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.