If I Was Behind The Camera....

Since making my first mini-movie at 16 for an A-Level Media Studies project I've had an avid passion for directing. I'm a film and TV buff and enjoy watching movies and shows that compliment their genre. I'm currently working on a short film myself which will be in production in the new year, followed by two more (all premiering on www.pbleepd.com). From my perspective what makes a successful directorial piece is concepts; I enjoy watching productions based around a solid and creative idea. Whether it be the time concept on the show 24 or the handheld camera technique in a film like Cloverfield I can really appreciate something that's innovative, different or original as it stands out from the rest. So when I came across the music video for UK artist Wiley's new song "Cash in my pocket" I was impressed. The simplicity of the concept worked in so many avenues; not only did it work as an oxy moron (Middle and Upper Class city workers quoting lyrics from an inner city street artist) but the idea to have it in one shot on a handheld camera made it more relatable to the common eye; it was low budget but with great entertainment. It's these type of ideas that the music scene has been missing...a concept. If you're not going to have a storyline based around the lyrics then at least have a good concept for the video right? If I Was Behind The Camera I would make videos that stood out like this one....maybe my time will come sooner than later. Below is Wiley's video along with other conceptual videos that I would have enjoyed making.

Wiley - Cash In My Pocket


Michael Jackson - Smooth Criminal


Eric Benet Feat. Faith Evans - Gorgy Porgy


Destiny's Child - Emotion


Fatboy Slim - Weapon Of Choice


R.Kelly - Down Low (Nobody Has To Know)


Notorious B.I.G - Sky's The Limit

The Scriptwriter Chronicles: MEN ON THE ROAD (Part 6)

Part 6 - A Brief Encounter

Jane looks in the mirror and adjusts her hair. She takes the two wedding rings and hides them in a drawer. There’s a knock at the door, Jane is startled and rushes to the couch which is full of tissues, she gathers them in a bunch and puts them in a black bag in the kitchen. Another knock..

JANE
Coming! She sprays the room with French Vanilla Glade and skips towards the door. Hi! A man in a track suit embraces her and then walks in. I’ve made you some breakfast

SEBASTIAN
Appreciate it

JANE
You ready for the weekend?

SEBASTIAN
Yeah smiles It’s gonna be an interesting one

JANE
Sounds like it

SEBASTIAN
Yep

JANE
Yep

Awkward silence

SEBASTIAN & JANE
Listen

JANE
Go On

SEBASTIAN
I’m not gonna pretend I know how you’re feeling right now but I couldn’t be happier. I’ve wanted you for so long and this creeping around, as exciting as it was, it was getting to me. So this is good news right?

JANE
Yeah I guess. I mean if you regard a divorce as good news

SEBASTIAN
It is if it means me and you can be together. Don’t worry about Julian, he clearly wasn’t serious about fulfilling your needs.

JANE
Yeah but, I dunno, this is difficult

SEBASTIAN
Listen, all you need to do is sign the divorce papers and things will be so much easier.

JANE
Alright

SEBASTIAN
When?

JANE
First thing this Sunday. Until then have some breakfast.

SEBASTIAN
Don’t think I’ll have time to do two things and get to my house beforehand

JANE
Oh…wait what do you mean two things?

SEBASTIAN
I’ll show you

Sebastian begins kissing Jane. She pushes him onto the couch and goes on top. As they kiss she sees a picture of herself with Julian and their kids.

JANE
Wait!

SEBASTIAN
What?

Jane takes the picture and faces it downward on the counter

JANE
As we were

They both smile and start undressing each other. Sebastian picks her up and heads towards the stairs but they are suddenly interrupted by a multiple loud thud at the door.

PART 7 COMING SOON......

We're Coming Live & Direct From London

The launch of Pbleepd Radio is imminent!! Here you can find me and the rest of the Pbleepd gang giving our own input on world affairs. Catch us acting a fool, critiquing new music, engaging in enticing debates and grilling special guests in our weekly 2 hour set. You'll be able to hear our show via podcast which will be uploaded every week on www.pbleepd.com before we have live streaming on the air in the New Year. Think CNN mixed with Foxxhole Radio mixed with you and your friends chilling and you'll have the perfect defintion of Pbleepd Radio. I'll keep you posted. In the meantime check out Jamie Foxx's Foxxhole Radio best moments in the video below to get only a percentage of what we'll be joking around about.

PBLEEPD RADIO TEAM

The Scriptwriter Chronicles: MEN ON THE ROAD (Part 5)

Sorry people, been away with a stomach virus and other duties but I'm back, Part 6 and 7 will be coming quicker than usual since I took my time on this one. Enjoy!

Part 5 - Facing The Facts

JULIAN

That I only last three minutes!!

TEENAGER

I had that same problem, when I was like thirteen.

JULIAN

Get outta here!, aint you got some shop to rob? go on get outta here. The teenager rides off laughing I hope your little prick falls off.

GERALD

Its ok we’ve all had those problems now and again, it’s a part of life man

JULIAN

Yeah it’s true; I mean she doesn’t even count the foreplay or anything

GERALD

Right, right coz that plays a major part in you know, getting their cycles going and then you’ve got like 3mins to 2 hours of just taking the ball to the goal

JULIAN

Yeah, argh bollocks lets be real, 3 minutes is nothing! To make things worse she said it on radio!

GERALD

Whoa! Now that’s cold, you need to handle that. That’s not right! That’s like your dignity and your pride gone

JULIAN

Exactly

GERALD

She said it on radio?

JULIAN

Yep

GERALD

What station?

JULIAN

I dunno, some morning show with “Mark and Tony”

GERALD

What!?

JULIAN

What?

GERALD

Wow….sorry

JULIAN

That bad?

GERALD

That’s like a million listeners….in Southampton alone.

JULIAN

Bitch!

GERALD

Alright calm down it’s not the end of the world, they don’t know her face or yours, lets just hope they don’t give a surname.

Julian receives a text on his phone. He holds the phone and reads the message while trying to keep his eye on the road.

JULIAN

Everyone’s a bloody comedian!!!

Gerald takes the phone from Julian’s hand and reads the text

GERALD

Let me see this, Hmmm, what’s the difference between one round of boxing and a session with your misses?...nothing Gerald chuckles then gains composure See that there wasn’t funny, not at all, I don’t know why I laughed… you know me I laugh at everything. I’ll laugh at people with aids; Haha there goes that sick person. Philadelphia? Absolutely hilarious

JULIAN

Just, just don’t Gerald

Back at the house Jane is curled up on the couch crying. She looks at her ring which is placed upright on the floor and shakes her head. After taking a deep breath she wipes her tears and goes through her mobile and makes a call.

JANE
Hey, erm deep breath looks like me and Jules are over. The kids are at my aunt’s so I could really use some company right now….ok….bye

PART 6 COMING SOON.....

Coming of Age

Grime Music is an acquired taste (as is every music genre) you can either love it for it's rawness, patriotic representation and multliple collaborations or you could hate it for it's lack of varied content, budget/repetitive videos and crowded industry. Either way it's a mainstay because of it's attention to the street (a council estate of mind if you will) and the coverage it receives on Channel U and pirate radios. There's an array of talented grime MCs from Ghetto to Kano to Scorcher to Bashy; yet grime still hasnt been fully recognised on a greater national scale. UK Labels arent willing to market a genre where mixtapes hardly sell and fans download on a daily basis. Although it would be fair in saying labels arent giving MCs a chance to shine and showcase their talent, it would equally be fair in saying there isnt enough overall artistry in grime as a whole. The music industry nowadays unfortunately is more than just music, its all about marketing a product; the product being the artist.

The wider perspective suggests that the industry is powered by 4 P's. The artist behind the music is a product who must have presence and personality in order to progress. If labels do not see these 4 p's as a combination in an MC, then there is no chance they will succeed and more importantly neither will the grime genre. We have seen this happen to a few talents, most notably Kano. So what do you do? You either change up your style of music to suit labels (e.g Wiley, Skepta, Dizzee & Lethal B) whilst still gaining credibility from "ends" or you use your experiences and knowledge to distribute music via an independent label and produce great music AND great videos. Its difficult and rare for grime artists to make great videos with a low budget however every once in a while you get the odd videos that spark a chord in your eye socket and you respond with a nod of the head. With all this said, let me forward you to an artist by the name of Chipmunk. He has all that it takes to bring grime music onto a bigger level - the talent, the personality and the artistry. Although only 17 and far from the best in the game I believe he will be able to open avenues for other grime greats and we may see them prosper in UK charts. Only time will tell. Judging by this video the future's looking very bright.

The Scriptwriter Chronicles: MEN ON THE ROAD (Part 4)

Part 4 - When Julian met Gerald

Gerald and Michelle stand outside their house gazing in each other’s eyes. Their lilac matching v-neck jumpers are made less bearable by matching colour with the flowers in their front garden.

Julian approaches the house in his car. He parks up on the roadside looking straight ahead. The bubbly couple give each other a kiss as Gerald picks up his sports bag. Michelle follows Gerald to the car.

GERALD

You alright Jules?

JULIAN

Boot please

GERALD

What?

Julian presses the button for the car boot to open

JULIAN

Put the bag in the boot

GERALD

O...k

Gerald and Michelle shrug. Julian's eyes stay focused ahead as Gerald is overheard putting his bag in the boot. Gerald steps into the car and Michelle peaks her head through the window.

MICHELLE

Enjoy your weekend boys she looks at Julian break a leg. she looks at Gerald And you my little Duracell bunny, don’t miss me too much

GERALD

Too late, give me a kiss for good luck, and another, and another one Gerald and Michelle continue kissing while Julian rolls his eyes. They get to their 9^th kiss when Julian accelerates the gas and drives off with Michelle giving the finger in the background. What you doing man!?! We kiss each other ten times before we leave each other. That was only nine Julian….nine!

JULIAN

This is a face of a man who cares his face remains blank

GERALD

Another argument?

JULIAN

How can you tell?

GERALD

Apart from you being a moron, your ring’s disappeared and your bottom lip's quivering

Julian’s bottom lip begins to quiver

JULIAN

Bollocks…..stop watching my lips

GERALD

You wanna talk about it?

JULIAN
No Gerald….no I don’t, all you need to know is that women are the thorn in the fragile fabric of a sound relationship.

GERALD

…..That was beautiful

JULIAN
You gonna call Ritchie or not?

GERALD
Yes calm down, here was me thinking marriage was making you soft

JULIAN
Well according to Jane it does

GERALD

Ahh so we’re getting somewhere. We’ll get to the crotch epidemic after this Gerald begins to call Ritchie and looks around the car You got any snacks or anything?

JULIAN

Like what?

GERALD

I dunno, some Doritos or sweets or something

JULIAN

Nope, this is a new car mate. I’m not spoiling it with crumbs or stains or what other substance you cant fit in your mouth

GERALD

It’s a ford focus Julian, it aint exactly a Mercedes SLK, they use this car for AA driving lessons….driving lessons Julian Julian opens his mouth to speak just as Ritchie answers on the other line. Hello Ritchie, yeah mate we’re about 5 minutes away so please be ready we’ve gotta schedule…..ok mate……ok mate……ok mate…….ok mate……ok mate

JULIAN

Im loving the variety of vocabulary in your conversation

Gerald hangs up

GERALD

Right

JULIAN

He aint gonna be ready is he?

GERALD

Nope

JULIAN

Great

GERALD

So, about this crotch epidemic

JULIAN

Its not a crotch epidemic per say, Jane was exposing our sex-life like it was minor gossip

GERALD
to who?

JULIAN
erm let me see, London

GERALD

What about your sex life? Julian mumbles his sentence, not clear in delivery but clear enough for Gerald to hear who then smiles I’m sorry? Cant really here anything under those quivering lips, what did you say?

Julian stops at a traffic light and takes a deep breath. A teenager stops on his bicycle at the traffic light at the same time.

PART 5 Next Week....