Frame x Frame: Shooting on Location

Photos by Joshen Reborn

In my film making journey, I am constantly learning new things about the production phases, especially with pre-production. Pre-production is the most important phase because it involves planning everything about a project, from casting talent to story boarding the scenes for a script. The most challenging part of planning my short films, so far, have been finding locations to shoot the various scenes my story needs.

In my earlier productions, I would always shoot in places that I had access to (a friend's apartment, my house or outdoors) because it was easy. For the past couple of short films I've produced, I took the same approach in finding locations and shooting on the fly (some people call it guerilla filmmaking). For the latest short I'm working on, I experienced being my own location scout and asking permission to shoot in different locations, with no success. For example, for my short, I needed a bar for a scene I'm working on and I reached out to different bars, only to receive one response where the bar asked for a production insurance fee, which was way above my budget. I try to keep my production as no cost to low cost as possible, but I realize now that some money needs to be thrown into the production pot in order to make a project work.

The main scene for my short is an apartment setting, which I didn't know how I was going to secure it. I searched for locations online for a long time, until I finally found a place that was suitable for my needs. I had to pay for the space, which I made sure to get my money's worth while shooting. I achieved the looks for the scenes, even though it wasn't what I envisioned in my head, but I made it work. As I get to meet new people, I will keep in mind for my future shorts that locations are important to lock in early so the production phase doesn't take too long. All of these experiences are helping me become a better filmmaker, which I appreciate with each short I put under my belt.

-Video Vix[o]n

Frame x Frame: Freelensing My Shots

I've noticed lately that I am getting more and more into photography (which I make sure to claim to people that I am not a photographer because of my camera), so while I was looking at my Youtube subscriptions, I came across a video from DigitalRevTV explaining a different photography technique, which I felt inclined to try. The technique is called "Freelensing" and it involves taking pictures with the lens not attached to the camera.

I didn't know that my camera was capable of functioning without the lens attached, so I was curious to try this technique out, and I was impressed with the results. To explain the effect, when the lens is detached, the field of focus can be manipulated, so certain parts of the image are out of focus, while others are. It can even work with video, which I'll be excited to use for an upcoming project.



Learning new things to apply to my work is exciting and can lead to improving the production quality of my videos. As a creator, I need to constantly improve my craft and using new techniques can help make my work stand out. I will make an effort to seek out new skills and show it off to you all when I get the chance. Improvement never sleeps.

-Video Vix[o]n

Frame x Frame: Barclays in Brooklyn

The opening of the Barclays Center has dawned upon Brooklyn for about 2 years now. Finally, it is done and standing in all its glory. All of Brooklyn has been anticipating the stadium, and I must say, it's a beautiful structure indeed and the feedback from most of the public has been positive. While shooting my latest Internet show in front of the center, I got into a conversation with some local Brooklynites (all more experienced than me) about the changes in Brooklyn, from the past to the present. It was nice hearing their stories and relating to these people about the borough, and ultimately, the city we love. However, this new stadium has brought together people in more ways than one.

I knew about the stadium's arrival back in 2008 when I had to write a journalism report about the upcoming changes in the Downtown Brooklyn community. When I first heard of the stadium, I didn't know how to feel about it. I knew it was a big project and a lot of the community members weren't alright with the project going underway and changing the community for the worst. Concerns were higher property values and lack of affordable housing, not to mention that the stadium was the catalyst for other smaller businesses around the area closing down and being replaced by more "mainstream" establishments. The time I spent around the Downtown area, collecting the story of people and places in the area made me appreciate Brooklyn more. There's a spirit to the place that doesn't like to be altered, and all of the changes happening down there is turning that part of Brooklyn into "Little Manhattan," with the stadium being the final nail in the developmental coffin.

There are some people who are still protesting the failures of the development company in charge of the Barclays Center (Forest City Developers) by not fulfilling their promises of affordable housing, jobs or paying workers their compensation when it comes to the project. Nevertheless, the stadium is here to stay and it has become the beacon for what I like to call the New Brooklyn. Will I ever get a chance to go inside and have an experience there? Who knows, but for those who will be going to see Jay-Z perform there soon, the stadium does have the capacity to hold many memories of Brooklyn to come.

-Video Vix[o]n

Frame x Frame: Constructing A Scene

As I continue on with my short film series, #VideoDictionary, I come across many challenges and learn some things about being a director. For my next short film, I've come across the challenge of making a space look like something completely different; to some, this is known as set design. 

For my next short film, I require an apartment setting. The problem is that I don't have access to an actual apartment. I've asked some friends if they know of some places to keep in mind, when I was suggested that I should use my own house to create the scene. Now, I've used areas in my house for many of my previous videos, and worked with what I had, but for this particular situation, my home doesn't exactly resemble a one bedroom space. I decided that the only way to know for sure would be to experiment and do some furniture moving to try and create a believable apartment scene.

First, I moved the main couch from the shot, just to free up some space...

Then, looking at the wall, I didn't like the decor, so I removed everything within the shot.

With the empty space available, I needed to include the main focus of the scene, a laptop on a table. I also played around with the furniture again to see what would make more sense.

Noticing the moved furniture in the background, I needed to find a way to dismiss it, considering it couldn't move anywhere else. Solution: change angle of shot.

After some more changes and shooting from another angle, I think I managed to design something not perfect, but reasonable.

It wasn't easy, but I may just use my house for the apartment scene yet, but just in case my space isn't available (due to sound issues and the fact that may parents would be moving around the house), I'm still keeping my friends in mind to have an eye out for potential apartment spaces. I also considered an office-like space instead to use in the story just to have a "Plan B." I just wanted to share my video making process with you all and hopefully, I can get started with shooting soon.

-Video Vix[o]n

Frame x Frame: New York Creatives

Yesterday, for me, felt to be a good day to be a creative in New York City.

I linked up with a creative by the name of Dimz, who I met from a project a while ago. We also met up with an aspiring actress, Tiffany, who was interested in getting into the creative sphere. We first did some monologue reading, just to get her comfortable, then we started taking some pictures in the great weather.



Afterwards, Dimz's friend, Fresh, came through to hang out, he decided that he wanted to shoot an improv short dialogue with Tiffany and me, so I pulled out my "Denzel" and helped her release her inner actress. It was fun getting into a character and seeing her try to become dramatic and believable all at once. For me, acting doesn't have to be an over-the-top, soap opera exercise; being yourself and coming off real makes acting more authentic. It was a good day just to be outside and enjoy what the city had to offer.

Throughout the course of the day, I saw a performer flip over a group of people, met up with another creative who sells vintage clothes, accidentally bumped into another actress and her friend, and finally linked up with Joshen to record and watch an improv sketch show. It was amazing seeing and meeting all these creative people in the city I live in and hear their stories of trying to make it their respective industries. Whether you're trying to become an actress, actor, photographer, videographer, music artist or anybody who creates, the consensus is that the creative market is saturated and everyone is struggling to get by. For some, it's a deterring factor, which leaves some creatives feeling hopeless. For me, interacting with all these people gave me some hope; hope that there are people out there that want to do something dope and amazing and I want to be a part of that.

I'm not giving up on the New York scene just yet. I just have to get out there in the streets and just do it.

-Video Vix[o]n

Frame x Frame: Shots in the Street

*Before I continue this post, I will disclaim that I am NOT a photographer, but a man with a nice camera who likes to take pictures. There is a difference. 

Yesterday, while I was out in the street and had some time to kill, I would take a couple of pictures. I wasn't prepared to just snap at any random thing or object; I was going to shoot people walking by. In preparation for NYC's Fashion Week, happening in a couple of weeks, I wanted to practice taking some street-style photography, which is a popular art among most freelance and fashion photographers. My initial feelings were nervous and excited. There I was, standing in the middle of Downtown Brooklyn, with camera in hand, ready to capture the most fashionable people to my eye. 

(Click FULL ALBUM to see all the pictures)

At first, it was hard to take pictures of people because everyone was walking fast and I was afraid to get in a person's face with a camera, so most of the shots were taken from behind (a lot of people have this hidden fear of cameras, which I dub "camerophobia"). Most shots were also too far away, due to the limited focal length of my lens (in other words, I wasn't able to zoom in closer to take better shots). I learned that speed and precision is crucial when taking street photos. I almost felt like a street assassin; I had to stoop down for the shot, aim accurately and shoot my subject all before they either "dodged" the shot (moved out of the way), or walked off. Not prepared to chase someone down for a picture, there were some good opportunities that got away, but I stay determined to capture some good stills. Outside of speed and accuracy, courtesy was another tool that I didn't realize could come in handy. Most people, when asked if a picture can be taken of them by a random stranger, immediately raise their defenses with a load of questions and rejections. Aware of this, I experimented on two individuals by asking nicely if I can take their picture. After I explained it was for my blog, they politely and skeptically inclined and I took the shot, no bloodshed. 

After my shooting spree in the street, I reviewed my photos over a nice hot chocolate from Dunkin' Donuts. I noticed, throughout the day, I kept shooting women with red jackets on. After noticing this, I was determined to find more ladies with red jackets on, as to develop a theme. I think that inspiration came from the mind of Bill Cunningham (an extraordinary street-style photographer for the NY Times; his documentary was amazing). He would usually find a common trend to focus on and find people in the street with a similar style or look. Though not intentional, I did catch a few red-topped ladies, which in Cunningham fashion, I called the style trend "Cherry on Top." My favorite pictures were of people in motion, whether crossing the street (which is the best place and time to take pictures of people), running for some reason, or just standing around, waiting for something. Overall, it was also a challenge to find people who I considered fashionable, but I went about it by finding the people most well put together and unique in my taste.

After all this, I have something to show off and be proud of. I wish I had a better lens for street photos and some more experience capturing people in the moment, but as I said in the beginning, I'm just a man with a nice camera who likes to take pictures.

-Video Vix[o]n

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.

Frame x Frame: New Year; New Blog

"Happy New Year to everyone. They say 2012 is suppose to be the end, but we'll show 'em it's the beginning of something dope." 

I shared this status on all of my social media sites as the new year rang in. Most people have been associating 2012 with "The New Apocalypse" ever since people discovered the Mayans ran out of months on their calender. I think of it as if we survived Y2K, we can survive an expired record of time from an ancient civilization. From what I've learned from "Doctor Who," the human race is quite resilient.

I spent the Eve with most of my close friends, being productive and merry; no Time Square, no crowds, just watching Dick Clark once more on the tube with my significant other. On New Year's Day, we decided to hit the town and just live within the NYC streets and the aftermath of the New Year buzz. We mainly went shopping and got some food, all to enjoy the NYC weather and the fresh 2012 air (despite the rain the followed later on that evening).

The New Year also dawned some new aesthetic changes to the blog; including a new header, links to my social networks and a new "Rewards" tab that viewers can receive points for visiting the site, as well as sharing my posts. The most significant change I made was deleting the majority of my old posts. For some, that may come as a shocker, but I think the issue with my blog was some of the old content was weighing down the new content. Plus I didn't want to continue focusing on what my blog was more than what my blog can become. Outside of that, I felt deleting posts would have been more progressive than deleting the whole blog all together. With some of these changes, including the addition of my new picture posts ("Frame x Frame"), I'm getting a new found rejuvenation to blog again. 

I could call all of this a New Year's resolution, but I rather call it a new commitment for a new year (possibly the same thing, but I digress). Happy New Year everyone and here's to the new posts coming ahead. 

-Video Vix[o]n

Blog Cafe 3.0 - Bloggers Live On

Yesterday, I was reminded why blogging became apart of my life. While meeting new people, it was a surprising, yet good feeling to hear that my name actually rung a bell to someone. The blog circle that I'm apart consist of great people and this event only made it bigger. I have to start having more faith that this blog means something and continue to show my audience why I am Video Vix. To all the new bloggers that I met last night, I look forward to reading your content. Who knows, probably you all will motivate me to read blogs more.

*Shout out to Wix Lounge for the amazing space. When I get my new laptop or have a fancy meeting, I will make sure to come right to you guys.

-Video Vix[o]n