Drunk In A Dumpster
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"Our body isn't a temple - it's an amusement park."
Drunk In A Dumpster is a retro 80's Hardcore band based in Asheville, North Carolina. Formed in 2010 and founded by longtime friends David Baird (vocalist) and Alex Altgilbers (guitar/producer). David, the former singer of bands The Slutty Church Chixxx and The Square Sheep founded No Profit Records - an indie label that supports up and coming hardcore and punk acts. Along with the producing and distributing Drunk In A Dumpster's first record, No Profit Records has bands Blood Red Baby Blue and The Slutty Church Chixxx on their roster of artists.
Alex, former member of Sav and current member of Killing Solves Everything and David were writing songs for a second Square Sheep record when Drunk In A Dumpster started to take shape. Alex, who works with Page Sigmon got the idea to join forces with Page's heavy metal cover band Doppelganger out of Ashville, NC to form Drunk In A Dumpster. David, Alex and Page (guitar/backing vocal) are joined by bassist Stephen Hawk and drummer Matt Hudson.
David lives in the eastern third of the state while the
other members live in the western third, a 4 hour drive. The song writing process is a
challenge with Alex, Page, Matt & Stephen writing and recording the music. Once complete, the recording is sent to David via e-mail for him to write lyrics to. Once complete, David travels to Ball Sweat Studios in Ashville to record a demo. The five members of the band have practiced together a total of three times before performing live the first time.
Drunk In A Dumpster has numerous influences including Circle Jerks, D.R.I., Black Flag, Corrosion of Conformity and Suicidal Tendencies. The band is a quasi-serious affair. They formed out of the love for the hardcore genre and perform live when their schedules permit. The band members are in their mid to late 30's and have serious careers and families that require much of their attention. Additionally, the members are over-educated for a typical hardcore band. David has three Bachelors degrees, Alex has a PhD, Page has a Masters in engineering, Stephen is a med-school drop-out.
In March of 2012 Drunk In A Dumpster performed with nationally renown punk band Sloppy Seconds at the Get Down in West Asheville, NC.
Sunday, June 24, 2012
Why Don't I know Who Invented The Cell Phone?
I love art. I deeply admire those who create what we listen to and what we see. But what about artists using their notoriety as a political platform to push their views on certain social or economical issues? Or artists elevated to God-like status while scientists, engineers and teachers are considered sub-human? And who in the art world are the worst offenders? Actors and musicians. If an alien race was researching and trying understand the western mind-set, they would be amused by our veneration of singers and actors, not inventors. What do musicians and actors really produce? Sights and sounds for the masses to enjoy. While I think their contributions to society certainly have value, there is a disconnect between their social status and that of the scientists and inventors of the world. There are hundreds of singers and actors that my 72 year old mother can rattle off with ease. The likes of Bono, Clint Eastwood, Flea, Lady Gaga, Angelina Jolie, Sting, John Travolta, Justin Bieber and the list would go on immemorial. How many scientists can you name? I can name four or five off the top of my head. How about engineers? Steve Jobs and Bill Gates. Teachers? Professor Moriarty comes to mind - but he doesn't count. Zero. Entrepreneurs? Inventors?
Why aren't these creative people as widely revered as the guy who invented the moon walk, the stars of Twilight or Lady Gaga and her meat dress. Compared to the guy who invented the cell phone? I don't even know who that is. I'm going to have to look that one up. Or the Person who built the first personal computer or designed the first GPS? What about the astronauts on any of the shuttle missions? Who's on the international space station right now? The balance of notoriety between these two groups is obscenely skewed. Contributions to science and technology and those behind them aren't viewed as relevant compared to those who sing and act. There isn't an overnight cure for this societal discord. One article or a single blog isn't going to change a mind-set that has taken the better part of a century to form. Bringing this issue to light for just a few may cause a ripple effect. We're talking a about shift in social values that could easily take equally as long to manifest.
It all starts in the home and schools. It's a question of ideals so that the children fantasize about growing up to be the next software engineer, scientist or teacher instead of moving to Hollywood to be star. The problem being that children from the moment of birth are targeted by countless televisions programs that seem to say being stupid, thin and loud is how one makes it to god-like status. An idea to turn the tide I would like to steal from the Harry Potter series. The chocolate frog that was introduced on the train ride to Hogwarts came with trading cards of a famous witch or wizard. The same could be created for scientists, inventors and notable teachers. For example: Dr. Martin Cooper, inventor of the modern cell phone. There are is ample potential, the real challenge is getting kids interested in something like this. Another observation I have is that people in the public spotlight have legions of "handlers" in the background that coach these stars on how to respond during interviews among other things. The vast majority of scientists, inventors, engineers, entrepreneurs don't have this luxury. And when and if they get interviewed they come across boring or socially constipated. Let's make an effort to positively shape perceptions of these people too.
We, the consumers of media have a responsibility to the children change the values from worshiping anybody with the last name of Kardashian to recognizing and admiring the talents of our scientists, entrepreneurs, teachers and engineers. These are the people who are truly shaping our future.
Why aren't these creative people as widely revered as the guy who invented the moon walk, the stars of Twilight or Lady Gaga and her meat dress. Compared to the guy who invented the cell phone? I don't even know who that is. I'm going to have to look that one up. Or the Person who built the first personal computer or designed the first GPS? What about the astronauts on any of the shuttle missions? Who's on the international space station right now? The balance of notoriety between these two groups is obscenely skewed. Contributions to science and technology and those behind them aren't viewed as relevant compared to those who sing and act. There isn't an overnight cure for this societal discord. One article or a single blog isn't going to change a mind-set that has taken the better part of a century to form. Bringing this issue to light for just a few may cause a ripple effect. We're talking a about shift in social values that could easily take equally as long to manifest.
It all starts in the home and schools. It's a question of ideals so that the children fantasize about growing up to be the next software engineer, scientist or teacher instead of moving to Hollywood to be star. The problem being that children from the moment of birth are targeted by countless televisions programs that seem to say being stupid, thin and loud is how one makes it to god-like status. An idea to turn the tide I would like to steal from the Harry Potter series. The chocolate frog that was introduced on the train ride to Hogwarts came with trading cards of a famous witch or wizard. The same could be created for scientists, inventors and notable teachers. For example: Dr. Martin Cooper, inventor of the modern cell phone. There are is ample potential, the real challenge is getting kids interested in something like this. Another observation I have is that people in the public spotlight have legions of "handlers" in the background that coach these stars on how to respond during interviews among other things. The vast majority of scientists, inventors, engineers, entrepreneurs don't have this luxury. And when and if they get interviewed they come across boring or socially constipated. Let's make an effort to positively shape perceptions of these people too.
We, the consumers of media have a responsibility to the children change the values from worshiping anybody with the last name of Kardashian to recognizing and admiring the talents of our scientists, entrepreneurs, teachers and engineers. These are the people who are truly shaping our future.
Friday, June 22, 2012
The Perfect Memory
While dining with our kids in the arts district of Memphis, my wife almost didn't notice an advertisement that would initiate instant drooling on my part. She did thankfully and sent me a picture of the handbill as a text message. Small but recognizable - a painting in hues of blue and grey of an empire era clipper ship carving through a canyon of water, white sails bloated and outlined by roiling seas squally and pitch . At the bottom, a gold cloth banner with "Westwinds" written upon it. I knew the painting well. It was the cover art for the latest release by The Real Mckenzies. Monday, June 18th - The Real McKenzies in concert. The band hails from Canada - but is loosely defined as a Scottish punk/folk/rock-n-roll outfit. They love their scotch
and wearing their kilts the highland way. Commando. Tartan butterflies did acrobatics in my stomach. Finally, a band worth seeing in this god forsaken town. I saw them in the early 90's half past the 10 O'clock news. The bar was called The Green Onion. Imagine a tractor-trailer sized enclosure reeking of cheap beer and twist-tied with Christmas lights. A charming establishment filled with charity furniture and dotted with patches of bare earth where flooring should have been. Twenty strangers, I included, slam-danced the night away. We left the bar best of friends caked with sweat-soaked mud and entirely less sober.
Recollections of that evening bounced about in my mind transforming to thoughts of reprising my role as a human pogo. The last show I had been to was The Sisters Of Mercy in Detroit 2 years ago. And here was an opportunity in my town no less. To go see a band I actually cared about. A thought occurred to me soon after the winged anticipation left my stomach and calm returned. Trying to relive a spiritual memory such as mine would have been a disappointment. That evening all those years ago was perfect and remains the candle to which I judge all others. It is for that reason I didn't attend the The Real McKenzies concert this past Monday. Perhaps I missed out on a better than perfect experience. It wasn't worth the risk.
Recollections of that evening bounced about in my mind transforming to thoughts of reprising my role as a human pogo. The last show I had been to was The Sisters Of Mercy in Detroit 2 years ago. And here was an opportunity in my town no less. To go see a band I actually cared about. A thought occurred to me soon after the winged anticipation left my stomach and calm returned. Trying to relive a spiritual memory such as mine would have been a disappointment. That evening all those years ago was perfect and remains the candle to which I judge all others. It is for that reason I didn't attend the The Real McKenzies concert this past Monday. Perhaps I missed out on a better than perfect experience. It wasn't worth the risk.
Saturday, June 16, 2012
It's All In The Name
Ever wonder how bands come up with their names? The name of the band, in most cases, has a direct relationship with the kind of music that is produced. For instance - MC 900 Foot Jesus doesn't sound like they'd be a gospel outfit. The Kidney Thieves probably won't be playing at your local honky-tonk. The Warlock Pinchers most likely won't be going on tour with the Barney & Friends stage show. But how do these groups come up with such rich and colorful names? And how do they come up with names that connote the kind of experience fans will have when seeing them live. I don't presume to have the answers, as coming up with the names of bands are varied and individualized. I can, however, pass along what a friend and I did to come up with the name of our "band" that never was. We didn't realize that talent, musical ability and hard work were part of the equation. But we had a killer name!
The requirements for this project are simple though a bit antiquated. I may need to redesign this exercise due to the advent of on-line resources. Good things in good time. You'll need a hard copy of a thesaurus and dictionary, a large and and preferably empty room, a single dart and a pen and paper. You'll also need a pinch of patience and a dash of humor. Your first goal is to look at bands you like and discern the word structure you'd like to have. Most band names are comprised of either of one word or two words. We're going to create a two word name in this exercise. What are the words doing? Are they nouns or adjectives or something else. There are two schools of thought in this regard. You can have an adjective (or is this an adverb?????) followed by a noun - for example: Living Colour, Revolting Cocks, or Bad Religion. Or you can have two nouns back to back where one helps describe the other. For example: The Butthole Surfers, Cobra Skulls, and Tsunami Bomb. Decide amongst your band mates which direction you want to go. You may also want to let the results decide. Get ready to find your name.
The idea is simple enough. You are going to throw the thesaurus into the air and when it lands open you will throw a dart at the pages. Where the dart lands is your word if it corresponds to the type of word (adjective, noun, etc.) you decided on. Before you get started though, it is important that you decide who is going to do what. I wouldn't want to be responsible for your first band squabble. Flip a coin for each position: the book thrower, the dart chucker and the writer of the words. Once your team is set, start with the dictionary. Keep in mind that for the dictionary - after throwing the dart, the root word or the definition of the the word is what you will use. We're looking for unusual words that speak to the essence of your band. The meaning of the word isn't necessarily what I mean either. The sound the word makes when spoken is equally important. For instance - the word my band-mate and I came up with was hake. Not your typical everyday word. We didn't have an affiliation to the word - we weren't fishermen. It had a terseness that we both liked. It also sounded a bit naughty. As you continue to discover words, write them down. You may find your band's name with only the dictionary.
Next, use the thesaurus in the same manner. More often then not, your dart will land on one of the synonyms for a root word. If doesn't land on a word, begin again. Make a list of these words next to your dictionary list until you have an equal number - about ten of each. Your next endeavor is to try combinations of your words until a name emerges. Don't limit yourself by only using a thesaurus word then a dictionary word - mix it up. There is a name for a rock n' roll band in there. In my case, the thesaurus word that we finally decided on was licentious with the band name of Licentious Hake. We were going to take over the world! We had drawings made up for t-shirts and album covers. Picture a whore house in a fish tank. As soon as we learned how to play some instruments that is.
There are other ways to be sure. I even discovered a web-site that will generate a name for you. A band's name is a very important part of your image. How ever you arrive at your band's name is inconsequential - as long as it is memorable and says who you are.
The requirements for this project are simple though a bit antiquated. I may need to redesign this exercise due to the advent of on-line resources. Good things in good time. You'll need a hard copy of a thesaurus and dictionary, a large and and preferably empty room, a single dart and a pen and paper. You'll also need a pinch of patience and a dash of humor. Your first goal is to look at bands you like and discern the word structure you'd like to have. Most band names are comprised of either of one word or two words. We're going to create a two word name in this exercise. What are the words doing? Are they nouns or adjectives or something else. There are two schools of thought in this regard. You can have an adjective (or is this an adverb?????) followed by a noun - for example: Living Colour, Revolting Cocks, or Bad Religion. Or you can have two nouns back to back where one helps describe the other. For example: The Butthole Surfers, Cobra Skulls, and Tsunami Bomb. Decide amongst your band mates which direction you want to go. You may also want to let the results decide. Get ready to find your name.
The idea is simple enough. You are going to throw the thesaurus into the air and when it lands open you will throw a dart at the pages. Where the dart lands is your word if it corresponds to the type of word (adjective, noun, etc.) you decided on. Before you get started though, it is important that you decide who is going to do what. I wouldn't want to be responsible for your first band squabble. Flip a coin for each position: the book thrower, the dart chucker and the writer of the words. Once your team is set, start with the dictionary. Keep in mind that for the dictionary - after throwing the dart, the root word or the definition of the the word is what you will use. We're looking for unusual words that speak to the essence of your band. The meaning of the word isn't necessarily what I mean either. The sound the word makes when spoken is equally important. For instance - the word my band-mate and I came up with was hake. Not your typical everyday word. We didn't have an affiliation to the word - we weren't fishermen. It had a terseness that we both liked. It also sounded a bit naughty. As you continue to discover words, write them down. You may find your band's name with only the dictionary.
Next, use the thesaurus in the same manner. More often then not, your dart will land on one of the synonyms for a root word. If doesn't land on a word, begin again. Make a list of these words next to your dictionary list until you have an equal number - about ten of each. Your next endeavor is to try combinations of your words until a name emerges. Don't limit yourself by only using a thesaurus word then a dictionary word - mix it up. There is a name for a rock n' roll band in there. In my case, the thesaurus word that we finally decided on was licentious with the band name of Licentious Hake. We were going to take over the world! We had drawings made up for t-shirts and album covers. Picture a whore house in a fish tank. As soon as we learned how to play some instruments that is.
There are other ways to be sure. I even discovered a web-site that will generate a name for you. A band's name is a very important part of your image. How ever you arrive at your band's name is inconsequential - as long as it is memorable and says who you are.
Thursday, June 14, 2012
Shock is the Reason
Last Caress
I've got something to say
I've got something to say
I killed your baby today
and it doesn't matter much to me
as long as it's dead
Charming. Probably not for the kiddies and their mp3 players. Here is a lyric that can terrorize, sicken and appall the most sturdy of listeners. What is it that moves people to write and perform depraved material such as this? Moreover, what drives scores of listeners to procure and listen to music with such a gruesome message? You guessed it, I love this song. I was introduced to this tune by the heavy metal outfit Metallica on their Garage Days Re-Revisited record. The song was a cover and originally written and performed by the Misfits, a B-movie horror punk band who's claim to fame in the fashion world was the devil lock. Upon discovering the original purveyors of this tribute to death, I was immediately in the the local record shop gobbling up the Misfits catalog. The "why" is another matter entirely. I never really thought about it.
I've got something to say
I raped your mother today
and it doesn't matter much to me
as long as she's spread
Sweet lovely death
I am waiting for your breath
Come sweet death, one last caress
I'm also a passionate believer in freedom of speech especially where art and music are concerned. I followed with much disdain the crusade spearheaded by Tipper Gore to save the youth of America from her perception of offensive lyrics. Her first bulls-eye was on Prince of all people. She caught her 11 year old daughter listening to his hit, Darling Nikki, and was outraged. The Misfits make that song sound like Disney radio. I believe the Misfits created their song, not because they had something momentous to say, but because they could. They didn't create the song to convert youth to satanism or bring down the foundations of religion. This is the band's lawful and 1st amendment protected artistic expression. If Mrs. Gore finds the lyrics offensive she shouldn't listen. She, as a parent, should have a tighter leash on what her daughter listens to. And she shouldn't presume that her idea of what is or what isn't offensive is universal. Mrs. Gore nominating herself as a moral missionary saving one listener at a time is what I find offensive.
Sunday, June 10, 2012
In Search of a CD Collection and Discovering My Focus
When I started this writing course, I was a basket case solving the
mystery
of my blog's focus. While I was stressing over my decidedly
indecisiveness, I was getting the hang of Spotify - the online music
service. What a sublime product this is. Each song, whether old or
new, sparked the desire to hear the next. While reminiscing it
occurred to me that I should continue uploading my CD collection to
my computer; or do some writing on my as yet defined topic. Finally -
an effortless decision to make.
This meant, of course, having to open the closet door in my study. It's not quite as bad as opening the door and being bowled over by an assortment of random sporting goods, electronic components, missing socks and various disco era jump suits. But close. I delicately opened the door and was encouraged by the darkness. "This isn't going to be too bad," I naively thought to myself. As my eyes adjusted to the lack of light, I realized that closets are fibbers.
Stacked floor to ceiling were umpteen plastic crates smothered in wires, cables, and long unused chargers. An acoustic guitar and a partly deflated exercise ball were stuffed carelessly into the last of the jagged air pockets. Two elderly computer towers sat on what I expected was muddied carpet. They were acting as a structural foundation for the boxes, crates, bags, and cases stacked and stammering as if waiting for the key stone to be removed to unleash shock and awe. Folders of odd bills, contracts and ugly personnel letters served as mortar for my version of Jericho's wall. I didn't expect a job this size, but it was either come up with a focus for my blog or find my CD collection.
Methodically, I dislodged the boxes, the crates, the poster tubes, the cameras, the monitors and the other undefinable doodads. Less than carefully, I dispersed the contents to the not so distant corners of my study. My wife stopped at the doorway, curious about the noise, cocked an eyebrow and headed for saner pastures. Unhurriedly my CD collection came into view. First, the top of the quad-level CD bookcase, then the second. Unmistakably Wal-mart value section. I knew this wasn't going to do any good. These CD's were already in my computer. I needed to dig deeper.
Heaving the last obstruction, a computer bag that had not one but two ancient laptops tucked inside, I could see the prize. The lower two shelves of my CD collection. I half expected a rush of air as my closet made contact with the atmosphere for the first time in years. Still bathed in black - I removed the phone from my pocket and turned on the flashlight app. There they were. I felt like Howard Carter discovering King Tut's CD collection for the first time. Depeche Mode, Madness, Duran Duran, The Sex Pistols, David Bowie, Youth of Today, Greenday and many more. "I see wonderful things," I joked to myself. Then it hit me.
It was at that moment I channeled the clarity I so desperately craved hours earlier. I decided I wanted to blog about music. Like my desire to see my CD collection again, I wanted to write about my discovery of new bands and rediscovery of bands I dismissed as an afterthought. I suppose digging around in a closet, breaking a sweat and making an entirely new mess to clean up can have strangely positive effects on one's train of thought. I focused my stress on a physical task and a solution presented itself. The focus was always there - it was just behind a wall old junk that needed moving. Sounds ridiculous and new age to me. Crystal chanting, burning man, hippie nonsense. I'm a convert though.
This meant, of course, having to open the closet door in my study. It's not quite as bad as opening the door and being bowled over by an assortment of random sporting goods, electronic components, missing socks and various disco era jump suits. But close. I delicately opened the door and was encouraged by the darkness. "This isn't going to be too bad," I naively thought to myself. As my eyes adjusted to the lack of light, I realized that closets are fibbers.
Stacked floor to ceiling were umpteen plastic crates smothered in wires, cables, and long unused chargers. An acoustic guitar and a partly deflated exercise ball were stuffed carelessly into the last of the jagged air pockets. Two elderly computer towers sat on what I expected was muddied carpet. They were acting as a structural foundation for the boxes, crates, bags, and cases stacked and stammering as if waiting for the key stone to be removed to unleash shock and awe. Folders of odd bills, contracts and ugly personnel letters served as mortar for my version of Jericho's wall. I didn't expect a job this size, but it was either come up with a focus for my blog or find my CD collection.
Methodically, I dislodged the boxes, the crates, the poster tubes, the cameras, the monitors and the other undefinable doodads. Less than carefully, I dispersed the contents to the not so distant corners of my study. My wife stopped at the doorway, curious about the noise, cocked an eyebrow and headed for saner pastures. Unhurriedly my CD collection came into view. First, the top of the quad-level CD bookcase, then the second. Unmistakably Wal-mart value section. I knew this wasn't going to do any good. These CD's were already in my computer. I needed to dig deeper.
Heaving the last obstruction, a computer bag that had not one but two ancient laptops tucked inside, I could see the prize. The lower two shelves of my CD collection. I half expected a rush of air as my closet made contact with the atmosphere for the first time in years. Still bathed in black - I removed the phone from my pocket and turned on the flashlight app. There they were. I felt like Howard Carter discovering King Tut's CD collection for the first time. Depeche Mode, Madness, Duran Duran, The Sex Pistols, David Bowie, Youth of Today, Greenday and many more. "I see wonderful things," I joked to myself. Then it hit me.
It was at that moment I channeled the clarity I so desperately craved hours earlier. I decided I wanted to blog about music. Like my desire to see my CD collection again, I wanted to write about my discovery of new bands and rediscovery of bands I dismissed as an afterthought. I suppose digging around in a closet, breaking a sweat and making an entirely new mess to clean up can have strangely positive effects on one's train of thought. I focused my stress on a physical task and a solution presented itself. The focus was always there - it was just behind a wall old junk that needed moving. Sounds ridiculous and new age to me. Crystal chanting, burning man, hippie nonsense. I'm a convert though.
Resume - Restored
Vonn Said - Television Production Professional
Working in television production since 1995, Vonn Said is dedicated to mastering all things behind the camera. Shooting, studio positions, TDing, directing, graphic art and editing. Vonn is the complete package.
Television Station Experience:
WHBQ FOX 13 - Memphis, TN 4/12-present
Director
Brought on board to direct part of FOX's 5 hour live morning show and round out a complement of 3 star directors. Part of a new staff put in place for generating growth in WHBQ's morning news.
WREG CBS 3 - Memphis, TN 1/06 - 4/12
Senior Director
Directs the info-tainment hit Live @ 9. Hired for for skills and experience with directing organic and ad-lib driven newscasts and knack for creating effects.
KPTM FOX 42 - Omaha, NE 10/01 - 1/06
Production Manager
Appointed News Production Manager and charged with turning around rather lackluster production delivery through tight direction and dynamic graphic art.
KMSP FOX 9 - Minneapolis, MN 7/99 - 9/01
Director
One of three directors hired to lay out and execute a three and a half hour morning show start-up with a emphasis in organic, out-of-the-box directing.
KSAT ABC 12 - San Antonio, TX 2/95 - 7/99
Director/TD
First employer out of college. Started off as a part-time studio camera operator and was promoted to studio supervisor and finally Director/TD. Discovered aptitude for creating complex effects for newscasts.
Freelance Editing Experience:
Kingdom Quality Communications
Edited and co-produced a stylistic mission statement video for KQ's web site and inclusion with marketing material.
Watoto D'Afrika
Shot and edited three music videos for Memphis dance troupe for use in gaining financial support for locally producing a children's educational program.
Bob Hetherington & Associates
Shot and edited 2 proof of performance videos for Peer Power, a high school level tutoring program. These videos were used as a marketing tool franchising concept nationally.
The Project Chef Group
Co-owner, co-producer, shooter, graphic designer and editor for a Memphis produced cooking competition show. Pilot completed and continues to be shopped to potential investors. Trailer.
Equipment and Software:
Working in television production since 1995, Vonn Said is dedicated to mastering all things behind the camera. Shooting, studio positions, TDing, directing, graphic art and editing. Vonn is the complete package.
Television Station Experience:
WHBQ FOX 13 - Memphis, TN 4/12-present
Director
Brought on board to direct part of FOX's 5 hour live morning show and round out a complement of 3 star directors. Part of a new staff put in place for generating growth in WHBQ's morning news.
WREG CBS 3 - Memphis, TN 1/06 - 4/12
Senior Director
Directs the info-tainment hit Live @ 9. Hired for for skills and experience with directing organic and ad-lib driven newscasts and knack for creating effects.
KPTM FOX 42 - Omaha, NE 10/01 - 1/06
Production Manager
Appointed News Production Manager and charged with turning around rather lackluster production delivery through tight direction and dynamic graphic art.
KMSP FOX 9 - Minneapolis, MN 7/99 - 9/01
Director
One of three directors hired to lay out and execute a three and a half hour morning show start-up with a emphasis in organic, out-of-the-box directing.
KSAT ABC 12 - San Antonio, TX 2/95 - 7/99
Director/TD
First employer out of college. Started off as a part-time studio camera operator and was promoted to studio supervisor and finally Director/TD. Discovered aptitude for creating complex effects for newscasts.
Freelance Editing Experience:
Kingdom Quality Communications
Edited and co-produced a stylistic mission statement video for KQ's web site and inclusion with marketing material.
Watoto D'Afrika
Shot and edited three music videos for Memphis dance troupe for use in gaining financial support for locally producing a children's educational program.
Bob Hetherington & Associates
Shot and edited 2 proof of performance videos for Peer Power, a high school level tutoring program. These videos were used as a marketing tool franchising concept nationally.
The Project Chef Group
Co-owner, co-producer, shooter, graphic designer and editor for a Memphis produced cooking competition show. Pilot completed and continues to be shopped to potential investors. Trailer.
Equipment and Software:
GVG Kalypso &
3000 Switchers
Abekas DVEous & A-51 DVE
Pinnacle Flashfile & Lightning
Ross Overdrive
ADOBE CS5 Production Preminium
Word, Excel & PowerPoint
VizRT
Chyron IFINIT! & MAXINE
News View, ENPS, Opus, INews & News King
Education:
Quinnipiac University 1/12 - present
M.S. in Interactive Media
University of Denver 8/90 - 8/94
B.A. in Mass Communications
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Kingdom Quality Communications - Youtube
http://.youtube.com/watch?v=oTejAvMzYEc
New16 hours ago - Uploaded by mrvonnsaid
Edited and co-produced a stylistic mission statement video for KQ's web site and
Edited and co-produced a stylistic mission statement video for KQ's web site and
inclusion with marketing materials.
Bike Song: Come Ride With Me - Youtube
http://.youtu.be/EXIK0WjvuQU
New4 hours ago - Uploaded by mrvonnsaid
1 of 3 videos I did for Memphis dance troupe Watoto D'Afrika for financial support to
locally produce children's educational television program.
Bob Hetherington & Associates - Youtube
http://.youtu.be/75qhTJVBS0w
New1 1 hour ago - Uploaded by mrvonnsaid
One of two roof of performance videos for Peer Power, a high
school level tutoring program.
These videos were used as a marketing
tool for franchising this concept nationally.
Vonn Said DVEous Effects - Youtube
http://youtu.be/anQ1qhyuB
9 months ago - Uploaded by mrvonnsaid
A montage of effects I built while at KSAT TV 12 in San Antonio, TX using the
Abekas DVEous. 1997-1999.
Project Chef: Memphis - Youtube
https://plus.google.com/u/0/116096411537389830386/videos
5 months ago - Uploaded by mrvonnsaid
Trailer for upcoming local competition cooking show in Memphis Tennessee. Vonn Said,
Marybeth Connly, Amy Rosenberg producers. Project Chef Group, LLC.
Saturday, June 9, 2012
Amorality - a study on the argument for censorship
I’m here to tell you that music and other forms of artistic
expression should be regulated. Where
else can an artist be glorified for writing or singing about beating his
girlfriend, killing police officers, having an abortion and blowing up an
embassy? Music is the biggest offender. Our children are being bombarded from every
possible nook and cranny with these kinds of messages. With the advent of “services” like Spotify, Grooveshark,
Pandora and countless others, our children are subjected to amoral messages
with impunity. Likewise, the sharing of
music among children has spread like a virus.
New technologies have made copying, collecting and transmitting depraved content
as easy as sending an email.
You’ll recognize them.
The dark hoodies. The
ear-buds. These individuals can be seen
slinking around the neglected streets without a care for their fellow human
being. Likened to the walking dead –
they appear emotionless and pale from spending hours on their computers in
darkened rooms or basements. We are
truly seeing the zombie apocalypse embodied in our youth and the musical filth
they listen to. It is time for
action. The government is our last and
only hope. Only they have the reach and
the resources to rid our society of this technological plague.
There are a number of reasons we need censorship now. First, there are countless instances where content
reinforces negative behaviors such as violence and physical abuse in the
home. Why is government expected to aid
victims and prosecute offenders and not expected to regulate music that
reinforces this kind of behavior? Government, with censorship, can help
decrease these kinds of incidents simply by eradicating the glorification of
dangerous or illegal behavior.
Secondly, the government should be committed to uphold the
morals dictated by society. And by doing
so, protect young and easily influenced minds from vulgarity and sexually explicit
content. Indeed, some of these individuals
may not understand the difference between reality and fantasy and may act on the
content as we saw in the suicide case of John McCollum. Here, the case was dismissed but bitterly
reminds us that lyrics can have a savage effect on the unstable or depressed.
Lastly, the music industry has been invited to self-regulate
for years and has fought the idea with their vast resources. We believe they will never entirely
self-regulate. This is where the
government is needed to help in the prevention of amoral lyrics reaching the
minds of our youth. Likewise, the
censorship is needed to prevent obscene and sexually explicit lyrics from
reaching everyday listeners. The
government’s mission is to uphold and maintain the morals for the society it
serves.
I look forward to a future where music and artistic expression
are created for the betterment of society and done so solely by the artist without
the encouragement of government. For all
of those 1st amendment peddlers – you must concede that society has
degraded immensely in the past 60 years. We live
in a different time where terrorists are trying to unravel what is left of our
society. They will infiltrate any and
all avenues that are open to them. The
government is obligated to protect our interests as well as our delicate
societal structure. We are straddling
the razor’s edge between functional society and amoral anarchy. Censorship is one small piece of a vast
puzzle that requires government action.
Are you ready to jump blindly into the breach of depravity?
About The Author - redux
Music has been a
crucial part of my identity since the summer of 1984. My parents
and I moved to Lausanne, Switzerland where losing myself in familiar music was my only tie to home. Swiss radio stations were brainwashed by
France's pop/synth culture. I couldn't listen to that
spineless Franco-fluff. Dismal disco book-ended by DJ's that I wanted
to reach through the radio waves and throttle. Thankfully, my
British school-mates tuned me into the punk movement that exploded
in England some years earlier. I got my first dose of the Sex Pistols - the most
notorious and vilified band from that movement. And I was hooked. Soon
followed bands like the Damned, The Clash, Siouxsie & The Banshees,
Generation X, The Slits, The Adicts, The X-Ray Spex and many, many
others.
I started high school the following year in San Antonio, Texas. Talk about culture shock. I went from a school with eight kids in the entire 8th grade to a freshman class with over 1,500. Freshman lunches consisted of barricading myself in a vacant stairwell and comforting myself with music. There, I heard whisperings of a band called Suicidal Tendencies. One of their songs - I Saw Your Mommy - describes discovering with pubescent glee the mutilated body of a friend's mother. What could be more perfect for a teenage basket-case? I played my cassette until it too committed hara-kiri. I made other discoveries, though trial and error were my main influences. The Misfits, The Circle Jerks, Social Distortion, Love & Rockets, Bauhaus, Fearless Iranians From Hell and countless others.
With college came a new appreciation for slower, more psychedelic music. Moshing and pot smoking don't mix well. I'm not talking about bands like The Grateful Dead or Phish - favorites among my granola friends. I still needed some "melt-your-face-off" elements in my music. I'm referring to the likes of Jane's Addiction, Primus, The Sisters Of Mercy, Tripping Daisy, Nirvana, 311 and so forth. These bands were played as a compromise since most of my collection was deemed "too scary" by the hippie majority.
Fast forward to today. Life's priorities have taken center stage. Job. Mortgage. Kids. With that said, I have lost touch with my particular music scene with the exception of a chance find or two. My goal with this blog is to uncover some new bands and some old ones. I want you come with me on this sonic excursion. Let's see what's out there.
I started high school the following year in San Antonio, Texas. Talk about culture shock. I went from a school with eight kids in the entire 8th grade to a freshman class with over 1,500. Freshman lunches consisted of barricading myself in a vacant stairwell and comforting myself with music. There, I heard whisperings of a band called Suicidal Tendencies. One of their songs - I Saw Your Mommy - describes discovering with pubescent glee the mutilated body of a friend's mother. What could be more perfect for a teenage basket-case? I played my cassette until it too committed hara-kiri. I made other discoveries, though trial and error were my main influences. The Misfits, The Circle Jerks, Social Distortion, Love & Rockets, Bauhaus, Fearless Iranians From Hell and countless others.
With college came a new appreciation for slower, more psychedelic music. Moshing and pot smoking don't mix well. I'm not talking about bands like The Grateful Dead or Phish - favorites among my granola friends. I still needed some "melt-your-face-off" elements in my music. I'm referring to the likes of Jane's Addiction, Primus, The Sisters Of Mercy, Tripping Daisy, Nirvana, 311 and so forth. These bands were played as a compromise since most of my collection was deemed "too scary" by the hippie majority.
Fast forward to today. Life's priorities have taken center stage. Job. Mortgage. Kids. With that said, I have lost touch with my particular music scene with the exception of a chance find or two. My goal with this blog is to uncover some new bands and some old ones. I want you come with me on this sonic excursion. Let's see what's out there.
Monday, June 4, 2012
About the Author
My name is Vonn Said. Pronounced Sah-eed. Music has been a crucial part of my identity since the summer of 1984. When my parents and I moved to Lausanne, Switzerland before my 13th birthday - I frequently "checked-out" with my Walkman much to the displeasure of my parents. Most of the Swiss radio stations were influenced heavily by France's pop/synth culture of the mid 80's. I couldn't listen to that spineless European stuff. Dismal disco bookended by DJ's that I wanted to reach through the radio waves and throttle. Thankfully, many of my British friends at school tuned me in to the punk movement that exploded in England a few years earlier. I got my first dose of the most notorious and vilified band, the Sex Pistols. I was hooked. Soon followed bands like the Damned, The Clash, Siouxsie & The Banshees, Generation X, The Slits, The Adicts, The X-Ray Spex and many, many others.
I started high school the following year in San Antonio, Texas. Talk about culture shock. I went from a school with eight kids in the entire 8th grade to a freshman class with over 1,500. Lunches my freshman year consisted of barricading myself in a vacant stairwell and listening to music. I never made friends very easily, but my high school experience made it ever more difficult. I was, however, able to comfort myself by listening to new bands. One of the first cassettes I bought upon returning to the states was Suicidal Tendencies' first record. I played it until it until the magnetic tape wore out. I made other discoveries, though trial and error were my main influences. The Misfits, The Circle Jerks, Social Distortion, Love & Rockets, Bauhaus, Fearless Iranians From Hell and countless others.
With college came a new appreciation for slower, more psychedelic music. Moshing and pot smoking don't mix well. I'm not talking about bands like The Grateful Dead or Phish - favorites among my granola friends. No, I still wanted "teeth" in my music. I'm referring to the likes of Jane's Addiction, Primus, The Sisters Of Mercy, Tripping Daisy, Nirvana and so forth. Bands like these were played as compromise since most of my collection was, as one friend described, "scary". The Sisters Of Mercy has remained my favorite band to this day. Even though they don't release new material, they still tour when they need money. I have traveled to Atlanta and Detroit to see them perform and will continue to pad their pockets if they make it to this side of the pond.
Fast forward to today. Life's priorities have taken center stage. Job. Mortgage. Kids. With that said, I have lost touch with the music scene with the exception of a chance find or two. My goal with this blog is to uncover some new bands and some old ones. I want you come with me on this sonic excursion. Let's see what's out there.
I started high school the following year in San Antonio, Texas. Talk about culture shock. I went from a school with eight kids in the entire 8th grade to a freshman class with over 1,500. Lunches my freshman year consisted of barricading myself in a vacant stairwell and listening to music. I never made friends very easily, but my high school experience made it ever more difficult. I was, however, able to comfort myself by listening to new bands. One of the first cassettes I bought upon returning to the states was Suicidal Tendencies' first record. I played it until it until the magnetic tape wore out. I made other discoveries, though trial and error were my main influences. The Misfits, The Circle Jerks, Social Distortion, Love & Rockets, Bauhaus, Fearless Iranians From Hell and countless others.
With college came a new appreciation for slower, more psychedelic music. Moshing and pot smoking don't mix well. I'm not talking about bands like The Grateful Dead or Phish - favorites among my granola friends. No, I still wanted "teeth" in my music. I'm referring to the likes of Jane's Addiction, Primus, The Sisters Of Mercy, Tripping Daisy, Nirvana and so forth. Bands like these were played as compromise since most of my collection was, as one friend described, "scary". The Sisters Of Mercy has remained my favorite band to this day. Even though they don't release new material, they still tour when they need money. I have traveled to Atlanta and Detroit to see them perform and will continue to pad their pockets if they make it to this side of the pond.
Fast forward to today. Life's priorities have taken center stage. Job. Mortgage. Kids. With that said, I have lost touch with the music scene with the exception of a chance find or two. My goal with this blog is to uncover some new bands and some old ones. I want you come with me on this sonic excursion. Let's see what's out there.
Saturday, June 2, 2012
Bio-hoedown - 2nd draft ABOUT ME
"The television business is a cruel and shallow money trench, a long
plastic hallway where thieves and pimps run free, and good men die like dogs.
There's also a negative side."
- Hunter S. Thompson
I was born in Ft. Worth, Texas to an out of wed-lock 16 year old girl and given up for adoption. My adopted parents brought me to San Antonio and divorced a year later. I have no recollection of them being together without suffocating tension in the air. Sounds bleak - like the profile of a serial killer, doesn't it? It gets better. My mom met and fell in love with a businessman she was introduced to on a blind date. They married by the vicinity of my fourth birthday and soon after we moved to Oak Ridge, Tennessee. I spent summers and holidays in San Antonio and Albuquerque with my dad and his family. Thankfully, I was tall for my age and my parents were able to trick the airlines into letting a 4 year old kid fly alone.
Hold tight. We're about to play a little "moving-van ping-pong". We moved to the San Francisco area by the middle of my fourth grade year. We spent nine forgettable months there before moving to Lincoln, Massachusetts just outside of Boston. We moved to Los Angeles at the end of my sixth grade year. At the end of my seventh grade year we moved across the pond to Lausanne, Switzerland. I went to a British private school where there were just over one hundred kids in kindergarten through the 8th grade. There were eight kids in the entire eighth grade class! We moved back to the U.S. during the following summer. Weeks after arriving on unnaturally familiar shores, I decided to live with my dad in San Antonio. My argument - I didn't want to do any more moving. It is said that culture shock stings most when moving back to your own country. This, I can say with authority, is true. I attended a public high school with more than 4,000 students. There were 1,500 in the freshman class alone juxtaposed to my eighth grade class of eight. Mentally, I crawled under a desk in the fetal position, rocked back and forth and repeated, "take me to my happy place".
I survived, as most of us do and decided to go snow skiing after graduation. Coincidentally, the University of Denver accepted me into their undergraduate program. I majored in film production and minored in art. It was the best of times; it was the worst of times. I skied. I partied. I went to rehab. You know, the usual college experience. I graduated in 5 years and moved back to San Antonio to look for work. I found a part time position with the ABC affiliate running camera. Meanwhile, I planned to write some scripts and shoot a few shorts to craft a nice reel. There was, however, a flaw with my scheme - the television control room. It looked like the bridge of a star-ship. I took one look at the video switcher and it was sealed...I wanted to direct the news.
I got screamed at. Objects were thrown at me. I almost got in to a fist fight with a sports anchor. But, like prison (I hear only!), you have to hold your ground to gain respect in this business. I learned the studio duties to the point that I could change a lamp, prompt, floor direct and run camera blindfolded. I bugged directors to teach me how to make the switcher purr. Perspiration, patience and most of all humor finally afforded me the title of director. I spent every waking moment, much to the chagrin of my then girlfriend now wife, at the studio creating new effects to use in the newscasts and for my resume tape.
After sending my resume tapes sent to the far corners of the continent, I landed a
director job in Minneapolis. Here begins part two of "moving-van ping-pong" and me eating my words. I spent two years directing a morning show start-up in
the "Minny-Apple" that was fun, but the diva factor was
extreme. Soon after arriving, I married the girl of my dreams. After
Minneapolis, we moved to Omaha, Nebraska. I was lucky enough to land a Production Manager job with the FOX affiliate. It was a job of many hats really. I directed the
newscasts, created graphics, designed animations, managed & scheduled the
crew and got saddled with building sets. Omaha is certainly noteworthy because it is the birthplace of
my twin sons. I interviewed for a job in Washington D.C. for ESPN's Around
The Horn. I wasn't chosen because I specifically lacked Kalypso
switcher experience. I made it my mission to find a station
that had one and to learn it inside out. After almost 5 years in Nebraska,
we moved to Memphis, Tennessee.
Now, six years later, here I am writing a blog for a grad school program in Interactive Media. I got my Kalypso experience, but I lost the fire I had that day I saw the control room for the first time. Local news is showing signs of wear. Likewise, broadcast journalism isn't what it used to be. Ethics and integrity have been replaced by contests and sensationalism. My grand plan - be done with TV news and discover a work environment where I can be surrounded with creative thinkers. Hunter S. Thompson would be pleased as spiked punch to know his proclamation continues to describe broadcast news with laser point accuracy. The future, with TV behind me, is indeed bright.
If interested, you can see a 90 second collage of my effects I put at the beginning of every resume tape here. Keep in mind these are from 1998 - but I think they still hold up.
- Hunter S. Thompson
I was born in Ft. Worth, Texas to an out of wed-lock 16 year old girl and given up for adoption. My adopted parents brought me to San Antonio and divorced a year later. I have no recollection of them being together without suffocating tension in the air. Sounds bleak - like the profile of a serial killer, doesn't it? It gets better. My mom met and fell in love with a businessman she was introduced to on a blind date. They married by the vicinity of my fourth birthday and soon after we moved to Oak Ridge, Tennessee. I spent summers and holidays in San Antonio and Albuquerque with my dad and his family. Thankfully, I was tall for my age and my parents were able to trick the airlines into letting a 4 year old kid fly alone.
Hold tight. We're about to play a little "moving-van ping-pong". We moved to the San Francisco area by the middle of my fourth grade year. We spent nine forgettable months there before moving to Lincoln, Massachusetts just outside of Boston. We moved to Los Angeles at the end of my sixth grade year. At the end of my seventh grade year we moved across the pond to Lausanne, Switzerland. I went to a British private school where there were just over one hundred kids in kindergarten through the 8th grade. There were eight kids in the entire eighth grade class! We moved back to the U.S. during the following summer. Weeks after arriving on unnaturally familiar shores, I decided to live with my dad in San Antonio. My argument - I didn't want to do any more moving. It is said that culture shock stings most when moving back to your own country. This, I can say with authority, is true. I attended a public high school with more than 4,000 students. There were 1,500 in the freshman class alone juxtaposed to my eighth grade class of eight. Mentally, I crawled under a desk in the fetal position, rocked back and forth and repeated, "take me to my happy place".
I survived, as most of us do and decided to go snow skiing after graduation. Coincidentally, the University of Denver accepted me into their undergraduate program. I majored in film production and minored in art. It was the best of times; it was the worst of times. I skied. I partied. I went to rehab. You know, the usual college experience. I graduated in 5 years and moved back to San Antonio to look for work. I found a part time position with the ABC affiliate running camera. Meanwhile, I planned to write some scripts and shoot a few shorts to craft a nice reel. There was, however, a flaw with my scheme - the television control room. It looked like the bridge of a star-ship. I took one look at the video switcher and it was sealed...I wanted to direct the news.
I got screamed at. Objects were thrown at me. I almost got in to a fist fight with a sports anchor. But, like prison (I hear only!), you have to hold your ground to gain respect in this business. I learned the studio duties to the point that I could change a lamp, prompt, floor direct and run camera blindfolded. I bugged directors to teach me how to make the switcher purr. Perspiration, patience and most of all humor finally afforded me the title of director. I spent every waking moment, much to the chagrin of my then girlfriend now wife, at the studio creating new effects to use in the newscasts and for my resume tape.
 |
| GVG Kalypso |
Now, six years later, here I am writing a blog for a grad school program in Interactive Media. I got my Kalypso experience, but I lost the fire I had that day I saw the control room for the first time. Local news is showing signs of wear. Likewise, broadcast journalism isn't what it used to be. Ethics and integrity have been replaced by contests and sensationalism. My grand plan - be done with TV news and discover a work environment where I can be surrounded with creative thinkers. Hunter S. Thompson would be pleased as spiked punch to know his proclamation continues to describe broadcast news with laser point accuracy. The future, with TV behind me, is indeed bright.
If interested, you can see a 90 second collage of my effects I put at the beginning of every resume tape here. Keep in mind these are from 1998 - but I think they still hold up.
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