New York University & BadStick

So I'm in New York at the moment. Awesome!

Tomorrow I'll be interviewing for a position in New York University's film program. Everything has been coming to fruition. USC admitted me for Spring 2013. UCLA called me back for their second step which is sending them your online portfolio (out of the five schools I applied to they are the only one who asks for an application with no visual attachments, only your personal narrative and ideas). I'm still waiting to hear back from The American Film Institute and Columbia University.

I talk about this a lot, but it's good to know the dreams I spoke of when I first started this site are the ones I'm living now. I feel like I'm cementing a future for myself, rather than allowing life to ease past me. I hold to a simple mantra; I want to live, not exist.

This wouldn't be an appropriate Que The Lights post if I didn't speak about a project I've finished as well. I'd like to introduce you to BadStick, a band running the bars around Tuscaloosa. I was approached by their drummer, Colin White, to shoot a promo video for them.

For most productions I'll link up with my usual crew, but everyone was busy so I decided to give a few of my students a try at shooting. This semester, I'm working as a T.A. (Teacher's Assistant) in our department's advanced videography class. I informed the class that anyone interested in getting hands-on experience with DSLRs are welcome to work with me. Two students got on board.

They did a great job. I stayed on the ground with the Canon 5D shooting a constant wide-shot while I allowed them to free-lance across the stage with a Canon T2i. 

It's pretty dope to be a teacher. 

Family Pt.II

Ever since I've been working on recent projects my family always seems to get pulled into one of my villainous plots. Whether it be acting in one of my earliest short films  or just taking candid shots  my family has been the square block I've been hammering into the circle opening on the play-set.

Thankfully, every once and a while the square fits and something genuine comes out of my work.

Jasmine Miller

Things have calmed down quite a bit since school ended which is allowing me to post many of the projects I put on hold. This was a photoshoot I did about a week and a half before school was out. The model is Jasmine Miller, an up and coming model at The University of Alabama. 

Jasmine has a spark. One that I can say caused us to butt heads on a few occasions, but the best pictures seem to always have a good story behind them.  Expect more from her soon. 

                          

To check out more photos from the shoot click HERE.

We Are The Brothers Que Pt. III -A Final Farewell

This will be the final installment for the 3pt. series of graduation at The University of Alabama . For the graduation I not only took pictures, but recorded a footage of the graduating brothers of Omega Psi Phi hopping.

This all was done for a specific reason. I'd recently noticed my identity as a photographer could be seen on the website and my photography page , but none so for my YouTube Channel. This led me to the idea of incorporating slideshows as another piece of my work. I first thought about doing so with some of my older pieces, but opted to use my recent work as a starting ground for my idea.

Check out the new video encompassing not only photography from the graduation, but incorporating the video as well to give a more dynamic feel.

Graduation isn't too far away for me. This may only be the halfway point of my third year in college, but with the extent of my studies (especially the fact I've yet to take a semester off-fall, spring, or summer) I could graduate earlier.

This doesn't mean I'm interested in the option. I'm on scholarship plus I enjoy the the act of learning. I avoid this conception of education as merely a step towards employment. This is not wrong, but I find myself more enthused about learning as a process that is continuous & evolving.

I'm not mad at people who want to get in & out. It's just not my philosophy (though I will graduate on time regardless). Also, be sure to check out the archives. You can find an interesting post HERE
The Graduate School Quest - A quick run-down of the three best Film schools in the nation.

Happy Holidays!

We Are The Brothers Que

It's end of the school year. The transition from school to break is a very welcome situation. As students are leaving another event is happening, graduation. Recently, two of my prophytes (older members of your fraternity) graduated. I decided to bring out the camera to photograph the occasion. I won't be posting the photos yet, but I have something just as interesting.

To commemorate the graduation of an Omega Man the fraternity members that are present let the graduating Ques set out a hop to immortalize the departing bruhz' time on campus. Check it out, the biggest reason why I am hosting this is due to the new lens I bought for the camera, a Canon 50mm f/1.4.

Family

My father and little sister came to visit a few days ago since I've been so busy these past few weeks on campus. I decided to take out some of this time to capture a few memories for the site.

To check out more click HERE.

Welcome to the BattleGround

Welcome to the BattleGround



This was definitely one of those projects found myself enjoying. Editing this piece made me appreciate the case behind mood & atmosphere. I ended setting the piece in widescreen and desaturated the entire battle leaving the video in black&white. This made the ominous feel of ongoing flow come forth. You ended up focusing more closely on the rapper, his lyrics, and the expressions behind the words.
To check out the next installment of BattleGrounds click HERE

---Xay B.

The Que Mafia

I've been recently working on frat related activities. Two of the more interesting pieces carved out of the time working for the frat have been two videos shot to introduce who we are & our homecoming theme.

Check it out,







It's interesting seeing where I've come from but let me state this as well. I love to dive into any project
that will allow me to hone my skills. It does not necessarily mean I'm trying to perpetuate a stereotype (specifically that of the African American male being inherently linked to violence).

I'm beyond that, but I do believe in artistic creation in the medium. What I hope for is that the audience would rather rate me on the quality and style rather than linking me to a specific theme.

---Xay B.

Christina Danielle- Behind the Scenes

The photoshoot was a big success. The end products could be considered some of my best work.

Everything (in general) went smoothly but with anything done well there is always maintenance being done behind the scenes to ensure a job well done.

I thought I'd share some of this with the audience.

Christina Danielle

It took me a second but the my photography session with Christina Danielle is done! I'm ecstatic over the finished product. I can honestly see my working slowly progressing and that's what matters.

                      

For more check out my Flickr.

Crystal Jones

I believe this was probably one of the most enjoyable ventures I've done so far with the camera.

I started off with a out of focus piece to set a beginning. I should've done the same for the ending piece of the shoot, but it's a small gesture I'll remember to implement the next time I shoot another body of work. 

I think one of the most interesting things surrounding my model was the extent of her body. She's a very long girl. I loved this aspect since it gave me the opportunity to show off her full length in a few specific shots. I had to coach her a good bit, but she knew how to listen. Communication was key in this shoot since the best shots were not (as I like them to usually be) candid. 

Still, a great learning experience through production and post-production. 

Class Is In Session

Recently, school has started back up for the kids at The University of Alabama. For some that indicates the rumblings of new beginnings.

Kids begin their ascension towards their career goals or their downward spiral into mediocrity where the social habits of laziness leave them prey to the horrors of a shitty GPA. Either way, people will come and go. For now, everyone starts off with looks of appreciated optimism.

One of the more interesting events at the university is Black Power hour (from the time of 12pm to 2:00) where Black students congregate within the Ferguson Center (the central hub for UA students). On the first day of school the freshmen walk in with their ideals of "best dressed." The older denizens of the campus either steer clear of this charade or indulge in their seniority.

This is especially true for the Frats & Sororities. My frat felt the populace of UA (black, white, & polka dot -It's all inclusive) should have a glimpse into what is in store.

The day had a slew of interesting pix as well.

This should be an interesting year.

---Xay B.