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A long journey truly tests ones ability to survive. My journey has allowed me to discover who I am, and my purpose for being here...Growing up just outside the Bronx in New Rochelle, NY, creative moments entered my life at an early age. I began drawing as soon as I was able to pick up a pen. From the pen I began banging spoons to the beat of what was playing on the radio, eventually doing my best to imitate who I was listening to. By the time I entered 7th grade, a new genre of music began to pop up in the Bronx that influenced just about every kid in the area. That genre was Hip Hop. The style was new, the influence was immediate. This began my journey into the world of entertainment.…
I traded in my drum sticks for the 'new intrument' of choice, the 'wheels of steel' and a mixer to put vinyl into a new spin of ongoing beat progression. A crew was started which included myself as DJ Black Magic, and my partner DJ Philly Phil. Although we were young teenagers, we had the nicest sound around and the tightest MC's who could battle and hang with just about anybody in the NYC area. The MC's in our group were Dr. Who, Vicious Lee, and Grand Puba Maxwell, who eventually became one of the legendary Hip Hop artists of 'all time'. While DJ and battling at parties between New Rochelle, Mt. Vernon, and the Bronx, I picked up the passion for photography and started to 'document' this new movement snapping break dancers, graffiti artists, and other DJ's and their crews through the eyes of the camera...
The look through the lens added more magic to my journey that now included film making. I was hooked on Hitchcock and this new cat named Spielberg, and began to study their body of work being cinematically drawn in to both.....
After high school, I left New York to attend school at the University of Maryland where I studied design, film, and television. While at Maryland, an internship at BET opened new avenues into the entertainment world, expanding my journey....After graduating, I came back to New York where I was blessed to work around two of the most powerful forces of the entertainment world; Bill Cosby and Nile Rodgers of CHIC. During this time, a friendship developed with Malcolm Jamal Warner who shared similar interest in directing as well as music. I give Malcolm credit for access and exposure to the Cosby set, which became my 'film school' of learning while having that access(check out Malcolm's Miles Long Band in a city near you...you'll be glad you did)....During this time, I began to dabble with writing music while developing my eye for the camera shooting pictures of different musicians and hip hop artists in the NYC area. This started a union with one of the most talented musicans I've worked with named Ed Woods, and the two of us became 'Con-Ed'. We worked for a short time writing and producing good music that started catching the attention of folks in the area. This led to me working as an apprentice with Nile Rodgers, eventually working alongside of him full time. I 'took notes' of appreciation that have carried me throughout the journey I still continue....
I moved to Los Angeles in 1998 to get closer to my opportunies with writing, directing, and producing in film and television. My camera helped open up the doors for me in Hollywood as I began to take this city one brick at a time....Since being here, I've been blessed to work with a wide range of artists in film, music, and television. These arist include Tisha Campbell-Martin, Duane Martin, Tichina Arnold, Vivica A. Fox, P.Diddy, Troy Winbush, Blair Underwood, Raphael Saadiq, Earth, Wind, and Fire, Jill Scott, Jody Watley, Sylver Logan Sharp, Kelly Rowland, Omar Hakim, Bille Woodruff, Gary Hardwick, Nick Castle, Chris Robinson, and editing guru of Hollywood, Dennis Virkler just to name a few....Nile Rodgers may not know this, but his early mentorship taught me how to be grounded and patient while traveling throughout the journey. Much love to you Pud. We Are Family!!
My goal is to punch a hole in Hollywood, bring in all the influences that have made me who I am today, create everlasting moments that can be shared by the world, and give back to the youth and needy who may be lost along their journey. I thank God for all I've been exposed to on my journey, and I look forward to showing others that the world can be yours as long as you keep your eyes on the prize.
Shoot for the Moon....If you miss, you'll still be amongst the Stars! Keep it Real, Keep it Positive! One Love to All!
Eye Contact (5 minute version) Short Film
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Eye Contact (continued)
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