I love my international friends

Since my friends have left me for other countries, technology has allowed us to keep in touch.

This is Ayesha, she's in India.

Yay Skype!

I am working on a SAG Indie

After last summer's "Just Lucky"
Comes the short before the feature "Grace"

Meet the cast at HERE!

I've been working with director Anne Welles, who after a trip to LA has begun pre-production on her scripts. I'm acting as assistant director and producer of the SAG Indie. I'm excited about the process and the scheduled five action-packed shooting days in varous loactions in Falls Chruch and Arlington.

Last summer's experience was an awesome one as I met and worked with photographer Barry J. Holmes, and other actors from LA. Having just completed casting it seems as thought the talented cast will serve well to garner excitement and funding for the project.

Check out Lunatic Fringe Productions.

I take back my earlier Katy Perry comment

I was so hurried in my criticism of Katy Perry, or maybe just her single that has been at number one for 4 weeks, that I failed to overlook her path to stardom.
Instead of being a pop icon glimmering in the moment as young fans worship her for her catchy lyrics instead of musical clout, Katy Perry instead paid her dues and can actually carry a tune. I thank Entertainment Weekly for pointing this out to me as my jaw dropped to the bombshell-cross wearing girl posed in a barber-shop chair (an allusion to her "One of the Boys" title, maybe?).
Her soulful, jazzy, mixed-media album released in 2001 under her name "Katy Hudson" (changed to Perry, her mother's maiden name not to be confused with Kate Hudson), actually has gut, worthy of play in any coffee shop. So I take back my comment and throw to the wind what pop-star may pop up next with a bag of great tricks.

Check out some of Katy's songs like Growing Pains or When there's nothing left.

I forgot about Stanley Kubrick

It's been about two years since I ventured into Robert Kolker's class on Stanley Kubrick. As a class we watched the entire collection from The Killing to Eyes Wide Shut, and it is in that process I learned to have a critical eye tow ards film; gathering patterns, aesthetics, and themes that I had not seen before.

Yesterday the National Gallery in Washington, DC held a special film series featuring Dr. Strangelove, or How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb, and Eyes Wide Shut with professor Kolker and James Naremore, calling it "two views." Yet in the end there was not a separation of views, but almost an agreeing factor that Kubrick was a mysterious man with filmmaking techniques that looked nothing like the ways of any Hollywood hotshot.

In my second and third viewing of the films, the first time on the big screen, I got to experience them with new light and appreciation. Their mature stance on an adapted story and using actors as toys in a fictional world set to resemble our own, marveled in its ability to speak on politics, gender, fantasy and beliefs. A Kubrick film can be watched over and over again with new discoveries every time. I can't put a finger on how layers keep appearing over the celluloid that can be pealed back to new levels of meaning, new visual experiences, and new translations of words. For example, it was made clearer to me that Eyes Wide Shut is about fidelity and features Kubrick's strongest female character in Nicole Kidman.

Needless to say, I'm looking forward to many years ahead of movie watching (and making), rediscovery, and exploration of what a film can encapsulate to entrance generations to come.

I Love Sports

Justin said it, I agree

I finally saw The Dark Knight

Never have I ever thought that watching a movie only six days after it's opening would have meant I've caught up with the rest of the world.

The anticipation was growing as friends told me about going at midnight last Friday to catch a first glimpse of The Dark Knight. I instead indulged in another Bale/Nolan collaboration, The Prestige (in surround sound!). I loved Batman Begins, it's fight sequences character development, and well, Christian Bale. So two co-workers of mine, (and when you teach TV, Video, and multi-media production it is only appropriate you keep up with latest movie hit), hit the big screens to view the epic saga that drags us through the underbelly of Gotham to discover terrorism, frightful corruption, and good vs. evil like never been seen before.

The only thing living up to its hype though, was Heath Ledger's portrayal of the Joker. To the point of me thinking, was that even heath ledger beneath the caked-up clown make-up? He took us on a suspenseful ride that even Batman was surprised to be on. The plot took (and didn't take) turns we could predict and it seemed imperative to its success that every dark corner be fleshed out in its two and half hour length. Although I may have enjoyed less of the mess, and a story that left two-face for the next episode, I appreciate it's undertaking as a film that needs maybe to be watched again for its full appreciation.

Yet unlike other comic book superhero movies, there's something about Batman that has always made him my favorite (even the campy Val Kilmer and George Clooney versions). Maybe it's his ability to use his billions for ridding the underworld of it's grime, maybe it's the technology (although I have to say, Iron Man has far surpassed Batman's batcave of toys), or maybe the way that Batman's story is more grounded in a sense of reality.

In an interview with Christopher Nolan in Entertainment Weekly he quotes Michael Caine who said "Superman is the way America sees itself, but Batmans is the way the world sees America."
Brilliant.

I think singer-songwriters may have found a way back

Amongst the Britney Spears and Jessica Simpsons there then came
Vannessa Carlton, Michelle Branch, Avril Lavigne, John Mayer....

And a few years later as Miley Cyrus fans could compete with former N*sync fans in terms of screaming decibel levels, the rising second generation baby boomers who are tearing down the Backstreet boys and Clueless posters, they are looking to listen to something, new, something fresh, something... GOOD!

Having growing up to the vinyl sounds of Elton John, the Beatles, Chicago, the Eagles, Rolling Stones, the list could go on, and later dismissing the classics I so dearly loved for the popular Usher, Beyonce, and whatever club hit was booming on the radio (How Shaggy's It wasn't me ever made it still boggles me), there is something about this time, as we grow older, more mature, that I feel like we no longer accept the dribble of pop and therefore yearn for the sounds like Coldplay, whose latest album offers a unique blend of vocal journeys and vivacious instrumental experimentalism. Or even something more home-spun, like switching my diet from cold pizza back to mashed potatoes and turkey sandwhiches, there needs to be more substance to what my mouth, or this case ears, take in.

Sara Bariellis has made a hit, David Cook who plays guitar (an instrument on Idol, gasp!) won America by a landslide, and a lot of the up-and-comings outside of hip-hop and rap have surprisingly less puff and more heart and soul (Think Charlotte Sometimes and Justin Nozuka).
A littel VH1 (when they play music) proves that there's room for songsters, even if you aren't from England (but still, Leona Lewis, girl, you can sing...).

Katy Perry may prove me wrong with a song I wish would get off the radio (or outta my head), but after over a decade of coffe-shops invading street corners across the country, I wouldn't be surprised to see buzz around new artists whose lyrics overcome popular standards.

** To Note, I will still and forever enjoy Usher, Chris Brown, Beyonce "Yeah!"

I, the Sartorialist?

Amanda hit me on the shoulder to warn me of this lady in a bright green outfit walking by.
I was able to snap a picture just as she strolled past the merchandise table.



The kids were out in full force as parents bring out the whole family to enjoy a summer night on the town. I thought these two were particularly cute.



Guitarist Andrew Chea of Tim Be Told shows off his "bandy" style all the way from the hat to the screen print t-shirt to the washed jeans.

I'm with the Band

Stand around long enough, and you'll get put to work. On my weekend trip to Charlottesville I got the opportunity to visit and watch Tim Be Told play at Fridays After Five on the downtown pavilion. After enjoying a set to a crowd, mainly there to see the older, more folk/rock/country band afterward, I found myself asked to come behind the merchandise table and sell T-Shirts, CDs, posters, etc... the above picture is my POV of the stuff, displayed nicely in a vintage suitcase.
The show went well, as the crowd responded, sales were good, and it's a nice build up to the release of their EP which they are recording outside of Gordonsville. I'd go into details, but I'm sworn to secrecy :)


Michael Stipe of REM said this on the Iconoclasts program on the Sundance Channel that when he returned home from tour he was sitting around family and friends and felt distanced, unrelateable and out of touch as if everyone else was so different and insignificant.
Yet it was the ability to hold on to reality, to recognize what was real and true in life that has allowed him to stay down to earth and sane. Not to mention his venture into film producing, with credits that include Saved and Being John Malkovich which has giving him something to do outside of music.
Claiming a "chemical reaction" to the transition back to reality after the adrenaline of working in such industries such as music, theater, TV, or film, I can relate to the notion of transition, of lifestyle, of being so focused on things in your life you feel so separated from others who are not part of the magical world of performance entertainment.
After spending the weekend discussing movies, music, and the latest gossip in my small celebrity pool, it was weird to return to family dinners, birthday cakes, and children who wanted me to teach them something.
But until my name is up in bright lights or scrolling along in the credits, I'll just say "I'm with the Band!"

Check out their Gravity's Hold music video here!

I am attempting FLASH

This is just what I did in about 15 minutes while the kids were working on final projects and I sit at the teacher's desk trying to look productive.

I hope to have more more intricate animations over the next couple of weeks.
But until then I'll enjoy the smoothing feature on the drawing utensils of the program :)

I teach TV

I have had the utter fortune that for the last seven summers or so to find myself working with "kids" ranging from rising sixth through twelfth graders teaching them multimedia and TV production at the Arlington Career Center. Two four hour classes a day, structured in such a way that projects can be completed that start out as video scavenger hunts that then mature into game shows, music videos, movie trailers and flash animation.

Having done this for a while now, it's a challenge to be creative and interesting with each class. Yet it's exciting to see new students take on projects and be able to spin them in a way I never thought possible and have old students return with enthusiasm to be able to gain experience with the equipment and create new things.

I do have a slew of assistants who are awesome and many surpass me in technical skill. It is required to have as many responsible hands and eyes as possible as my classroom is 2 edit rooms, a traditional classroom, and a fully equipped studio.

This is a commercial some of my students created using a green screen and my cell phone. There is an immense amount of trust you must instill in students to allow them to be creative and confident in what they're doing. This is at least the second summer for these guys so they really knew how to handle and push what they could accomplish in a very short amount of time. Kudos to them!

I am endlessly romanced by Wimbledon

       I already love England, the history, the accents, the culture... throw in a little bit of tennis and some of the greatest athletes in the world, and you have my favorite Grand Slam.  The grass courts go from a luscious green to a scarred tan and brown, as if  a  truck went over it several times, but instead it's battle wounds are from the beating of players, sliding, gliding, falling, triumphing as they serve, volley and hit ground strokes during the fortnight. 

As the finals wrapped up over the last two days, it was evident that history was bound to be made.  First, the Williams sisters took on each other in the finals, just as they had done five years ago.  I will always favor the older sibling (being one myself), but I'm sure Serena wasn't too disappointed as she won a doubles title just hours after losing to big sis Venus.  

What makes Wimbledon so magical?  Maybe it's that feeling that anything can happen... that the grassy surface holds the dreams of believers, of the 31 year old 100 + in the world who made it to the semis, of the hundreds who line Henman Hill for the day a brit would win the title again, of those who marvel in the presence of royalty watching those, some of who have risen out of poverty or peasantry to become champions.  

Then it was the men's turn to shine, already Champions and rivals in their own right, Nadal and Federer are foe worth watching as any World Cup or Superbowl match-up.  Their fitness is maxed, playing well into the fourth hour as if it were the first point, and skill so sharp, no hit seemed impossible.  I almost didn't care who won, just that there was good tennis being played, and the mastery of the sport was exhibited for as long as possible, and believe me it was.  Nadal won, fifth set, 9-7, as the skies darkened in the last year that they'd play under the skies as a new stadium is being built next year.  Even though rain delays prolongs the game, there's a certain magic seeing the grounds crew cover centre court, sweeping across the court as if dancers in a chorus line.  

One day I will make it to the All England Club, either behind the camera or in the stands.  Until then, I'll just practice my aces !

I hope everyone had a Happy (and dry) Fourth!

After being dutifully criticized for being a Northern Virginian and not taking full advantage of DC minutes away, and having out of town guests in the house, it was about time I headed to a Capitol Fourth for the first time in my life.  

My brother brought his girlfriend back from Florida, therefore forcing me to think about traffic, long lines at the metro, and thousands of people crowded on a grassy lawn in order to enjoy the fireworks in the city that holds the heart of the country.  

An addition of my college roommate, a few other wahoos, and bags full of food (note: do NOT bring glass, it is not allowed, even if it's just jelly!) made the prospects of fun possible.  Once we were on the mall and through security, we plopped ourselves on a patch of grass, near a bandstand, and with a good view of the Washington monument.  Somewhere towards the capitol was the stage and we figured, sure we'll hear the music when it starts.  

Two rain showers, two orange and blue popcorn bags, and two wet bottoms later, the skies cleared for a beautiful show that illuminated the skies and celebrated the independence we have in the United States.  Where else can you have a celebration of India, Texas, Christianity, the Philippines all on the same piece of property?  To note, the grandstand faces the Capitol, so we missed Jimmy Smits, Scott Hamilton, and Taylor Hicks (what a shame), and we would've caught them if we thought our early arrival with no one around was unusual and headed between the stage and the steps...  oh well, it was fun regardless.  

I don't come from a long line of tradition, but what's a Fourth of July without backyard fireworks?   

The collection has grown since we were little.  The fireworks seemed so much bigger when you were two feet tall.  So the cash was doled out for explosives that ranged from sparklers to recalled bangs.  If you looked from far away, you'd think little kids were inhabiting the house hold instead there were a bunch of young adults reminiscing of yester-year spelling out names, playing with matches, and enjoying blueberry pie and cool-whip like it was never going to end.  

I forgive Three-Six Mafia and Hustle & Flow

I still remember sitting in another RA's dorm room in the winter of 2006 watching the Oscars and for a few minutes, if you flipped to it, you would've thought it was another flashy MTV awards show.

   

Instead was Three-Six Mafia performing the song It's Hard Out Here for a Pimp from the movie Hustle & Flow, nominated in the best song category.  I may be speaking boldly, but in terms of African American representation in the public media, having former Oscar winners gracefully taking the gold statue such as Halle Berry and Denzel; to see short skirt hoes and chain-clad rappers singing about the life of pimps, I was not impressed, almost in awe (especially after Ludacris introduced them proclaiming not to judge a song by its name).  

Then, they won, giving the shout outs to their homies, etc... 

So this week, as I was prepping for my own premiere, I popped in Hustle & Flow.  I got to see Terrance Howard in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof on broadway, and can say I would think he wouldn't just take any job or in this case, play any pimp.  

And I can say that this just wasn't any ordinary street movie.  Shot entirely in Memphis it explored a city, a culture, and people who have aspirations beyond what you may think as you look at their drug laced pockets and sweat covered brows.  What impressed me the most, was that this movie which was made out of pocket by producer John Singleton who believed so much in the story and its director, who happens to be white, but a Memphis native, that the failed attempts to get money from studios would not stop him from making this film.  

The hard work and effort paid off, reaching critical acclaim, first and Sundance and then later rewarded at the box office, making well past the $750,000 it cost to make.  

As I sat thinking about what I would publicly talk about The Write Note, and what it meant that Arlington was so gracious in letting me invade it with cameras, there is a sense that we are all in the hustle and flow of life, and on a pathway towards success through creative means.  We all will have our battles to win, obstacles to fight through, and victories to be had, even if we can't see them coming, they could be right around the corner; a knock on a door, a hand shake at a store, or being at the right place at the right time.  

I'd like to personally thank all of those who have helped me on my way, either through support, monetary donation, or the giving of talent.  It's amazing what collaboration can create, and I look forward to many more in the future.