University of Alabama Graduation 2012: The Last Greek Stepshow

It's been a month since I graduated from The University of Alabama. Honestly, it feels like it's been much longer. The transition from being a full time student to free-lance working as a photographer/videographer hasn't been as rough as I imagined.

Currently, I'm working as the Director of Photography on two projects. The first is a low budget feature film named "Doobie Sampson." The film is definitely out of my area of interest as a writer or director, but taking the role as DP fits me pretty well. The biggest reason why I applied for the job is to prove to myself if I'm capable of shooting a feature length film (1:30 to 2 hours) at my current level.

The second project is a music video for R&B artist, Gifted. The singer has written for Ne-Yo and Jagged Edge as well working with Def Jam and Atlantic Records. He's looking to start a solo music career, and professor of mine contacted me about my interest in the project. The song is called Superstar. It's actually really good and if you're into music you've probably heard of the producer, Bei Major. Click on the link above or HERE to listen to it.

Now, one of the traditions I've kept up during my tenure at Alabama is photographing or recording graduations at Alabama. Since I was graduating as well, I decided to get friend and colleague, Kevyn Bryant of K.Bryant Images, to help me.

We decided to capture each Greek organization graduating and create a promo video featuring the idea of "The Last Greek Stepshow" since your graduation step is the final event you'll do as a Greek undergrad.

Along with making the promo video we put together a video for the organizations with graduating members. Here are a few. 

Omega Psi Phi

Yes, that's me for once.

Delta Sigma Theta

Alpha Phi Alpha

Phi Beta Sigma

If you'd like to see more of the videos you can find them on my youtube playlist UA Graduation 2012: The Last Greek Stepshow.

Finally, we are only three likes away from 1,000 followers on the Que The Lights Facebook Page! Take out the time to LIKE us if you've enjoy any of my work over the past few years at The University of Alabama!

Homecoming Stepshow Champions

I'm proud to announce Que The Lights has brought another accolade home. This year's 2011 Homecoming Stepshow champions. This project has consumed me for the last two months, but I'm happy to say all of the work paid off.

My chapter made a historic statement by recreating The Stand in the Schoolhouse Door. I've talked about this occasion in the past. Vivian Malone and James Hood were the first African-Americans to enroll at The University of Alabama. Brown vs. Board of Education stated it was illegal for schools to disallow any minority from enrolling at a school because of their race.

This would lead to Vivian and James choosing to enroll at Alabama. Unfortunately, they were not met with open arms. On July 11, 1963 Governor George Wallace stood in front of Foster Auditorium and tried to stop Vivian and James from entering with Deputy Katzenbach. His motto was:

"Segregation now, Segregation Tomorrow, and Segregation Forever!"

Gov. Wallace backed finally backed down and allowed them to pass, but not without disdain from an overwhelming amount of people who were unwilling to see blacks enter The University of Alabama.

This should give you enough context to understand the preview video I made for the show.

My chapter did an amazing job marching, but I believe the biggest factor for our win was choosing a them e of substance. This idea was first brought up a year ago by one of my fraternity brothers. I kept it in my mind stewing over how I could bring this to life on stage and when the chapter gave me creative control, I went to work.



S/O to the Deltas for recording this for us. I had to work video and music controls so this was out of my hands.

I'd like to say thank you to everyone that made this happen. My friend Greg Kubick who played Deputy Katzenbach, Corey Smith as Gov. Wallace, Kandice Thompson as Vivian Malone, and all the Beta Eta bruhs who made the show possible.

I'm convinced we proved a show has to go beyond flashy videos or over the top steps. Sometimes you just need a powerful theme and a man behind the curtains putting it all together.

The 15th Lake

Homecoming is Oct. 7th and my entire life for the past month has been dedicated to coordinating our show. Stepping (or if you're a part of my fraternity hopping) is a choreographed style of dancing typically seen in the African American Greek community. If you've seen Stomp The Yard, you've seen a very basic representation of stepping.

If you're in the Tuscaloosa area I'd recommend coming to see the show. Even if stepping doesn't interest you you'll have the chance to see a show I personally brought together. You won't be disappointed.

Besides the step show, I've also been handling new types of cameras. I believe a good photographer or  cinematographer has the ability to pick up any type of camera, camcorder, dslr, etc, and make something spectacular.

Yea, there is a certain limit on any piece of equipment's ability, but this is when talent and technique should come into play.

I decided to shoot a time lapse around Forest Lake. This is the lake near 15th Street in Tuscaloosa, AL where the storm crossed over. It's been a recurring theme in all of my work dealing with the Tuscaloosa Tornado. After riding by the area one day and watching the sun set I knew I had to get out there.

Shooting took around four days. I filmed with a Sony HDV, edited in FCP, and graded in Apple Color. The music is Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata.

Using the HDV was a huge step a large step away from my DSLR, but I wanted to prove to myself I could create a powerful piece of work even when I'm outside of my element.

Click on the thumbnails below to check out some of the pictures from around Forest Lake the day after the tornado.


You can also check it out the video on Youtube. I'm always looking for new followers and interesting people on twitter as well as tumblr.

We are the OwtLawz

One of main recurring themes present in a lot of my work is my connection as a Greek on campus. I'm a man of Omega. This always coincides with me being a filmmaker. You can see some of the first work I did with my camera in older posts.

The campus received quite the introduction on the first week of school when we partnered with Lambda Zeta (The Delta chapter on campus) for our Greek Week. Of course this left me with two jobs, creating the video and concept for the step-tease.

I pulled it off in epic fashion.

Steptease Video

Steptease Show

I'm still in the competition for Humor Hotlines. If you haven't watched The Divorce Hotline help me out! We near a 1000 views, but one other video is ahead of us. There is a lot of money at stake so I can use the support!