Blank Canvaz CEO Anaz Rhome expands his vision in 2021

During the beginning of the twentieth century, the films that launched the entertainment industry were directed by white directors and producers for white audiences. 

Black directors fought for decades to break into Hollywood and alter how the industry functioned behind and in front of the camera.  They also were determined to modify how White America perceived black content. Oscar Micheaux pioneered the movement by establishing his own studio in 1919.  

During the ’70s, filmmakers Melvin van Peebles and Gordon Parks underscored specific Black narratives in their films, spawning the subculture aptly titled “blaxploitation.” These films exploited racist stereotypes ranging from poverty and substance addiction.  

At the beginning of the 1980s and 1990s, Spike Lee and John Singleton leveraged their films to illuminate the inner city and racial conflicts, providing a diverse, multifaceted Black character to a mainstream audience. 

At the time, Black female filmmakers took significant steps. Kathleen Collins’ filmmaking skills in the 80s opened the door for Julie Dash to be recognized as the first African American female to have a feature film released nationwide in 1991.  

Spike Lee, John Singleton, Melvin Van Peebles, and Gordon Parks challenged the machine of Hollywood and created new opportunities for future filmmakers.   Tyler Perry, Barry Jenkins, Antoine Fuqua, and more are carrying on the rich Black Hollywood tradition in 2021.   

Anaz Rhome is a modern-day renaissance man in the world of filmmaking and visual design.  Anaz Rhome is a proud graduate of Florida A&M University. By graduating from a historically black college (HBCU), Anaz learned the prominence, prestige, history, and mainstream value of Black cinema and film production.   

Florida A&M University’s educational structure and resources expanded Anaz’s vision board and inspired him to follow in the footsteps of historical black film directors.  Anaz Rhome launched ‘Blank Canvaz’ in 2015, and his aspirational thoughts were now a reality.    

‘Blank Canvaz‘ creates, develops, and engineers short films, specialized documentaries, music videos, television commercials, and customized visual projects. ‘Blank Canvaz’ competitive advantage is Anaz’s uncanny ability to transform raw emotion and creative instincts into a masterpiece.    

Anaz Rhome’s future is secured because he’s never comfortable with his efforts, vision, or potential ceiling.  Anaz Rhome’s mentality is the sky is the starting point.    

Jonathan P-Wright is a freelance writer for multiple publications and EIC for RADIOPUSHERS.