P.E.N.S: Poetic Energy Needed in Society

There is a cultural tide rising in Houston. Amid the city’s museums, historic landmarks, and vibrant nightlife exists a cache of the nation’s most prolific spoken word artists. The community of poets is as diverse as the city it represents. Their words are etched in the very fabric of H-town. Their story, once the city’s best-kept secret, will finally be told. Sol-Caritas, LLC CEO, Carlos Wallace, and iRise Filmz, LLC Founder, Mikell Limbrick (AKA Fetti), join forces once again. Considered two of Houston’s most creative minds, the pair created a powerful documentary that traces the origins of Houston’s spoken word scene. P.E.N.S. (Poetic Energy Needed in Society) delves into the lives of the city’s most celebrated poets, revealing stories of struggle, abuse, social justice, feminism, race relations, love, hate and much more, all told through the pens of the men and women who helped build the scene from the ground up. Veteran poets expose the dark side of an industry fraught with competition and adversity. Neophytes speak about rites of passage, earning respect, and making a mark in an industry all agree can be as ruthless as it is intoxicating. P.E.N.S. is directed and produced by iRise Filmz, LLC, the company behind author Carlos Wallace’s promotional video series based on his bestselling book, “Life Is Not Complicated, You Are: Turning Your Biggest Disappointments into Your Greatest Blessings.” The narrative earned critical acclaim and amassed tens of thousands of YouTube views. The pair have collaborated on several winning projects, including the production of professional comedy DVDs for Sol-Caritas comics Ken Boyd (Godfather of Harlem) and award-winning New York-based anchor, bestselling author, and stand-up comedian Liz Faublas. The brand-building effort includes artist development, promotional programming, broadcast, and social media marketing and editing and production services for all media platforms. Wallace prides himself on being a risk taker. Once committed solely to producing comedy shows at acclaimed venues, including Improv Houston, New York’s Apollo Theater, and Broadway Comedy Club, the trailblazer saw opportunity in the virtually untapped poetry and spoken word market. “The art is undervalued, and the goal is to change that,” says Wallace. To ensure the videography for the documentary is first-rate, he enlisted Limbrick’s company, a top-rated production house. “Fetti’s work is as close to perfection as I have ever encountered. Every single detail is planned and executed meticulously. The audio and video quality are top-notch, and the creativity is unmatched. Most importantly, I appreciate the care he takes in making every frame extraordinary.”