Filming, Chillin, and Me Being a "Hater": The Weekend Wrap-Up

Friday:

I got off work, got a haircut, and I pretty much ran around town, then I went back home.

Saturday:

I shot a short with Timm Scalita (Last Call Lovin). Chris Byerly and Duane Scott were there as well, they call themselves Smokin' Gnome Productions. The short was for the Lil' Film Fest 5. The theme is a tribute to Craig Brewer. I played a character that was a composite of Samuel Jackson's "Lazarus" character in Black Snake Moan and Terrence Howard's "DJay" character in Hustle and Flow. It was cool, we had fun, we finished filming, then we watched "Touching You", Timm's segment from the movie The Sick. In case you were wondering, yes, I'm in that film, too.

Later, I went over my girl Tamara's house for an event she dubbed the "Get Together Because We Can" Get Together. Her boyfriend Rafael was there, as was my buddy Clinton. We talked comics. I also talked wrestling with Clinton and his brother. Again, Lexis (Tamara's one-year-old girl) and I were the only ones not drinking. I still had a pretty good time, though.

Sunday:
I had to go back over Monica's and get my dress shoes that I had left, after that, I went to Kroger's and got some food for Keenon Nikita's (Just the Two of Us) after party. Keenon was there, Rod Pitts (www.pittstopproductions.com), DeAara Lewis (director, Tricks), her sister Deneka, Nia, Sean Carter (a female, not Jay-Z), and Mowbray and Cherina. We had pizza and chilled out and watched the Oscars. LaVita Brooks (Tricks, What Goes Around) and her son came through later. I am very critical about entertainment, and I was labeled a "hater" for a few of my statements, like the fact that I don't care for Tobey Maguire's acting, Oprah's a hypocrite, and that Will Smith's son messing up his lines was no big deal. He's rich, his dad will get him the best tutors money can buy. Also, I said that I didn't care about Jay-Z and Beyonce's rumored split, that's not a real problem. Once again, they're rich. Perhaps I should have elaborated, but honestly, rich people split up all the time. Big hairy deal. The sun will still rise. I'm not really into celebrity gossip, unless it pertains to their projects. When you're rich, you can get good therapy, good tutors, and you can pay somebody to go out with you or, at the very least, to show up with you at events. But it's okay, I'll be the hater, I'll be the bad guy, whatever.

On a lighter note, congratulations to Jennifer Hudson for her best supporting actress win for Dreamgirls, shout out to Forrest Whitaker for taking the Best Actor trophy home for Last King of Scotland, and extra special shout out to Martin Scorsese for FINALLY getting Best Director for The Departed. I don't know if it deserved Best Picture as well, but this year that was a wide-open race. I would love to get an Oscar one day. I don't really think about it a lot, but it could be cool. Shoot, let me get to the point where I can make a living acting, then I'll think about the Oscar. Be easy,readers.

Watching Movies, Karaoke, and President's Day: The Extra Long, Three-Day Weekend Wrap-Up

Friday:

I got off work at 1PM, I went to the comic book store, hung out, and I saw Daddy's Little Girls. It's the new movie by writer/director Tyler Perry (Diary of a Mad Black Woman, Madea's Family Reunion). It was okay, the acting was decent, but the script could've been more polished, paticularyl the relationship between Gabrielle Union and Idris Elba.
After that, Rod and I went to Hephzibah's, a restaurant that specializes in greaseless beef, chicken, and turkey. Then, we went to Wal-Mart. I bought a few things and had a good ol' time.

Saturday:
After I got off from work, Rod and I went to the "urban clothing stores" on American Way. The t-shirt that I wanted had finally gone on sale. It was a t-shirt made by the company LRG (lifted research group), a popular hip-hop clothing line. The t-shirt is black, and it has a big gold mouth grill on the front, and it says "I don't wear gold fronts because I don't smile enough". I had to have it. Later, I went to Spin Street and then to Jordan's for some good old karaoke.

Sunday:

I was back at Jordan's for some Sunday afternoon karoke. I sang "Ordinary People" by John Legend, "Casanova" by Levert (RIP Gerald Levert), and John Mayer's "No Such Thing".
After that, Rod and I went to Office Depot so he could print out some business cards for his trip to New York. We also went to Border's where he met my other buddy "Angry" Nick Jones. Nick gave me a hard time about the white A-shirt (commonly called a wife-beater) that I wore in Rod's Black Snake Moan contest trailer. I know, I've put on some weight. I promised to do crunches before I showed my belly again. After that, we saw Norbit. It was okay to me. Rod hated it. I mean, it was nothing new: Eddie Murphy playing multiple characters. I like Eddie, though. I also enjoyed the supporting cast: Thandie Newton, Eddie Griffin, Cuba Gooding, Jr, etc. After that, we went to Target, then I dropped Rod off and went home.

Monday:

I woke up for good around noon (my job was closed for President's Day), and I got something to eat at Milano's, a nice italian place right before the Bartlett/Stage intersection. I also watched Ghost Rider. It was okay, but it seemed to be two movies: The scenes between Nicholas Cage and Eva Mendes were a little too silly, and the scenes with the villains were dark. I think that they should have chosen a darker tone for the whole film. The final battle was kinda weak, too. After that, I went to Jordan's and chilled out until time for...you guessed it, karaoke! I sang "The Corner" by Common (one of my favorite rappers), but I kinda got off beat. I also sang Anthony Hamilton's "Coming From Where I'm From", but I was a little pitchy. After that, I headed home.

I want to take this moment to give a shout out to Oddly Buoyant Productions, whose film Eat was shown at the Magnolia Film Festival over the weekend. Another shout out goes to John Pickle and Paradox Productions for having The Importance of Being Russell shown at the Magnolia Film Festival as well. These are two great films that happen to have small roless by me, King Indie. I feel that I am the heart and soul of independent film in the Memphis area, and I consider it my duty to improve cinema as a whole, one role at a time. Be easy, readers.

So I Went to the Screening After All....

I caught the end of the second screening or What Goes Around last night. Shout out to my boy Paul Briggs, sho came to the first screening. Shout out to Keenon Nikita (Just the Two of Us), and to DeAara Lewis, Deneka Lewis, Ladonna, DJ Funke, and Nia, who worked on Tricks (coming soon). Also, Crystal Johnson, who was in the film, had some more of her classmates view it for extra credit. My part as the Film Geek still gets laughs. I just hope that people are willing to see me in serious roles. I've done a lot of dark and creepy films this year, I hope people aren't disappointed because I'm not making them laugh. Shout out to Nick Newburger and the staff of Hephzibah's for viewing the movie as well. I am proud of the film, but I am also eager to keep working. Be easy, readers.

PS Happy Valentine's Day....and in the midst of showing love to others, make sure you love yourself as well. Okay, that was so warm and fuzzy that I may throw up.

Meetings, Karaoke, and Grammys: The (Late) Weekend Wrap-Up

Friday:
I assisted Rod Pitts (www.pittstopproductions.com) in a shoot for his fictitious documentary Don't Vote for Arthur Henry. We filmed with a guy named Darius. He's a Theater student at the University of Memphis, and he played one of Arthur Henry's childhood friends. Once he got loose, it was beautiful. The ad-libs kept coming, it was great. We tried to find a hat for my character in his Lil' Film Fest short, but to no avail. We ate at Hepzibah's and chilled out.

Saturday:

I went to work, got off, slept, and went to Jordan's for karaoke. I sang "Regulate" by Nate Dogg and Warren G. with my buddy Uncle Ricki. Next, I performed "Ice, Ice Baby" with my buddy Judd. Then, I HAD to perform New Kids On the Block's "The Right Stuff". You do something once, they never let you forget. My last song was "Unpredictable" by Jamie Foxx featuring Ludacris. After that, I called it a night.

Sunday:
Went to Jordan's around 3 PM, sang "Prototype" by Outkast, then I sang "A Thousand Miles" by Vanessa Carlton...I was just playing around, people!!
Later, I went to a cast meeting for John Fuess' film Rommel's Crossroad. I play a character named Willie, and it is set in a pre-Civil Rights period in the South. It will be different, but I can do it.
After that, I watched the Grammys at Jordan's. Shout out to the Dixie Chicks and Red Hot Chili Peppers and Ludacris for his shocking win for Best Rap Album (my money was on T.I.). Hopefully, one day I'll present an award there. Be easy, readers.

Plug Time!!!

What Goes Around...Screening

When: Tuesday, February 13

Where: Malco's Studio on the Square
2105 Court Street
Memphis, TN 38104
(901) 725-7151

Plot and Trailer:

http://www.pittstopproductions.com/whatgoesaround2.html

Cost: $6 individual, $10 for couples

Countdown to Markus Seaberry's next screening: It's Today, People!!!!

PS I have to work tonight, but this is a great movie. Please support Pittstop Productions!!

All I wanted was a stinking hat....

This morning, before work, I went shopping for a hat for my character in a short directed by Rod Pitts (www.pittstopproductions.com). Rod accompanied me. We went to Park Ave. Thrift and found nothing. We went to K&G, and could not find the right one. We went to Mr. Hat. Mr. Hat, of all people, said to me "You've got a big head". I smiled and shrugged my shoulders. It's not enough that family members and students comment on my girth, I am now getting dissed by Mr. Hat. What's next, Santa Claus giving me a wedgie? Rod said that he would think of something. I hope so. I think that the next short will be good. Shout out to Keenon Nikita (Poor and Hungry, Just the Two of Us), his film Just the Two of Us (came by yours truly) is showing tomorrow at the Oxford Film Festival at 2 PM. If only I wasn't at work. Also, What Goes Around... is having a special pre-Valentine's Day (gag) showing on Feb. 13. It'll be fun. Okay, ladies and gentlemen, it is truly....


Plug Time!!!

What Goes Around...Screening

When: Tuesday, February 13

Where: Malco's Studio on the Square
2105 Court Street
Memphis, TN 38104
(901) 725-7151

Plot and Trailer: http://www.pittstopproductions.com/whatgoesaround2.html

Countdown to Markus Seaberry's next screening: 5 days, baby!!!

Be Easy, Readers!!!

A Rebuttal

Some cowardly wiseass anonymously posted a comment on my blog talking about the score of the last Vols-Tigers game and that my Vol hatred was envy. Okay, now you need to find a corner and slap yourself repeatedly. I am a second generation University of Memphis alumni. When I was a child, my mom went back to school and got her bachelors. She worked part-time as a deskworker in a few dorms. I remember her graduation, I also remember the various spelling bees I competed in at then-Memphis State during elementary school. NEVER question my Tiger loyaty, or, if I may parahrase Charlton Heston, "Get your damn hands off me, you dirty, stinking Vol!" And I am done.

Birthdays, Work, and the Super Bowl: The Weekend Wrap-Up

Friday:

It was a snow day at work, but I could not rest, people kept calling!! I was invited to a "surprise" celebration for my friend Paul Briggs. I made it to Bennigan's by 5:31 PM, and it was scheduled for 6 PM. I was there, so I called my homeboy Chazz and reserved a table for 10. He didn't show up until 6:15. He then left to get someone else. I was a little nervous because we didn't actually start ordering food until like 7 PM. That's how long it took everyone to get there. We ended up with 7 people. It was cool, it was good to see Chazz and Terrence again. I also met this new guy named James. He was cool. The only low point is that when Paul and I talked about our Anti-Valentine's Day poems, this one girl called me pathetic. I had to catch myself. The old me would've cursed her out, but I'm trying to be nice. I feel like I've given that day too much power. I probably won't write one this year.

Saturday:
Back at work (BOOOO!), I dropped my buddy "Uncle" Marvin Skinner off at his crib, ran a few errands, and caught up with the winner of "Most Promising Filmmaker" at last year's Indie Memphis Film Festival, Rod Pitts (www.pittstopproductions.com). We were looking for clothes for my character in his next short. I can't really get into details, but it should be cool. We also went to Hepzibah's, and we found out that the fact that their location was featured in What Goes Around got back to them. That was cool. We ate, then went to Target and a few more places. I ended the evening at Jordan's Karaoke Bar. I performed "Thriller" with my dog Ricki and his buddy, then I performed "I Just Wanna Love You" by Jay-Z. I also performed N'Sync's "Bye Bye Bye" with my good buddy Bust Boy, I forget his real name, he busts tables at Jordan's. I had an upset stomach, so I headed back home after that.

Sunday:

I hung out with my good buddy Bryan Newcomb (Divine Manipulation of the Threads), who was back in town for a few days. Bryan has a habit of saying that one stupid thing that'll make me laugh when I'm sad. We went to a few stores, and then he and his buddy Mike trailed me to by friend Shomari's house for the Super Bowl party. Bryan had more people to see, so he left at halftime. Bryan said that for the most part he likes it in Atlanta and he can't move back. There's "nothing to do here", as he put it. Okay, here's my Super Bowl summary: Congratuations to the Colts, they beat the Bears. Yay. I respect the Colts, I respect Payton Manning for finally winning the "Big One", and I am glad that an African-American (and Christian) coach won the Super Bowl. Payton's still a former Vol, and UT-Knoxville is the Devil's University. Yeah, I said it!!! All you Vol cans can go in a corner and slap yourself repeatedly.

That was pretty much the end of my evening. Oh, yeah, I don't care what anybody says Prince rocked that halftime show. I cannot discuss music with anyone if we cannot agree on 4 things: 1) The greatness that is Michael Jackson's Off The Wall 2) The greatness that is Michael Jackon's Thriller 3)The greatness that is Prince Rogers Nelson (Prince for short) 4) The greatness that is Donny Hathaway. If you don't see the truth in those statements, you don't know music. "Gee, Markus, those are pretty bold statements, buddy, I don't know..." If you disagree, hey, it's your right to be totally wrong. If you want to voice your opinions, get your own blog and go to town. Be easy, readers.