Some videos I like...

I'M SHOOTING MY DOCUMENTARY

Right now, I'm in the mist of shooting my documentary on fathering. I'm gonna take my camera with me today and shoot day 0851 of the film. I find it really a challenge to stay focused and keep going. You see, I'm not doing this for any particular 'broadcaster' as such - just more to keep myself centered and hopeful kind some like fathers.

I'm going to post some pictures on-line soon to give everyone an idea of what is going on.

MUSIC VIDEO: World Premiere on MTV, MUCH and the internet

So, I finished shooting my latest music video for urban artist D.O. The video, for the song "Defy the Odds"( request it at FLOW 93.5fm, Toronto) didn't really jump at me at first. Then I got the lyrics and my partner/Head Writer/ Executive Producer and I would do an amazing job of banging out a visualization. What I wanted to capture was a slice of the city, a slice of life which D.O. raps about in the song. The video features a little boy who somehow gets knocked to the ground after hearing voices of children getting louder and louder as he shoots hoops alone on an empty playground. Suddenly, I take the audience travelling across the city - on the subway, to roof tops, allies, barber shops, churches - in a montage symbolizing struggle, determination, and real life. Watch this space for the premiere and look for it across the country in mid-March . To get an idea of what else I've done, soon you'll be able to click here and find out.

DOES ANYONE WATCH THE OSCARSyes of course...

At over 6 hours (if you include the pre-show highlight thingy) whose got the time to watch all that crap. I mean maybe it's because I'm been in the business my whole life (or what seems like it) but it all just seems like such nonsense. I mean, I'm all for awards, I guess - but at the end of the day - having to sit that long to see who'll win - I just can't donate that much time of my day. OK, end of rant.

THE ACTRA STRIKE

Well, it looks like the ACTRA strike might be over. Well, kind of. There are lots of spin off effects of there being NO work in the city for so many for such a long time. Everyone, right down to the cafes around the film district have had a really hard time of it. For those of you who don't know anything about the film strike I'll provide some links. I'm sure the city will rebound, but I'm not sure who will be left standing when all is said and done.

WELCOME TO MY BLOG

This is my first blog in which I can share my thoughts and feelings about all things visual. I've been you tubing some pretty cool videos recently. The point of this blog is to just talk and vent about some of the stuff I've been seeing around, films I like - films I think are wack and everything in between.

I'm thinking about doing my own version of top 5 movies, TV shows (adult), TV shows (children) etc. Also, I'm really interested in going back in time and viewing older music videos from back in the day. Say the early 80's and 90's pre-Hype Williams.

Although this blog is primarily for my music videos, you will also be able to view some of my work which ranges from Experimental, Comedy, to Documentary. As well, you will be able to see (in the future) some of my still photography.

WHY I STARTED DOING FILMS

I started doing films really because of my of very hard times at home. At a young age, I found that I could escape thru the lens of a camera, or by even watching television. I was amazed by the manipulation that is the film/TV industry. All the smoke and mirrors I thought was incredible. And for as long as I can remember, I was always fascinated with putting a production together. I was the guy who would always watch all the credits at the end of a movie, TV show - whatever.

It was also a locale television station (believe it or not) and their production style of supper hour news that I became fascinated with. In the newscast, they would actually show the newsroom cameras as an element of the production. I was only 12 or 13, but I thought it was completely amazing. I even begged my mother to take me to their "open house" so I could see the camera up-close.

When I got there, my first true experience in a studio, I could not believe how small, and compact it was. They used mirrors, shadowing, dramatic lighting, even blocking (moving the news achors in various positions in the newsroom studio, while off-screen personnel were present) to make it appear more hectic, busy and large. Today, this seems everyday - but then, it was cutting edge.

I was so amazed by my experience, I volunteered at a community television station for about 3 months. I grew to hate it more and more. It was boring. When I finally was able to volenteer, I made had been writing scripts and imagining shooting my first short. TV magazine style shows such as news, or talk shows seemed ultra dull. So, then I thought, I'll jump to radio. Huh? I know, this was a very bad decision. Very bad.

I went back to school, and dropped in an application for a member in the International Cinematographer's Guild of the Motion Picture and Television Industry. I was called for an internview, got accepted and then my experience in the movie business took off.