Today, I'm hanging out at Heroes and Dreams talking about production stuff. We are looking to this next year and figuring out where to go with Characters and generally making things better. This project for me is another way to stay on both sides of the camera and learn what I can, either from self study or from those around me.
Check out the Heroes and Dreams website and get connected with them on Twitter and Facebook.
A few of the things we're working on are Twitter Hash tags and response videos. We see the importance of being apart of the communities that exist online and not just being one sided. The one sided life online can be both from just being a user or just being a producer. We know that we can't expect a community to follow us and let us in if we don't participate in the things that community is doing. Recently, I took a step to do this with my video for Project for Awesome. Heroes and Dreams had an old Tron arcade game set up at the Malco Grandview Theater in Madison, MS and were charging a dollar to play. All the money they got from the game goes to St. Jude Children's Hospitals. Another example of this was the John Lennon video that we did as a response. If you have a chance go check both of those out.
On the Twitter front we are getting more involved with Hash tags. Everytime we're doing something store related we're adding the #heroesanddreams hash tag to the tweet, and everything dealing with Bags and Boards gets the #bagsandboards tag. Please, add these to any tweets or RT about our productions or activities and help promote the community around Heroes and Dreams. I'll be looking into other trending hash tags such as #production and #youtube.
I hope that keeps you up to date on me and all that we're doing at Heroes and Dreams as always "Dream Big!" and keep watching.
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Wants and Needs
I'm to a point again lately where I feel spread thin. This feeling has me thinking "What am I doing?" Now, when this thought comes around I usually look at the many projects which I've gotten myself involved in or the groups I've committed myself to. When I do this it's to look at, as I see it, a safety net of life. This in my mind is a safety net which keeps me moving forward in a pursuit of knowledge, growth as a Christian, and development as a person. So what groups and projects am I apart of to develop, grow, and push me forward in life.
Here they are in no particular order.
First, is Maurice 365 my daily video blog a project in which I committed to simply make a video everyday for a year. This project has done and is doing what I want it to do. It gives me an outlet to stay productive on a daily basis. Sometimes it's just the act of doing something I've committed to do and other times it's a test of skills that I'm seeking to develop.
Second, My commitment to play Bass guitar at First Methodist Church in Clinton. I have not kept up with this commitment well. I have been there regularly, but last week and this week are nights that will be or have been missed due to my third commitment.
Third, The Detectives Mystery Dinner Theater. This group has been a gateway for me into the Jackson Art community and a growing point as an actor. It is one of the few instances where my only job on set and in practice is to be an Actor and focus on my part. I enjoy doing such and also have met many fun and interesting people because of it. I also have found out about two other projects from people in this group, the independent film "She is not worth it" and the 48 hour film challenge.
Fourth, would be Heroes and Dreams Productions. This group has been good support system and team of people who are also breaking into the film making and visual arts community. The store Heroes and Dreams already had some what of a foot in the Jackson community for being a good shop, and Jay's diligent work around the community with networking. I have and do enjoy my time with this crowd. Also, like that we are working as a team to become more professional in our production work on all levels from writing, directing, and acting to simple things like the flow of a shoot day. Also, the interest in Videography and Photography has been inspiring.
Five, Mundane Lives of Risk Takers this project has been fun to be apart of and see character ideas that I had a hand in developing come to life after being given to a talented witty writer. I have enjoyed the collaboration of this project and the exploration into different tactics and feel as far as shooting and editing go.
From here I look at the things which I have not kept up with well in the past year. Reading my Bible or quite time or disciple ship... whatever term we want to use I've not kept up with it well. Now, a problem I have is one I have personally chosen to not quote the Bible often on any form of blog, because honestly I feel like it gets over used and that lessons of morality can be taught by referencing other stories and writings sometimes and it would freshen up everyone's perspective and knowledge. I'm not saying I'm against it I just feel it gets over used and thus I try not to do such. Also, the sticking to a set plan has been bother some. I feel like I find a plan and it either feels spastic in it's approach to tackling the bible or it is underwhelming and is manly talk with one or two verses as reference. Okay, I feel I've beaten that point into the ground.
Next, I would say exercise. I made a Facebook post earlier about how I'm sure no one wants to hear me say this, but I need to hit the gym up. I feel like most of the above things have yes in some ways interfered with each other, but for the most part they are all drained of my energy and focus because of my day job. That is right I now work a day job. For much time I had apart time job which I worked on the side and worked five days a week, but as people got fired and I started driving all over the place day in and day out I took on more hours and then like a lobster being boiled I was slowly given more hours or took hours at a time which would help with other goals such as waking up earlier, and changing my schedule around to a day time on instead of a manly night owl life. The cooking like a lobster I reference was a change from working daily a shift of either 11-7 or 10-6, to working a 9-5, which was by choice to fit in the Bass playing at FUMC, but which became 9-6 daily once people were fired and it became needed. Now I don't think I'm necessarily complaining about work itself, sure I have issues with management, but heck who doesn't at any job.
What I'm complaining about I actually think is myself. this is the self exploration I've been lead to. A statement of Aron Ralston's from the video below has been stuck in my head. He says "We always make choices of what we want in our lives. So, for some reason I had wanted that experience." Now, Aron's experience was a life or death on, but cold mine not be also a fight for my own artistic and free living self? I know crazy and dramatic right. So, Percy Bysshe Sherry of me falling "upon the thorns of life," but I have to question what lead me to this point. The only thought I come to is a statement I made about myself years ago. I believe I said something to the degree of "I was not made to work a normal 9-5 job," I remember going on to explain that I "wouldn't do it" and "it would kill me." So, have I chosen to be in this position where I feel stretched thin working "a job to pay the bills" because I flat out said I never wanted to work a job for the simple sake of paying bills and getting by. I don't want to just get by.... as I've said before. Living the dream is one thing, but making it happen is the hard part. I'm still on the path of fighting for what I see as "The American Dream" for me.
-Maurice
Here they are in no particular order.
First, is Maurice 365 my daily video blog a project in which I committed to simply make a video everyday for a year. This project has done and is doing what I want it to do. It gives me an outlet to stay productive on a daily basis. Sometimes it's just the act of doing something I've committed to do and other times it's a test of skills that I'm seeking to develop.
Second, My commitment to play Bass guitar at First Methodist Church in Clinton. I have not kept up with this commitment well. I have been there regularly, but last week and this week are nights that will be or have been missed due to my third commitment.
Third, The Detectives Mystery Dinner Theater. This group has been a gateway for me into the Jackson Art community and a growing point as an actor. It is one of the few instances where my only job on set and in practice is to be an Actor and focus on my part. I enjoy doing such and also have met many fun and interesting people because of it. I also have found out about two other projects from people in this group, the independent film "She is not worth it" and the 48 hour film challenge.
Fourth, would be Heroes and Dreams Productions. This group has been good support system and team of people who are also breaking into the film making and visual arts community. The store Heroes and Dreams already had some what of a foot in the Jackson community for being a good shop, and Jay's diligent work around the community with networking. I have and do enjoy my time with this crowd. Also, like that we are working as a team to become more professional in our production work on all levels from writing, directing, and acting to simple things like the flow of a shoot day. Also, the interest in Videography and Photography has been inspiring.
Five, Mundane Lives of Risk Takers this project has been fun to be apart of and see character ideas that I had a hand in developing come to life after being given to a talented witty writer. I have enjoyed the collaboration of this project and the exploration into different tactics and feel as far as shooting and editing go.
From here I look at the things which I have not kept up with well in the past year. Reading my Bible or quite time or disciple ship... whatever term we want to use I've not kept up with it well. Now, a problem I have is one I have personally chosen to not quote the Bible often on any form of blog, because honestly I feel like it gets over used and that lessons of morality can be taught by referencing other stories and writings sometimes and it would freshen up everyone's perspective and knowledge. I'm not saying I'm against it I just feel it gets over used and thus I try not to do such. Also, the sticking to a set plan has been bother some. I feel like I find a plan and it either feels spastic in it's approach to tackling the bible or it is underwhelming and is manly talk with one or two verses as reference. Okay, I feel I've beaten that point into the ground.
Next, I would say exercise. I made a Facebook post earlier about how I'm sure no one wants to hear me say this, but I need to hit the gym up. I feel like most of the above things have yes in some ways interfered with each other, but for the most part they are all drained of my energy and focus because of my day job. That is right I now work a day job. For much time I had apart time job which I worked on the side and worked five days a week, but as people got fired and I started driving all over the place day in and day out I took on more hours and then like a lobster being boiled I was slowly given more hours or took hours at a time which would help with other goals such as waking up earlier, and changing my schedule around to a day time on instead of a manly night owl life. The cooking like a lobster I reference was a change from working daily a shift of either 11-7 or 10-6, to working a 9-5, which was by choice to fit in the Bass playing at FUMC, but which became 9-6 daily once people were fired and it became needed. Now I don't think I'm necessarily complaining about work itself, sure I have issues with management, but heck who doesn't at any job.
What I'm complaining about I actually think is myself. this is the self exploration I've been lead to. A statement of Aron Ralston's from the video below has been stuck in my head. He says "We always make choices of what we want in our lives. So, for some reason I had wanted that experience." Now, Aron's experience was a life or death on, but cold mine not be also a fight for my own artistic and free living self? I know crazy and dramatic right. So, Percy Bysshe Sherry of me falling "upon the thorns of life," but I have to question what lead me to this point. The only thought I come to is a statement I made about myself years ago. I believe I said something to the degree of "I was not made to work a normal 9-5 job," I remember going on to explain that I "wouldn't do it" and "it would kill me." So, have I chosen to be in this position where I feel stretched thin working "a job to pay the bills" because I flat out said I never wanted to work a job for the simple sake of paying bills and getting by. I don't want to just get by.... as I've said before. Living the dream is one thing, but making it happen is the hard part. I'm still on the path of fighting for what I see as "The American Dream" for me.
-Maurice
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Active day
Well I've go two new posts for today. I finished editing the "Bags and Boards: The Movie" trailer and I did another Maurice 365. The trailer is a launch of the new series which we will be shooting soon. I hope you enjoy.
and my Vlog I did enjoy playing the new Guitar Hero: Warriors of Rock!
and my Vlog I did enjoy playing the new Guitar Hero: Warriors of Rock!
Monday, October 25, 2010
48 hour film fest
I was asked to help with a 48 hour film fest piece and here it finally is. I had tons of fun and met a lot of very great talented people. I hope that this leads to more things. Please watch and enjoy.
Editing Mundane Lives of Risk Takers day one outtakes
We've started editing for "Mundane Lives of Risk Takers." In the process of editing a few clips stood out as hilarious physical comedy. I hope you enjoy my pain it's all for the art.
Saturday, October 23, 2010
48 hour film fest.
Today was a very busy day. My vlog is some clips from this morning at Keri's house during our shoot for the 48 hour film fest. I played a gay magical mechanic. I was on set for that from about 7 till 2:00 then I headed over to Heroes and Dreams to shoot some scenes for Bags and Boards. I await when we can show all of you our hard work. The evening ended out with a visit to see my cousin's Chelsea and Abi. They are staying with a friend close to where I live so I stopped by had a burger and played some wii. It was good to see them.
x
x
Friday, October 22, 2010
Question Friday about the creation of evil and suffering.
So today is Friday and the first in awhile where I'm actually going to answer a question. The question today comes Rita: If God is who He says He is, why does He allow or why did He create the concepts of suffering/evil? Jim is nice enough to quote some John Milton. Check the speech by Milton here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Areopagitica. That speech is on Freedom of Press, but Milton lays out how man should know both good and evil to defend against the latter. I myself went with Star Wars as an example and said that there must be balance to the force. If there is good then evil must exist. Let me know what you think, comment below.
Thursday, October 21, 2010
What's your favorite off air TV show?
So many TV shows were good, had their time, and are now off air. You can never have the first news paper back which tells the future or the first Mounty in New York. So what are your favorite TV shows that have come and gone? They may not be remembered by the masses but they were good and had their place? You may have scheduled life around them... oh the days.
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
First Blog Busy Life
Hello Constituents,
I am Maurice and I log. That's right. I now am a logger in many forms. I have a youtube channel of the same name as this blog Suave Maurice. http://www.youtube.com/suavemaurice check it out. I'll be posting comments about blogs and daily activities to this space here. enjoy. http://www.youtube.com/suavemaurice
I am Maurice and I log. That's right. I now am a logger in many forms. I have a youtube channel of the same name as this blog Suave Maurice. http://www.youtube.com/suavemaurice check it out. I'll be posting comments about blogs and daily activities to this space here. enjoy. http://www.youtube.com/suavemaurice
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