Joseph RGEN Negra

Joseph is an accomplished writer/lyricist under the pseudonym, "RGEN", whose poetry, short stories & songs are being complied for a book featuring other artist's works in conjunction with his writings. Some of his works have been published in magazines, newspapers, & anthologies. His debut acting performance was in the adventure musical, "Twin Treasures", where he played dual roles as the gruff pirate, One-Eyed Wilkins, and a cowardly English Guard as comic relief. He has also had lead performances in "Frankenstein" onstage (Henry Clerval) and is now proud to be part of the sci-fi vidcast series "Venus Rises" (Sergeant Nathan Griggs).
In addition, Joseph has written, directed and produced a comedic short film entitled "ALL AMERICAN FAMILY : The Red, Black-n-Blue", a poetic piece "Wine", and a promotional music video as well as several other short films, videos and recordings.
Joseph's performance experience lies mainly in the form of vocalist/frontman for various bands in the Tri-State area. Some of the bands he fronted in the independent music scene include [Sic] Lovely, ISM, Rhythmseed, Orphans and Technikill. He has performed at dozens of clubs along the East Coast in addition to legendary venues CBGB's, N.Y. and the Stone Pony, N.J. opening for well-known acts such as The Ramones.
He started a multimedia company RGENerationX in 1999 and has directed and produced various video projects as well as other forms of digital media. Joseph posseses a B.A. in Media Arts and is pursuing another degree in English: Creative Writing at New Jersey City University. There, he has also been awarded several academic and scholastic achievement awards, is a member of Phi Theta Kappa and Chi Alpha Epsilon Honor Societies and is the recipient of a Presidential Scholarship for all academic costs. He lives in Jersey City and Island Heights, New Jersey.
Joseph Negras current works in progress are:
"Its the Pits"- (comix) A comic strip/series about two strong willed, sarcastic and maniacal Pitbulls, Trinity and Deception, and their owner who suffers with low self esteem.
"Rose"- (film) A supernatural thriller short film about a man, Charles Whittaker, who is infirmed and tormented by the apparition of an infant girl.
"Wine, Blood, and Butterfly"- (video) This is a triplet of video Haiku. The haiku were written by Joseph and the video portions written, directed and produced by him as well. The "Wine" portion of the triplet has been filmed and is viewable now!
"Anthologia de Poeta Incarcerare"- (book) This is a never ending process of Joseph trying to finally piece together some of his poetry and prose for a book. This may become a coffee table book with other peoples art that will coincide with his writing. Artists are urged to contact Joseph to discuss collaboration.
"The Blessed and the Dead"- (film) A discovery of emotional extremities one can undertake from 13 to 30. When completed, this will make that pseudo-biography "A Million Little Pieces" by James Frey look like a childrens pop-up book. (note: names WONT be changed)
My Symbol
Rogue
He steps lively through dimly lit savannahs
Sexual prowess slices through the smoky haze as he prowls
His head tilted slyly downward, his mane swiftly waving back
Seductive glances met and smiles discreetly caught
Hastily mounting tensions between himself and those protective of their territory
While others of lone nature step aside, dismissed
He trounces around the water hole
Playfully mingling with others, enjoying the company
Making his way to the center of the pack
Where he serenades the entire pride with broken roars
He has always taken many mates and walked with few confidants
Some beasts love and revere this beguiling prince
While others spurn and abhor him
None understand him
For he is a rogue
Destined to wander and squander his chosen path
Fulfilling his wants, ignoring his needs, and shying away from himself and the true
And as he gradually wanes into the tall grass and willows
He bellows a call into the brilliant night
Searching for another who will understand his ways, bring him close
And make him a rogue no longer.
ROUGH CHARCOAL SKETCH OF DECEPTION, MYSELF AND LIL' FLEA DONE BY NANCY PAINTER
PENCIL DOODLE ART BY SUE
Welcome, my friend...my self.
Oh, I see you have brought a friend.
Why have you come to this place again?
Is it to wash your hands of the blood?
Your face, too, maybe?
Are there enough moons in your dark world for your pool to reflect?
Well, come then, if you must, and read.
Moreover, come perceive the sighs and cries of the one you despise...
art entitled "TRACKING DEVICES"
THE FOLLOWING IS AN EXCERPT FROM A SHORT STORY WHICH IS TO BECOME PART OF A NOVEL/ AUTOBIOGRAPHY:
My hometown of Toms River is located in a suburban area of New Jersey and is considered a middle-upper class community. It is centrally located and only a little over an hours ride to New York City, Philadelphia, and Atlantic City. These places, along with my hometown and neighboring beach town, Seaside Heights, were the prime playgrounds for my friends and I.
My circle of friends was made up of a family of thirteen people and extended to roughly thirty individual members. We spent nearly every weekend and many weeknights together exclusively. The family was comprised of band members, girlfriends, close friends, and myself.
We lived a vampiric lifestyle, literally sucking the life force out of one another. Our existence was bound by an intense love for loud music, outlandish sex, and limitless mind-altering chemicals. We relied on each other for comfort, relief, and an escape from what we all saw as the completely lackluster lives of our biological families and normal society.
The members of our clandestine troupe were all in their early twenties. All were educated, respectful, interesting, and free-spirited individuals. We each had our own way of displaying our involvement with the counter-culture, as well as the way we expressed ourselves. We were extremely clean but dressed raggedy to display our non-conformity. Some of us were pierced, inked*, dyed*, and made up* at times. Others looked like just another face in the crowd.
The clubs we went to were teeming with disenfranchised youth, all mesmerized by the flashing colors of light displays and the blaring of amplifiers. Damp bodies were crammed together like lemmings sealed in little cans. We loved it. We lived for it. No matter if it were a club, bar, concert, boardwalk, or park, in the daytime or evening, we brought our own brand of style to it, as well. I, more than anyone, was afflicted with what I call the Peter Pan Syndrome. To actually grow older than thirty and join the drones of conformity, was nowhere in my vocabulary at the time. Most of my friends shared in this belief.
When you are engulfed into such a pleasure-oriented situation, your cognitive thinking and decision-making become quite jaded. Every thing becomes surreal. You are no longer you. All of the good qualities and bad features that make up an individual are displayed in such an extreme and distorted manner that you become a caricature of yourself.
Being the singer/front man of the band, I carried a great amount of influence with people. Natural communicative skills were enhanced and my perceived status honed manipulative abilities. People see you relate to them and tell their story through your words and lyrics. During this process you become their spokesman. I found myself having to keep up this exaggerated appearance offstage as well as on. I had to be on all of the time. Fueled by an ever-growing indulgence in decadence, this made for an already tasty treat easier to be hand-fed to my peers.
WRITTEN BY RGEN
Take the quiz: "Neo-Pagan Type Identifier"

Heathen
You believe in the deistic principle of the physical world. You find your gods in natural things, events and social activity with a focus on ancestry and cultural heritage. Your interests probably include mythology, cultural studies, naturalism, community, and upholding tradition. Your practices may include traditional ceremonies and ritual, and recognizing spirit in the world around you, shamanic work, exploring, understanding, and working with the natural world around you.
All year 'round.
picture entitled "CENTER OF THE UNIVERSE"
Picture entitled "Joseph and the wife of Puthiphar"