Ray Of Light

Finally, 2009 is here after another successful NYC ball-dropping ceremony. Though I did not attend, I was out in Times Square on New Years Eve and witnessed the aftermath of confetti, hats, champagne, and people so drunk it was painful to watch them attempt to hail cabs.

However it was celebrated, we're all glad to have toasted away 2008. There's a lot to look forward to in the coming months. First and foremost: President Obama's inauguration, complete with much backlash from the gay community against the appointment of Pastor Rick Warren. Out NYC Council Speaker Christine Quinn has been publicly objecting the selection of Pastor Warren for his open opposition to gay marriage. According to the New York Observer article, she argues that the LGBT community had a huge impact on the outcome of the election, backing Obama with the notion that the support would be reciprocated once he took office. Will Pastor Warren's appearance at the inauguration serve as the first step in the wrong direction? Or will the LGBT community steer Obama in the right direction before he even has a chance to run off course?

Join The Impact will once again hold a nationwide protest on January 10th; inviting the public to sign an open letter to Obama reminding him of the promises he's made about repealing the Defense of Marriage Act and Don't Ask Don't Tell, as well as creating a number of laws to end discrimination and hate crimes. In the wake of a political and economical mess, it's refreshing to know that some are standing strong. And for the first time in quite a while many have taken notice of the light at the end of the tunnel.

Helping Make The Yuletide Gay

Snow finally fell in New York City this weekend. A storm watch was issued on Friday, in anticipation of the arrival of a winter weather hitting the U.S. from coast to coast. Over one third of the flights leaving the NYC area were grounded, causing chaos for holiday travelers. By Saturday, Manhattan accumulated only about 3-4 inches of snow, but it was enough for everyone to go outside and enjoy it.

Saturday evening was Join The Impact's NYC Chapter's "Light Up The Night" rally. Hundreds of New Yorkers braved the cold and came out to march from Herald Square to Times Square. Many onlookers, tourists, and shoppers stopped in the street to watch the protest and listen to the speakers. All in all, a success.

30 Rock

Rockefeller Center is all decorated for Christmas. Mobs of people are out shopping, the lights are up, the ice rink is packed, the holidays are here..only one problem, there's no snow in NYC!

The Reel Deal

A demo reel I put together in early 2008, showcasing excerpts of scripts I've written, footage I've shot, and some sweet editing expertise.

The Black Parade

Went to the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. It was crazy to see people flooding Times Square and midtown in every direction. I read that this was the first year they had a Smurf balloon, which many people were excited about.

Meanwhile, the FBI released information that Al Queda had at one point been planning attacks on the NYC transit system during the holiday weekend; sending suicide bombers on the subways or hooking up remote control explosives in the train stations. According to the New York Times article, there was no indication that these plans moved into the implementation stage. There are police officers everywhere though, and I've seen MTA crew down in the tracks with flashlights searching for suspicious devices and packages. Mayor Bloomberg assures that there's nothing to be alarmed about. Better safe than sorry. In any case, way to rain on our parade, Al Queda.

A Desaturized Short

Experimental in shot selection. Experimental in theory. Made in December 2007. I wrote this short film and did the camera work. If you don't understand the message the first time through, don't feel bad, you're not the only one.

What A Tease

This is the trailer that I designed for my thesis film What Goes Around. I also did all the camera work, art direction, and wrote the script for the actual film.