It's time to get serious

     It’s time… it’s been long awaited but now we finally have our cameras to start filming our documentary. Between last and now I’ve somehow lost my confidence in my quality of work that will go into the documentary. This will be the biggest and longest project I have ever partaken in during my college career, and I guess the scale of it all is finally starting to hit me.

     I don’t know why I feel this way; I guess it’s just really bad nerves. I tend to think negatively when I go into a new project and even though I know it’s a terrible practice it’s something that I can’t seem to shake. I’m reminded of the fact that I am by myself in this project. I want to be able to do a great job so I can look back on my days in J-School and say I have no regrets. I know I’ve done the best I can to prepare for my production so I shouldn't be too worried.

     I have contacted my sources and will begin shooting later this week. Hopefully once I start shooting I will start to see my story arc come together. Maybe then I won’t feel as lost as I do now.

I'm going old school

I’ve managed to pull myself away for a few seconds to write my blog… I made this huge list of possible songs that I would like to use for my documentary. It’s safe to say that this was the more enjoyable side to preparing the doc. I found myself absorbed in the music, remembering the lyrics, rediscovering old favorites, and realizing why I don’t listen to hip-hop like I use to.

     I finally decided on the tone of the doc. Just like old school hip-hop, I wanted to have a laid-back atmosphere. I wanted something that was lyrical but also allowed the audience to nod their heads. Artists like KRS-One, Nas, Mos Def, Common, and Talib Kweli are all expressing the tone that I would like to portray. The only thing left is to decide which songs to choose. Aside from my music selections, I’ve also decided on the GX that will be used. Since I want to maintain a laid-back tone to the doc, I don’t want to add busy or ostentatious GX that will take the audience out of what they are feeling.

     It’s getting close to the production days and as of right now I feel okay about everything. 

No time to "Play" around

     I feel like my doc is missing something. Okay, I have my main characters and although my professor said I don't necessarily need an official, I kind of want one to strengthen the story… it’s a great thing I go to Florida A&M.

     Today I ran into Christopher Martin. He was the “Play” of “Kid and Play”, so I was really curious to see if he would mind being in my documentary. I think he would be the best person I could get in contact with to have a professional view on the evolution of stereotypes that haunt rappers today. Also, I figured he would a good plus since he actually spent time the entertainment industry. He agreed to be one of my interviewees and I was thrilled to have his input in the doc. For the time being, I have finalized where I would like to shoot for the documentary. Some places in mind are the rappers’ home, the music studio in J-School, the SGA office, and the architecture building (to see the rappers’ at work or in their element).

     It feels kind relaxed right now, there’s still a bit more preparation to do but as right now, everything is looking up. But I can't settle just yet, this is my grade I'm talking about.

I now have purpose

     Today I had an epiphany, the story arc that I will base my documentary on. Do you want to hear it… of course you do.

     The opening is still changing, considering what kind of tone I want to set I keep jumping from one idea to the next. After the introduction, the rappers will discuss how the got into rap and what motivated them become the change they want to see in the world of hip-hop. I’ve decided to talk about the development of hip-hop from the Sugarhill Gang to the N.W.A to Waka Flocka Flame and how images of what a rapper truly is have become clouded by stereotypical images portrayed in the media. All of this will eventually lead to the discussion of sensational rap vs. lyrical rap. At that time, both rappers will give their opinion on the “death” of hip-hop. From there the rappers will talk about defying the idea of the stereotypical rapper, their role models, and the power of rap.

     I know research for this documentary will go back and forth the rappers’ personal experience with hip-hop and the actual history of rap. I ran over it with my professor and it seemed all right by him. I think I’ve got the ball rolling, now all I’ve got to do is not drop it.