These not-so-enthused students in Kansas, dressed favoring a college fraternity probating for Obama, are raising eyebrows to questions like…”Is this indoctrination?” or “Is this getting them involved in politics young?” I don’t know. I think it is a little questionable that they are not performing this routine in front of the rest of the school…maybe they are practicing…or maybe it might not be allowed to endorse either party nominee…or maybe it was just a class project, who knows? One thing is for sure, the teacher who sponsored this display was suspended and the video does raise eyebrows, and on top of the McCain is trying to capitalize on Obama’s slip-up by association. Honestly, I think Obama has done nothing wrong but put a positive Black roll model and a legitimate candidate in a politcal race.
I recently started wearing bow ties, and I owe it to this guy right here. David Wilson, of D’Anthony Design. He has put his own flare on ties. D’Anthony Design started when David’s go-to-guy for ties and other accessories left VA for the Big Apple.
Wilson gets creative with his choice of textiles he uses. From stripes to plaid to floral designs, he does it all. He plans to branch out from bow ties to eventually designing his entire wardrobe. With hopes of one day having a high end line of men’s accessories, Wilson is looking for boutiques to carry his line of ties.
In case you can’t think of how to coordinate a D’Anthony tie with what’s in your closet, just send him a message on his Myspace and he’ll respond with some advice for your matching inquiries.
I recently got a tip about a skilled, up and coming videographer in the DMV area, and since we here at The Wall consider film an art, we obviously had to interview him. We talked about his non-traditional route to higher education and what his plans are along that road. Here is what Andre Banks, creator of ABB video had to say.
The Wall Magazine (TWM): How old are you? Andre Banks: 24
TWM: Where are you from? Andre Banks : Woodbridge , VA
TWM: Did you go to school? What School? Andre Banks: Graduated from Hylton High School in 2001. Was lost in the world for a few years, and then enrolled into Marymount University , where I currently study Information Systems, minor in business. My graduation date is unknown… LOL… I just go…
TWM: When did you get into video/ Why? Andre Banks: I got into video production in my Sophmore year in High School when I signed up for Intro to TV Productions, and thought it was a “fly by” class. Once enrolled, I learned that I would not see the studio until the following year. So after sitting in a classroom for a year, there was no way I was going to back out now. So I continued onto TV 1 my Junior year. Got my hands on a lot of different positions., but never really took liking to a specific position. Going into my senior year I took TV 2 we as students had a lot more control over what we did. At Hylton , our morning announcements were televised so that’s when I had the first chance to shine behind the scenes. I was running audio that morning and choose to run a “go-go” track. Early that morning I told all my homies to get into class early, im bout to play some “crank” during the show. They didn’t believe me. Once them credits hit, I played a rocking @ss Smoke from NEG solo. After first period, folks was like, Damn Dre , you really did it. At that moment I realized how much behind the scenes effect people. Sidenote .. my friends were actually in class on time anticipating that crank. LOL… After that, It was on.
Fast forward a few years, during my “lost” time, I fell completely out of the mix with not knowing what to do with my life. Pretty much working retail jobs and bs’ing with my homies . It was when my homies created a music group called UNVA, is when I started editing again. Since I have no rhythm at all ( lol ) or can put together lyrics I went with what I knew. Video Producing. From there, I picked up a miniDV cam and started making small projects with them. One project lead to another.
TWM: Do you have any favorite directors? Andre Banks: Unfortunately I do not have any “mainstream” favorite directors, but Rik Cordero from THREE21 Media is one sick underground director. I have always enjoyed watching his projects unfold. So Rik if your reading this, lets link.
TWM: What are your goals in video? Any full length movies on the way? Andre Banks: My main goal as a video producer is to create powerful short form projects for local DMV music artists. I want to expose the grind of our artists in a professional manner that can easily play ball with something that you may see on TV. I just want to be an outlet for these artists and let them know they can get quality work from a local dude on the grind just like them.
TWM: What has been the best experience for you in video production? Andre Banks: Learning how to “GRIND”. Having an understanding of what you put in is what you get out. I know it may sound like advice, but I feel its an experience.
TWM: As an aspiring video production artist, what advice can you give to others soon to be in your position? Andre Banks: Don’t just knock on doors, knock them $hits down. Build relationships. Make it be know “you out here.” Even though as a video producer you play behind the scenes, always be humble.
TWM: TWM has noticed that there is what we like to call a DC Renaissance going on with the music of Raheem DeVaughn, Wale, the Go-go band Mumbo Sauce, and even the art of Demont Picasso, what do you feel your part (if any) is in all of the commotion? Andre Banks: It kind of funny that you asked this question. Everybody you just named plays their part. Raheem DeVaughn one sick R&B music artists. Wale, dope MC. Mumbo Sauce – “I believe in Miracles” Demont Picasso – “paint me a picture”: You have your solo artists, band, and an artist/designer, but you did not name anyone to capture the moment. I think you know where this is going. LOL
TWM: If there is any message you are trying to get across in your videos, what is it? Andre Banks: Unfortunately I do not have a message that I am trying to get across in my work, but just to let folks know someone in your backyard is on the grind just like you.
EXTRA:
Currently working with UNVA local music group on various projects
Currently working with J.F.K. & the Yung Boss’ with ongoing projects
Pretty Diverse Portfolio to not be a film major
Producing my own series entitled “District Fresh” to highlight local boutiques and music artists
Rapper, singer, and artist Mathangi “Maya” Arulpragasam, better known as M.I.A. is making a lot of noise with her Euro, retro, techno style music. Her hit single Planes appeared on the soundtrack to the summer weed-head comedy, Pineapple Express , and was sampled for a Kanye, Jay-Z, Wayne , and T.I. collaboration.
Coming from Europe, with Sri Lankan descent, M.I.A. has strong views on politics and socialism. These views can be seen portrayed in her music, clothing line and graphic art. Her art reminds you of an old Nintendo game background. She uses bright and flashy pixilated shapes, often crude looking tessellations with overlapping images. It all goes together with her Euro-retro style. I wouldn’t be surprised if she partnered up with some company to create an M.I.A. game; maybe Def-Jam or somebody.
M.I.A. has been on the map since 2004, and is reaping the benefits of her sophomore album Kala. I look forward to hearing and seeing what comes out of her 3rd album
From what started as a self motivated campaign to give cyclist more freedom on the streets of Montreal, Canadian artist, Peter Gibson better known as Roadsworth has made himself a notable name up north. In 2001, Roadsworth began spray painting streets with stencils of bicycles just like the ones on bike trails. This was to give the bikers, in his words a “fair share of the public pie.”
Almost four yeas later, Roadsworth was caught and charged with 53 counts of mischief. Thanks to the art loving citizens of Montreal , he received a slap on the wrist. So after paying a hefty fine of $250 and serving a grueling 40hrs of community service of his choosing, Roadsworth started receiving commission for his paintings. Clients like Tour De France , Earth Day , and London Can’s Festival are a few to pay Roadsworth for his creative stencil paintings.
Alan Kohl and Sergeo Kirby, director and producer, respectively of Loaded Pictures shot a documentary about Roadsworth’s plight entitled Roadsworth, Crossing the Line . The film is scheduled to be screened at Montreal ’s International Documentary Film Festival, Friday, November 21 st this year at Concordia University .
