Song of the Week 04/27/09: Successful

Title: Successful Ft. Trey Songz & Lil' Wayne

Artist: Drake

Album: So Far Gone (Mix Tape)

Genre: Motivational/Real Talk/Rap/Hip-Hop

Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ½

Favorite Line: The Hook...I suppose

Response: Editing

Editing is fun, its on the same level as shooting for me. It is a little more tedious but the end product is usually always worth it. Letting the camera roll when you are done shooting to me is always a good idea because you never know what footage you may pick up. That footage can be used in all different sorts of ways. Shooting and editing both go hand and hand and together used properly can produce a masterpiece. I have fun doing them both, but with editing you get to see the thoughts you had in your had like real, like its their, that feeling is amazing.

Song of the Week 04/20/09: Jay-Z

Song: Regrets

Artist: Jay-Z

Album: Reasonable Doubt (Classic)

Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Genre: Classic Hip-Hop/ Think About It, Life Learned Lesson

Favorite Line: The Hook, and the last line. Powerful song.

QUIET on the set! Production of "Eyez"

1. Interview Questions: I have and will continue to ask family and friends random questions about how they view other people before they even ask them a question or speak to them. What goes through their minds as they try to judge a person, and by doing so do they look them in the eyez, or do the eyez even matter to them. Have you or someone else you know ever been a victim of racial profiling or racism.

2. Shot List: I have begun to shoot the random scenery shots. I have also filmed most of my part that I will be playing in my movie. I want my shots to be from angles that people usually view other people, you know, face to face. I have also played with shot selection by scenery and what and what not that I want the camera to pick up and capture in the movie.

3. Style + Elements: My movie has sort of a dark theme, so I wanted a dark setting, but shooting at night has become a problem for me, because of time and clarity of the actual shots. I have shot most of the movie around sunset, and I think I will stay around this time setting. I will use the actual sounds from the shoot, I also have played with shooting a silent film, but I have not yet come to a conclusion.

4. Storyboard: My storyboard is a some really rough pictures and videos I have made showing what I want the movie to look like in the end. I also have my entire movie and script written down shorthand, but so far is has been changed on the fly several times, and that is the way I like it. Change is good sometimes.

5. Composition + Form: I will be using words and stats. I want to capture as many eyes as I can. They are the starring role. Pictures, video, music, vocals are the bare necessities that I need, and are using at the moment.

6. The Field: It has been fun. I like playing the director role. It has its frustrations, for example for the last couple of days weather has ended my shoots prematurely but who I am to complain about the weather? I still have to make cast changes because some of my cast members are busy or do not like the part they are given. I am still trying to find the right chemistry of people and how they can help relay my message the best.

7. Reflection: I am still not done but this experience has been a good one. I can actually see myself doing this as a career or something like it. It comes with its gripes but when you can handle the gripes and still have fun doing with you do, you have found something you love, and I don't really like saying the L word too much, I think I might, I might...nah I don't know yet, so for now I lust this whole direction thing and making movie process.

8. Improvisation: Love improving, it can make or break your film. That's why I keep the camera rolling because you never know what you might get and what you can use. Free flow is my way so my project will see changes everyday, it depends on how I feel, you know? Like I can continue to write about this or I can go work on my project... I guess you know my decision.

Can I Think for a minute! Pre-Production of "EYEZ"

1. PERSONAL: "Eyez" is a story about some of the memorable moments in my life, more of the bad ones really. This story in a sense is a timeline of my life, it explains what brought me to where I am now. Since this piece is so authentic, real and raw in my head, it is going to be extremely hard to make, because what goes on my head imagination wise is crazy and sometimes impossible to make. So I know I have to stay grounded and make sure my message is understood.

2. WORKING STATEMENT/HYPOTHESIS: "The eyez don't lie", is the statement. The message I will try to portray in my piece is about how people don't use the eyez to view people, they choose under things like skin color and culture differences. If we all would just view each others by the eyez how different would the world be? That is my message, and I will portray this through the everyday discrimination that people due to one another. I want the audience to understand my concept and see the actions and reprcussions that can happen by not "looking people in the eyez".

3. RESEARCH: My research for this product is myself, I lived it, but for my story I will use live stats about how people judge one another by all types of social statuses like; class, race, sex, etc.

4. ANXIETIES: That I get too frustrated that I can't show whats in my head for my project. I want it to be a exactly how its in my head, but I know I don't have the time and other things to make it that way. I want to feel satisfied about this project, this is for me.

5. TOPIC: "Eyez don't lie." Do not judge people by apperances, try and read the eyez. In the end life is what you make it, stop and take a some time to look yourself in the eyez. Can you yourself? Do you love yourself? Why are you here, what is it that you have to do on this planet to change or affect the world? Trust me it doesn't have to be always big, your failure can lead to greatness.

6. BACKGROUND: BryanLee Bonds. People in general and the things we do to view and judge other people.

7. CHARACTERS: I think actually need to do a casting call for this one. I need two females with the right look for the parts. I need one male who looks shady. I will finally play a part in one of my shorts. Debut.

8. CONFLICT: Conflict? What does this mean? I will always make a way.

9. STRUCTURE: I want this to be as close to a short film as possible. I want to catch the vibe of movie that I would go see at the theatre. I also thought of making a muzik video, I have played with it, but I really have not come up with a solid decision yet. It is between the two though. I will probably make both and then decide which one states the my message better.

10. CONTENT: Everyday events that could happen, simplicity. People interactions with other randomly but them all being tied together in the end.

11. STYLE: I want my scenes to be smooth and cut quickly to the next. I want it to give off a strong vibe, sincercly and emotionally. I would also like to develop and incorporate my own twist and style in this short.

12. AUDIENCE: People. Every color, class,sex,etc. Whoever wants to "see".

13. RESOLUTION: That everything has an effect, and that things happen for a reason. And obviously that the eyez don't lie.

14. LOGISTICS: I have already set up request for equipment and I have started to look for the parts in the film. Everything else will come from me, and I know things will change as I progress with the making of "Eyez".

Song of the Week 4/13/09: Lupe Fiasco

Song: Hurt Me Soul

Artist: Lupe Fiasco

Album: Food & Liquor

Genre: Tru Hip-Hop/Lyrically Amazing

Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Favorite Part: The entire song is crazy, Lupe The Fiasco. Listen to the words please, cuz its "hurts me soullll"

Goals: This I Believe Project

My goals for this project is to share an intimate story the best way I can without bringing up too much of the past. This story is apart of me, it comes from true events, and it has been very hard to pull out. I want this story to connect with everybody who has a story and can feel my hunger in"Eyez". For those who have not had an intimate relationships with eyez, I personally feel for them because that means plain and simple that that person has yet begun to live. The scenario for the making of this story has taken some transformation from what I orignally wanted. My goals are to make the best edition of this story I can with my limited resources and talent, to ensure the audience undertsand where I am coming from. I want this video to be "the best I done made thus far." Nobody said it was going to be easy though...

Cheesin'

adj. meaning smiling extra hard and usually being alone while doing so. There is nothing wrong with smiling, but you was just smiling too hard. lol

Ex. "Why you over there cheesin'?"

The Begining of the End... of Art 250 Spring Semester

I think my next video should be personal but personal in a way that it connects to everybody. "Eyez" would be too extreme to reproduce, it portrays real events that I would not want to see remade onto a limited production as such as which this class provides. I think I can find a way to make something along the same line as "Eyez", and hopefully it will connect with people in a way that makes them think about their day to day actions.

This I Believe: EYEZ

"Look em in the eyez" my momma said. "When you talk to em, look em dead in the eye." You look em in the eye so they can feel you, so that they can see where you coming from, your passion, your desire, or they can see if you just fooling, playing, and jiving.

You look em in the eye when they approach you, even though yo hand and leg may shake, them eyez, them eyez stay still. they may be crossed or lazy but them eyes they stay still.
Them eyez tell the weak to keep it moving and tell the strong to come along. The eyez holds the key to people insides, their hearts, their fears, their desire, but to get that key is so ever the hardest, I could swear some people eyez are mazes, I can't read em, but they also swear by my mazes that I'm amazing because u see with my eyez, I done see some dangerous sight for eyez.

I done took what my momma told me to new heights. I done seen the eyez of fear, the eyez of pain, the eyez of terror, the eyez of joy. I done see the eyez of people who want the suffering to end so bad, but they faces still smiles. Oh, the eyez of people some time haunt me.

I still remember those eyez they were just like mine. That day replays when those eyez of mine became unknown , they became evil, those of demons, the eyez of a fiend, that knew not his own blood. Are eyez connected maybe honestly for the last time, cuz my eyez that day reached my heart, and it tore. The hatred became one with my eyez, and I had no mercy upon eyez thereafter.

Until the day I saw them innocent eyez, these eyez were a younger of mines, they were pure and innocent. These eyez were blocked by tears and sorrow, of seeing my eyez in guilt and pain. That day sleeps in my mind but never leaves, that day those innocent eyez cleansed my eyez and made them clear. That day for the first time my I saw my own eyez. That day I looked myself dead and in the eye, and saw my passions and dreams through the eyez of another.

This I believe that eyez don't lie, yes u can block them with circles and ovals, and colors, u can close them as tight as you want, but u see those eyes will have to be seen, either by you or me. This I believe its all in the eye, a person eyez tells u who they are. Look em n the eye if they dare to look back, if they run they scared, if they blink too much they weak, if they roll they know u in the leader role, but those that stare right back, and give u that feeling, that feeling, those the eyez u stay fixed on...this I believe.
Bz©

Response: Beliefs.

1. #1 is honored because #2 is not a winner, and #3 nobody remembers.
2. You reap what you sow.
3. Keep your family close but your enemies closer.
4. Do unto to others what you want done to yourself.
5. Never Lose.
6. Anything is Possible.

1. Was learned early, I think in grammar school after a track and field event. I had came in 3rd after the first event and yeah I got some praise but afterwards everyone shifted towards #1, especially all the girls. In my next event up I came in 1st and felt the satisfaction for myself.

I believe this argument to an extent. Because if you spend your life going about what others think of you, you are going to have a depressing life. If you try your best and if you are #1 in your eyes, then don't stress.

I maintain and keep this motto or belief in my head as extra motivation when you are just going on mental and spirit strength and no longer physical.

3. I also learned this at an early age. When I was younger I got into some fights, and having two little brothers, I found myself fighting for them sometimes as well. Soon I learned that if you play it cool and just keep tabs on the people that you don't really get along with, you eventually get to learn that person routines and what not. See what makes that person tick. You can also use this tactic to become "cool" with your enemies, but just always know their next move before they know it.

I believe this belief firmly, it can save you in tough situations and it is a good life lesson.

It works.

4. I learned this rule later in life. When I was younger it seems like today back then I had no conscience, I just did things. But after viewing the world through my eyes and too see all the bad that's in it, I started to see the people who had done bad things, start having even worse things happen to them.

This belief is fact in my book.

I believe because I have seen Karma in the works, it kinda of ties in with you reap what you sow, because what you do to others can come back around to you, even harder.

Song of the Week 04/06/09: Kid Cudi

Kid Cudi got potential. Take him outta the one-hit wonder category right now. Once I heard this track it was a 5star on my playlist.

Song: The Sky Might Fall

Artist: Kid Cudi

Album: A Kid Named Cudi

Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Genre: Rap/Hip-Hop. Lyrically Deep

Favorite Part: The Hook. The sky might fall, but I'm not worried attt alll. Real Talk.

Everything is an Argument, Andrea Lunsford Response

1.An argument can be any text that expresses a point of view, just take for instance the following:

item: the embossed leather cover of a prayer book
argument: the contents between these two bounded pieces of leather is a pamphlet on how to live my life and those without the knowledge of the contents within in this book has a slimmer chance of entering the golden gates of Heaven.

item: a Boston Red Sox cap
argument: the logo on this cap represents blood, sweat, and tears. It represents family. And I don't even watch baseball, nor have I been to Boston, nor can I name a player.

item: a Livestrong bracelet
argument: people that wear this should think carefully about the words it says. Don't just wear it to make a statement to others, to fit in, or get praise. Abide by its words in everything you do. LIVE STRONG.

item: the label on a best-selling rap CD
argument: the cover of this album is everything that I have done in my life so far. Every line or pixel, every piece of artwork on it is me. This cover represents a goal accomplished. And I'll be damned if they cover it up with a "parental advisory" sticker. Even though discretion is advised.

item: the health warning on package of cigarettes
argument: it's just a warning to those want to be cool kids who just wanna smoke because they see it in the movies. Not for me though, I know what I got into, you gotta die sometime, I rather choose my way. Rat poison ain't harming me.

item: a belated birthday card
argument: better late than never if it's money in it, if not, you sorry excuse for a friend.

item: the nutrition label on a can of soup
argument: the labels actually list the ingredients!! half this stuff sound like stuff in a lab.

item: the cover of a science fiction novel
argument: another book made by a UFO survivor trying to get their story out to the public without looking crazy.

item: a colored ribbon to a shirt lapel
argument: um please define lapel, and who wears ribbons? you just trying to get attention now.

item: a Rolex watch
argument: he look like he got money, let's get 'em. (watch wearer) hope my dad doesn't get mad about me borrowing his watch for the day.

2. Paragraphs describing the recent past when I've used language to...
inform: Talking to my friend about the movie "Doubt" which I had just seen. In the beginning I found my self explaining the movie then towards the end I ended up persuading that it was a good movie. argument/persuasion

convince: Trying to convince my friends that Micheal Jordan was the greatest player to ever play the game. They were comparing him to Kobe Bryant and LeBron James. My argument was that they want to "be like mike" though. argument/persuasion

to explore: Talking to my roommate about the best route to Atlanta. We were talking about how long the trip will take and what streets to take once they get down there. I just gave my suggestions. argument

to make decisions: Talking to my brothers about what prepaid phone company to use ; Cricket or Boost. Both companies plans were discussed and the types of phones and features they offer. argument/persuasion

pray: I pray everyday. sometimes short, sometimes long. Sometimes they seem just like talks, and sometimes help or guidance. argument

3. Ceremonial Argument: "Illinois not so taxing" Chicago Sun-Times. This editorial is about people of Chicago complaining about high taxes but really we supposedly have it easy compared to other top end cities. The writer is trying to help ease the pain of Chicagoans about the proposed new tax hike by the government for Chicago, by saying we have yet reached other cities heights when it comes to taxes. This article is targeted towards the tax paying people of Chicago. To me this article has a point but no success, if people think taxes are too high, then that is what they are going to think. This article may keep readers feeling good for awhile, but once payday comes around, and they see that state tax...get ready.

deliberate argument: "The odd couple: Fiddy and Fall Out Boy" Sun-Times. This article...


4. My common experiences with the following objects, brand names, and symbols; what they evoke and the audiences in particular associated with them...

a USDA organic label: illegal substance. "dealers"
the Nike swoosh: power. warriors.
the golden arches: fat people. those that can't afford anything else to eat, and those that just love to eat.
the Sean John label: mogul. stylish people, or at least trying.

Advertisement

Arizona Green Tea. Boost Mobile Phone. Buffalo Wild Wings.

The Tea. I bought Arizona Green Tea because I love the drink, in almost every flavor they make. Its almost like daily ritual for me to drink some. I may have a problem. I really do not see advertisement for Arizona Green Tea except for ads at the store when it goes on sale. They really do not need excessive pub because they have a superior brand name and product and a strong consumer base. The Arizona company brand equity is good enough to not have daily ads run on TV or in other media venues. Arizona Green Tea appeals to me personally because it is good, and just simple, its tea, that taste fye!

The Boost. My brother needed a phone, I just bought a Boost recently so I bought him one. Their $50 unlimited plan is hard to contest. The product resonates with my personally belief of having freedom; freedom of a bill every month and unlimited access to things. Boost mobile stock has definitely climbed since the introduction of their phone plans, they now just need better phones,

The wings. Buffalo Wild Wings fye. Every now and then I go to BBW's on Tuesday when they have .40 cent wings. Its price that can't be beat, it's cheap and it's good. They have all varieties of sports to watch on big screens, and the atmosphere is always fun when your friends are around. It appeals to me personally by having good food, in a fun environment, while watching sports. The next best thing is actually playing. It's a good look.

Advertising effects people purchasing power rather they want to believe it or not. Things are advertise every day, and alot of it is for free. When you see someone you look up to or respect wearing a certain type of clothing or brand, you may think to yourself that I want to look, or be respected the way that person is. That's advertising right there. The only problem is you cannot buy respect. You may buy admiration for a while, but respect is earned. Advertising is and always will be manipulative, these ads you see have to find a way to get in your head. Advertising does have some ethical standards to abide by, but as of recently the branding of logos and media campaigns on actual living people and organisms is going a little too far, just for some extra cash. But then again people do a lot of things for extra cash, it might as well be something "legal".