Filmmaker  D-Teflon takes aim at social media founders of Twitter Instagram and Facebook & sheds light on the inconsistent of Cyberbullying prevention system on social media & identity theft

HE MAY LEAD A GLAMOROUS LIFE, BUT AMERICAN-CANADIAN TRINIDADIAN TV/Film Producer and Actor   DTeflon  and SBT Project Foundation founder recently sat down in a recent interview to delve into the troubling,  of cyberbullying and cyberstalking against celebrities and public figures on the net and teens and adults— where education, or the lack thereof, is a low priority—and made it the subject of his recent documentary. Chosen to screen at the 2021 AEG Live Soiree Film & Television Festival in Sarasota Florida as part of its Short Film Catalog, with 2 projects one called it all add up focusing on cyberbullying in schools and  Scars revolves around a true-life tragic story of  Mercedes Grabowski aka Adult Film Star August Ames who killed herself after being cyberbullied on the internet on Twitter.

 

It also follows their trials and tribulations of the effects that cyberbullying has on those in the entertainment industry and the things that could have been done to prevent her death and highlights.

THE SBT PROJECT FOUNDATION which he founded alongside Actor Musician James P Morrison (24)   in 2012 launched the SBT Project Teflon Mafia Movement which is set up to have victims of cyberstalking and cyberbullying safe heaven to actually get the help that is failed on a regular daily basis by social media platforms and law enforcement and the court system “At the end of the day, documentary filmmaking… chose me,” he says. Here, he discusses the film’s intention and why this story demanded to be told.

“It is our responsibility— as humans, as people, as influential entertainers —to use our voices wisely.”

 

 

What made you choose the disparity of the fight against cyberbully as the focus of your documentary? 

Whenever I had free time, I have always volunteered at schools talking to kids about cyberbullying until I was a victim myself for 5years by a cyberstalker. There was a school in my area that would always need volunteers, so I would go in and help in any way I could and tell the kids about my experience that almost led me to suicide until I chose to fight back and take back the power against the stalker. The experience opened up my eyes to discern the education disparity that exists.

It has been a moving journey for me. August Ames was a friend of mine and like her, I have lost a few friends who committed suicide to cyberbully, I myself have been a victim of it and it led me to a suicide attempt that I luckily survived from and it was in that moment I decided that it was my mission to force changes to how social media heads protect their users because frankly to me the greed of these guys like Mark Zuckerberg who run these platforms don’t care about the mental health effects it has on people and after a period of time it all adds up leading to suicide due to cyberbullying being one responsible for so many adults and young people taking there lives.

What was your takeaway after creating the documentary? Was your initial intent the same as what you achieved in the end?

My takeaway from creating this film was to learn that education for online users is not just a kids issue, but a global issue—one that requires more attention and more action. It has to be addressed on a larger scale.

Do you think your work as a TV  Film Actor and Producer was able to help you highlight the problems there?

Utilizing the influential platform of acting, directing, celebrity, TV, movies and social media gives me a voice for the voiceless [that for me being in the public eye may have] a farther reach. I see that it’s definitely helped in spreading the message of THE SBT PROJECT. I had a chance to share a bit about my film on the TV network I work with, Vision Films TV [It] caters to audiences all over North America and Europe. It is our responsibility—as humans, as people, as influential entertainers—to use [our voices] wisely.

What are your most prominent challenges and how do you overcome them?

D-Teflon: I think in life everyone, at some point, comes across something they see as a challenge. But then, what would life be if you never left your comfort zone or took on challenges? I’d rather remember the times I tried and failed than the times I gave up before I tried.

What are the best/worst things that come with being a famous/public figure?

D-Teflon: This question comes up a lot with interviews and to be honest the word ‘famous’ doesn’t mean anything to me. It’s strange sometimes, being out and about when people recognize you and, of course, it’s flattering to be appreciated for my work. But what annoys me is that there are plenty of doctors, nurses, firemen first responders, etc out there and they don’t get this treatment when they are saving lives every single day.

How are you personally getting involved in trying to fix this problem?
Initially, I started just volunteering on my own time with children. But since Launching the SBT Project Foundation The mission of SBT Project is to educate and protect victims of online cyberbullying attacks and to educate adults & empower students to make healthy and positive choices that lead to lifelong success, initiating personal and social change to make a difference in themselves and their communities.

 What advice would you give to others who may be experiencing bullying? 

D-Teflon: My view with these things is that – although it’s easier said than done – it is possible. If someone or a group of people are treating you differently, you can’t control it – but what you can control is your reaction. I always say, never let anybody tell you that you can’t achieve something. Try your hardest to keep going and ignore them but don’t be a victim There are resources to help fight back to bring an end to it.

 

Are you currently working on anything else, like another documentary? If so, what will the subject matter be?

There are so many causes, that I aim to cover. For example, the inspiring stories of the girls who have changed their lives around, amid the trappings of the sex trafficking industry. Another interest is the transgender community and how [it is] changing the stigma of society. For me, it’s just about planning my time wisely so that I may continue evolving my purpose-driven documentary films, presenting my show, and exploring global projects. This is really just the beginning and looks ou for a new film tv mini-series  coming soon to Amazon  I am an executive producer on called Dorner American Crime Story based on the 9-day killing spree and manhunt of former LAPD Officer Christopher Dorner

Read more www.dornermovie.com

Learn more about D-Teflon and his projects and at www.dteflon.com and www.allianceentertainment.org and follow him on Instagram.com/dteflon and facebook.com/dteflon 

Story by Elizbeth Michaels at AEPR MEDIA