14 May
I came across these videos clicking through a friggin’ cool site I found like 15 minutes ago: The New Pop: New York’s Online Video Magazine
Also checkout: Kareem Black’s Interview with Curious Artist
8 May
The last few weeks have been almost nonstop filming with a few days of rejuvenation in between. I’m writing this post from the Hampton Inn in breezy Destin, Florida. The weather outside right now is exactly the way I like it. Right outside my hotel room it is about 72 degrees Fahrenheit, clear, the wind is blowing west at about four miles an hour, and the humidity is at around 66% according to a very good friend of mine…Google. Let’s move on from the meteorologist bit to an update of the activities over the last few weeks. Walk With Me.
This was my very first time in an actual orange grove. We drive by them all the time but walking through one is a very cool experience. At the Showcase of Citrus in Clermont, Florida, you can hand-pick a variety of oranges. I even got the chance to try a kumquat. A kumquat is pretty much a little baby orange and you can eat it like grape, skin and everything!
Another part of the Showcase of Citrus tour is a ride in this monster truck. Here you will learn about the groves themselves and hand-pick fruit right from the truck.
What you are looking at here is the Skipper and I (plus a little bit of Paco’s shirt) at a little after 5 a.m. We are watching the sunrise while the hot air balloon is being set up.
I opted to hop in to the cherry picker for an aerial shot of the balloon’s inflation.
Another shout-out to Em for this fine example of good photography.
This was shot by the Skipper and it pretty much gave me an idea of how high I was. The scariest part about being that high up was coming back down. I almost lost it when I felt the vehicle’s hydraulics kick forward and shake the basket rapidly before the descent. Everyone down below got a kick out of it but I wasn’t smiling until my feet were back on the ground. It wasn’t funny then, but it’s a little funny now.
Here is a quick shot of the balloon I was filming while it was being inflated.
After we got all the necessary shots, they told us to hop in for a ride. Riding in a hot air balloon is big fun but watch out for the fire because it can get rather hot.
After we finished filming the hot air balloon, we began the Fantasy of Flight assignment. Since the hot air balloon assignment was filmed on one of the runways of Fantasy of Flight, we only had to walk a few yards to the next location.
I’m here with the owner of Fantasy of Flight Kermit Weeks. A true visionary. If you aren’t inspired after speaking to this man, then you weren’t listening close enough.
Emilie and I went on assignment a couple of weeks ago to film the Richard Petty experience in Orlando. After we got all the footage and interviews we needed they offered us a ride around. I was all about it.
In my old neighborhood, standing in front of a car that doesn’t belong to you is commonly known as frontin’ and that’s exactly what I’m doing here.
I met the real Captain Jack @ Pier 60 Park on Clearwater Beach, Florida, and he was a trip. Captain Jack is a very pleasant guy who was super cool about taking pictures. So much so that he often reminded visitors to bring their cameras next time they visit for free pictures with him, you know, The Real Captain Jack.
Believe it or not, this pose was the real Captain Jack’s idea. He said “Here take my weapon and pretend to be a rival pirate!” This was my impression.
Earlier that day, I shot Captain Memo’s Original Clearwater Beach Pirate Ship Cruise, which was a lot of fun. It was two hours of dancing, singing, stories, treasure hunting and face painting fun for the whole family. I didn’t take any pictures but I did shoot a lot of footage. Look for that video on VISITFLORIDA.com soon.
On one of these days, we filmed International Plaza out in Tampa. My favorite place there is Gelateria Del Duomo because of their fantastic gelato.
First they gave me a little spoon sample their strawberry chocolate gelato. When I expressed how good it was, they gave me a cup! I was taken away for like 15 minutes just lost in the flavor in the little cup. I spoke to one of the owners and he said surprisingly the strawberry chocolate flavor isn’t that big in his store in Italy. Go figure. I’ll be back for another soon enough.
Yesterday, the Skipper, Missy and I were at Blackwater River State Park, which is way up in northwest Florida—Milton, to be exact. Let me start by saying that this was probably my first state park shoot where I did not get bitten by a mosquito! That may not mean much to you but for me that is a holiday.
I’m here with park ranger Marshall Shaw who was quite informative to about the park. I learned why the river has its beautiful tea color as well as why the river is considered one of the purest sand bottom rivers in the world. I could tell you why but I think you should visit the park and find out for yourself. It is an interesting story.
Ranger Marshall navigated our canoe down the river and he’s got skill too. We didn’t hit any trees or anything like my previous experiences. I can’t tell how much I appreciate not hitting bushes and shaking eight-legged castaways into the boat for once. We parked the canoe on three or four banks down the river and I never got wet. He even taught me the best way to sit on the canoe to prevent it from rolling over for future trips. Thanks, Marshall!
Thank you for taking a moment out of your day to catch up with me.
Till Next Time,
5 May
She and I rocked the South Side
Right up there
On that Project Roof
She and I being silly
Danced to the music coming the ice cream truck
Like it was the truth
Never thinking twice about a cone or a cup
Could care less about rainbow sprinkles or chocolate syrup
Cause up there
On that Project Roof
We Laughed!
Laughed like growing old was not an option
Laughed like when it came time
We would dodge stress like the draft
And throw our poverty cards in that fire
That was in that can
That was in that alley
That our single parents told us to keep the hell out of
And of course we never listened
Instead, we threw dice with the junkies for no money
Just cause we were there and so were they
Yeah, they dropped jewels like
“Stay in school,
Don’t be no old fool
Cause young blood that ain’t cool”
And just like that
Shots rang out
And just like that
She and I ran to the front
To see where the Pop, Pop, Pop was coming from
Illiterate to safety, we had more fear
For the junkie’s crusty grey lips than we did for a stray
But she and I knew
Common gunplay would not put a damper on our day
And before the junkies could scream out wait
She and I hopped the gate
Got a running start
And grabbed the ladder to fire escape
We climbed six stories embracing our youth
And found ourselves out of breath laughing
Back Up There,
On That Project Roof
By Amon Focus
September 12, 2004
5 May
Last night I was digging through old hard drives for a video codec folder and I came across a speech I gave when I graduated from Full Sail Real World Eduction back in ‘03. My personal experience at the school was incredible. I enjoyed all the challenges, the students, and my instructors ( most of which I still keep in touch with). I walked out of there with an array of Digital Media skills and hands on experiences. On graduation day I received three of their highest accolades which were valedictorian, perfect attendance, and the advanced achievement award. The special thing about the advanced achievement award was that you had to be chosen by your peers and the faculty to receive it plus as an added bonus you were given the opportunity to speak to your peers on graduation day.
The Speech
Good afternoon and greetings to the honorable Full Sail graduates of July 2003, board of trustees, President Garry Jones, instructors, family and friends.
I am honored by the recognition of my achievement by the faculty of Full Sail and my peers, thank you.
I would like to give thanks to my Creator, my family, friends, and collogues for you all have been assets toward my becoming and essential in my movement towards the goals I have been pursuing for the past six years.
I read a quote once that said, True Happiness Is Too Have One’s Passion as a Profession. And that is precisely the reason why I stand before you today.
My journey through the Digital Media program has been far from a cake walk, indeed this time period has been an exhilarating, frustrating, anxiety causing, yet glorious expedition and today I celebrate – the total experience!.
My experience at Full Sail was a phenomenal one solely because of my classmates. For 14 months I was surrounded by a talented, diverse cadre of energetic folks, who were not afraid to “Make it Happen”; people that took each class as a challenge, whether they were happy about the class or not they still did what they had to do. Thank you for your positive energy, motivation, and inspiration.
Appreciation and gratitude goes out to my Course Directors and Lab Specialist for you have educated me to the fact that there is nothing I can’t do in a month or two. Thank you for taking me as seriously as I take myself and patiently answering my 10,000 or so questions in and out of class.
Integrity
Creativity
Courage
Positive Attitude
High Work Ethic
Innovation
And
Sweat equity
…these are the attributes I believe are embodied in, what I like to term as the Full Sail Mentality.
The curricula at Full Sail, within all of the degree programs, is not for the weak, or the lazy, and in my opinion was truly designed especially for those serious about their dream. It was designed for those of us [sitting here today] who were not and are not afraid to pursue excellence. One of the beautiful things about life is that there is always a choice. Sometimes you’ve got to choose between something bad and something worse, but that is usually preparation for the priceless life lessons which lie ahead. The key is to be aware of these lessons and apply them to your way of living. Recently I’ve become aware of the fact that everything I’ve been through, the good, the bad and the ugly, prior to this very moment has prepared me to ascend to new levels of professional commitment, to expand my horizons, and to be ready to accept the new challenges ahead. Once again I thank you for the advanced achievement award, my fellow graduates I salute you, good luck in this bad economy and a great life to each of you. Let’s Continue to Make It happen.
Thank You.
29 Apr
I grew up with a cat when I was a kid but I’ve never owned one. This still made me laugh.
24 Apr
The first time I saw this image with the caption I really laughed. For the last few days I’ve been hitting this site quite often. Maybe you should too and heres a link: Lolcats ‘n’ Funny Pictures – I Can Has Cheezburger?
23 Apr
About a year ago I was flying back home to NYC and I met a gentleman on the flight only known as Freedom. After we completed our introductions, we got into the topic of music and some how or another the Siesta Key Drum Circle came up. The drum circle happens every Sunday at Sarasota’s own Siesta Beach. He told me to check it out and I’m kicking my self because it took me over a year to so. I took some pictures. Check it out:
14 Apr
Back on the block or better yet back in the office for a day or so. To be honest, I’m feeling kind of good today.
I woke up this morning and my stomach was killing me. Why? Because yesterday I did 50 sit-ups and then today I did 50 more. I’m trying to get in better shape because the summer is right around the corner. I should be running right now but I’m working and I need to get this blog posted. If that sounded like an excuse not to run then it probably is. Let us move on.
As I’m writing this post, I’m listening to a classic 1994 mix tape from DJ Clue called Double Flavor Part 2. Talk about nostalgic, this mix tape stems from an actual cassette and had incredible “blends” which were a staple in my South Jamaica Queens upbringing. A blend is essentially creating a new sound for two songs that may have never met otherwise. DJ’s like Doggtime, Grandmaster Vic, Mista Rello, and Dirty Harry perfected these “Blend Tapes” from housing projects as well as backstreet basements deep in the borough of Queens, New York.
You take an a capella of some sort like Stephanie Mill’s “Rush On Me” and mix it to an instrumental like, um, I don’t know, Big Daddy Kane’s “Ain’t No Half Steppin’.” The result is nothing less than a classic mix that I’ll dub and bump in my Walkman for years to come. Plus, blend tapes or mix tapes or mash-up mixes are wonderful to write Open Florida blog post to. You should try it.
Let’s change the subject.
I’m seriously trying to recall what and where we shot over the last two week without asking Ben or Emilie but I’m drawing a blank. I try to make notes of places we film via twitter but I often forget. Give me a second and I’ll check my Google calendar…1…2…3…4…5 seconds. Ah yes, I can now recall a few of the crew’s daily activities.
Monday, March 24th, 2008 kicked off to a fantastic experience at the Florida Museum of Natural History. We filmed everything from Butterflies to fossils. Here are a few pictures I took while I was there:
Next stop was Mario’s Bistro which was essentially quick shoot. We got an interview from Mario’s wife then film some b-roll of the establishment. They were very hospitable to say the least. Before the filming began, they made some us some really tasty coffee and when we wrapped the shoot, they provided us lunch. I can honestly say that the panini I ordered was probably the best panini I’ve had in quite awhile. Thanks again!
After Mario’s Bistro we head one store over to film McIntyre Stained Glass. Here I encountered another cool hobby that I didn’t know much about. I was introduced to the art of stain glass when we visited the Morse Museum in Orlando but this was more intimate. Here I could purchase a wide array of glass, buy a glass cutter, and work on my piece right in the building. I also had the option buy pieces that were create by artist in the area.
Next on the list was the Wood & Swink, which I believe in Florida’s oldest active Post Office. First thing I notice when I entered thebuilding was all the beautiful textures on the walls, floors, and objects throughout the place. I took a few picture of the ones I found to be most interesting. Check them out here:
The last stop of the day was Herlong Mansion. I liked it. I took some picures and here are two them:
Later that week I got a tour of University of Florida’s campus by Paco. I’m not really into football but my favorite part of the tour (aside from the girls) was the Ben Hill Griffin Stadium aka “The Swamp”. Paco took a picture and here it is:
Well that about wraps in up for me.
Till Next Time,
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