MTVs Caged: May I never Forget This Feeling by Joke Fincioen

By Biagio on December 2, 2011 in Caged with 18 Comments

Biagio: Today, Variety broke the news that our new show CAGED will premiere on January 9th at 10pm/9 central on MTV.

We love this show. We feel it’s the very best television we’ve ever made.

Joke, my wife and business partner, shared this journal entry with me, and I was so moved I asked her if I could share it with you. After thinking about it for a while, she gave me the go ahead.

Far more than “just another TV show” for the two of us, CAGED represents everything we ever hoped to accomplish in unscripted television.

I hope her words will touch you as they did me.

Joke’s Journal Entry

May I never forget this feeling. May I never lose this moment.

As a storyteller, one of the biggest challenges I encounter on each journey is the one of letting go, of letting that story find a life of its own out in the world.

I’ve not had the privilege of raising a child, but I guess what I feel at those moments is in its own tiny way similar to when parents send their children off to college and find themselves hoping they’ve done their job well enough.

But today everything is still pure with this story. Right now is the moment I live for, the moment when the pieces come together and the sum is greater than its parts.

For two years now my husband and I have nurtured this story called Caged.

It’s been a team effort getting it sold, shot and assembled, yet in some ways it’s all mine, or rather I’m its. From the moment I met the incredible people who live this story every day, they claimed a piece of my heart. It’s theirs. It’s like a little ember, always glowing, and when I pay it some attention it grows and warms my entire heart and soul.

I know I’m blessed, lucky, fortunate–whatever you want to call it–I know this is special.

We’ve had passion for all the stories we’ve told over the years, but this one is different, this one locked me in from the word go, and it is as if it is driving me more than I’m driving it.

So I want to make sure I remember right now. This moment of pride, this moment of completeness, this moment of purity.

Before the critics judge, which they will carefully or quickly, before the audiences decide our fate, which they will with their thumbs on the remote, and before the people at the heart of this story become public figures, which some will do with grace while others stumble.

Before this story takes flight and finds a life of its own, at this moment, it’s still mine.

At this moment, I can protect it, treasure it and love it as it’s supposed to be.

No matter what happens, whether it becomes a hit or ends up being another great story you never saw, may I never forget this feeling, may I never lose this moment.

Joke Fincioen
11/29/11

Caged premieres Monday, January 9th at 10pm/9 central on MTV. Follow Joke and Biagio’s Caged twitter feed at @JNB_MTV_Caged

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About Biagio: Biagio married way out of his league when he bamboozled Joke into saying "I do." Together he and his wife produce television, film, webisodes, and anything else that requires no sleep and a touch of crazy. Find Biagio on Twitter: @jokeandbiagio

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  • Anonymous

    So happy for you guys! You work hard and deserve ALL of the good things that come your way.

    • http://www.jokeandbiagio.com Joke and Biagio

      We’re so happy you think we deserve friends like you.  Wish we could see you more, and look forward to seeing your new movie!

  • Payne5991

    Wow I love you guys!! That is so special to read… No matter what happens know that we fell in love with each and everyone when you stepped in our lives

    Cynthia Payne

    • http://www.jokeandbiagio.com Joke and Biagio

      Wow, we love you!  You are one of the kindest, most welcoming people we’ve every had the pleasure of meeting.  Thank your for all the kindness and hospitality!

  • Jgpeakphysiques

    i want to thank you guys so much for letting me be a part of this, i honestly feel like it will be a major sucess. and i know evryone around here is majorly pumped about it! and congrats to all the fighters and and camera crews for all your hard work!

    • http://www.jokeandbiagio.com Joke and Biagio

      The pleasure was all ours.  Thank you for opening your heart and your life to us and our cameras.  We treasure the experience and time we’ve all spent together.

  • Nicholas Brandt

    Looking forward to the moment you share the show with the rest of us.  Best wishes towards an ongoing success.

    • http://www.jokeandbiagio.com Joke and Biagio

      And best wishes to you, hot shot screenwriter extraordinaire!  We still owe you lunch.  Thanks for stopping by, and hope you enjoy CAGED. Set your DVR!

      • Nicholas Brandt

        You know what hot shot screenwriters love more than anything else?  Lunch! (And quality television)

  • Chip

    I love you guys. You tell good stories that respect and celebrate the people in them. And Joke’s journal entry reveals the love you put into every project. Congratulations. You deserve it. Proud to know you.

    • http://www.jokeandbiagio.com Joke and Biagio

      Thanks so much, Chip.  We do love all of our projects, and this one is very special to us.  We’re proud to know you, and flattered you stopped by to comment. Thanks!

  • http://stebian.com/ Bianca Te Rito

    Wow! Its great to read a woman’s perspective – especially “behind the scenes.” Thank you so much for sharing Joke. Cheering you both on! Look forward to seeing the series too.

    • http://www.jokeandbiagio.com Joke and Biagio

      Thanks, Bianca! Our pleasure, and so great to see you.  Hope you love CAGED as much as we do!

  • The Ever Majestic Briii

    Joke, your words are so insanely touching. Thank you both so much for the opportunity you’ve given all of us. When this all started, I was all like “yeah cool, I’m gonna be on a reality show!” and now it’s finally hitting me…I’m a part of something that’s got the potential to be huge. Thank you so much for coming in and helping us see that what we consider “mundane every day life” is a beautiful thing.

  • http://twitter.com/k1nkyb0dy Nykki Boyd

    I just wanted to say that your words have inspired me to keep moving forward with my project. I am broke, but not homeless. I have all of my faculties, and I do not want for food or toiletries. So I guess things aren’t as bad as they seem. What I’m working on now is my own and the people involved. Half of the time I don’t even know how we are going to shoot it, but I put everything I’ve got (which is mostly the desire to succeed and the will to complete this project) into everything I do. I have faith that provisions will continue to be made so I can complete it, and like you, feel that feeling.

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