“When their heart is hurt, especially in that age range they feel like it’s the end of the world. It is so depressing,” says Producer Brigette Talbert, who will be showcasing the stage play Outside Child (Inside Pain) in the Sullivan Performing Arts Center, on Saturday December 1, 2018.
“It’s a learning experience, it’s about old secrets. Learning how to love again through heart ache, infidelity and lies, the Outside Child (Inside Pain) setting is an African-American community, portraying a family learning to love again, overcoming infidelity, while saving a lost tradition. This play can relate to any race. Think about all of the single parent households, they don’t have to be black”.
Brigette Talbert has been involved in radio, film and production for over 15 years. This will be Bridgette’s second play to independently write and produce. “I’m always nervous when its time to hit the stage, because you know what you have written, you know what your words are and how you want them to be portrayed. You know that it tells a story. You just wondering if that audience is picking up the story that you’re trying to tell.”
Brigette casting role involves plenty of personality and experience that makes the play better. “When you have a cast that feels like family then you’ve cast the right people.” The cast includes Fel Davis, Sharnette Hyter, Jousha Fitzpatrick aka J-Fitz, Jordon Ballard, Alicia Gulley-Malone, Nikki Wadley, and Amanda Virtuous Henderson.
“Community should support community.We’re bringing entertainment to the community,It’s a small town setting and there’s not really a lot going on. There will be lots of laughter, crying, you’ll feel every emotion while having a learning experience”.
Get your tickets today at the Golden Lady Restaurant in Texarkana, Texas, KZRB studios in Hooks, Texas or from cast members Lisa Gulley-Malone and Amanda Henderson. PayPal is accepted. betalbertproductions@gmail.com
Despite the prospect of WWII soldiers going up against twisted Nazi experiments being an exciting premise, audiences may want to temper their expectations.
Image Courtesy of Paramount Pictures
Produced by J.J. Abrams and directed by newcomer Julius Avery, the film tells the story of a small group of soldiers who barely make it into France as D-Day approaches. Their mission is to destroy a communications tower near a Nazi-occupied village to clear the way for their oncoming troops. However, things become complicated as they uncover the secret of what the Nazis are doing to the people of the village: creating an undead, superhuman army for Hitler’s Thousand-Year Reich.
The premise alone was enticing enough to inspire attendance, but, unfortunately, the film’s balance between war drama and horror schlock tends to lean toward the former.
There are some positives to the film worth addressing. The action scenes, especially the way in which the film opens with the soldiers in a plane being fired upon, and visuals are impressive and atmospheric. When the film does get down to the nitty gritty horror aspect, it does unleash some impressively startling visuals. The acting was also very commendable, with Jovan Adepo, as the wide-eyed, pacifistic lead character, Wyatt Russell, as the battle-hardened soldier in command, and Pilou Asbæk, as the film’s deliciously sadistic antagonist, the standouts. Even when the film dedicates its time towards being a war film it manages to engage with legitimate emotion and tension.
Despite this, that’s not exactly what the film advertised.
Image Courtesy of Paramount Pictures
While the film does well enough with both sides of the equation, one is given more time than the other. For instance, the film lingers often on Adepo’s character objecting to leaving people behind to die or torturing the enemy for information. It’s executed fairly, but the problem lies with the fact that it’s difficult to take the moral quandaries and the horror of a war as seriously as the filmmakers want when the villains are cartoonish in their deviousness and the characters are going up against zombies with super strength. When you have a villain with half of his face blown off, sneering like a supervillain at a certain point, it puts the first two acts of the characters going through what feels like a different film into perspective. The film even opens with a title sequence that harkens back to the days of pulp adventure stories, something the film does evoke later when it does get to the zombie experiments attacking people, so one would think the filmmakers would’ve opted to go for something less serious and just go for over-the-top spectacle. It’s especially disappointing considering the unique opportunity that Bad Robot had with such a unique premise that normally wouldn’t be given such high production value.
Image Courtesy of Paramount Pictures
Overall, while the film has its moments of gory fun, impressive visuals, and a somewhat engaging cast to keep the film grounded and watchable, it feels as though it shies away from what audiences may have been hoping for. While not terrible by any stretch, I dare to say that it is a mostly good film, it’s one that should be approached with certain expectations in mind before seeing. If you enjoy war films, you’ll be pleasantly surprised. If you enjoy horror, it has it’s spots, but you may not be satisfied.
Looking for a diversion only a couple of hours away this weekend?
“It’s not a competition, but a display of talent. We have various makeup-artists, barbers, stylists, and fashion people. As entrepreneurs, these people making a living using their gift in their field. Displaying their talents in front of audience and their peers takes courage and boldness”, said Entrepreneur and Guest Host, Eric Lockhart.
Dallas fashion industry professionals will showcase their creativity when Lavish Lounge Cutz & Stylz hosts their 3rd Annual Showcase December 2nd Sunday evening, 5-10 p.m. at The Highland Dallas Hotel 5300 East Mockingbird Lane Dallas, TX 75206.
A list of Lavish Lounge Showcase 2018 participants. Photo Credit: Lavish Lounge Cutz & Stylz.
Attendees will see creative, unique, yet stylish pieces among showcasing participants. “It will include conventional makeup, body makeup, various haircuts/beards, various hair styles and fashion from boutiques to actual designers”, said Lockhart.
Before being selected for the showcase, participants must follow proper standards and procedures. “They have to own their own brand and display qualities in their work product & service”, said Lockhart.
The stylish salon set a professional theme for fashion industry business — “Excellence”. Attendees will also support regional business vendors, including hair, real estate, clothes, and makeup.
Frederick Johnson aka Sipp the Surgeon will be honored within the 3rd Annual Lavish Lounge Showcase event December 2nd. Photo Credit:@sippthesurgeon
The third year showcase will also honor fashion industry guests Bridgett LaDawn, Sipp The Surgeon, Meke Stephens, and Princess The CEO. “These individuals have exhibited excellence and longevity in these fields with influence, giving back and power”, said Lockhart.
All proceeds will go towards the non-profit organization, IMAGINE WELL, Inc. “We are the founders of IMAGINE WELL, a non-profit organization that works with kids and the adult entrepreneurial industry”, said Lockhart.
With great expectations, Lockhart looks forward to the high-end, energetic showcase. “A unified, high energy show with great host, comedian, food, networking, vendors, great time”, said Lockhart.
PrincesstheCEO will be honored within the 3rd Annual Lavish Lounge Showcase December 2nd. Photo Credit: PrincesstheCeo.
A wide range of individuals are welcome. “Dress to impress. Attendance of 500-600 people to come out with energy and enjoy a great show”, said Lockhart.
Make-up artists, stylists, models, hair stylists, barbers, or fashion industry professionals are welcomed from all areas including Texarkana.
iLash Magic held their eyelash workshop November 17th 8:00-1:00pm. Photo Credit: iLashMagic
Eyelash specialist and iLashMagic owner, Tiffany Brown (no relation to this writer) held an eyelash workshop Saturday morning, November 17th in Dallas, Texas. Attendees of all levels learned lashing techniques 8:00am-1:00pm.
“The workshop event is a lash extensions certification workshop. I included a kit, manual, certificate of completion, and a mannequin to practice with”, said Brown.
For the past two years, she has specialized in eyelashes and have taught more than one course in Dallas, Texas. “This is not my first lash workshop. I’ve been lashing for almost two years. Proudly can say I walked away from corporate 9 months ago”, said Brown.
With a leap of faith and great ambition, the iLashMagic owner created her own brand within the fast-growing makeup trending business. “I came up with the workshop because, as the lash industry is growing there is a need for lash extension education”, said Brown.
The eyelash course included proper eyelash applications, a little history behind lashes, and business techniques. “The students learned the introduction to the history of lashes, how to apply and remove lashes as well as proper sanitation, and marketing”, said Brown.
iLashMagic graphic art. Photo Credit: iLashMagic.
Makeup experiences were not required, however certain requirements were met before registry. “They must be 18-years of age and did not have to be experienced or have a certificate to attend the class. The class was for education purposes only”, said Brown.
For the next upcoming eyelash course or bookings visit, www.ilashmagic.net or call 214-702-8377. You can also follow iLash social media below:
Baby Girl 2: My Dad is Dope combats teen domestic violence at the Sullivan Performing Arts Center November 3rd Saturday 4:30pm and 7:00pm. Courtesy of Vanessa Jackson-Fields.
Local play writer and director Vanessa Jackson-Fields brings teen domestic violence awareness through her new play, Baby Girl 2: My Dad is Dope. New young actors and returning cast members demonstrated lesser-known warning signs and dangers of an abusive relationship at the Sullivan Performing Arts Center, 4:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. Saturday.
Newcomer Kiauna Smith portrays smart, outgoing, family-oriented, high-school valedictorian, college-bound Jasmine (Baby Girl) escaping from her former violent boyfriend, Marcus (Kameron Randle) a year after a relationship ended.
“It’s written around a young teenage girl that didn’t know the signs of an unhealthy relationship or a potential abuser, because usually they start off really nice, well-cut people, and you have to know the signs that they can potentially be an abuser. This show points out all the signs, especially this day and time”, said Vanessa Jackson-Fields.
The 15-year Anniversary play began with the early stages of obsession, control, and stalking in teen dating violence via today’s communication media: texting, phone calls, and emailing. “They become obsessed with you. Show up at your door when they’re not wanted, even though you told them not to. They keep you away from your family and friends and want you to be with them all the time”, said Jackson-Fields.
Domestic violence advocate and play writer, Vanessa Jackson-Fields poses in the Perot Theater, where her first play took place in 2003. Photo Credit Tiffany Brown
According to One Love Foundation and Joyful Heart Foundation, isolation is considered a domestic abuse warning sign. The family foundation also mentioned belittling, intensity, manipulation, and jealousy, which Jackson-Fields mentioned in her play. “You might think it’s because ‘Oh they just jealous’, and think it’s cute, but it’s not. Being jealous can be very dangerous. It’s like they have ownership over you. They believe you belong to them,” said Jackson-Fields.
Jackson-Fields included real-life scenarios of physical abuse, potential sexual abuse, and a horrific tragedy. “Shoving, grabbing and getting very angry. The play kind of shows a lot of that. It gets very graphic”, said Jackson-Fields.
Domestic teen violence does not discriminate against social class, race, gender, age, or family background. It can occur among upper and middle-class teenagers. “I always remember April Love. She came from a nice middle-class family. She was so smart and had a bright future. She was killed September 2005 by her boyfriend on a college campus. It was days before they found her. You never would’ve thought, she would be killed in an abusive relationship”, said Jackson-Fields.
According to The Telegraph UK writer Amanda Prowse, abuse can happen in middle-class families. In fact, middle class abuse cases are rarely reported, as seen in the teen domestic violence play. “Abuse is sweeping the country and nobody really pays attention, until someone loses their life”, said Jackson-Fields.
Jackson-Fields cast newcomers Isaiah Germany, Jashaun Wedlong, returning cast members Pastor Lamarcus Franklin, Tammie Harvey, Dr. Mary Phillips, and Connie Thompson as a supportive family, however their favorite baby girl, Jasmine found herself in a violent relationship. “This play is showing when you’re in these relationships, it not only affects you, but everybody around you”, said Jackson-Fields.
The former abuse victim turned advocate encourages teen boys and girls to speak up before it’s too late. “I hope they learn okay I know he’s doing that, but I need to get away. Run! Get away from him or her! Go to your parents or somebody you know that will support you. Do not try to handle it alone or hold back, because you can’t. If they do it one time, that’s just a warning”, said Jackson-Fields.
If you are experiencing domestic violence or know someone that’s experiencing domestic violence please speak up or link to Texarkana Domestic Violence. Or call (903)-794-4000 or visit 424 Spruce St, Texarkana, TX 75501, 8-5.
Amber Harris announces the Golden Ticket Bingo game alert throughout Healthcare’s Sportsplex hall during Wonka Fest Saturday afternoon.
The Sportsplex by Healthcare Express hosted their Wonka Fest Saturday morning October 27th. The local gym kicked off the pre-Halloween family event and fundraiser for Nash Elementary School with a costume contest 10 a.m. and hosted family fun events until closing time at 2. The contest competition included age categories 0-3 years old and 4-12 years old.
“This is our gym and community center, so this is our Halloween Wonka Fest we are doing today in partnership with Nash Elementary School as their fundraiser for their program”, said Healthcare Express’ Chief Marketing Officer, Angela Evans.
Suki Oneal straightens arranges the ultimate Wonka bar during Wonka Fest at Healthcare’s Sportsplex.
The local gym raised donations through a family classic theme, “Willy Wonka”. “We just decided that it would be cool to have kids excited about finding golden tickets, so we hid for the whole month of October. We hid golden tickets at random stores and different places all around town for the excitement to get them to come here for the fundraiser”, said Evans.
The golden tickets were not found in chocolate bars, but throughout various games. “They were just randomly around town when they find the tickets, but you can purchase golden tickets when they’re playing Bingo. It gives you a Bingo card to where you’re able for a give-a-way for a Ninetendo Switch and we’re giving away a cabin trip, designer bag purses, and some bikes”, said Evans.
7-year-old, Kailyn Hall plays toss a soda game during the Wonka Fest Saturday afternoon 10/27.
Besides the golden ticket bingo game, free games, a photo booth, a sweet shop, and concessions were included in the Wonka Fest. According to Evans, all donations will go towards Nash Elementary. “Our goal is to raise $3,000.00 toward the school and they can use it however they need to”, said Evans.
Attendees receive a wrist-band moments before the 7 p.m. Pen 2 Paper strategist conference at the Texarkana Convention Center. Photo Credit: Tiffany Brown
Business strategist Bridgette Moody strategized, organized, and maximized the visions of Texarkana conference attendees during her Pen 2 Paper celebration 7 p.m. Friday night November 2. Ambitious entrepreneurs, ministry leaders, and business vendors made connections, ate great food, enjoyed live music, and grabbed their pens and paper for Moody’s instructions at the Texarkana Convention Center.
Pen 2 Paper display graphic design during conference. Photo Credit: Tiffany Brown
“Tonight’s event is about vision celebration. It celebrates the vision people who had a vision and walked that path. Some people wrote books, began and completed new projects. We want to celebrate those who had the tenacity and hung in there. Not only that, celebrating those advocates the country who have gotten Pen 2 Paper”, said Moody.
Before hosting Pen 2 Paper over the country, Moody began with herself and others around her. “This conference started as a result of working with ministries and finding out that people really didn’t have a clear vision, understanding their purpose. As a result of my own experience in trying to figure out the next level of my life, I began writing those things out, because there’s more in our hearts than we can see on paper”, said Moody.
Attendees shop around business vendors moment before Pen 2 Paper strategy conference Friday night. Photo Credit Tiffany Brown
In order to have a clear vision, an individual must grab the necessary tools: pen and paper. “Learn to write. Jot before you journal”, said Moody. Your vision should also be clear and detailed oriented. “Know what your vision is. It’s hard to put steps together, if you don’t know what it is. Be clear. Do you know what it is? Are you just doing something that someone else is doing? Do you have a heart for it? Without a heart or a passion, 9 out of 10 ten times, you’re ready to quit if you’re not making money. When it’s your purpose, you persevere the ups and downs, but you will keep going if that’s what you’re called to do.”
According to Moody, you do not have to be a skilled professional writer. “Everybody is not a writer. Write every thought down. If you can write every thought down, it helps you put those things together. You get everything out on the table like putting a puzzle together. You put your edges, colors, and like images until you the full picture”, said Moody.
Although business owners and ministry leaders attended the event, an individual did not need those titles to have a successful, clear vision for themselves. “It’s not just for business owners or ministry leaders, but individuals to find themselves in their life and figure out where they’re supposed to be. It helps them to not just exist, but to live”, said Moody.
Business strategist, Bridgette Moody welcomes attendees during Pen 2 Paper conference. Photo Credit: Tiffany Brown
Before vision boards became a successful trend, celebrities such as Harvey, Oprah Winfrey, Jim Carrey, Will Smith, and Arnold Schwarzennegger accomplished their written goals using this one method. “You should always keep the vision before you. Once we put it on paper, it magnify the dream, goal, and vision”, said Moody.
“Keep in mind success is not a quick process. The vision is not something that you write it today and it happens tomorrow. It’s over a period of time. You have to establish goals in the process of moving toward the vision. The vision is an expected end. Once it happens, that’s the end result”, said Moody.
After so many years of sequels and remakes, David Gordon Green has wiped away the slate and delivered the best Halloween film since the original.
Since 1978, John Carpenter has set the standard for slasher films. Halloween spawned numerous imitators, made a household name of Jamie Lee Curtis, created an icon of cinema, and began a franchise that, while containing a few standout films enjoyable in themselves, never recaptured the same magic of the first film.
While that’s still debatably true, there’s no denying that the latest attempt, which sets itself up as the true sequel to the first film by ignoring everything but the original, is not only a great follow-up story, but also a thoroughly entertaining horror film in its own right.
Image courtesy of Universal Pictures
It’s been 40 years since that Halloween night where famous masked killer Michael Myers menaced the streets of Haddonfield, Illinois, and Laurie Strode, the sole survivor of Michael’s rampage, has never forgotten it. Living in constant fear that Michael may, once again, escape captivity, Laurie has remained in isolation from the world, including her own family, to prepare for the worst. Her fears are soon realized when Michael, having remained silent and inactive all this time, breaks free and returns to Haddonfield to continue where he left off. With her family to protect, Laurie must engage Michael head-on in hopes of finally ending the nightmare she has lived through for so long.
Green’s direction is worth commending. Certain shots and scenes are definitely owed to Carpenter, but Green’s method of bringing the film to life is his own, as it doesn’t feel as though he’s trying to imitate Carpenter. Long takes and wide-angle shots recall the original, but there’s a modern sensibility that helps the film stand apart. For instance, one scene feels like it would have been staged by Carpenter, but its execution feels new and eerie. If you’ve seen the trailers you’d know I’m referring to the tracking shot of Michael as he goes from the streets to someone’s garage to someone’s house to steal a knife and kill the person inside. It’s all done in one, continuous take as it follows Michael, and it’s a stunning moment.
Image courtesy of Universal Pictures
The acting from most of the cast was excellent, with Jamie Lee Curtis giving the best performance. You feel how the trauma of that event has affected her character solely through her body language and line delivery. She’s reclusive, withdrawn, paranoid, and depressive, having occasional crying fits in public. It’s uncommon for slasher films to focus on how the life of a victim, or “survivor girl,” was impacted by their encounter, and, thankfully, Curtis was able to impeccably realize this rare opportunity by giving one of the best performances I’ve seen from her in some time. Other notable performances include Judy Greer as Laurie’s estranged daughter, Karen, who feels as though her mother ruined her childhood, Will Patton as the town’s deputy, and Jibrail Nantambu, an unknown child actor who easily stole the show whenever he was onscreen as a funny little kid babysat by one of Laurie’s granddaughter’s friends.
Image courtesy of Universal Pictures
Then there’s the core question posed about the film: is Michael Myers, a character that most people are familiar with and has been used to, scary? Yes, he is. Not another film in this series, apart from the second, has been able to make Michael as fearsome or alarming as he was in the beginning. Fortunately, that’s been rectified with this film. Michael is as brutal and unpredictable as he’s ever been, going after characters you wouldn’t expect him to target, setting up gruesome, macabre decorations for people to find, and stalking the night without anyone being aware of his presence until it’s too late. The tension when he’s on the screen is palpable, and even if you don’t see how some characters meet their demise, the aftermath paints an even more horrifying image in the viewer’s heads.
Image courtesy of Universal Pictures
Part of the advantage with Michael in this movie is the fact that the creators focused on what made him threatening to begin with. He’s still human and, feasibly, able to be hurt and stopped, unlike in some of the sequels where he felt like a copy of Jason Voorhees. In the first film, an almost supernatural quality showed about how ghostly and determined he was. It fools the audience in believing that he is this unstoppable force or, as Samuel Loomis put it, purely and simply evil.
While nothing ruined my satisfaction with the film, a few negatives are worth addressing. For starters, the film does fall into the usual horror tropes that we’ve come to know for years, especially for the slasher subgenre. Characters, no matter how appealing or likable, make illogical decisions only to further the plot or build tension, teens partake in scandalous activity only to be viciously murdered, predictable jump scares are present (thankfully, minimally), and so on. Another point against the film is the pacing. For long stretches the film trails on and on, specifically in some moments of comic relief that stops the film in its tracks, and takes away from time that could have been dedicated to other, more important, characters. Finally, a certain plot twist near the end of the film, while interesting in concept, feels too last minute and confusing. I won’t go into further details than that to spare everyone from spoilers, but know that there is a twist and it is a touch perplexing to say the least. Once again, if the film took a little more time from moments of comedy, that twist could have been stronger and easier to grasp.
David Gordon Green’s Halloween is a welcome return for Michael Myers and Laurie Strode, and judging by how well the film has been doing at the box office, Blumhouse Productions may be opting for a continuation. If they iron out some of the issues here while maintaining what worked well here, I think we’ll all be in for a treat in Halloweens to come.
Photo Credit, Tiffany Brown. Members of the National Society of Leadership and Success sign in before famous Top Chef, Carla Hall’s “Leading With Love” live-stream in Eagle Hall 6 p.m. Tuesday night.
Bravo’s Top Chef, Carla Hall leads the National Society Leadership and Success (NSLS) organization with love through a live-stream leadership conference yesterday evening October 23 at 6 p.m. in Eagle Hall. Hall’s tough, tedious experiences taught the united NSLS members the importance of following their passions, learning from failures and resilience, and leading with values and integrity within Eagle Hall’s conference room 6pm Tuesday night, October 23rd.
“If you feel frustration about something that happens to you, that frustration is about the teacher coming to you to teach you that thing. When all of those things happened to me at The Chew, it wasn’t about them, it was about getting me frustrated enough, so I could move from that”, said Hall.
Photo Credit, Tiffany Brown. National Society of Leadership and Success’ Founding President Philip Deuroen takes notes during famous chef Carla Hall’s live-stream.
The students took notes regarding accountability and self-diagnosis. “All this blame and not taking responsibility, you can play that game, but you’re going to delay your gifts and delay your lessons. If you are frustrated, then that’s your lesson. If you’re indifferent about what’s happening with someone else, you can just look and support them, while they’re going through it, but it’s not your lesson, it’s their lesson”, said Hall.
Upon learning Hall’s method of leadership, attending member Matthew Edwards and staff member Phillip Barnes discussed their definition of a leader. “To be a leader, be willing to listen to other ideas and not force your own ideas, be cooperative. Be willing to step out of your comfort zone and challenge yourself, said Edwards. “Communication and empathy. It’s one of the coessential roles a leader should have. It shouldn’t be just working with different people of all shapes and sizes, you should understand where people are from. At one point, you will be always that’s under someone person and a leader. It takes a person that has round-about thinking pairing to understand everyone and working together to similar goal. Empathy is the goal”, said Barnes.
Photo Credit, Tiffany Brown. A Carla Hall poster lies on the National Society of Leadership and Success’s sign-in table.
The famous chef coincided her personal experiences with Barnes’ statement. “When I hired people at the restaurant, I wanted to teach young people work ethic, which is why I hired older people. I want this older woman to yank this kid up and be like look dude okay. Sometimes, it’s leading by example. Other people just don’t see it. You can not be a lesser than you. Nobody wants a lesser than you. Nobody wants an earnest, overly-righteous, pointing the finger, because what you don’t realize is by doing what you do other people are watching. They will flow with you or leave you”, said Hall.
Photo Credit, Tiffany Brown. Members of the National Society of Leadership and Success communicate briefly before Carla Hall’s live-stream leadership conference.
She also described the importance of teamwork during her hard-core, Top Chef competitive days. “When you’re in a competition, and it seems cut-throat and everybody’s trying to win, for me it was about doing me, and being true to myself and others, and helping others. If I am running away to get er done and I see somebody fall, I’m going to go back and get that person, because you don’t win by yourself. Top Chef was that thing, it was hard and it was a little bit of bullying. I learned you just have to say no.”
Photo Credit, Tiffany Brown. Founding NSLS chapter President Philip Deureon speaks positive messages toward the National Society of Leadership and Success.
Founding NSLS chapter President Philip Derouen and Phillip Barnes believe Hall’s advice will equip the organization to become future better leaders in their organizations. “She will give our members a live-stream about leadership, women’s foundation, and teach our members leadership and how they can use that in the real world”, said Founding President, Philip Derouen. “It will be another series of various speakers that exemplifies leadership and will intern inspire the ones in the room to grow and build upon those aforementioned leadership traits they carry”, said Phillip Barnes.
Besides being active, having boundaries, and achieving your goals, Deroeun states a necessity every leader should have. “For me your mindset effects everything, so if you have a positive mindset, you can accomplish anything that you want. That’s what I want to give all my members apart of this society.
During the live-streamed, Q/A session, Hall touched similar topics regarding the right attitude. “God goes before me making smooth, easy and clears my way. No person, place or thing or outside condition can affect me. I am powerful, worthy, free, creative, unique, confident, and so it is. I say that every morning”, said Hall.
You’re a senior in high school. You’re over halfway through the school year, and you’ve just spent the last four years of your life trying to forget that you’ve spent a good majority of it flipping through math, science, English, and history textbooks. You’re ready for your summer of freedom. But, that’s not going to happen. It’s time to decide your place in life. Your teachers tell you that college is nothing like high school. It’s hard. It’s tiring. You need to know what you’re doing before you do it, because there’s not much wiggle room. And all you can think about is what you haven’t been prepared for.
Our educators expect us to understand the world enough to know exactly what we should do with our lives, even at the age of ten. It’s a scary thought. But there lies the problem. People aren’t expected to have everything figured out once they reach college. However, our younger selves are somehow coerced into believing that picking a major field of study for higher education is a singular choice.
On the contrary, college is a place where learning the steps to make that decision actually takes place. The misconception that high school is where you make your final decision is just downright stressful. Some people get so worked up it actually decreases their likelihood of going to college. They feel so overwhelmed that their solution might be to wait it out. But education isn’t knowing everything in advance of doing it. If that were the case, we wouldn’t need education.
Venturing further into your academic career offers new discoveries and options everyday. The electives at Texas A&M University – Texarkana offer multiple teaching and learning styles, material, perceptions.
Photo by Allison Hall
One class in particular is Dr. Drew Morton’s Intro to Media Production course. The name suggests filmmakers would receive the most benefit, but anyone on campus can gain something. The course teaches students how to properly use DSLR Canon Rebel cameras for photography and video, and how to mash those clips together in Adobe Premiere. The course requires no necessary experience or skill (Hint: “Intro”). The series of projects in the course moves in an elegant and gradual way to ward away nerves about technique and to compliment your available skill set. The course is all about you: What do you want to make? What do you have to say? Film is an easy way to tell a story. A section of the class teaches you to do this without words. Visual elements can instill meaninginto a person that words just can’t.
Photo by Allison Hall
One junior history major has ventured much further into the field of mass communication thanks to classes like this. Josh Wattigny has taken several MCOM classes and is now enrolled in Intro to Media Production. Prior to any of these, he hadn’t thought of branching out into media studies. Now, he has his own camera, equipment, and a YouTube channel. “I had an interest in learning about film history, and from there I found out that I really enjoyed everything that goes into film production. I wanted to learn more and make my own movies,” Josh said. The truth is, with or without a degree, we’re all involved in the field of mass communication.
You might think you know what you want, and maybe you do, but there’s always something else worth exploring. Something you might think is too hard, or not worth the time might turn into a consistent hobby, as it was for Josh. Here, we’re discussing videography, but maybe you have a knack for poetry or writing. So, a word of advice: get out there and take as many classes as you can. Wander around and find new media of expression. You never know what’s possible until you apply yourself in a new, scary, wonderful way.
Texas A&M University – Texarkana has some upcoming workshops and lectures you can use to test the waters. November events include a GIS (Geographic Information System) day hosted in the Digital Humanities Lab on November 14th, a Fried Green Tomatoes (1991)screening accompanied by discussion from Jaime Cantrell, Drew Morton, and Rachel Stonecipher on November 20th in Eagle Hall with a live podcast taping, and a walk-through of Audacity applications and podcast recording on November 27th at 12:15 in the Digital Humanities Lab. All these opportunities provide a variety of explorable content. Please check them out and don’t hesitate to ask questions.
“It’s a learning experience, it’s about old secrets. Learning how to love again through heart ache, infidelity and lies, the Outside Child (Inside Pain) setting is an African-American community, portraying a family learning to love again, overcoming infidelity, while saving a lost tradition. This play can relate to any race. Think about all of the single parent households, they don’t have to be black”.
