Off the Bench Again

Gots a call yesterday while at the day job. Oh, wait, you need backstory.

Okay. The Atlanta Hip Hop Festival is this week and the festival's PR person a few weeks ago asked if CinemATL would be interested in hosting some Q&A's. Specifically, they wanted someone for Dead Prez's concert film It's Bigger than Hip Hop. First of all, it will be at the Carter Center. Sweet! Then this will be a premiere. Hells yeah! Last, but not least, the film was produced by Starz Entertainment, the same folks who are sponsoring the fest. Can. You. Dig it?

So's, I jumped at the chance. Okay, not jump. Yet, I did get excited about the possibilities. Then on Monday or Tuesday, I get an email telling me that Starz decided to go with someone else. Starz had their agenda, AHHF had theirs.

Did it upset me. In truth, not really. The open wallet picks the restuarant. (Damn, I loves me a good metaphor.)

Then on Wed. I get a call from AHHF and they ask if I'm still interested. Of course I'm still interested. So I'm back on.

This is a great chance to promote CinemATL and myself. It's also an opportunity to continue networking and to be more engaged.

Give me pencils, or give me death!

This picture was forwarded to me by a friend. Labeled Photos too graphic for the media the email has about a dozen more photos like it. The general theme being U.S. soldiers being kind to kids.

When I saw my friend, I playfully scolded her about sending a foward burried inside 6 or 7 other forwards. Then I went on to explain my problem with the email.

While I can understand the frustration folks may feel about the "lack" of coverage about the nice things, the truth is that Iraq is in the midst of a Civil War (or the beginnings of one). The secterian violence is the story.

Don't be fooled just because the fighting is only concentrated in certain areas. Our own Civil War mostly occured in the South and never traveled very deep into the North. In fact, for a war to be called a war, there's never been anything that says the fighting has to cover X amount of area.

Many folks are still fighting the Vietnam propoganda machine that labeled American Soldiers baby killers. And the reality is, no matter what we report here, the Iraqis are going to think what they think. We don't read their newspapers to form opinions about events in the U.S. I sure as hell can't see the Iraqis doing the same.

And being liked isn't always the most important end in the world. (I'm not jumping on the pro-war band wagon if that's what you think.) The good Parents and teachers learn that lesson early. Apply a hand to a kids backside and of course they're going to hate you for a while. The worse thing you can do is try to "make" up for it. All that does is make the kid resent you more and respect you less.

If we're bombing and shooting the unholy sh*t out of Iraq to truly help the people, then we need to accept that reality they're going to hate us. Pencils and books aren't going to appease anyone.

Yet, let's say my friend's postion is right and let's apply Iraq's scenario to the U.S. If there were mass suicide bombings here in the states, would we still be distressed that the AJC didn't tell us about police officers handing out pencils and books on page one?

Myspace: The Day the Web Stood Still

Okay. So I've joined Myspace. Are you happy.

You can wipe that smug look off your face.

I caved under the pressure to join Myspace because the potential networking possibilities were too tempting to not take advantage. A goal of mine is to grow my name. What's that you say?

Well, as I transition fulltime into writing, I also want to gain access to more people, more events and more opportunities. And the only way that's going to happen is by networking, and more importantly, by putting my name out there so folks go "Oh, you're Charles Judson." Which is happening more and more.

At one time I wasn't too happy about being stuck with the moniker Charles Judson. It just didn't slide off my tongue. Going to poetry readings, I dreaded using my name. Everyone else had poet names, like Ravine or Flower's Deep.

Okay, I made those names up and they sound horrible. Which is what I eventually understood.

Some folks had great aliases that reflected what they were about. For others--I'd even say most--it was obvious they were trying too hard. After the thousandth "Pussy Poem" by Ms. [Insert phonetically spelled name] those stage names become ubiquitous with bland, uninteresting, mind-numbing poetry. Oh, and self congratulatory celebration--can't forget that either.

Me? As crazy as I can get, I've always just been Charles. I have plenty of nicknames, but the truth is, I'm just Charles "Judd" Judson. I'm the guy who likes moving through different worlds and schmoozing with folks of all types of backgrounds. I'm the guy who likes art house flicks, John Woo blow-em ups and watching "Gilmore Girls." (Fuck you very much by the way.)

Always in the process of reinvention, the true me is too diverse to choose a new name. I'd be picking a new name every two years.

So, Charles Judson it's been on every public forum I've joined for the last few years. And now those two syllables are out there on the largest social network on the planet (at least, that's what I've been told).

And truth be told I want my work to sell the name Charles Judson and not the name to sell the work. So when folks say "Oh, you're Charles Judson." I know they're saying "I read X and I loved it. Or, "Y was well written, but I hated it." I'll even take "I thought it was badly written and I hated it."

Those are all preferable to: "Oh, you're Charles Judson. What do you do again?"

Would that be Meagan Good? Why yes it would...
Of course, she's been damn near everywhere in the "A" the last two months. As Mike put on CinemATL, there does seem to be an MGQ (Meagan Good quotient).

Will I be working hard to maintain this lovely perk. Hell to the Yeahs...

Thought you might enjoy another Pic.

Hell yeah, I'm gloating. In fact...

Jazsmin Lewis (Barbershop, Barbershop 2) will be in town for her latest film Tracy Townsend. And guess who gets to have brunch with her on Sunday. That's right bee-yotches.

Why do I work for CinemATL? This is why I work for CinemATL.

Issue #4 of CinemATL Goes Live Today!

It's about time. With my name appearing on about 10 pieces, this issue of CinemATL damn near killed me.

Yet, I'd be lying if I didn't admit to visiting the site before launch and reading my pieces over and over again. After years of waffling about my writing and if I even really wanted to pursue it, I'm finally starting to get comfortable. I'm still working to find my voice, but I know with practice that will continue to come into focus.

And I'm really excited to know that with this issue I'll have the chance to encourage some student filmmakers from Miller Grove High School. I can't wait for them to log on to see that yes, folks in Atlanta do give a f*ck about what they're doing.

With each issue I'm impressed and proud of the work the CinemATL crew is doing. From Mike handling the site and review duties, to Dan's pics, to Stephen's own writing, to Martin and Eric's vision and steering (I know I'm leaving folks out, you know I gots love for ya) I'm confident that CinemATL will be a major force in Atlanta for years to come.

Now if I can only get that whole deadline thang nailed down. Oh and there's that whole we need more writers thang...

Gots to Get on the Ball

Man, this has been a busy time. There are way too many events going on at the same time. Along with writing for the magazine (behind, natch) and working on my own personal projects, it's hard to keep this blog updated.

Big news is that by the end of this week I should be sending out information about a project I've taken on for the magazine. The last few months I've seen how there's a great base community of filmmakers and creative folks in the city and I've come to believe that that CinemATL can be a focal point in helping to build on top of that base.

Talking to Greg (one half of the dynamic duo that are the reason the forthcoming CinemATL podcast is even possible), he sounded excited about the possiblities for the podcast. If you aren't sure what I'm talking about just check back in. I'll be doing my best to keep you guys up to date on the happenings here.

And hopefully I'll post some more personal observations in a few days.