Chris Omar

Twenty-five years ago this week, federal authorities dismantled “Da Original Dark Side.” Their journey from incarceration to transformation mirrors Newburgh’s own path from struggle to hope. We’re well on our way in sharing this story and are officially launching the website, asking for your support to bring it to life. Visit to learn more about the film we’ve been working on for nearly four years. A Film by @co.visuals & @dark_side_continuous Creative Direction by @lloydlenox

softly - @maybebluemusic [Dir. @lloydlenox ] @lloydlenox ’s directorial debut for @grittydove Production Companies: @grittydove @rockfactoryfilms @bluetmrw EP: @fazefunk @co.visuals Producer: @pav.v.v UPM: @co.visuals Director: @lloydlenox DP: @fazefunk 1st AD: @pav.v.v B Cam OP: @moemyat.thetkhin 1st AC: @moemyet.thetkhin Gaffer: Chris Perino Key Grip: @dylinlarock Grip: @lukelucasborders Production Designer: @larayorhon Set Dresser: @wolfemaiden Art Production Assistant: @a.nxle Set Production Assistant: @thewongian Creative Director: @mintgumis Locations: @amerhanini Editor: @lloydlenox VFX Supervisor: @thingamagid VFX: Visual Heights Colorist: @dr.rockoff BTS VIDEO: @aidanmcsoley BTS PHOTO: @minfromeast Special Thanks: @duallcamera @pav.v.v @larayorhorn @fazefunk @amerhanini @jacobqberry @bluetmrw

Today, we spent the afternoon with Jimmy, an incredible “Black Cab” tour guide who lived through the history he was teaching us. He brought us through West Belfast, breaking down “The Troubles” in a way that textbooks never could with real stories, real families, and the real consequences of Great Britain’s illegal occupation and violence against the Irish Catholic community here. He dropped us off at “The Falls, Where The Troubles Began” (@wherethetroublesbegan ) Museum, and walking through the exhibition made everything hit even harder. Decades of oppression, resistance, the long road toward peace… and how diplomacy after the ceasefire eventually led to the Good Friday Agreement, a blueprint for coexistence between two communities that once couldn’t imagine it. Jimmy said something that’s been sitting with me all day: “The first casualty of war isn’t truth, it’s humanity.” Standing on Divis Street, you feel the weight of that, but you also feel what comes after. The resilience. The organizing. The belief that people deserve to live freely on their own land. And with that, you can’t ignore the parallels to what’s happening in Palestine… the occupation, the apartheid, the surveillance, the walls, the loss, the fight for dignity and the hope for freedom. Grateful for today, for the stories shared, and for the reminder that peace is always possible, but never accidental.

This weekend capped off an amazing 2025 @hsfilmfest . Grateful to work alongside such an incredible team to showcase such a talented community of storytellers who make this event possible year after year. I’m proud of how far it’s come — and even prouder of where it’s going. That last shot is from when I was in the festival in 2015. A decade later, the story feels fuller… and next year, we’ll be adding a new face to the frame 😊🍼 📸: @chiefivey

Earlier this month, @grittydove was in Barcelona, Spain producing two shoots at the 2025 World Conference on Lung Cancer (WCLC). We are grateful to have amazing clients that take us all over the world! Looking to take your content to the next level? Book a consultation today at grittydove.com/contact

The so-called “War on Drugs” didn’t just target drugs — it targeted communities. From the declaration of the Drug War by Nixon in the early 1970’s, 1980s crack vs. powder cocaine sentencing disparity to the 1994 Crime Bill’s expansion of policing and prisons, these policies created a system that disproportionately criminalized Black and Latino Americans — devastating families and neighborhoods for generations. In Newburgh, the fallout was severe. Heavy funding of the drug war was prioritized over the funding promised to rebuild what was left in the wake of Urban Renewal. For many convicted of nonviolent drug felonies, this era became “The New Jim Crow” coined by award winning author Michelle Alexander— a modern system of racial and social control that continues to strip away opportunity and equality long after time is served. The numbers, the stories, the impact — it’s all connected. Learn more about the project and how you can support at firstandlanderfilm.com

@urban_sound_nyc wasn’t kidding 😂

Ever wondered what it’s like to hop on a “discovery call” with Gritty Dove? There’s no slide deck, no countdown timer, no pressure to commit. We ask smart, human questions. We listen more than we talk. We want to understand your goals, your challenges, and how storytelling might actually support what you’re building. It’s a space to think out loud and brainstorm ideas. No hard close. Just an honest conversation to get an idea of what a professional video production will actually look like. See how we approach first conversations: /blog/what-a-discovery-call-looks-like

Yes, good video content costs money. But when it’s done right, it becomes one of the most effective and flexible tools in your brand’s arsenal. We’ve seen it: – Save teams hours of explaining – Support hiring, pitching, and launching – Build real trust with your audience and customers – And stretch across social, email, internal, and beyond In our latest blog post, we break down: – What good video actually does for your brand – How to think long-term with your content – How your content will grow with your brand by investing in storytelling that scales. If you’re thinking about video content for your brand, shoot me a DM to book a free consultation and let’s see how @grittydove can help. Read the full post: /blog/yes-video-costs-money

One day doesn’t mean rushed. With the right prep, a single shoot day can produce weeks of usable content across platforms, formats, and moments. We broke down how we approach one-day shoots with intention, and why our production with @hellonimbus for MassMutual and the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park is a perfect case study. Read the full post: /blog/how-to-make-the-most-of-a-one-day-shoot

This project has been a real labor of love, built by a small team of creatives who care deeply about this story and the city it comes from. Swipe through to meet the folks bringing “First & Lander” to life. Learn more about the project and how you can support:

Ever looked at a video quote and thought, “Why does this cost so much?” At @grittydove , we get that a lot. So we broke it down, line by line. Pre-pro, crew, gear, post, strategy. What each one actually covers. And why cutting corners in the wrong place costs more in the long run. Read the full breakdown: /blog/what-youre-really-paying-for-in-a-video-quote