Earlier this week, I had the pleasure of working on a freelance project from The Genese Martin Foundation. This intense, time-sensitive project required expeditious turnaround and serves as a true testament of digital age convenience, as the client was able to transmit files via DropBox during business travel throughout the day. The final product was a MOV file / digital media presentation inclusive of voiceover, background music, sound editing, photo editing, b-roll sourcing, and content storyboarding in a coherent fashion to demonstrate the organization’s purpose. The founder of this non-profit organization has a storied history and uses her experiences in the arts to PAY IT FORWARD. We commend the work this foundation does in the community. Art is the core of all humanity; ART IS LIFE.
Here is an excerpt from one of my Film Criticism assignment submissions. The final video story is a 10-minute travel through time with b-roll curated from various online sources to corroborate the message. I explored the meaning of black cinema, the history, cultural significance, theories, challenges, and future. I highlighted the origins, silent film era, race films, blaxploitation films, the work of pioneer Oscar Michaux, independent cinema, notable challenges, the structure of Hollywood narratives, and the theories of Manthia Diawara, bell hooks and Haile Gerima. The later describes cinema as a weapon, and “one of the most unexamined, unscrutinzed tool(s) of colonialism” detailing how mass media exploitation prescribes a view of blackness that perpetuates the disenfranchisement of Black Americans.
What is Black Cinema? Film Criticism.
Video Story. Assignment Submission. Screen Capture. Professor Sam Harman. Howard University.
What is Black Cinema anyway?
Black Cinema is defined as classification used to describe film which involves the participation and/or representation of black people. Now, this definition is quite broad and leaves some room for interpretation. It could mean the film black cast, a black crew, a black director, a black story, or a focus on black audiences.
Alternatively, black cinema has been defined as a film recounting relatable common experiences and containing cultural elements that celebrate Black Cultural Identity.
Film director, Gladstone Yearwood defines black cinema as a body of films produced in the African diaspora which share a common problematic. These films are a cultural expression of the survival impulse of African American culture and its struggle against marginalization.
Conclusion
Black cinema is not an isolated phenomenon. It has always been linked with social issues in the black community and served as the imagination of our aspirations. Although challenges remain with funding and access, there is definitely a market for black stories. It’s interesting to speculate in what direction black cinema would go.
If you would like to view the entire video story, send a message on the contact page or sign-up for mailing list. I can also forward my voiceover transcript. Best regards!
As a Jersey poodle and distinguished lady of royal blue and gold, I absolutely love this time of year. Check out this promo spot over a STM instrumental remake created for Theta Mu, Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. undergraduate chapter at Rowan University. This year, SGRho turns 97. The organization was formed by seven young educators on November 12, 1922 at Butler University. With an organizational commitment of scholarship, sisterhood and service, its mission includes enhancing the quality of life for women and families in the U.S. and globally through community service, civil and social action.
While this is a Founders’ Day blog post, this video was actually created to commemorate Charter Day on the Theta Mu social media channel. I was the Shreditor(shooter, producer, editor) and starred in this one one-man band piece shot at 114 Victoria, Nexus Apartments @ Rowan University. Running time under one minute and optimized for socials.
June 2019 was an action-packed month! One of the most memorable events I had the pleasure of being involved with this month was the screening of Heroic Episodes and The Shades. These short films were both directed by Lisa Regina, the founder of A Write to Heal, a 501(c)(3) organization. The cast consisted of military veterans, and the screening took place the weekend after Memorial Day.
Below are some photos I took at the event:
In the month leading up to the event I assisted with grassroots marketing efforts and used both Canva and desktop publishing software to design a 16-page program / theater booklet with cast bios, sponsors, advertisers and more. I also handled BTS / event photography and edited a photo-story and video collage for socials. The premiere took place on June 4, 2019 at the historic Broadway Theater in Pitman, NJ.
I received a referral for this opportunity from Professor Rachael Shapiro, a Writing Arts, Research and Technology professor at Rowan University who taught my New Media Practicum / senior seminar course. Lisa Regina is a professional actress and coach by-trade. Her partnership with Bridging the Gap helps soldiers with communication skills and confidence building for reintegration into society after deployment. To learn more about Lisa Regina, these film projects, or her acting classes visit her website.
This PhotoVoice project features a selected subject of interest and multiple locations / shoots. This topic was selected because Rowan University is located in South Jersey and students are always on a quest to find interesting and FREE things to do. Moreover, there are over 100 institutions in the Greater Philadelphia area. Emphasis was placed on locations that can be enjoyed at no cost by people under the age of 21.
This photojournalist video profile documents Malin Fezehai. She won various awards including the World Press Photo Award for Daily Life. Some of her clients include TIME, The New York Times, The New Yorker, Fader Magazine, Nike and others.
She now works as a Visual Journalist for the New York Times. Her areas of focus are communities of displacement and dislocation around the world. There aren’t many minority female photojournalists; researching and learning about her work and accomplishments was a great experience.
Role: Content curation, video editing, research, voiceover, script writing Software: Adobe Premiere Pro
This is my individual “Project 2” edit. Scene utilizing standard coverage including the 180-degree rule for maintaining screen direction, shooting and editing for continuity, and match cutting. Note: Final submission includes complimentary music selection and roll.
Camera: HMC150
Shooting Date: 3/19/18
Location: Rowan University
Role: Pre-visualization, Digital Post-Production, Talent (on-camera)
ENVIRONMENTAL – IMAGE 1B
Street dancers perform for an audience of tourists in front of the White House. April 6, 2018. (Photo by Briana Andrews)
PORTRAIT – IMAGE 1A
Unidentified man rests on the ground and gazes at the sky in front the Newseum in Washington, DC. April 6, 2018. (Photo by Briana Andrews)
PORTRAIT – IMAGE IA
Two businessmen relax on a bench to talk during their lunch break. April 6, 2018. (Photo by Briana Andrews)
NATURE – IMAGE 2A
Springtime cherry blossoms in bloom beside the Washington Monument. April 6, 2018. (Photo by Briana Andrews)
NATURE – IMAGE 2B
Group of spooky symmetrical trees near the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool in Washington, DC. April 6, 2018. (Photo by Briana Andrews)
PICTORIAL – IMAGE 3A
Genise Plocica watches along as her children enjoy the view of a seagull and ducks by the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool. April 6, 2018. (Photo by Briana Andrews)
PICTORIAL – IMAGE 3B
Man rests on a bed of grass on as a film shoot takes place in the park. April 6, 2018. (Photo by Briana Andrews)
Squirrel Pic Contestant. April 6, 2018. (Photo by Briana Andrews)
Location: Washington, DC
Date: April 6, 2018
Equipment: Canon 60D DSLR
I am super proud to announce that I am now part of the illustrious sisterhood of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. I gained seven sisters who are equally dedicated to the community and scholastic achievement.
I completed this edit using cell phone footage curated from a variety of sources.
Individual RU Green PSA Edit. The full group course submission includes pre-roll, PSA and post-roll. Note: Alternate voiceover and music selection used for final edit.
Camera: HMC150
Shooting Date: 3/27/18
Location: Rowan University
Crew: Briana Andrews, George Bross, Alex Compta, Stephen Nuzzo
Role: Shooting, Editing, Script, Talent (VOX and on-camera)
BibbyFame Digital, LLC: Photo, Film & Interactive Media 