Sorry about the vlog yesterday. YouTube was giving me major problems!!! ARGH!!!! But the video will be up today and I interviewed my first college survivor from an HBCU (Historically Black College & University).? There’s a nice little tutorial thrown in there too; so, I hope you enjoy it.

In Wooden Nickels: After a terrifying experience in college, CG makes a bold career choice.

• College Survivors What inspired you to pursue your career path post-college?
• College Dreamers What has inspired your future career path?

JamTown’s Response:

My dad inspired my career choice.? He introduced me to the world of the television and film industry through his work experience.? I started out as a video editor in high school, and a whole new world opened up to me.? I was fascinated by knowing what goes on behind-the-scenes and all the departments and creatives who are responsible for putting together the end product that we see.? I was very particular about fine-tuning my edits in rhythm, music, and having an eye for the best take.? I was excited that I was able to easily transfer my performing arts background and training as a classical musician and performer to my editing skills.

But it was my dad who told me that I could be more than an editor…that I had the potential to produce or direct or write.? I was content editing because I enjoyed it so much.? However, after my dad planted that seed, I was ready to explore that world even more to see if I really did have those other skills.? And that led me to applying for the film school at USC and graduating four years later with a Bachelors in the Film/Video Production track of the Cinema-Television school (now known as the “School of Cinematic Arts).

So thanks, Daddy, for planting the seed and helping me to dream a bigger dream than I could for myself!

So what’s your story?

JamTown

College Vlog #9 is here.? The vlog channel has over 1500 views, thanks to you!? If you would like to be interviewed, drop me a line.? Enjoy.

So what’s your story?

JamTown

Response of the Day comes from first-time responder, C Burns @ “Need a Ride?” You can find the original post and my response under the “Campus Life” category.

At the University of Morehouse College (I?m aware of what I wrote), there wasn?t a big need for taxi service since the campus was down the street from Uncle Marta. We affectionately referred to our public transportation system as ?Uncle? because it reminded you of that old uncle who was kind of shady. Marta wouldn?t get you exactly where you needed to go?but it got you close. There was however, a shuttle that would come from time to time at Spelman to take you down to the Marta station, which was useful when you didn?t feel like walking through a sea of change bandits and white tee and sock merchants; or if a little winter decided to come through Atlanta. Walking through the West End ain?t cute when it?s cold outside.

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In Wooden Nickels: CG and his friends aim to make their mark in history post-college.

• College Survivors & Dreamers: Did you/Do have any lofty goals planned for life after college (other than just getting a job?)? World change? Becoming the first to do something? Etc.

JamTown’s Response:

Oh yes.? I am a dreamer.? I grew up dreaming about how I envisioned my life as a grownup.? And since I went to a performing arts high school, it wasn’t hard to enter college with the same mindset.? My “lofty goals” involved all things dealing with the performing and visual arts…they still do.? Some of these goals I will keep under wraps, but I will share a few of them.

Breaking ground as a successful female director/producer in the film & television industry.? Search the records…the list of top female director/producers in the biz is extremely short.

Having a production company that consistently creates opportunities for extremely talented folk (in front of the camera and behind-the-scenes) who are underrepresented in the industry.? If you see a lack of something…don’t complain about it…fill the void.

Producing and/or directing/writing a musical for Broadway.? The list is short for women/Black people in these positions too.? I wasn’t sure about this one though.? All I knew was that I loved musicals, I used to perform in them, and it would be nice to work them somehow into my career.

Being someone’s background singer on tour.? This one cracks me up because I’m kind of serious about it.? I don’t think I’ll ever strongly pursue it though.? This comes from my history as a classically trained vocalist and always having an admiration for a music artist’s background singers.? I can remember swooning over the background singers of Angie Stone, Raphael Saadiq, Musiq Soulchild, Donnie McClurkin, Tina Turner, & Kim Burrell, to name a few.? Many times I find myself drawn to them, rather than the main act, during a concert.? If they have a great energy and ridiculous harmonies, I’m all over them.

So what’s your story?

JamTown

Hi Friends!

Tomorrow is vlog day!? These days seem to be flying by faster and faster from week to week.? What is that about?

If you’re a new reader on the site, welcome!? Please leave a comment.? Say hi and give your school a shout out.? You don’t even have to leave a story.? I want to know where my readers on the site are coming from.

Response of the Day comes from Stephanie @ “Running Late.” You can watch my response and the response of my college survivor guest under “The Wednesday Vlog” category.

I had one 10 am Strength of Materials class that I was habitually late too. Instead of punishing me, my professor greeted me every morning with ?Better late than never? in a middle eastern accent.

But one day I was late when we received our tests back and he had already handed them back to everyone. When I walked in he shuffled through the papers looking for my test. It took him a minute that to realize that mine was the one he was using to go over the answers with the class.

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In Wooden Nickels: CG thought he had a clear idea of his career when he entered college.? But that soon changed.

• College Survivors: Did you know your exact career path when you entered college?? Did it change over the years?
• College Dreamers: Do you know exactly what you want to do post-college? Or will you use your college years to figure that out?

JamTown’s Response:

When I entered college, I was sure about what I wanted to study, but I wasn’t sure about what my career path would be post-college.? I figured the four years matriculating through USC’s film school would inform me of what I was good at, what I was excited about, and how to prepare for that future career.

I did gain a new interest while in college, a subject I eventually chose as a minor.? Advertising had always interested me.? I was intrigued by a brand’s capability to gain a loyal following, to get a target audience excited about it, and to have longevity.? I also assumed that if I had a solid understanding of how brands were able to do this, I could possibly know how to write and market my movies better…without sacrificing my voice and perspective as a filmmaker.

So what’s? your story?

JamTown

It’s Monday again.? Back to work.? (Although, my work day is not restricted to the regular 9-5/5-day work week and hasn’t been that way for some time).? We’ve been sharing college stories for almost a month.? I can’t believe it.? And while alot of you are reading…a whole lot of you actually (exciting!!!), I know more of you have stories to share.? I know…I know.? You just want to read.? OR you may say that you don’t have a story for that question.? But come on…that’s a bunch of malarky!!? Drop me a line.? Let me know you’ve been reading.? Give a shout out to your school.? Suggest a question and yours may be selected for our question of the day!

And just know that “college” is not only limited to undergraduate education…post graduate education-business school, law school, med school, doctoral school…all included.? So go ahead…share your stories.? You can even share on old posts.? Feel free to peruse the stories under “Categories” on the right.? And maybe YOU could be selected for Response of the Day.? In other news, we have more than 100 views on our first Wednesday Vlog over at Youtube in less than a week!? Make sure you tune in this Wednesday.? I’ll be taking you to the snowy mountains of California.

Response of the Day comes from Tyra @ “Dressed to the Nines”.? This is the third time she’s been picked for Response of the Day. But what can I say?? She’s funny.

Fashion Sense? I don’t think I had one in college. My high school was a private, all-girls institution that required everyone to be in uniform. Yes, even the nuns had a uniform . I wasn’t accustomed to having to pick out an outfit everyday. It was way too overwhelming so I stuck to scrub pants/ratty jeans and t-shirts. I was always comfortable (a plus) and was often mistaken for a pre-med student (a double plus). This was fine for me, but often put me at odds with the “Club Calculus” “Club Chemistry” girls JamTown described. They made fun of my lack of effort and I made fun of their twisted ankles from wearing heels all day. My mother was horrified to know I was going out in public like that, but it’s hard to make me feel guilty over the phone.

Also, I found that starting people off with low expectations means that I can “WOW” them when I do decide to dress-up and apply makeup. It’s a lot better than the alternative “Oh?” that comes when you’re late for class and don’t have time for your normal 45 minute morning primp. That said, I’ve moved on from the scrubs. Corporate America won’t allow it and I do enjoy looking nice every now and then.

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In Wooden Nickels: CG goes to college with the goal to remake himself.

• College Survivors: What were your initial hopes and goals as you entered college?
• College Dreamers: What are your goals for college?

JamTown’s Response:
When I entered college, I don’t think I had it all mapped out.? I was ready to meet new people, learn more about the film and television industry, and explore a new city.? I did not have a goal of shedding all parts of my former self or losing my mind and going buckwild as some of my friends did.? I did not see it as an opportunity to do everything that my parents had banned during my childhood.? I didn’t have a minimum GPA to achieve each semester.? In my mind, I stressed over grades in high school to get into a good college and to get scholarships to pay for it.? And it worked.? But I didn’t intend on putting that kind of pressure on myself for the next four years.? I didn’t see it as a chance to find a husband and get my MRS degree, as they call it.? It was really just a new chapter in my life and I was interested to see where this new adventure would take me.? I had always heard that your college years are some the best years of your life and I think I just wanted to enjoy myself.? And I can honestly say I did plenty of that.

So what’s your story?

JamTown