivals, screened at the Mall of America and won several awards. In addition, I served as Editor-In-Chief for a U.S. Government magazine for seven years. I am a retired civil servant.