Wednesday, May 25th running behind about fifteen minutes I jump out of my SUV reach into the driver’s backseat, and grab the white dress shirt off the hanger. Quickly I put it on, buttoning it down and slipping the hem of both sides in my jeans. Before shutting both the driver’s front and rear doors I pulled my backpack and a small soft-sided cooler out and began walking toward my camera man Lenderrick. He, usually awaiting my presence has now began pulling out his camera equipment. Greeting him first with a hug as I always do, I take the softbox lighting fixture in my free hand, he closes the door and we begin walking toward the front entrance of the Roberts RiverWalk Hotel.
Allowing the guests of the Conversations With Kai Mann show to choose the location of where they want their conversations, I was excited about the look and feel and thought “What a great choice.” Initially not seeing Cedric Wright, II, Lenderrick and I through the hotel’s front entrance walk outside because the initial conversation was scheduled near the Riverwalk. It was windy that day and not having seen Cedric as of yet Lenderrick and I decide it would be best to move the conversation inside: little did we know Cedric had already spoken with the Hotel’s Desk Manager and secured a beautiful spot, a landing between the third and fourth floor. We greeted Cedric when we met him. He admitted to me that he was a little nervous. I assured him that this was just a conversation between he and I, there just happens to be a couple of cameras here I said and smiled.
I had never met Cedric before. I am a watcher. Some would call it lurking. I watch people sometimes for years if I find them fascinating. I try to figure out who they are, how they’ve transformed, how I might be able to serve them, and ways to introduce them to the world. You say lurking, I say research.
Cedric and I find ease in our conversation as if we had known each other before. I begin to tell him about the show, what my vision is and why I chose him to have a conversation with. He’s intrigued. I have white wash clothes for drying off and bottled water in the cooler and offer Cedric one. He takes a bottled water and I hand one to my camera man as well. While Lenderrick is setting up we continue talking and I ask if there is anything off limits. Cedric assures me he is an open book. We get to talking and laughing and I’m wishing this part was captured on film; however, it is not.
Camera and lighting now set up, we begin our conversation. It is amazing. Two souls weaving in and out of conversation as if they had been planned. They were not. Questions and responses leading to more inquiry as to who he is, why he’s here, and how his life has unfolded. It seems to be getting more in depth just as my camera man would direct us to a break. The breaks were even better than what was filmed. The conversations in between would lead us hurriedly back into filming as I was reminded that we were not on camera. The next five breaks would either be rushed or I’d beg us both not to talk so that we were steadfast in getting everything filmed.
When the conversation was over I felt full in a spiritual kind of way but that didn’t stop there. As Lenderrick, my camera man put his equipment away we were all talking and Cedric gave each of us a prophesy. We sat quiet for a moment and then went back to talking. We all walked outside of the Hotel so that we could film Cedric and I walking and talking near the Riverwalk, the conversation there too was amazing.
When I decided to do Conversations With Kai Mann my goal was to help heal myself and others. Partly selfish, and partly self-less. I wanted to show life from a transformational perspective bridging the gaps in society. Showing how we are all interconnected and how to transform our lives just as others did. A real life visual tutorial so to speak. This contextual perspective would allow others entry to the souls who’ve done so before. I have to admit that I am proud of what the show promises and this conversation was destined confirmation.
To watch the Conversations With Kai Mann show log on Wednesdays at 7:00pm est. to www.watchthelivenetwork.com