Fred Bear of ikeepsit100.com and LPZ have once again teamed up to create the second episode of “Confessions of a Sneaker Addict.” After a successful first episode in LES with MC and LPZ friend and collaborator, Skyzoo, we decided to take it to Harlem for some uptown flavor.

We shot at the Vault, famed urbanwear shop in the heart of Harlem with legendary sneaker collector The Mayor.

Check it out and let us know what you think!

This summer proved to be a true grind, both a beautiful and organic process from the start, and yet grueling and trying to the finish. Having been offered the opportunity to direct the first single off of one of my favorite artist’s upcoming album was met with excitement.

Working with Skyzoo is the sort of situation you hope for every time with every artist. He conveys, and moreso lives and breathes the general mood and message of his music, and is willing to trust your vision if you yourself trust it. He’s a true artist before anything, and that sort of collaboration is often hard to come by when art and commerce are inextricably linked and the lines blurred.

We filmed the video over two (hot!) days. I had the pleasure to work again with a great friend and amazing cinematographer, Ant DeRose, alongside NYC’s best producer and brother from another mother, Kevin Lopez. We threw a lot of ideas around before we settled on an ultimate theme and look to the video. We wanted to portray Skyzoo the Writer, in his element, in his hood, in the cinematic fashion that his music deserves. Our objective was to match the complexity and layers of the track, while maintaining an open sense of interpretation, often a staple of his style.

Please check out and enjoy the music video and behind the scenes if you haven’t already done so, and share in one of our summertime grind moments.

Jason Otaño for New York State Senate

Jason A. Otaño, Democratic candidate for the 18th New York State Senate District, is an attorney, community advocate and entrepreneur with a passion for social, economic and environmental justice and a great interest in arts, culture and economic development. I had the pleasure of following Jason and his Campaign Manager Jim Doumas through different sections of the 18th District in New York, which includes Williamsburg, Cypress Hill, Bushwick, and East New York. I never thought there were people that out there in the world that “Grind” as much as filmmakers do, but I sure found out that the political game is one filled with excitement, anxiety, inspiration, and a great deal of work… Putting my political views aside, I think Jason Otaño is a remarkable person who believes he can bring about some great change to the people of Brooklyn, particularly in the Housing realm. I also had the great pleasure of meeting Congresswoman Nydia Velazquez, who as many people know, is one of the shining lights for the Latino voice in American Politics. I hope to do many more of these in the future and most importantly, I hope politicians can see the benefit of having filmmakers like us on their sides.

www.jasonotano.com

http://www.complex.com/music/2012/08/video-theblkhands-f-skyzoo-downtown

Complex Magazine is one of the most well respected urban style magazines in the country, so when we found out that Anthony Sylvester’s music video for THEBLKHANDS was featured on it, we were honored by the recognition. Producing this music video for the track “Downtown” which also features Skyzoo, was one of the most fun we’ve had in a long time on set. THEBLKHANDS were full of energy and embraced any and all ideas and shots that Anthony threw their way. From using the fig rig like a steering wheel, to spinning around for the purpose of the stop motion effect, everyone was engaged creatively with each other and their magical surroundings. The surreal feeling and aesthetic of the China Town location with all of its narrow streets and fluorescent lights certainly provided us with the emotional context from which to feed off. In the end, Anthony directed a beautiful piece for THEBLKHANDS that highlights the youthful energy that continues to thrive in Hip Hop. We need more music like this!

Check out the behind the scenes video shot by PurpVarsity and the music video directed by Anthony Sylvester.

THEBLKHANDS ft. Skyzoo
“Downtown”
Download track here: soundcloud.com/theblkhands/downtown-feat-skyzoo
Directed by Anthony Sylvester
lpzmedia.com // cutsdatflo.com
purpvarsitymusic.com

Art Design by Oxal V. Ortiz
oxal@me.com
@oxalv
oxal.carbonmade.com

On September 25th, 2012, LPZ Media will embark on yet another educational film experience with a group of young aspiring New York City filmmakers, this time at the Polo Grounds Community Center in Harlem, NY. The program is funded and coordinated by The Children’s Village organization, which is a non-profit organization dedicated to work with families to help society’s most vulnerable children, so that they become educationally proficient, economically productive, and socially responsible members of their communities. This upcoming academic school year, LPZ Media will work closely after school with a group of teenagers from the Polo Grounds Housing Projects in Harlem to help develop their creative interests and passions in the art of filmmaking. During a series of 8 week cycles, teenagers from the Polo Grounds Projects will meet with LPZ Media in the newly constructed Community Center in order to learn the fundamental principles of cinematography, editing, lighting, sound design, screen writing, acting for film, and directing. We are excited to show you in the coming months what the creative minds from this dynamic community are capable of. Stay Tuned!

Anthony was recently commissioned to direct an LRG Clothing sponsored music video, for Queens rappers Boogz Boogetz and Prodigy (of Mobb Deep). The video is set in Midtown Manhattan and reflects the cool, summertime feel of a nostalgic, classic hip hop track.

This is the first of a series of LRG sponsored videos, so keep on the lookout for more to premier!

At an Aug. 15 symposium, several Fordham students presented findings from their summer research in the Calder Summer Undergraduate Research (CSUR) program, now in its 15th year. The students’ original conservation biology and environmental policy-related research, done at Fordham’s 113-acre Calder Biological Field Station, was funded by the National Science Foundation.

Contact: Janet Sassi
212-636-7577
fallersassi@fordham.edu