With so much positive energy flowing throughout the USA presently, why do WE as Blacks and Latinos still choose, willingly to degrade ourselves. I make this statement in referece to the film, Next Day Air. Now, before I continue, I must state that I have not, and probably will not see this film. With that said, the plot of this film deals with a lazy, weed smoking delivery man who works with a partner who likes to steal from the packages they are supposed to deliver. The lazy/pot smoking lead character delivers a large box of drugs, mistakenly to two lazy hustlers who are near eviction from their apartment. The plot thickens when the man, whom the drugs were supposed to be delivered to, angrily looks for the missing drugs all while dealing with his loudmouth, scantily dressed girlfriend.
Now I know I've said a lot to fill and confuse your mind, but keep one thing in mind. All of the pathetic characters in this film are of African Decent. The reason why I ask "When are we going to be strong enough to say NO", is because we do not have to shuck and jive and shoot people anymore to work in film. I may be naive in my thinking, but aren't there enough people of African Decent whom have the skills, money, and resources to create and distrbute pieces that reflect a broad spectrum of ideas. Why should the likes of Donald Faison of Scrubs fame, acclaimed Actor/Rapper Mos Def, Mike Epps, Wood Harris, Darius McCrary, and the legendary Debbie Allen even go near such a project? Are roles that diffrucult to come by for Blacks and Latinos? Or do we even care about the images that we portray about ourselves?
The answers are Yes and No respectively. Hollywood only seems willing to open its multitude of doors for for rolls that glorify, violence, ignorance, stupidity, and laziness within the African Diaspora. Yes there are films that portray these attributes to Whites and other races, but Hollywood allows for a diverse balance of both intellectualism and foolishness within the many films that feature White actors and subject matter. To the second question that I posed, I will quote something my father always told me. We are too willing to sell-out cheap. Blacks and Latinos just see an opportunity to work and make a living without looking at the overall consequenses of accepting certain degrading rolls.
This is a dilema which gave Halle Berry an oscar while leaving Angela Bassett out of work. I am referring to the lead role in the film Monsters Ball, which Halle Berry won the best actress academy award. Angela Bassett was up to portray the lead, but declined because she thought the part was degrading. I have known friends who have been put in similar situations, in various parts of the entertainment field, and have chosen to remain on the outside in order not to degrade themselves or other people of African Decent. I know the pain that they feel, to be so close at success, but unable to sell themselves out to allow success to happen.
My question remains, When are we going to be strong enough to say NO?
An
Report of our EXpedition
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Monday, February 23, 2009
A new hope for filmmakers of African-Decent?
I'm not sure if anyone has noticed, but there is a void where there should be a plethora of opportunities for African American filmmakers. Just as you may be reading this, you're thinking, "what about Spike Lee, John Singleton, Antoine Fuqua, or Tyler Perry?". Well
there are a large number of others, including animators and screenwriters as well, whom have not been able to walk into the doors of the major ane even minor studios to find work.
Lets start with Spike Lee. Lee is the founder and owner of 40Acres and a Mule Filmworks. This production company has been Lee's calling sign since the mid 1980s. But that's just it, 40 Acres is just a production company. A production company is an entity where a film is simply created. And the creation of any film is no small feat. You must come up with a story, create ideas for characters and the look of the film, write a script and draw a storyboard, find funding, build or find a location, hire a crew, create your shots, and finally edit with sound and hopefully the production is finished.
After the film is finished, you then must find a way distribute or show your film. This is where studios like 20th Century Fox, Disney, and the like have a distinct advantage. Major and even some minor studios not only produce their films, but they also have a distribution network or company which gets their films into the theaters and on the DVD store shelves. This demographic now has a new player, and that is the Tyler Perry Studios. Along with TPS, Tyler Perry is creating an offshoot called 34th Street Films, which is is to cater to the creation and acquisition of films by other filmmakers of African Decent. This studio, billed by the New York Daily News as "the nation's only African-American-owned film studio" (http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/movies/2009/02/22/2009-02-22_tyler_perry_the_man_behind_madea.html?page=0), is responsible for both production and distribution of film and television programming.
I put a question mark at the end of my title because I do wonder if this will be an advent of new opportunities for African American filmmakers. I as an animator have had a hard time meandering through this industry, trying to find success. The same could be said for my partner with Exodus Publishing as well as many other talented and educated African American filmmakers, whom I have met over the past several years. You toil to create a film, traverse the film festival circuit, and finally wait in hopes that some entity will deliver you into a prosperous career.
Hollywood is very formulaic and segmented in terms of who gets an opportunity. Certain formulas that have been lucrative in years past are recycled over and over again, keeping out the creativity of new ideas and new people. Also while handing out opportunities to friends, family, classmates, and those whom they can relate to. I'm not asking for a segregated or divided entertainment industry, but if Tyler Perry Studios is the ONLY African American owned film studio, what does that really say about Hollywood. What does that say about success for African American Filmmakers and Animators like myself.
Everyone deserves a voice or an outlet for creativity. African American people are much more than gangstas and cross-dressing big Mammas on the silver screen. There are so many dynamic stories within drama, science fiction, horror, action, and thriller that need to be told. And told in a professional and quality way that major studios have been able to do for nearly a century. Tyler Perry should not be the only act in town. It is my hope and dream that multiple doors will open, not just for African American filmmakers, but for filmmakers of all ethnicities throughout this great country.
there are a large number of others, including animators and screenwriters as well, whom have not been able to walk into the doors of the major ane even minor studios to find work.
Lets start with Spike Lee. Lee is the founder and owner of 40Acres and a Mule Filmworks. This production company has been Lee's calling sign since the mid 1980s. But that's just it, 40 Acres is just a production company. A production company is an entity where a film is simply created. And the creation of any film is no small feat. You must come up with a story, create ideas for characters and the look of the film, write a script and draw a storyboard, find funding, build or find a location, hire a crew, create your shots, and finally edit with sound and hopefully the production is finished.
After the film is finished, you then must find a way distribute or show your film. This is where studios like 20th Century Fox, Disney, and the like have a distinct advantage. Major and even some minor studios not only produce their films, but they also have a distribution network or company which gets their films into the theaters and on the DVD store shelves. This demographic now has a new player, and that is the Tyler Perry Studios. Along with TPS, Tyler Perry is creating an offshoot called 34th Street Films, which is is to cater to the creation and acquisition of films by other filmmakers of African Decent. This studio, billed by the New York Daily News as "the nation's only African-American-owned film studio" (http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/movies/2009/02/22/2009-02-22_tyler_perry_the_man_behind_madea.html?page=0), is responsible for both production and distribution of film and television programming.
I put a question mark at the end of my title because I do wonder if this will be an advent of new opportunities for African American filmmakers. I as an animator have had a hard time meandering through this industry, trying to find success. The same could be said for my partner with Exodus Publishing as well as many other talented and educated African American filmmakers, whom I have met over the past several years. You toil to create a film, traverse the film festival circuit, and finally wait in hopes that some entity will deliver you into a prosperous career.
Hollywood is very formulaic and segmented in terms of who gets an opportunity. Certain formulas that have been lucrative in years past are recycled over and over again, keeping out the creativity of new ideas and new people. Also while handing out opportunities to friends, family, classmates, and those whom they can relate to. I'm not asking for a segregated or divided entertainment industry, but if Tyler Perry Studios is the ONLY African American owned film studio, what does that really say about Hollywood. What does that say about success for African American Filmmakers and Animators like myself.
Everyone deserves a voice or an outlet for creativity. African American people are much more than gangstas and cross-dressing big Mammas on the silver screen. There are so many dynamic stories within drama, science fiction, horror, action, and thriller that need to be told. And told in a professional and quality way that major studios have been able to do for nearly a century. Tyler Perry should not be the only act in town. It is my hope and dream that multiple doors will open, not just for African American filmmakers, but for filmmakers of all ethnicities throughout this great country.
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Nation of Cowards or Nation of Heroes
I have to agree with Attorney General Eric Holder. In a recent statement from the Attorney General(http://abcnews.go.com/TheLaw/story?id=6905255&page=1) , he states that America is a nation of cowards in regards to the race issue. It's sad that on the same day, a political cartoon featured in the New York Post reiterated the idea of America still not being able to come to grips with race (view the cartoon at the Huffington Post, http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/02/18/new-york-post-chimp-carto_n_167841.html ). The cartoon shows two police officers, one pointing a smoking gun toward a a dead chimpanzee, who is riddled with bullet holes, while the other police officer stands with a caption over him stating "They'll have to find someone else to write the next stimulus bill".
As a Black man, I often live in a world of either anger or self-doubt. The anger comes from the thought of being treated as less than worthy because of the ignorance of racism. While the self-doubt comes from a fear of being unqualified or just not good enough. What we see within the media either compounds or conflicts with the experiences of our realities. Being Black, you're always on guard, hoping not to be harassed by police or treated as if you are an outcast. While I cannot speak for Whites, I do not believe that they walk around with that same apprehension.
After having struggled, and continue to struggle to break into the animation industry, I have lived with the confounded dichotomy of anger and self-doubt which questions my abilities, talent, and education. Ever since graduating from the School of Visual Arts, It has been an uphill battle to get work as an animator, while at the same time receiving praise for what I can do. I have not been alone in this kind of story. I have heard from colleagues and former classmates whom are of African decent who have told similar tales. So maybe it's not paranoia, but barrier of discomfort and fear that has kept us out.
It may have been much easier for this nation to elect a Black President than for a company to hire a Black animator, engineer, lawyer, accountant, associate professor, and etc. I know that there are successful African Americans in the fields I just mentioned, but not many. And I would guarantee that the road they had to travel to reach such goals gave them much pain.In order for Barack Obama to become President, he had to use more money and media time than any other candidate in history, to get elected. He had to persuade America that he was non-threatening, and trustworthy. He had to work to make America comfortable with him, not as a person, but as a African American. Without the money and media coverage(along with his education, charisma, and experience), there would not be a President Obama today.
For everyday African Americans, we have to work hard just to be lucky. Meaning, we HAVE to have to be high school honor students, we HAVE to have a college education, or we HAVE to be the best athletes in whatever sport, just to wait and hope a White employer or team owner to pick us. Until then, the many hard working African Americans wait in fear that either we are not good enough or that our race will hinder us from our success. This is not a delusion, but a reality where as the longer we wait, the more susceptible we are to giving up on our dreams, and accept lives that are far beneath our abilities and talents. African American people still have to prove their worth in this country in order for Whites(who own and control the vast majority of businesses and job opportunities) to feel comfortable enough to give us a chance. I do not mean to offend anyone by this post, but the pain and hardships people of African Decent experience everyday, should never have to be burdened upon anyone. We shouldn't have to spend hundreds of millions of dollars and constantly be on TV before we can be "judged by the content of our character" as Dr. Martin Luther King once said.
We as Americans must confront our pain and fear of one another in order to survive. Lets make sure that we give ALL people a fair chance to succeed and thrive.
As a Black man, I often live in a world of either anger or self-doubt. The anger comes from the thought of being treated as less than worthy because of the ignorance of racism. While the self-doubt comes from a fear of being unqualified or just not good enough. What we see within the media either compounds or conflicts with the experiences of our realities. Being Black, you're always on guard, hoping not to be harassed by police or treated as if you are an outcast. While I cannot speak for Whites, I do not believe that they walk around with that same apprehension.
After having struggled, and continue to struggle to break into the animation industry, I have lived with the confounded dichotomy of anger and self-doubt which questions my abilities, talent, and education. Ever since graduating from the School of Visual Arts, It has been an uphill battle to get work as an animator, while at the same time receiving praise for what I can do. I have not been alone in this kind of story. I have heard from colleagues and former classmates whom are of African decent who have told similar tales. So maybe it's not paranoia, but barrier of discomfort and fear that has kept us out.
It may have been much easier for this nation to elect a Black President than for a company to hire a Black animator, engineer, lawyer, accountant, associate professor, and etc. I know that there are successful African Americans in the fields I just mentioned, but not many. And I would guarantee that the road they had to travel to reach such goals gave them much pain.In order for Barack Obama to become President, he had to use more money and media time than any other candidate in history, to get elected. He had to persuade America that he was non-threatening, and trustworthy. He had to work to make America comfortable with him, not as a person, but as a African American. Without the money and media coverage(along with his education, charisma, and experience), there would not be a President Obama today.
For everyday African Americans, we have to work hard just to be lucky. Meaning, we HAVE to have to be high school honor students, we HAVE to have a college education, or we HAVE to be the best athletes in whatever sport, just to wait and hope a White employer or team owner to pick us. Until then, the many hard working African Americans wait in fear that either we are not good enough or that our race will hinder us from our success. This is not a delusion, but a reality where as the longer we wait, the more susceptible we are to giving up on our dreams, and accept lives that are far beneath our abilities and talents. African American people still have to prove their worth in this country in order for Whites(who own and control the vast majority of businesses and job opportunities) to feel comfortable enough to give us a chance. I do not mean to offend anyone by this post, but the pain and hardships people of African Decent experience everyday, should never have to be burdened upon anyone. We shouldn't have to spend hundreds of millions of dollars and constantly be on TV before we can be "judged by the content of our character" as Dr. Martin Luther King once said.
We as Americans must confront our pain and fear of one another in order to survive. Lets make sure that we give ALL people a fair chance to succeed and thrive.
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Greatest day in American History, November 4th 2008
I write these words simply because America has chosen a person, whom just 150 years ago would have been considered less than human and 1/3rd of an American. Yesterday was the greatest day because Crispus Attucks paved the way, because Harriet Tubman paved the way, because Frederick Douglas paved the way, Ida B. Wells paved the way, because W.E.B. DuBois paved the way, Kwame Nkrumah paved the way because Martin Luther King Jr. paved the way, because Nelson Mandela paved the way, and because countless more people of African decent who endured and decended from slavery and/or colonization paved the way.
The election of an intelligent, thoughtful and eloquent man by a cross section of the various peoples of America, shows that this country is maturing and understanding that America isn't and can't be a homogeneous entity that believes in its own arrogant superiority over others. It is America's diversity, which flows from every country and land throughout the world that makes America the best. Not our military might, not our financial power, but our hope (especially now) which gives everyone the dream to do and become whatever we work hard for.
Do not get me wrong, America still has a long journey to open up equal opportunities for all. Sadly, it may have been easier to elect a Black president of the United States, than to guarantee a person of color or a woman the right to a career or education that they rightfully worked hard for and sacrificed to attain. There are still too many instances where an Educated and qualified African American male will be looked over for a less qualified white male whom the employer may be more comfortable with. The fact remains that whites in this country own the vast majority of businesses, property, and wealth in this country. This fact has spanned from the 1500's until today.
What I hope for and long for is a time when my friends, family, and myself can be judged strictly by our resumes and experience, and not by whether the employer would be comfortable having Blacks work along side them. Barack Obama represents an opening to challenge the discomfort and fears that some whites still have concerning our acceptance into the same schools, places of employment, and entrepreneurship. This man is our leader, and America's representative to the world. He wants us all to have an equal chance and an equal opportunity. We cannot be afraid or stingy with sharing our resources. We must allow all people a chance to become something great, whether we fail or succeed in the process.
My father never had a chance to see such a great, New beginning to our country. He died after years of sacrifice and struggle to make sure his family and so many others, would have a True opportunity to work hard toward what they believed in. He would be so proud now, and would be just as ready to roll up his sleeves and get back to work making sure we All have our chance. My parents are a part of what I call the Greatest Generation, for they marched, protested, and stood up for something greater than themselves, throughout the 1950's, 60' and 70's. Through their work and sacrifice Barack Obama was able to break through. I believe that it is Our time as Generation X, Y, and Z to wake up and stand up for one another. All people of America are responsible for one another. We are Africans, Europeans, Asians, and various indigenous peoples who Are American. We must all respect everyones ancestral roots and cultures, and be strong enough to bring them together as America.
Lets Get to work!
James N Bowman
The election of an intelligent, thoughtful and eloquent man by a cross section of the various peoples of America, shows that this country is maturing and understanding that America isn't and can't be a homogeneous entity that believes in its own arrogant superiority over others. It is America's diversity, which flows from every country and land throughout the world that makes America the best. Not our military might, not our financial power, but our hope (especially now) which gives everyone the dream to do and become whatever we work hard for.
Do not get me wrong, America still has a long journey to open up equal opportunities for all. Sadly, it may have been easier to elect a Black president of the United States, than to guarantee a person of color or a woman the right to a career or education that they rightfully worked hard for and sacrificed to attain. There are still too many instances where an Educated and qualified African American male will be looked over for a less qualified white male whom the employer may be more comfortable with. The fact remains that whites in this country own the vast majority of businesses, property, and wealth in this country. This fact has spanned from the 1500's until today.
What I hope for and long for is a time when my friends, family, and myself can be judged strictly by our resumes and experience, and not by whether the employer would be comfortable having Blacks work along side them. Barack Obama represents an opening to challenge the discomfort and fears that some whites still have concerning our acceptance into the same schools, places of employment, and entrepreneurship. This man is our leader, and America's representative to the world. He wants us all to have an equal chance and an equal opportunity. We cannot be afraid or stingy with sharing our resources. We must allow all people a chance to become something great, whether we fail or succeed in the process.
My father never had a chance to see such a great, New beginning to our country. He died after years of sacrifice and struggle to make sure his family and so many others, would have a True opportunity to work hard toward what they believed in. He would be so proud now, and would be just as ready to roll up his sleeves and get back to work making sure we All have our chance. My parents are a part of what I call the Greatest Generation, for they marched, protested, and stood up for something greater than themselves, throughout the 1950's, 60' and 70's. Through their work and sacrifice Barack Obama was able to break through. I believe that it is Our time as Generation X, Y, and Z to wake up and stand up for one another. All people of America are responsible for one another. We are Africans, Europeans, Asians, and various indigenous peoples who Are American. We must all respect everyones ancestral roots and cultures, and be strong enough to bring them together as America.
Lets Get to work!
James N Bowman
Sunday, September 21, 2008
EXpedition Status Report 7 sharpening the skills
Everyday it's about sharping the skills you have. You can either do this physically or through thought.
Near the campus where I attend classes there is an Art Institute and they have various free workshops. In the Lobby of the school there was a posting for a life drawing workshop to be held every thursday at 6:00pm. For the past two weeks when I would go to the room where the workshop was suppose to be held there was no one there. Even after waiting for 30 to 45 minutes no one showed up. So last week I decided to give one last hoorah to see if this workshop actually existed. This time I got to the room about 6:50pm and to my surprise there were people. cliche application:"there is something to be said for persistence." So it's me and two other guys a female and the model. The three other artist there were animators for a company called Obsidian it used to be Black Isle. The company has made great video games such as Never Winter Nights and Boldars Gates. Their company sponsered the workshop and provided the model. These guys said they usually started a little after seven because they were getting off work. I thought to myself "Man what a great job enviornment where you work with people all day long then you go and practice your skills with the same people for several more hours."
We worked on various poses till about 10:00pm. It was a great opportunity to discuss all things art, the video game industry, and of course sharpen the art skillz. The only odd thing was there were no art students that attended which was a complete shame seeing that it was free and facilitated by professional industry people...Oh well. I will definitely be meeting with them in weeks to come.
Keep Sharp
Near the campus where I attend classes there is an Art Institute and they have various free workshops. In the Lobby of the school there was a posting for a life drawing workshop to be held every thursday at 6:00pm. For the past two weeks when I would go to the room where the workshop was suppose to be held there was no one there. Even after waiting for 30 to 45 minutes no one showed up. So last week I decided to give one last hoorah to see if this workshop actually existed. This time I got to the room about 6:50pm and to my surprise there were people. cliche application:"there is something to be said for persistence." So it's me and two other guys a female and the model. The three other artist there were animators for a company called Obsidian it used to be Black Isle. The company has made great video games such as Never Winter Nights and Boldars Gates. Their company sponsered the workshop and provided the model. These guys said they usually started a little after seven because they were getting off work. I thought to myself "Man what a great job enviornment where you work with people all day long then you go and practice your skills with the same people for several more hours."
We worked on various poses till about 10:00pm. It was a great opportunity to discuss all things art, the video game industry, and of course sharpen the art skillz. The only odd thing was there were no art students that attended which was a complete shame seeing that it was free and facilitated by professional industry people...Oh well. I will definitely be meeting with them in weeks to come.
Keep Sharp
Saturday, September 13, 2008
EXpedition Status Report 6
It has been awhile. But, that's ok because we've been extremely busy over the last few months. I finally made the jump to the big L.A.. In just the few months I've been here freelance work has increased incredibly. I truly enjoy talking with and working with other artist that share the same dreams and seem ready to "do" and not just "say".
Monkkey is still under construction and so is the LOGOS. In the move many of my tools to create Monkkey have been lost but I'm getting back up to speed. With LOGOS I'm slowly but surely hacking away at the chapters.
Slice of Heaven, an idea inspired by a drawing, is being brought into reality in the form of greeting cards. The art work for the cards will be from myself and Mr. James Bowman (Poochie) and verses by Keena Ferguson. The cards will feature cute cuddly kids but will also have a sexy contemporary metropolitan animated feel to them as well. That website is nearly completed and the pricing for the cards are still under negotiation.
For those of you who get a chance check out http://www.africomics.com/. This website features great information and links to a large variety of african american comics and graphic novels.
All of this while I hack away and continue my training as a psychologist. I will be in touch. Keep Sharp!!!
Monkkey is still under construction and so is the LOGOS. In the move many of my tools to create Monkkey have been lost but I'm getting back up to speed. With LOGOS I'm slowly but surely hacking away at the chapters.
Slice of Heaven, an idea inspired by a drawing, is being brought into reality in the form of greeting cards. The art work for the cards will be from myself and Mr. James Bowman (Poochie) and verses by Keena Ferguson. The cards will feature cute cuddly kids but will also have a sexy contemporary metropolitan animated feel to them as well. That website is nearly completed and the pricing for the cards are still under negotiation.
For those of you who get a chance check out http://www.africomics.com/. This website features great information and links to a large variety of african american comics and graphic novels.
All of this while I hack away and continue my training as a psychologist. I will be in touch. Keep Sharp!!!
Thursday, August 7, 2008
Monday, June 30, 2008
Why is it so hard for creative people to succeed?
I ask this question, after I've seen so many creative people struggling, and I dare say suffering, in order to to fulfill their creative dreams. Suffering, although a harsh word, describes a daily ritual to to maintain a roof over your head, eat, pay for transportation, pay bills, hopefully sleep, and finally find the resources and time to work on their creative craft.
These are not hobbies for which someone might do to consume their free time. Most of the creative endeavors that these individuals pursue, have required years of training, education, and tremendous financial resources. The time, effort, and talent put into creative work is no less than that which a doctor, lawyer, engineer or any other professional has put into their careers. But creative people do not garner the direct admiration and praise for their struggles.
Just imagine hearing we love your work but we don't have anything for you, come back with something new, or your style doesn't fit, only to have to go to work at a clothing store, restaurant or bookstore in order to make ends meet. I know that there are those who would say that it is your fault for choosing such an unstable profession. It's your fault for not going into a field with a good salary.
To be honest, creative people could have just graduated high school and gotten a basic job for thirty years. Creative people could have gotten training in construction, became plummers or electricians. Creative people could have majored in law, medicine or engineering in college. Creative people have the same multitude of career choices as all people, but chose to do something that not only moves themselves, but enhances and even enlightens the lives of others.
Without creative people we wouldn't have films like Wall-E, Star Wars, or 2001. Without creative people there would be no To Kill a Mockingbird, The Color Purple, or Watership Down. Without creative people there would not be a Metropolitan Opera, New York Philharmonic, or Harlem Boys Choir. Without creative people there would not be an Alvin Ailey Dance Company or New York City Ballet. We would not know people like Picasso, Miles Davis, Mozart, Frank Lloyd Wright and many others. Creative people design the cars we drive, the homes we live in, and the chairs we sit on. Creative people make the games that we play and the movies we watch. Creative people are responsible for the clothes we wear and even the containers for our food.
Creative people are responsible for the look, sound, taste, and feel of most things that surround an make-up our lives.
So why aren't creative people given the respect and oportunity to make a living enriching everyone's lives?
This question is open to everyone.
These are not hobbies for which someone might do to consume their free time. Most of the creative endeavors that these individuals pursue, have required years of training, education, and tremendous financial resources. The time, effort, and talent put into creative work is no less than that which a doctor, lawyer, engineer or any other professional has put into their careers. But creative people do not garner the direct admiration and praise for their struggles.
Just imagine hearing we love your work but we don't have anything for you, come back with something new, or your style doesn't fit, only to have to go to work at a clothing store, restaurant or bookstore in order to make ends meet. I know that there are those who would say that it is your fault for choosing such an unstable profession. It's your fault for not going into a field with a good salary.
To be honest, creative people could have just graduated high school and gotten a basic job for thirty years. Creative people could have gotten training in construction, became plummers or electricians. Creative people could have majored in law, medicine or engineering in college. Creative people have the same multitude of career choices as all people, but chose to do something that not only moves themselves, but enhances and even enlightens the lives of others.
Without creative people we wouldn't have films like Wall-E, Star Wars, or 2001. Without creative people there would be no To Kill a Mockingbird, The Color Purple, or Watership Down. Without creative people there would not be a Metropolitan Opera, New York Philharmonic, or Harlem Boys Choir. Without creative people there would not be an Alvin Ailey Dance Company or New York City Ballet. We would not know people like Picasso, Miles Davis, Mozart, Frank Lloyd Wright and many others. Creative people design the cars we drive, the homes we live in, and the chairs we sit on. Creative people make the games that we play and the movies we watch. Creative people are responsible for the clothes we wear and even the containers for our food.
Creative people are responsible for the look, sound, taste, and feel of most things that surround an make-up our lives.
So why aren't creative people given the respect and oportunity to make a living enriching everyone's lives?
This question is open to everyone.
Friday, November 23, 2007
What is it about THE MIST.......
That makes humanity come to life?
After viewing the film The Mist, I had a revelation about the true mentality of humanity. This film dwells upon the premise of a fog coming into a small town in Maine, after a vicious storm the previous night. The story centers upon a number of townspeople shopping in a local supermarket to replenish supplies as the fog bank moves in. As the fog descends on the general area of the store, a bloody man runs frantically toward the store's entrance, in a desperate need for refuge.
As time continues, the mystery becomes solved as to what terror awaits the townspeople in the fog. Creatures of unimaginable magnitude set prey to them as to satiate their hunger. But the fear of the beasts does not compare to the true horror that arises from the psyche of the people within the supermarket.
I begun this post with the question, what is it about The Mist, that makes humanity come to life? It's not the mist itself that awakes the subconscious of the townspeople, but a combination of fear, ignorance, hate and a number of other weaknesses of which free thought sits in the backseat. Not many people can say that they have feared for their lives, or been in such desperation that reason becomes irrelevant.
This film questions our religious and spiritual beliefs, the importance of class, racial predjudice, and our overall human power struggle. As I watched this film, I had to ask, are we born virtuous and good or morally deficient and evil? The answer that I have personally come to is, neither. I believe that when we are born, we are a clean slate for thoughts and ideas, for which our environments will write upon. We grow to feel the pain of having something taken away, but that same pain could become pleasure, when we are the ones who are doing the taking. Once we begin to think and reason, we understand that taking something from someone causes pain for which we would not want to experience, if something was taken from us.
When power, fear, and ignorance become our life's guide, war, discrimination, greed, degredation, and death then become the pillars of our society. But if there are those who believe differently, I would hope that this could be a forum for free thought. And I hope that The Mist doesn't bring out the worst in real world of our humanity.
After viewing the film The Mist, I had a revelation about the true mentality of humanity. This film dwells upon the premise of a fog coming into a small town in Maine, after a vicious storm the previous night. The story centers upon a number of townspeople shopping in a local supermarket to replenish supplies as the fog bank moves in. As the fog descends on the general area of the store, a bloody man runs frantically toward the store's entrance, in a desperate need for refuge.
As time continues, the mystery becomes solved as to what terror awaits the townspeople in the fog. Creatures of unimaginable magnitude set prey to them as to satiate their hunger. But the fear of the beasts does not compare to the true horror that arises from the psyche of the people within the supermarket.
I begun this post with the question, what is it about The Mist, that makes humanity come to life? It's not the mist itself that awakes the subconscious of the townspeople, but a combination of fear, ignorance, hate and a number of other weaknesses of which free thought sits in the backseat. Not many people can say that they have feared for their lives, or been in such desperation that reason becomes irrelevant.
This film questions our religious and spiritual beliefs, the importance of class, racial predjudice, and our overall human power struggle. As I watched this film, I had to ask, are we born virtuous and good or morally deficient and evil? The answer that I have personally come to is, neither. I believe that when we are born, we are a clean slate for thoughts and ideas, for which our environments will write upon. We grow to feel the pain of having something taken away, but that same pain could become pleasure, when we are the ones who are doing the taking. Once we begin to think and reason, we understand that taking something from someone causes pain for which we would not want to experience, if something was taken from us.
When power, fear, and ignorance become our life's guide, war, discrimination, greed, degredation, and death then become the pillars of our society. But if there are those who believe differently, I would hope that this could be a forum for free thought. And I hope that The Mist doesn't bring out the worst in real world of our humanity.
Saturday, September 1, 2007
Balance
By definition balance can simply mean a state of equilibrium, harmony, or equal distribution of weight. It seems that this simple idea often times gets over seen in daily life. Our culture has become one that constantly deals in extremes. We have X-treme Games, shows that show us extreme cases, people work extreme hours. The average American works 10 to 15 hours overtime. In our eating habits we OVER eat. As the world moves at a faster pace we too have to pack more into the 24 hour period; we must accelerate our lives and move faster. We push many things to the limit. Although pushing ourselves is a good attribute there is a point where some people become lost in this pushing. What I mean by this is sometimes the end result of our pushing the extremes for extended periods can cause physical, mental, social and spiritual breakdown. This breakdown can continue to occur when people do not recognize the origin of these breakdowns because they are lost in the activities of their daily lives. "They are lost in the pushing." Feeling tired most of the time and the feeling of work consuming ones life are a few symptoms of being lost. The strongest counter balance to this is for a person to KNOW THEIR LIMITATIONS. By knowing your limitations you know your strengths. Every so often we have to reset ourselves and start anew. How do we do this? In many cases by simply doing the opposite of what you are doing extreme. The more extreme we go in one directions the more extreme we have to go in the opposite direction to gain balance. A 5'10 350 lb man is not going to loose weight by simply sipping on a diet Coke, Pepsie, or any other diet drink/food. How do we know our limitations? A person can learn through self examination. How do we self examine? By slowing down.
Word of the week: BALANCE
cliche' application: "Stop and Smell the Roses"
Word of the week: BALANCE
cliche' application: "Stop and Smell the Roses"
EXpedition Status Report 5
The preliminary animation for InTV is finished. They liked what they saw so I will finalize it and send it too them.
The UK project is 50 percent complete. I would have started on the second half this week but I had a some computer trouble. My PSU (power supply) in Shogun Black (the big computer) was malfunctioning. The fan wasn't cooling the system properly. I took out the old one and replaced it. Now everything is good as new.
Production on Monkkey and Logos are steady.
The UK project is 50 percent complete. I would have started on the second half this week but I had a some computer trouble. My PSU (power supply) in Shogun Black (the big computer) was malfunctioning. The fan wasn't cooling the system properly. I took out the old one and replaced it. Now everything is good as new.
Production on Monkkey and Logos are steady.
Four new links have been added for: DV Republic, Ajamu Space, James' Space and Newgrounds.
Check them out.
The sketches that have been added to my portfolio this week are of Krru LeUn(pronounced: "Croo", roll the "r". This is the title of a master monk. LeUn is pronounced "lay oon") Krru Klungcla (The female) and The Soimdauk (Grand Master) Animus (the smaller of the two males). The Grand Master Animus is featured in the second episode of Monkkey training the young pupil Somnang.
Monday, August 13, 2007
The Festival was a success
The Martha's Vineyard African American Film Festival is not one ta have missed. This past weekend was a very enjoyable time, especially with my film Kindred Immortal being well received. The Island is beautiful and the people were just as appealing. I recommend this place and this film festival for evreyone to visit.
With that said, there were many good films to be seen at the festival. Particularly, Silent Choices by Faith Pennick, which tackles the truths and myths about abortion in the Black Community. As well as the audience award winning film, I'm Through with White Girls by Jennfer Sharp. The title of the second film may be an enticement or a discouragement, but this film will dispell the sterotypes that you may expect. And also Algeny:The Genetic Factor by Andrew Burroughs, a sci-fi thriller about a man with a unique immune system. This film was the winner of the HBO best feature award.
All in all, I as everyone who reads this blog to support all of the films which were at the festival. You can see a listing at http://www.mvaaff.com/index2.html . And please spread the word about my film and the other films that were chosen to be a part of such a wonderful experience.
James Bowman
With that said, there were many good films to be seen at the festival. Particularly, Silent Choices by Faith Pennick, which tackles the truths and myths about abortion in the Black Community. As well as the audience award winning film, I'm Through with White Girls by Jennfer Sharp. The title of the second film may be an enticement or a discouragement, but this film will dispell the sterotypes that you may expect. And also Algeny:The Genetic Factor by Andrew Burroughs, a sci-fi thriller about a man with a unique immune system. This film was the winner of the HBO best feature award.
All in all, I as everyone who reads this blog to support all of the films which were at the festival. You can see a listing at http://www.mvaaff.com/index2.html . And please spread the word about my film and the other films that were chosen to be a part of such a wonderful experience.
James Bowman
Friday, August 10, 2007
EXpedition Status Report 4
This has been a great summer! Lots of good news.
Mr. Bowman's film, "Kindred the Immortal." will be shown at Martha's Vineyard African American Film Festival this weekend. The Festival kicked off on Wednesday and will conclude this Sunday Aug, 12Th.
We just received a nice size contract to do animation on a website for a company based in the UK. Can't get too much into details right now but we'll be able to provide more as we wrap up the project. Inadvertently this project has slowed production of MONKKEY and LOGOS.
This week the website has been updated with another a scene from MONKKEY and a teaser trailer of a project called GILGAMESH.
Also since the last update the website has been a little revamped for better maneuverability!!
Cliche' phrase for this week, "Iron sharpens Iron". Word of the week Audacity.
Mr. Bowman's film, "Kindred the Immortal." will be shown at Martha's Vineyard African American Film Festival this weekend. The Festival kicked off on Wednesday and will conclude this Sunday Aug, 12Th.
We just received a nice size contract to do animation on a website for a company based in the UK. Can't get too much into details right now but we'll be able to provide more as we wrap up the project. Inadvertently this project has slowed production of MONKKEY and LOGOS.
This week the website has been updated with another a scene from MONKKEY and a teaser trailer of a project called GILGAMESH.
Also since the last update the website has been a little revamped for better maneuverability!!
Cliche' phrase for this week, "Iron sharpens Iron". Word of the week Audacity.
Saturday, July 28, 2007
Kindred Immortal At Martha's Vineyard African American Film Festival
My film, Kindred Immortal will premiere at the Martha's Vineyard African American Film Festival, on August 11th, www.mvaaff.com. I would appreciate anyone who is able to attend.
Thank You
Thank You
Sunday, June 3, 2007
EXpedition Status Report 3
The images are flowing this week. Jim Brothers has 5 new pics added to his portfolio that are phat (real good) and I've added 4 more to my folder as well (A.M. Frasier).
This week 4 new characters that are apart of the LOGOS universe and have been added. In 3 of the four pictures the characters are truely in motion. I went back and numbered each piece by when I completed the sketch. So the pictures may appear to be out of order because they are not aligned chronologically in the portfolio.
Two more scenes of MonKKey have been cleaned up. There are currently 20 scenes. There are a few more scenes that still need to be added. I orginially was going to split this chapter into three parts (A, B, and C) due to thinking the file size maybe two large. However part A is coming out to be reasonably small in file size so I may combine A and B into one segment.
This week 4 new characters that are apart of the LOGOS universe and have been added. In 3 of the four pictures the characters are truely in motion. I went back and numbered each piece by when I completed the sketch. So the pictures may appear to be out of order because they are not aligned chronologically in the portfolio.
Two more scenes of MonKKey have been cleaned up. There are currently 20 scenes. There are a few more scenes that still need to be added. I orginially was going to split this chapter into three parts (A, B, and C) due to thinking the file size maybe two large. However part A is coming out to be reasonably small in file size so I may combine A and B into one segment.
Friday, May 25, 2007
Cliche' Application Intro
As mentioned in a few past postings the term "Cliche' Phrase Application" was used. Before going any further with this idea I want to compile a list of cliche' phrases. This list will continuously grow, hopefully. Here are 10 off the top of my head.
1) "All that glitters not gold."
2) "There's a place and a time for everything."
3) "Can't see the forest for the trees."
4) "Better Safe then Sorry."
5) "Sure and steady wins the race."
6) "Haste makes Waste."
7) "The Golden Rule."
8) "Taking care of two birds with one stone."
9) "A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush."
10) "Don't put off until tomorrow what you can do today."
PLEASE, if you have any more that come to mind contact me and I will add them to this list. It's apart of the "Getting Back to Basics" movement that inspires the making of this list. The Back to Basics Movement is an attempt to redirect thinking. There's a reason these phrases have stuck around for some time and are familiar to most. In many future blogs I will refer to these phrases.
Together we can make "sense" more common ;)
1) "All that glitters not gold."
2) "There's a place and a time for everything."
3) "Can't see the forest for the trees."
4) "Better Safe then Sorry."
5) "Sure and steady wins the race."
6) "Haste makes Waste."
7) "The Golden Rule."
8) "Taking care of two birds with one stone."
9) "A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush."
10) "Don't put off until tomorrow what you can do today."
PLEASE, if you have any more that come to mind contact me and I will add them to this list. It's apart of the "Getting Back to Basics" movement that inspires the making of this list. The Back to Basics Movement is an attempt to redirect thinking. There's a reason these phrases have stuck around for some time and are familiar to most. In many future blogs I will refer to these phrases.
Together we can make "sense" more common ;)
EXpedition Status Report 2
2 New images for the E-Motion project have been added. Although the second episode of Monkkey will not be done by the end of May it is approximately 75% finished. And I will modestly add that it does look good. The second episode hits the ground running so If you are not familiar with the story thus far check out episode 1 "Crossed Paths" here http://www.exoduspublishing.com/Monkkey_episode1FLV.html or at Newgrounds and type in Monkkey.
The first 16 pages of Logos are in the toning and lettering stages. So until then enjoy some of the characters from Logos and their facial expressions in E-Motions.
The first 16 pages of Logos are in the toning and lettering stages. So until then enjoy some of the characters from Logos and their facial expressions in E-Motions.
Sunday, May 20, 2007
Martha's Vineyard African American Film Festival
Call for entries to the Martha's Vineyard African American Film Festival. Submissions are due by June 15th. Please visit http://www.mvaaff.com for more details.
Saturday, May 19, 2007
Kindred Immortal
Please take some time to view the new film from James Bowman on the Exodus Publishing website, entitled Kindred Immortal. http://www.exoduspublishing.com/Kindred.html
Monday, April 23, 2007
part III MEDIA: Ramification
“Art no longer imitates life but life now imitates art.” Many times I make this statement to illuminate the media’s role in our society’s culture. Heath and Gilbert suggest the same thing by saying, “…television no longer reflects culture, but rather the central cultural arm of American society.” (Sgarzi and McDevitt, 2003). Newspapers, television, ipods with podcasting, iTV, cable television and radio, the film industry, and video games all bombard our auditory and visual receptors. With easy access to our senses how does this affect our views on race, class, the societal glues and our abilities to THINK? The truth is that it can have a positive or negative affect depending on how the tools are used. For example, although television has always been a place for the commercial market originally many thought it could be a tool that would bring the family together and unite the country through the unified display of entertainment. This idea may sound a bit out of place now but in the earlier part of the twentieth century the average home only had one television where it was more centralized to the family. That is a big difference compared to today’s average of three per home (Schwartz, 1999). Unfortunately the media bringing the family together as a unit disappeared long ago. Statistics show that by age 18 American children will have seen 200,000 acts of violence and that children watch television three to four hours a day. This does not include the hours spent between children and adults with video game playing (Sgarzi and McDevitt, 2003). Many video games in which the player is rewarded for shooting people including neighbors, police officers, and military personnel can take anywhere from 10 to 50 hours to complete. In videogames players are rewarded over and over again during this time. Understanding Skinners theories of conditioning we can see where certain behaviors could possibly be learned by this process over time. Many say that too much censorship would be in violation of our constitutional rights. The truth is that long ago the FCC (Federal Communications Commission) instituted many policies to protect the well being of those viewing. In the early 80’s the major networks ABC, NBC, CBS sold much of their controlling interest to major conglomerates. The FCC became weakened and these networks that once focused on news and appropriate children viewing became more commercial orientated (Schwartz, 1999).
Violence is not only in our recreation but abundantly available in our news. 10% of network television news, 19% of local television news, and 18% of the front pages of newspapers have some topic dealing with crime and criminal justice (Rubark and Thompson, 2001). The next question could be why is this news worthy? A common motto amongst journalist is, “If it bleeds it leads”. Violence is a money maker because it attracts viewers it wins political campaigns. In 1992 Mayor Giuliani of New York focused a major portion of his campaign on his success of fighting crime. Mayor Newsom of San Francisco has a huge plan to turn around the Tenderloin district an area of the city that has been historically plagued with problems. He says he wants to achieve what Giuliani has with New York. Information presented by the UCR (Uniform Crime Reports) correlate with these findings. Homicide rate of the 90’s went down by 13% but crime was the leading television coverage. Since then violent crime rates have continued to lower.
All of these issues present several possible consequences to the socialization of our society. They present the seemingly ominous presence of crime which resulting in the population being infected with fear. However many psychologist believe that the over exposure to crime and violence will also desensitize people to these behaviors. As citizens become more desensitized and uncaring to major criminal issues other societal concerns also become less interesting. Individuals isolate themselves more in front of the medium of their choosing. Those mediums provide all the information the person needs, so they think, to get them through the day. The family unit disintegrates and people are no longer in control of the media as a tool and the roles reverse. Researchers over the past 25 to 30 years have come to these conclusions as the possible harmful effects our media can bring to our society.
From my own observations I have seen what I consider to be the consequences of people being victims of the media. In one case while I was enjoying dinner out at a restaurant a family of three, a mother, father, and baby were eating their dinner. While the mother and father were talking to each other they had a DVD player in front of the child with a movie playing. They did not talk to the child or incorporate the child into there social event the entire time. In another scenario, while I was once again eating out, I observed a mother and her son. He was a young teenager. They were sitting across from each other at a table next to mine. The son had the earphones to his cell phone in his ears while he played his Playstation Portable (PSP). From time to time he would press pause on his game to answer what appeared to be a text message on his phone. Meanwhile the mother was talking on her cell phone. This continued even after their meal came to the table and up until the time they left. They did not converse with one another the entire time. It is as though we have been transformed into a society that needs constant bombardment by various forms of media. Less than ten years ago before a movie started in the theater the lights would be low and there would be silence. Slowly theaters incorporated advertisements through the use of slides. Now we have full commercials before and during the trailers. Many times during these moments before the movie I notice people playing their Nintendo Gameboys and PSPs. When I used to tutor children in high school I found it very annoying when they would text message one another in class. But, I found it even more disturbing that once class was over, and they could talk, they would not converse with the person they just text messaged. Instead they would leave sometimes never acknowledging the person they were just messaging.
The examples of how the media affects our societal glues abound. It seems that one possible solution to repair the dissolution of this glue would be for us to become more media literate and better critical thinkers. The family is the first institute in which most people can learn these behaviors. As Erik Erikson (1950) points, home is where infants begin to learn whether those in the environment can be trusted, whether they themselves are capable of independent action, how much they can question and explore, and how similar to or different from their peers they are in a variety of ways. However in many cases children may be without family but they are still apart of a society. Who will help then?
“If we do not change our ways, our behavior will destroy us. When the time comes that host and guest no longer act hospitably, when friend argues with friend and brothers are enemies, when children and their parents cannot agree with each other, when grown children forget what their parents have done for them and instead treat them with disrespect and dishonor, criticizing them and complaining bitterly because they have grown old and weak, when people who keep their word or are just or virtuous receive less respect than those who use their strength for violent and evil purposes, when those who are evil hurt those who are honorable, then Zeus will destroy our Iron Race.” (Hesiod, translated by Athanassakis, John Hopkins Univ. Press, 1983) I quote the Greek poet Hesiod because the picture he paints of his late 8th century B.C. society could in many ways be compared to today. Obviously our form of media was not apart of the problem they were having none the less problems they did have seemed to be very similar to the ones we have today. The societal glues for many great societies have been challenged. As history has shown us they find a balance that works and they continue to prosper for considerable time but when the societal glues dissolve a chain reaction of events occur and the society dissolves along with it. So in our case although the common citizen being a victim to the media has been my focal point there are many relative factors. The challenge will be what we can do to balance those factors properly so that we can continue to prosper as a society.
Violence is not only in our recreation but abundantly available in our news. 10% of network television news, 19% of local television news, and 18% of the front pages of newspapers have some topic dealing with crime and criminal justice (Rubark and Thompson, 2001). The next question could be why is this news worthy? A common motto amongst journalist is, “If it bleeds it leads”. Violence is a money maker because it attracts viewers it wins political campaigns. In 1992 Mayor Giuliani of New York focused a major portion of his campaign on his success of fighting crime. Mayor Newsom of San Francisco has a huge plan to turn around the Tenderloin district an area of the city that has been historically plagued with problems. He says he wants to achieve what Giuliani has with New York. Information presented by the UCR (Uniform Crime Reports) correlate with these findings. Homicide rate of the 90’s went down by 13% but crime was the leading television coverage. Since then violent crime rates have continued to lower.
All of these issues present several possible consequences to the socialization of our society. They present the seemingly ominous presence of crime which resulting in the population being infected with fear. However many psychologist believe that the over exposure to crime and violence will also desensitize people to these behaviors. As citizens become more desensitized and uncaring to major criminal issues other societal concerns also become less interesting. Individuals isolate themselves more in front of the medium of their choosing. Those mediums provide all the information the person needs, so they think, to get them through the day. The family unit disintegrates and people are no longer in control of the media as a tool and the roles reverse. Researchers over the past 25 to 30 years have come to these conclusions as the possible harmful effects our media can bring to our society.
From my own observations I have seen what I consider to be the consequences of people being victims of the media. In one case while I was enjoying dinner out at a restaurant a family of three, a mother, father, and baby were eating their dinner. While the mother and father were talking to each other they had a DVD player in front of the child with a movie playing. They did not talk to the child or incorporate the child into there social event the entire time. In another scenario, while I was once again eating out, I observed a mother and her son. He was a young teenager. They were sitting across from each other at a table next to mine. The son had the earphones to his cell phone in his ears while he played his Playstation Portable (PSP). From time to time he would press pause on his game to answer what appeared to be a text message on his phone. Meanwhile the mother was talking on her cell phone. This continued even after their meal came to the table and up until the time they left. They did not converse with one another the entire time. It is as though we have been transformed into a society that needs constant bombardment by various forms of media. Less than ten years ago before a movie started in the theater the lights would be low and there would be silence. Slowly theaters incorporated advertisements through the use of slides. Now we have full commercials before and during the trailers. Many times during these moments before the movie I notice people playing their Nintendo Gameboys and PSPs. When I used to tutor children in high school I found it very annoying when they would text message one another in class. But, I found it even more disturbing that once class was over, and they could talk, they would not converse with the person they just text messaged. Instead they would leave sometimes never acknowledging the person they were just messaging.
The examples of how the media affects our societal glues abound. It seems that one possible solution to repair the dissolution of this glue would be for us to become more media literate and better critical thinkers. The family is the first institute in which most people can learn these behaviors. As Erik Erikson (1950) points, home is where infants begin to learn whether those in the environment can be trusted, whether they themselves are capable of independent action, how much they can question and explore, and how similar to or different from their peers they are in a variety of ways. However in many cases children may be without family but they are still apart of a society. Who will help then?
“If we do not change our ways, our behavior will destroy us. When the time comes that host and guest no longer act hospitably, when friend argues with friend and brothers are enemies, when children and their parents cannot agree with each other, when grown children forget what their parents have done for them and instead treat them with disrespect and dishonor, criticizing them and complaining bitterly because they have grown old and weak, when people who keep their word or are just or virtuous receive less respect than those who use their strength for violent and evil purposes, when those who are evil hurt those who are honorable, then Zeus will destroy our Iron Race.” (Hesiod, translated by Athanassakis, John Hopkins Univ. Press, 1983) I quote the Greek poet Hesiod because the picture he paints of his late 8th century B.C. society could in many ways be compared to today. Obviously our form of media was not apart of the problem they were having none the less problems they did have seemed to be very similar to the ones we have today. The societal glues for many great societies have been challenged. As history has shown us they find a balance that works and they continue to prosper for considerable time but when the societal glues dissolve a chain reaction of events occur and the society dissolves along with it. So in our case although the common citizen being a victim to the media has been my focal point there are many relative factors. The challenge will be what we can do to balance those factors properly so that we can continue to prosper as a society.
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