Reflection from the Job Fair

After the job fair, I was refreshed to have talked about my artwork as a whole. Lately, I have only been interviewed with people that were non-artist. Before the fair began, I was curious how the day would go. Four companies that were outside the field I am interested in interviewed me. Harvest, Paint Coast Imports, Tom Martin Design, and Champion were the companies that interviewed me. All the companies gave beneficial compliments though Tom from Tom Martin Design felt I needed to have my Demo Reel set-up for whatever position I was applying for. Also, he felt my graphics were the weakest, and should work towards becoming a videographer. Each company felt that I was not what they were looking for, and old man from Champion felt I should mail my portfolio as it to work for free to receive some experiences. The most climax of the job fair was seeing Pierre Thornton from Paint Coast Import setting across me. He had great comments about my work though he would have like me to have had some hard copies of my 2D animation work as well as 3D. In all, I enjoyed myself at the fair.

Behavioral Interview

Describe a time when a co-worker or student approached you and criticized your work. How did you handle the
situation? What was the outcome?


When I was working at Wendy’s, my manager asked me to keep my workstation clean during the five o’clock rush. I tried to explain myself that I was working two positions that caused the issue at hand though I was not heard. I reserved the issue by informing my manager I will work harder to keep both station clean. Since my manager commitments, I have not had any more remarks.

Press release

Memphis College of Art hosts Digital Media Screening May 13, 2011 in the Callicott Auditorium, Rust Hall in Overton Park. The exhibition is combined in a diverse form of work in animation, film, and installation by graduating Digital Media students. The students’ work empower the next generations of leading artists, designers and educators to flourish professionally and contribute valuable ideas to society.

Meet and greet the artist from 6:30pm to7pm to find out all about the artists and guests. There will be refreshment available for everyone. Professor Jill Wissmiller will hosts the event at 7-10 pm in Callicott Auditorium. “Whether I'm painting or not, I have this overweening interest in humanity. Even if I'm not working, I'm still analyzing people.” says Alice Neel, “ These students are extraordinary individuals, who have work hard to used today’s crisis’ to make them capable to deal with by using humor as well as questioning America’s ideology.” Digital Media Screening is a event that would keep our coming generation talking.

Reflection

Richard Williams

Flim: Said Things

03/31/2011

Self-critique:

I thought the visions were okay, but the look and sound was so-so. I wished I were able to work my actors and have a crew on this project. I learned I couldn’t wear all the hats in a production piece.

Synopsis:

Said Things is a drama about two African-American brothers’ estrangement due to one brother’s pursuit of higher education, which leads to their final argument. Before the argument occurs, Don goes through an internal thought process of how his older brother will take the news of his departure. Once Don tells his brother, it causes a rift between them but does not prevent Don from carrying through with his plan.

Intent:

The essence of the film, Said Things is what I intent to do in the beginning of the production; however, my original idea was for the movie to be a lot longer. I had lots of trouble explaining my idea on film were my audience would desire watch my film. I hope in the future to find a way to have better relationship with my actor, so my time managing will work with everyone’s schedule.

Theme:

Said Things is a drama about two African-American brothers’ estrangement due to one brother’s pursuit of higher education, which leads to their final argument.

Strengths of the project:

The strength of the projects I believe is some of the dialog in the film.

Problems and what I want to learn to do better:
I had problems finding and keeping actors as well as having a good script that everyone could understand. Also, I had problems with control of shooting the film and sound.

Journal-type notes on your own learning process, discoveries, and frustrations:

I went through long hours of not sleep while looking for a internship, work at Wendy’s, looking for another jobs, managing a one bedroom apartment, and etc. I became frustrated when I felt a sleep in my last class on Tuesday and Thursday.

Artist Statement

Growing up in the urban landscape of St. Louis, Missouri, I witnessed many young African American males losing their hunger to achieve their dreams. I believe American culture instills a desire to achieve a dream for young African American males, and then resentment from family as well as community leads them to self-destruct. To break this bondage, one must be willing to adapt to the ideology of mainstream American society.

In The Allegory of the Cave, Plato illustrates the notion of human beings as prisoners in a cave with a fire behind them. The prisoners are forced to see shadows on a wall. What they don’t know is that puppeteers are actually manipulating the shadows. Once freed some prisoners are blinded by the light of the fire and cannot endure the shock of reality. Others will follow the light to adapt to their new reality. To see life for what it is, one must be courageous and willing to forge his own path, even at the risk of losing his former reality. In my film, Said Things, I question whether getting an education is akin to Plato’s light that will change one’s life or whether it is the light that keeps one blind to reality and that forces one back into the shadows.

Said Things is a drama about two African-American brothers’ estrangement due to one brother’s pursuit of higher education, which leads to their final argument. Before the argument occurs, Don ponders how his older brother will take the news of his departure from St. Louis to pursue his educational goals. Don tells his brother that he is leaving because he believes receiving an education will allow him the same opportunities as a white male. Mac criticizes Don for being blinded by what the white man has instilled in him about black men having equal opportunity. Their argument causes a rift between them but does not prevent Don from carrying through with his plan. The film ends with Don walking towards his new path while pondering his brother’s message.

Said Things

Said Things from Williams on Vimeo.

Synopsis/ Biography

Synopsis:

Said Things is a drama about two African-American brothers’ estrangement due to one brother’s pursuit of higher education, which leads to their final argument. Before the argument occurs, Don goes through an internal thought process of how his older brother will take the news of his departure. Once Don tells his brother, it causes a rift between them but does not prevent Don from carrying through with his plan.

Biography:

Richard Powell Williams was born in Wellston, Missouri on the outskirts of St. Louis, in 1982. After earning an Associate’s degree in Applied Science in Graphic Communications, he continued his studies at Memphis College of Art to work primarily in Digital Media.

Williams’ films have been in the Angelus Student Film 2010 and Undergraduate Exhibition juried by Beth Edwards. His artwork has appeared in print magazines and newspapers, on the covers of a conference program and a student literary journal, and on clothing. His honors and awards include, “100 Black Men of St. Louis” Scholarship; membership of Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, MCMA awards, 3rd place, photography.

Current Schedule from March 3,2011

Sunday, February 27, 2011

• 10pm-2am Lit. Survey_Lit paper and study for test Old South

Monday, February 28, 2011

• 8am-9am_

• 11am-12:00pm_Meet with Betty Spence_Statement Paper to get ready for Draft 2

•2pm-10pm_Intern. Channel 5_

•11pm-1am_Finish Paper Lit Survey_Read Song of Roland

Tuesday, March 01, 2011

• 9am-10:20am_Lit. Survey_(Canel)_Read Song of Roland

• 11:30am-12noon Meet with Ms. Root in Gibson Hall

• 1pm-3:25pm_Senoir Studio 2_Pitch Film_Whole_Revised Demo Reel

• 4pm-5:00pm_Meeting with Heather _Talk about Paper

• 6pm-7:25pm Old South_Exam 1

• 7:25pm -2am_Fine tone film after critique

Wednesday, March 02, 2011

• 11am-12:00pm_Meeting with Betty Spence

• 4pm-10pm_wok at Wendy’s

• 11pm-2am_Finish Film look and sound_Read Song of Rolang for lit

Thursday, March 03, 2011

• 9am-10:20am_Lit. Survey

• 1pm-3:25pm Senoir Studio 2Pitch film sound and look

• 4pm-5:00pm_Read The Nibelungenlied

• 6pm-7:25pm Old South(class cancel) Start reading Honor and Slavery

Friday, March 04, 2011

• 10:20am-12noon_Pay Rent

• 1pm-3:25pm_Read the complete of The Nibelungenlied

• 5pm-10pm_wok at Wendy’s

• 11pm-2am_Work on the sound and look of film

Saturday, March 05, 2011

• 4pm-9pm_wok at Wendy’s

• 4pm-9pm_Write artist statement_Finish for Betty

Sunday, March 06, 2011

• 4pm-9pm_wok at Wendy’s

11pm-2am_Work on the sound and look of film_Demo Reel

--

Monday, March 07, 2011

• 8am-9am_Check Schedule

• 11am-12:00pm_Meet with Betty Spence_Statement Paper to get ready for Draft 3

•2pm-10pm_Intern. Channel 5_

•11pm-1am_Work on Demo reel

Tuesday, March 08, 2011

• 9am-10:20am_Lit. Survey

• 11:30am-12noon Meet with Ms. Root in Gibson Hall

• 1pm-3:25pm_Senoir Studio 2 Pitch Film_Whole_Revised Demo Reel

• 4pm-5:00pm_Meeting with Heather Show

• 6pm-7:25pm _Old South

• 7:25pm -2am_Fine tone film after critique

Wednesday, March 09, 2011

• 11am-12:00pm_Meeting with Betty Spence

• 4pm-10pm_wok at Wendy’s

Thursday, March 10, 2011

• 9am-10:20am_Lit. Survey

• 1pm-3:25pm _Senoir Studio 2

• 4pm-5:00pm_Meeting with Heather

• 6pm-7:25pm _Old South

Friday, March 11, 2011

• 5pm-10pm_wok at Wendy’s

Saturday, March 12, 2011

• 4pm-9pm_wok at Wendy’s

Sunday, March 13, 2011

• 4pm-9pm_wok at Wendy’s

Current Week Schedule For February 21-26

Sunday, February 21, 2011

• 10pm-2am Lit. Survey, Was going to digitalize film

Monday, February 14, 2011

• 8am-9am_Demo Reel_Find more things_

• 11am-12:00pm_Meet with Betty Spence_Statement Paper to get ready for Draft 2

•1pm-2pm_Read Lit. Survey_

• 4pm-10pm_wok at Wendy’s

• 11pm-2am _ Film_said Things_Edit and_Old South_

Tuesday, February 15, 2011

• 9am-10:20am_Lit. Survey

• 11:30am-12noon Meet with Ms. Root in Gibson Hall

• 1pm-3:25pm_Senoir Studio 2

Pitch Film_Whole_Revised Demo Reel

• 4pm-5:00pm_Meeting with Heather

Show papers_Films

• 6pm-7:25pm _Old South

• 7:25pm -2am_Fine tone film after critique

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

• 11am-12:00pm_Meeting with Betty Spence

• 4pm-10pm_wok at Wendy’s

Thursday, February 17, 2011

• 9am-10:20am_Lit. Survey

• 1pm-3:25pm _Senoir Studio 2

• 4pm-5:00pm_Meeting with Heather

• 6pm-7:25pm _Old South

Friday, February 18, 2011

• 5pm-10pm_wok at Wendy’s

Saturday, February 19, 2011

• 4pm-9pm_wok at Wendy’s

Sunday, February 20, 2011

• 4pm-9pm_wok at Wendy’s

(What is left?) Need to do.

I will need once day to shoot the film, and one day to record the main character Don voice. If script is approved and favored by Jill, my goal is to shot live footage Saturday, February 19, 2011 and voice recording Sunday, February 20, 2011.

Need to complete sound and edit of end of film by this Tuesday, 25, 2011. Need live footage filmed, digitalize, and edit before March 3, 2011. Everything done ready to be on DVD by March 7, 2011. Tuesday, 21, 2011 refine Demo Reel with music track.

New Pitch

Background:

The idea is indebted to Christoper Falzon’s exploration of The Allegory of the Cave. In The Allegory of the Cave, Plato illustrates how human beings are often prisoners in a cave with a fire behind them. The prisoners are forced to see shadows on a wall. What they don’t know is that the puppeteers are actually manipulating the shadows. Once freed, the shock of reality is too much for some to endure. To really see life for what it is, one needs to be courageous and willing to change his mind. My premise for Said Things is that no one is all good or is anyone all bad. Remorse is like a shadow in Plato’s cave in one’s life; it blinds one to the actual and prevents him from dreaming and achieving.

My Logline:

Said Things is a drama about a two African-American brothers’ estrangement due to one brother’s pursuit of higher education.

Short synopsis:

Said Things is a film about two brothers and the legacy of their last argument. The elder brother, Michael “Mac” McLean,” argues with his younger brother Don for leaving Saint Louis to receive higher education. Before the argument occur, Don goes through an internal thought process of how his older brother will take the news of his departure. Once Don tells his brother, it causes a rift between them but does prevent Don from carry through with his plan. The film ends with the question of what will happen to both brothers.

Tone and Execution:

Said Things is a film about two brothers and the legacy of their last argument. The elder brother, Michael “Mac” McLean,” is leaving the younger brother Don with regrets about things that were said.

Objective:

My objective for this project is to show how education does not necessarily solve everything. Obstacles in life will always remain.

Target Audience:

My target audience is poverty-stricken high school students interested in higher education.

Positioning:

My goal for the film is to have it seen on You Tube and to enter it in the Angelus Student Film Festival of 2011 or 2012. I desire for the film to promote my directing and story telling skills so that independent filmmakers would hire me to work with them as a crewmember in Memphis or Saint Louis.

Mandatories:

My list of all assets need is to look through the main actor’s wardrobe again to find out what is best for the film. As for as equipment camera, I need: a camera package, camera and microphone stands, tripod, and sound pack. My budget should be at least $100.00 to cover for food and gas money for the actor.

Inventory:

Timeline (Completing filming Footage):

I will need once day to shoot the film, and one day to record the main character Don voice. My goal is to shot live footage Saturday, February 19, 2011 and voice recording Sunday, February 20, 2011.

Script

Scene1:

(Don is walking toward his older brother’s (Michael ‘Mac’ McLean) job to tell him that Don is leaving his hometown to receive a higher education. Don is poetically thinking of how his older brother would take the news. Don fears his brother would not take Don’s decision respectfully. Don believes he would not receive Mac’s support though Don needs it. Don knows his brother believes education would not solve Don’s financial problem due to racism though Don believes his God has the ability to make changes in his life, which causes arguments with Mac. )

Monologue; Voice over

Don:

Weed, crack, stolen platinum wheels––I sold them all. Well, at least my brother and me. Until, that moment passed. Letting go starts my beginning. The moment Jesus entered in. I can’t change the past, just face its demons. My brother won’t accept me looking at teeth for a living. No more sharing sacks of weed with you. No more sharing the Chicken-head with you. Listen to these words I’m tellin’ you. Jesus Christ is changing me. I’m not pushing him on ya. This lifestyle is like cancer. I feel I’m being eaten up inside. I need your approval though I already made my decision. I follow God and not you. But, I’m tellin’ you cause I respect you. You my brother man, and I always love you.

Scene2:

(The scene of Don walking fades in with Mac and Don are standing in a fast-food restaurant parking lot talking.)

Current Schedule For February

Sunday, February 13, 2011

• 4pm-9pm_work at Wendy’s

• 10pm-2am Finish The Peculiar Institution: Slavery in the Ante-Bellum South, Artist statement, Script (Said Things) Work with look and sound of film

Monday, February 14, 2011

• 8am-9am_See about internship with Gadsby

• 11am-12:00pm_Meeting with Betty Spence

_Need The Peculiar Institution, Artist statement, Script (Said Things)

• 4pm-10pm_work at Wendy’s

• 11pm-2am _Rewrite The Peculiar Institution, Artist statement, Script (Said Things)

Tuesday, February 15, 2011

• 9am-10:20am_Lit. Survey

• 1pm-3:25pm_Senoir Studio 2

Finish script. If Jill okays the script, prepare for shooting film. Get actor together to shot. Know all props, assets, etc.

• 4pm-5:00pm_Meeting with Heather

_Need The Peculiar Institution and Artist statement

• 6pm-7:25pm _Old South

• 7:25pm -2am_Fine tone film after critique

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

• 11am-12:00pm_Meeting with Betty Spence

• 4pm-10pm_work at Wendy’s

Thursday, February 17, 2011

• 9am-10:20am_Lit. Survey

• 1pm-3:25pm _Senoir Studio 2

• 4pm-5:00pm_Meeting with Heather

• 6pm-7:25pm _Old South class

Friday, February 18, 2011

• 5pm-10pm_work at Wendy’s

Saturday, February 19, 2011

• 4pm-9pm_work at Wendy’s

Sunday, February 20, 2011

• 4pm-9pm_work at Wendy’s

Personal Goals 02/08/2011

Tuesday, February 08, 2011_Finish sound for Ending of Film 7:25pm-11:30pm

Wednesday, February 09, 2011_

• Set-up Demo Footage_ 9am-11am

• Meeting Betty Spence_ Edit revise plot, agenda, and script 11am-12noon

• Write Down Advice to pitch for Thursday 02/10/2011_12noon-1:30pm

• Work_Wendy's_4pm-10pm

BFA Deadlines

e your calender with the official BFA deadlines.

Thursday, January 27, 2011_ Mandatory Meeting_12:10-1pm at Callicott Auditorium. (:done)

Wednesday, February 2, 2011_ Mandatory Artist Statement Worksop_12:10-1pm at DA Media_Contract Form Deadline_4pm_BFA mailbox. (Turned in Sunday, January 30, 2011:done)

Wednesday, February 9, 2011_Proposal Form Deadline_4pm_BFA mailbox

Wednesday, February 16, 2011_Exhibition Deposit Form Deadline_4pm_Business Office

Wednesday, February 23, 2011_

· Artist Statement Draft 01 Form Deadline_4pm_BFA mailbox

· Exhibition Form Deadline_4pm_BFA mailbox

· Faculty only: Student Progress 01 Deadline_4pm_Email Submission to Urrutia: Faculty only:

Wednesday, March 02, 2011_Announcement Committee Meeting_12:10-1pm_Executive Conference

Wednesday, March 03, 2011_

· Mandatory Hanging Workshop_12:01pm-1pm_Callicott_turn in Form to Jennifer Sargent

· Announcements are available for mailing from Lee Ann Warner, Director of Donor and Alumni Relations, during normal business hours.

Wednesday, March 09, 2011_Artist Statement Draft 02 Form Deadline_4pm_Email Submission to Urrutia: Faculty only

Wednesday, March 23, 2011_Career Services Form Deadline_Gadsby Creson 4pm

Wednesday, March 30, 2011_

· Artist Statement Draft Final Committee Form Deadline_4pm_Turn Slip on Form to BFA mailbox

· Final Artist Statement_ Academic Affairs Form Deadline_4pm_Mary Molinary’s Staff Mailbox

· Final Artist Statement Formatting Form Deadline_4pm_Turn in Slip on Form to BFA Mailbox

· Final Gallery Label Submission Slip Deadline_4pm_BFA mailbox

· Artist Statement Final_Formatting to be submitted on computer Deadlin_4pm

Wednesday, March 31, 2011_

· Label Construction Committee MEETING_12:10-1pm_Mac Lab 02

· Statement Construction Committee Meeting_12:10pm-1pm_Mac Lab 02

Wednesday, April 06, 2011_

· Mandatory Presentation of Work Deadline_12:10p.m-12:30pm_Main Gallery

· Final Installation Form Deadline_12:10p.m-12:30pm_Main Gallery

· Installation Committee_3pm-6pm_ Main Gallery

· Label Installation Committee_10pm_ Main Gallery

· Gallery Clean-up Committee_10pm_ Main Gallery

Wednesday, April 07, 2011_

· Post Installation Gallery Committee_12:10p.m-12:30pm_Main Gallery

· Lighting Committee_8pm_Main Gallery

Wednesday, April 08, 2011_

· BFA_2011 May Exhibition Opening Reception_5pm-7pm_Main Gallery

Wednesday, April 08-24 Sunday, 2011_

· BFA_2011 May Exhibition Duration

Wednesday, April 24, 2011_All work must begin to be removed from 5pm-10pm. Failure to remove work M_25 April _1pm will result in the forfeit of the student’s $100.00 deposit

Wednesday, April 25, 2011_

· All work must begin to be removed by 1pm. Or you will forfeit your $100.00 deposit.

· De-installation Patch Committee_4pm_Main Gallery with Jennifer Sargent