Frame x Frame: Crooks and Cooks

With most of the free time I have had on my hands after my seasonal stunt at UPS, I found the time to become creative again, with my camera as well as in the kitchen.

My first project for the year was a music video that Joshen spearheaded with an artist named Sin. When Joshen first approached me about the video, it sounded like an opportunity to get my hands busy after a long creative hiatus (despite it being a paying gig, I was more than willing to help). When he told me the name of the song "Daddy was a Crook," at first thought, it didn't sound very positive or meaningful, but when he explained the concept of the video further, it translated differently into something I could understand. I haven't had the opportunity to work on much music videos except my own musical spoofs that I produced on my Youtube channel. Nonetheless, this gig would give me a better idea of how to pull off a music video step by step. What I took from the experience is it takes a lot of people to make a music video successful and dedication to complete the project in a proper time frame. Though the weather was blistering cold at some points and these were some gaps of time when nothing was happening, the video came out visually pleasing. Completing this video has inspired me to want to direct my own music video with an upcoming artist just to get the experience under my belt. Hopefully, I will find a willing participant who will want me to make their musical vision a reality.



While searching for my creativity in video, I've become more free to exploring my creative juices in cooking. With the help of my significant other, I have been creating different dishes that have been coming out pretty good. When I was younger, my step mom always wanted me to be in the kitchen to learn how to cook, but I was always more into eating the food than preparing it. I never had the confidence to cook due to my accident-prone behaviors. These days, I have more patience and confidence in finding a recipe, shopping for ingredients and making the things that I like to eat. This, by no means, makes me a culinary master. I still have a lot to learn and I'm sure all the things I have made thus far hasn't been the best. Cooking is similar to videography in they both take a lot of elements to work, in the sense of color, taste, getting the right look and preparation. Even referencing the process of rendering a video as "cooking" makes that correlation even more prominent. As one who enjoys food, I'll continue to make food dishes and perfect my craft as I do in video-making; the end result is that something comes out delicious.

Gorilla V-I-X-O-N

*This post has nothing to do with the Biggie-esque type rapper, but when I think Gorilla, he was my first thought.

I was recently watching my Youtube subs and watch one of my new subscriptions, David Bolen. An aspiring filmmaker from California, he has a channel where he makes daily videos about his film experiences, going to school and making a name for himself. In his video, he does a review of a book called "Guerilla Filmmaking."



He makes some valid points; reading is fundamental to becoming a filmmaker and the two routes to becoming a recognized filmmaker have their upsides and downsides. If I had to choose which style of filmmaker I am, between independent or commercial, independent would fit the bill. Though I see Bolen as a little of both (after seeing some of his work), I can tell he has an independent way of approaching his passion. I, on the other hand, am a bit more guerilla in style.

Like James Cameron, I never went to film school and have a lack of film experience. But unlike James, I didnt read a few books over the span of years and gain the knowledge and resources to make world renowned movies. I'd like to say that I'm still at square one when it comes to filmmaking; almost to say I haven't produced a real good film that i can be proud of. Dont get me wrong, I have made/been a part of some productions that have been shared, by a small audience (my college friends). I've never experience the casting process, actual producing, having a defined role and sticking to it, etc. I, one day, wish to produce a successful feature/short series and be proud(er) of what I've done.

The opportunity has presented itself to me recently by being invited to b a director for a short pilot of a story adapted to film by a writer I knew from the blog-sphere a while ago. This would be my first time directing anything this organized, so im a little nervous. The usual doubts come to mind; what if im not strong enough? What if I'm not good at directing? Will my colleagues take me seriously? All of these doubts may still linger one the project begins, but I know I wont be alone and there no better way to gain experience than to experience. As one of my favorite T-shirts states, it's time to become "fiercely independent."

No Money, Mo' Problems

The title to this song seems to contradict itself because more money would mean less problems for me, especially these days.

I recently spent a lot on my father's recent credit card bill. As with all of my outlandish spending sprees, he addressed me about it. Usually, the convo would go like this:

INT. - BEDROOM - DAY

Vixon is on the computer, when his father walks in with an envelope and some papers in hand.

Dad

Vixon, have you see the bill? (X amount).

Vixon

(surprised)

What?

(takes bill from Dad, looks at total)

Dad

I keep telling you (not to use your phone during the day/

use the credit card only for emergencies)

Vixon

Okay, (I'll use my computer to make calls more/ I won't use the credit card as much)

(hands bill back to Dad)

At this point, my Dad would walk out the room and we both knew what would happen next; he would plan to pay off the bill and I would briefly think about not overusing again. This time around, my father started off with "Vixon, you're going to put me in an early grave." I've never heard my father say that before. I always cringe at the thought of my father's untimely (but inevitable) demise, but him mentioning that because of finances is another story. Granted, he wasn't being serious, but he did catch my full attention with that statement. He showed me the credit card bill and (though I won't share the amount) it's a good deal of money that someone without a job shouldn't be spending.

I felt bad (obviously not bad when my hand got use to pulling out the card and watching the swiping spree commence) because I was negligent and careless in my spending habits. If I was using my debit card (aka my own money), I would be mentally tracking how much money I have and how much each expense is worth so that I don't overspend. I will admit, after the conversation, I thought that everything would be as it were and the bill will be "handled," but after sharing with my friends what I've done, they strongly suggested I pay my father back what I spent. Usually, that thought would sound ridiculous, but they had a point. For a long time (aka all my life), I have allowed myself to be covered for things I would do and not take responsibility, especially financial trouble. I always had my father there to bail me out. This time, I need to show my father and myself that I must start paying what I owe in life.

I plan to pay back my father the full amount with my first few paychecks. Knowing my father, he may decline the offer and we'd have to have a talk about this, but I'm not going to give up until he takes the money. It's all about establishing some principles and becoming more of an adult. Giving away that money won't feel great, but I created the situation and I must pay my way out of it. Nothing says I'm ready to grow up than to start paying up.

-Video Vix[o]n

Cut Off My Lights (Extra Dark Cut)

The idea for this video came out after Joshen and I worked on the H.A.M. music parody. It made sense that we wanted to make another music parody to tie into the video with Kanye West. Seeing that I am the best Kanye impersonator I know, we got the lyrics down and the song produced early. The only thing that got hindered was the execution. I feel like at some point I was making excuses and stalling for it to get done, but after finally decided to get off the Procrastination Station, I pull up my sleeves, put on my 'Ye shades and got to work. I'm proud of the video because it looks good, was fun to make, and I've been getting positive feedback on it so far. Now that the official video is live on Youtube, here is an exclusive cut to the song that shows how Kanye and Rihanna interacted in the dark.



-Video Vix[o]n

That NEW New "Video"

"Time to take head out of ass..."
-Joshen Reborn

He's always spitting this line to me, and it always sticks for a while, then something happens where I fall off and my head decides to slip right back in my anus gate (wow, that sounded epic, lol). This video comes from my latest vlog channel on Youtube, which you guys can check out. Talking about success, I looked at my vlog thumbnail on my Mac's top sites page and realized I haven't touched that tab in a while. Once again, it's been too long and I think of when other, bloggers that I followed, fell off and I would wonder what happened to them. Now, I see how that feels.

I'm not going to apologize or say "next time... I promise..." because that's all bullshit. My blog should be the center of my empire, one that hasn't been managed well lately.

So, to give you guys something to look at, here my greatest video OF ALL TIME with me as Kanye West, performing a song that I wrote/made/edited myself. Enjoy.

Okay, this is basically my "I'm back" post. I need to start structuring my empire and my enterprises, so I'll see you when I'm awake.

-Video Vix[o]n