During the summer of 2017, I was asked by Director Alex Munoz, to come on board as production coordinator for the filming of the trailer for his upcoming feature film. I knew I was going to be in for a ride because of the artistry and storytelling of his ground-breaking, hugely popular web series "Griot's Lament." This trailer will give you a sense of what is coming in the future and its pretty exciting!
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As our country seems to become increasingly divided, it's important to acknowledge our many differences, yet understand and embrace that we are all one. Now, more than ever, we must help one another and stand strong as a country united. I am so happy to have been a a part of this project and contributing, in my own way, to making the world a little better.
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golden state tattoo expo
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I'm not a real bartender, I just play one on TV. I love being in student productions, watching them work together creatively on tight deadlines . . . and I always wanted to be a bartender (and twenty other different occupations). My wish was granted! And, no, this isn't my first time playing a bartender on TV. It's my second.
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I really got where the artists was going," was exactly what was on my mind when I was on set as one of the face models for this project and was super excited to know that the trailer was released today. If you want to tap into the universals of the human experience - look into someone's eyes and read their face.
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Women's empowerment is a powerful force for good and so is the kind of media that accomplishes this. I was recently cast as an on-camera host for a campaign for women where their stories would be told and their accomplishments celebrated in a very unique and engaging way. . Everyone involved in the project - from marketing personal, to cast and crew - were all dedicated to a successful product. Lots of tears of strength and perseverance flowed during the filming! I cannot wait until this video comes out and can be shared with everyone.
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I had a brief conversation with the creator, Ernest Ruckman, of this drumming fusion who felt "on top of the world" seeing it all come together. "It was a dream come true," said Ruckman. Who could not feel special to have participated in such a meaningful event.Imagine taking Brazilian Samba Drums and pairing them with Japanese Taiko drums! On Sunday, February 12th, members of Samba Da Mudança assembled with members of Asana Taiko, US, in Torrance, California for an inaugural rehearsal jam and it was LIVELY! The vibes and the energy were incredible as joy and rhythms filled the room.
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This is my second year at the Golden State Tattoo Expo - taking photos and filming for one of the artist's, King 'Afa. It is always an amazing experience to be around all this incredible art and to be around other inked people of all types! I did a quick "reporter packet" and snapped some pretty dope photos (below). I really appreaciate the positive vibes and the general acceptance of people - whether your have no tattoos or have your body and face completely covered, people are people and we should embrace everyone!
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On this day, the inauguration of the 45th president of the United States of America, it seems fitting that artists should join forces in opposition to the regressive, oppressive rhetoric being placed before us in the form of governmental rule.
We are people as well as actors who are united by our search for truth and our deep connection to what is right and what is just; who wish to make a difference in our own way - sending this message of love and light to the masses. There seems no more fitting a writing than Shakur's powerful and touching poem, "i believe in living." It fuels the soul with optimistic imagination, and brings consciousness to our collective pain and strife. |
We must cultivate deeply-rooted, universal hope - during a time when there seems to be so little - in order to appreciate and cherish the life that we have been given.
Let us all, the collective, ban together in active coalitions of righteousness, egalitarian thought and action, in order to counter those forces relentlessly aimed at tearing us apart. |
WE'RE BACK! -- January 1st . . . we all see it as a starting point - an opportunity to "change", to "improve" to be the new you. While change can be beneficial, the YOU as you ARE is good enough, too!
Join us for a lunch time LIVE video feed discussing what 2017 could bring but will not promise and how living with uncertainty can offer you new potentialities for purposeful living. |
I am honored to have been able to share my very private ideas of what "manhood" really is, how it is deifnied and how we can feel both completely comrfotable in one moment and pretty pressured in another. This is just one episode of a web series produced for SoulPancake that explores the perceptions that people have of others based on their gender, sexual orientation, ability, body size and ethnicity. Another great "true reality" |
series that aims to build connectedness and deconstrutct destructive ideologies about the huamn experience.I believe that video projects like this have the potential to transform individual lives daily.
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When you are before the door of opportunity, knock loudly! I am excited about the opportunity to produce several original series with SoulPancake. I have admired their content for many years and said to myself, at the beginning of 2016, "I really want to work with them and create the kind content that they put out to the world." After numerous email correspondence, in-person meetings, content development work and pitches, I will officially working with Soul Pancake in 2017 on ome projects that I cannot wait to bring to life.
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I teach many courses online but what is lacking is the personal connection that is formed between you and your students - especially with those who desire to develop their insights and perspectives.
I created a series of short video blogs to get students to think about the textbook readings that they are |
assigned and "special topics" video blogs (below) that offer some critical insight into the human experience itself.
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I recently took a MASTER TV HOSTING class and we were able to do an on-camera, on-the-spot monologue about WHATEVER we wanted.
I was feeling "some kind of way" that day and decided I would use this opportunity to get a message out. Hell, most of the time I feel that the people that are listening are already WOKE, but what about those who are not? How do you reach them? You try. You open your mouth. You communicate with compassion and empathy. That was my strategy here. It's pretty off the cuff but I think it serves the purpose well and I am proud of it. |
November 22, 2016 marks two weeks since the election - can you believe it?
I firmly believe that the outcome of this election will be a topic of discussion for people who are traveling, near and far, to reconnect with their family. family can be a complicated thing and navigating holidays can be even more complicated. |
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I write a lot more than people know, but "getting it out there" is not as easy as it seems. Instead of getting the article published online, I decided I would film myself reading the article, then I could post it online and perhaps someone would see it, watch it, hear it and really get the message I was trying to send.
Here is the video! |
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I am always humbled when asked by a fellow creative to participate in a project that is meaningful, powerful , and timely. We, as people, need to express more compassion, share more humanity and put less effort into complaining and negativity. This project epitomizes all of this.
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HISTORY IS BEING MADE!
Regardless of your feelings on this year's election, whether you like it or not you are a part of history. Krista is so passionate and enterprising that she has been on the ground working on the Clinton campaign in Ohio and I can't wait to hear all about it! |
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IS TRUTH ITSELF A LIMITING IDEA?
I am teaming up with my "little sister," writer, thinker and confidant, to share our unique perspectives about the subject of "truth." As content creators, we hold great power to change people's minds about the very nature of what we deem as "reality." What we write, how it is presented on the big or small screen - is all a matter of interpretation. Being too direct in communicating truth can be as problematic and being too vague. How can we, as content creators, find a balance between too much and too little truth? Furthermore, how can we negotiate the questions we already have about the nature of our existence? See the archival video HERE. |
I recently participated in a LIVE panel conversation on a web show called "SIRIously" to discuss the potential economic and social ramifications related to the legalization of recreational marijuana in the state of California. This topic was approached intellectually and among the subtopics discussed were the therapeutic benefits, profiteering of big pharmaceutical companies, moral and ethical issues and the persistent stigmatization of marijuana use by the "moral majority."'
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Technological development and advancement is moving at an accelerated pace. Just the thought of it makes my heart race! Is yours racing, too? Check your pulse. Coming to you from Los Angeles, California, TechPulse will stay on the pulse of what’s happening now and what’s coming up next in the tech world and bringing it directly to you. We’ll chat LIVE with Entrepreneurs and CEOs of tech startups with a focus on the happenings in Silicon beach – the Home of the LA Tech and Startup community! We’ll have our finger on the pulse of new businesses, new products, new gadgets and new apps that can add to our productivity, knowledge and entertainment!
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TechPulse – keeping our finger on the pulse of the Southern California Tech community!
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This is a snippet from a workshop I recently facilitated on the campus of West Los Angeles College.
Some of the greatest challenges in life is a result of us not "conceptualizing the big picture of our lives." It is also about understanding the role that Time, Effort, Passion and Resources can play in our overall achievement. |
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Hottest Professor?Now get your mind out of the gutter, ha ha, it's not the kind of "hot" you're thinking about. This is about academics! See ratemyprofessors.com.
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"I prefer to put efforts towards developing the non-material aspects of manhood like responsibility, accountability, compassion, respect, righteousness and self-control within myself and others. For me, it is these characteristics that truly matter, not simply what one chooses to cover their body with."
Click here for full text article |
"How can an everyday person, like myself, develop a yoga practice and utilize that knowledge to deal with everyday issues – both in the physical sense of movement and pain management, but dually in the broader sense of the application of those teachings into our everyday lives?"
Click here for full text article |
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Playing the role of host WILLY HAYES was one the of funnest shoots I have been on! I worked with a great production company and director and this video will be used to launch the upcoming KickStarter Campaign!
Check back to see how you can get your own Bad Mochi Race Card and all the benefits that cardholders expect. |
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Just like people who lean towards engaging with others in activities sports and hobbies or in a congregation or sangha setting or even on serving on a board, I am drawn towards volunteerism. I regularly involve myself in all kinds of projects and all kinds of roles. The latest was a major landscaping project in Escondido, California. I was drawn in through the charismatic nature of this man pictured here, Ahmad Hassan, the former host of "Yard Crashers," one of my favorite DIY shows (I am a homeowner and an openly DIY).
I have been actively pursuing a profession as a TV host for nearly 8 years, I considered Ahmed to be "the kind of host I would like to be." Smart and fast, friendly and funny. Strong work ethic. Strategic, yet down-to-earth. An effective host is not just performance, but it comes from "who you really are" and how you deliver it in a way that is direct and approachable. Ahmed is just that kind of person...and so we corresponded from time-to-time over the course of a couple years on social media. He even helped me through a career transition with a great phone call. When I heard about the Aster Gardens project I immediately committed to being there. |
Actors who give testimonials actually use the product they are speaking about! I used this product for a good month and provided an on-camera testimonial. GetSnapBac.com is a new line of pain relief/recovery garment that is constructed to hold heat or ice packs in place anywhere you want them on your body.
It was a fun and interesting experience being a consumer tester and the the production company I worked with is always very professional. I had a lot of fun as usual! |
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As soon as I saw there was going to be a TEDx in Crenshaw I contacted the organizer, only to find iI was really late in the process. One of my bucket list items is to do a TED Talk - and I would be honored to do this right here in my very neighborhood/ Anyways, I offered up my assistance as a volunteer. I know how events can be and it is always great to have extra hands on deck. I have relied on volunteers when I have worked programs and I give back to the pool regularly.
I was a "wrangler" for the Speakers and what an honor and chance to work with these individuals, helping ease the process so they can focus and deliver their powerful messages. A true win-win all day long! I met all kinds of great people and had rich, meaningful conversations. Check out the VIDEOS here! |
I recently participated in a wonderful and meaningful documentary series. All kinds of people from age 0-100 were brought into a studio to answer some of life’s biggest questions.
Four episodes have since been released and can be viewed below. In the "ADVICE" episode, see who got the last word! Not that it matters . . . ha ha. This series has been picked up for another season. Check back for more videos and questions that truly matter! |
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I was happy to have been able to film and photograph the first conference of the Refuge Recovery organization. I have been going to events at Against the Stream Buddhist Meditation Society for over 5 years and I am so happy I could share the inspirational experiences of all those involved.
Here is the highlight reel: |
Whenever I am asked to address a group of young people who are taking efforts toward a promising future, I always say "yes, what time?" This year I presented to a group of high school athletes a session about the pros and cons of going to a community college versus a 4-year college/university. Before I got to the details, we had a discussion about the very nature of higher education.
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I cannot tell you how excited I am to be working with the director and talented cast of The Laramie Project at El Camino College. For me, facilitating the Talk Back sessions was a rare opportunity to "change people's mindsets" about hatred, violence and homophobia using performance art derived from actual interviews. 20 casts member played over 70 real life people who were all residents who were all involved in some way in the violent act that led to the death of Matthew Shepard.
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Who would have thought that one day I would be in the kitchen of a prominent bakery in Sherman Oaks, making an edible hairspray bottle out of fondant? Who knew I could even spell fondant? It happened and the the cake that resulted from the work was gifted to a morning news anchor for her birthday!
Below is a clip of us working hard in the kitchen! |
Recently I got to catch up with one of my former students, Wyatt at the reception of his latest photo co-exhibit "Otsumami." Wyatt has a unique eye and photographic perspective and is one of the coolest dudes I know.
He has a great future and an amazing life ahead of him - I am honored to have been able to support his efforts and see him continue to develop and chase his goals and aspirations. |
Had a great time playing "Host" for a talk show as part of a Pasadena City College TV/Film Project. The show is a late night interview format with new guests from the entertainment industry each week. Nothing like meeting cool, creative and driven people on set! Nothing like in-person conversations with interesting and engaging people.
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I was honored to have been able to deliver a keynote address at the morning plenary for the CWA Youth conference held in Long Beach on January 28. 205. My keynote was entitled "Digging Deeper for Meaningful Collaborations" and was delivered to 400 plus attendees at 8:00 AM in the morning! I hope everyone was as energized as audience members as I was giving this speech!
I have accepted my duality as an academician and an "entertainer" for lack of a better word. Intellectually stimulating content can truly be fun, lively and entertaining. We need to rethink teaching and learning and truly embrace the digital media we have out there that can augment out ideas! (Below are are some video excerpts.) |
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I recently played a cyclist in a commercial depicting possible scenarios and potentially dangerous situations that we might find ourselves in while riding. Thanks to this new app, people can have some peace of mind.
I hope this never happens when I am really out on the biking trails - or anywhere else for that matter! This new app has great promise for giving people some piece of mind and is worth a look! |
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MYD Toy Drive:
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Zombies
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A DRUM-MOON MINUTE:
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THE TOURIST
Although hosting is my first love, I am always ready to help my writer/filmmaker friends with their projects - whether filming, booming or acting. I recently played a Hollywood street vagrant with a quirky sense of humor (right). Can't wait to see this short film and see what opportunities might present themselves next!!
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You can catch me the role of military bad ass/zombie destroyer on future episodes of Chronicles of the Dead by 3N FILMS.
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