Multimedia Storytelling

Carey Hudson Slideshow

Carey Hudson Interview

Interview

Favoritism Exists Even On A Collegiate Level

One of The harsh realities of college is discovering every faculty member may not have your best interest at heart. Your university may not see your potential. This may seem disappointing, however,  The first thing you have to do is ask yourself if you believe in your own potential?   Remember college is a business and they are in the business of promoting higher learning and providing a quality education.  While you’re patiently waiting for your university to set you on the path to greatness, they are busy trying to brand themselves by only pushing the crème de la crème of their students to the top. You might be overlooked for internships, scholarships, and job offers.  There will not be opportunities given to you simply because you’re the best person for the job.  Create your own opportunities when nobody is assisting you. Find a mentor. Befriend the “golden child” in your department. Also keep in mind that there is life beyond your college campus. Remember there’s more than one path towards success, therefore seek opportunities on your own. Find the people who respect and admire your talents.

Monkey in a suit

Your hard work may go unrecognized because you don’t fit into the ideal student image your university wants to project. Forget about becoming the next Obama and become the first you. Give yourself a gold star for coloring outside the lines! I hope this inspired at least one self-proclaimed loser who’s drowning in self-pity.

The rest of you have all been invited to the ultimate pity party! Let’s all throw confetti and dance the night away! Just Press Play! Don’t worry our anthem hasn’t changed 🙂

Art Without Limitations

Great art is subjective, but originality isn’t. There are so many artists attempting to create with a purpose instead of allowing the organic process to take precedence. Allow yourself to create without boundaries or self assigned rubrics. Unless you’re being paid to create art intended for a mass audience ,there’s no reason you should second guess your decisions to include the quirky details that make your art unique. Don’t listen to the naysayers that tell you to simplify your art because “people won’t get it”, or “you don’t have the budget.”  Challenging yourself artistically helps you master your craft. There are plenty of artists out there who’ve been told they’re insane for attempting to create what others see as impossible. Those same artist who defy the odds continue to push their individual art forms forward.  I’ve recently been inspired to write a screenplay for a short film by a talented LA based filmmaker Bryan Colvin. Take a closer look at his work below.

Spawn of Satan from Bryan Colvin on Vimeo.

I’m a huge fan of the horror genre and especially the campy elements tossed in for good humor; however, it was the masterful camera work and editing that impressed me the most. Although I don’t know his exact budget, I’m confident that this production didn’t have a million dollar budget. He may have taken cost-effective routes to achieve his desired results, but he never forgot the most important part of film-making, which is great storytelling. The special effects involving blood and guts rival scenes I’ve seen in feature films. Luckily for every artist that is too afraid there’s a fearless artist like Bryan that creates art without restrictions. The FCC doesn’t monitor your personal art so stop censoring your genius. I challenge all singers, writers, filmmakers, photographers, painters, sculptors, dancers, and dreamers to emancipate your art.

Thoughts?

Pressure To Be Personal With Your Coworkers

I am annoyed by the expectation to share everything about  my personal life with my coworkers. I think its inconsiderate when people ask about family, childhood, and dating history so nonchalantly. They assume that everything is healthy and functioning. Truthfully, those selfish idiots really want you to hurry through your story so they can boast about how “wonderful” their life is. It’s such a tough position to be placed in, because some people do not want to talk about the childhood they spent being shipped from one foster home to the next, molested by their uncle, or abused by their ex boyfriend. Why run the risk of bringing up a painful past?

I’ve compiled a list of questions to avoid asking a coworker

• What did you get your mom for Mother’s Day?  (She might be dead)
• What did you get your father for Father’s Day? ( They might not know who he is)
• Do you remember your first kiss? ( it may have been forced from a male relative)
• What was your prom like? ( They might have missed it due to financial reasons)
• Are you spending the holidays with your family? ( They might be an orphan)
• Why don’t you drink? (Parent may have been an alcoholic)
• What do your parents do for a living? (They might be a maid, janitor, cashier at McDonald’s)
• Why are you single? ( Maybe they’re trying but nobody is interested)
• Do you plan on having children? (Maybe they do and they were taken from them or the child died)

I know some of you are thinking I’m eliminating a lot of  conversation topics, but the point is to allow your coworker to volunteer that information. Share whatever you like and if your coworker feels comfortable enough they will reciprocate.

Just think twice before you bring in your family photo album boasting about your picture perfect life.

Barren woman fake smiles at coworker’s rugrats

Deep-throating Jesus

It’s not that I don’t want to, my gag reflex just won’t allow it.

When it comes to Jesus, religious zealots are not satisfied with you just nibbling on the head. They are committed to forcing their lord and savior down your throat. So much so, at times it feels like rape. Recently , one of my roommates decided it was okay to host a prayer meeting in the living room. This lack of consideration for others who may not practice Christianity is common, especially in the bible belt. I was drawing storyboards and people are outside my door crying and speaking in tongues. That was a very uncomfortable experience.  I did not want to endure it any longer so I devised a plan to make it stop. I said to myself ,”Chief Keef to the rescue!” I knew the rapper’s unintelligible lyrics would make them scurry like roaches. I quickly connected my iPod to my speakers and turned the volume up to the max. Sure enough the freaks and geeks cleared the room. Before you call me a Satanist, please understand a couple of things, I hate my roommate and his friends,  and those losers use their religion as a scapegoat for not getting any bedroom action.  I respect religion, however, none of those posers were having a real breakthrough.  People seem to think just because they are “doing God’s work” it’s okay to be intrusive.

That unfortunate event reminded me how tactical writers are when developing characters whose cores are religious values. I’ve never been turned off by a character’s relationship with God, Except for Piper Laurie’s character in “Carrie”

Piper Laurie and her Jesus Hair

There is a necessary balance of personality traits for viewers to continue to watch without becoming uncomfortable with a character’s religion. Viewers don’t want to feel like they are being sold Jesus or made to believe certain beliefs. My favorite characters all have an inferred respect for others regarding spirituality by praying in private. Because I am on a quest to improve my writing, I am challenging myself to develop a script for a short film immersed in religion that includes characters who will satisfy Christian and non-Christian audiences. As a writer I vow to make my Jesus appetizing and ready for your consumption. My Jesus will melt in your mouth and glide down your throats like soft-serve ice cream.

Thoughts?

How do you like your Jesus best served in the media?

How Important Is Equality In Children’s Programming?

For several decades children’s television shows have attempted to promote diversity and represent all ethnicities. The cast of characters resembling a UNICEF ad is now the expected norm, but is it enough?  Diversity has been redefined since the 70s, and  it takes more than mimicking the united nations  to reflect that. What about the children who are excluded?  Every child cast in children’s programming seems to perfectly fit in with societal norms,  however that’s not every child’s reality.  Some children are faced with learning disabilities that extend for longer periods than “This week’s episode” .  Some might say that I’m over analyzing the situation, but I can’t help but think that I would feel alone If I had been a child diagnosed with Asperger’s. It seems that it would  have been difficult to not see anyone who looked like me on television.  I’m wondering is the world ready to see kids who have autism, turrets or who identify as same gender loving represented in children’s programming?

The Halle Berry of Porn: Heather Hunter

The Actress, Rapper, Author, Model, Photographer, and Philanthropist has been on my mind all month-long. I was given the assignment to choose a public figure to do a documentary on, and I chose the legendary Heather Hunter. I love Heather Hunter, because she’s a smart businesswoman. She built a brand instead of  falling victim to the darker side of the adult film industry.  She paved the way for a lot of the new girls by becoming the first black woman to sign a contract with Vivid Entertainment.  Heather was determined to receive the same treatment as her blonde counterparts.  

I first saw Heather on Pay Per View’s The Peep Show. My curiosity was peaked while watching the scrambled channel and I was determined to see what this woman looked like. I made up in my mind that I would hit the watch button and tell my parents I accidentally sat on the remote. Interestingly enough they believed me lol. I was either 10 or 11 so I hadn’t gone through puberty, but I was entertained through her personality. She was the host of the show and I continued to see her throughout my teen years in other forms of media besides adult film scenes. I heard her referenced in several songs by artist because Heather Hunter’s name is a brand. People always attempt to degrade women in her industry, but Heather defied the odds by making the most of it and becoming the best at what she does. I’m extremely excited to complete the script for the documentary and it’s a personal dream of mine to one day produce it. The research is obviously exciting. Not only do I want to make myself proud, but also Heather Hunter, A woman of many talents who inspired me to never settle for mediocrity.

Leimert Park Royalty: Dom Kennedy

He’s from LA, but he’s far from being “Hollywood”. The OpM records exec is still in the streets submerged in West Coast culture. He epitomizes chill, therefore no kickback is complete unless Dom is thumping through the speakers.  Dom’s not looking to start beef with other artists, ’cause he has nothing to prove. He’s confident in his skills and focused on making good music. He can’t get better because his cadence is perfected.  Dom like lots of rappers talks about his love for women and material possessions, but Dom is a connoisseur of the finer things in life. The “Leimert Park Legend” loves beautiful women, classic sports cars, and fly kicks. He never settles for mediocrity in his music. The lush production on his records has a signature groove that fits his rhymes like a glove.

He reps where he’s from a lot because he’s a product of his environment. He’s not trying to be Down south or East Coast. Leimert Park made Dom Kennedy who he is. Dom brings you into his world and visualizes LA culture through his lyrics.  His songs creep into your subconscious like a drug. He manages to make records with commercial appeal without compromising artistic integrity. There’s no doubt that Dom Kennedy is Hip Hop. He has an appreciation for the “old skool”,which influences the classic sounds of his records. Dom’s not making music for the moment, he’s making the timeless music you’d expect from a legend.

This is just one of  the records that reflects his greatness. Press Play and become Enlightened!