Primal Digital Blog Vortex

Youth Audio-Video Projects

Just wrapped a Spring Break intensive video production course on March 22-26 at Multnomah Arts Center in Portland, Oregon, USA. It was a bit crazy but we produced a lot of quality material. I incorporated theory and history in a new, more improvisational way throughout the week (rather than powerpoint at the beginning of class). This was an interesting new way of working. The class also used the theater stage and some props a bit more than in the past, so that was fun.

Just locked in another young local musicians gig for Sunday April 25 at O’Connors in Multnomah Village, Portland, Oregon, USA. Line up so far is two bands (Kittin and Squid Party) and several solo artists: MC NETT, (hip-hop lyricist/vocalist); Carrie Kitzke (singer/songwriter) and Emma Knox Hershey (vocalist). That should be a blast, once again. I am planning to record and release “Live at O’Connors” CD. Working with these talented young musicians from SW PDX High Schools has been great. One of my favorite projects since arriving in Portland. My wish is that this event be a regular continuing event (maybe quarterly) at O’Connors on Sunday afternoons and that the musicians take care of the live sound themselves and some of the promotions, so that they need very little help producing the show. This is actually pretty much the case, so sustaining the project is rather feasible.

Working with youth has really been the primary thrust of Pd work since arriving in Portland. Primal Digital, LLC now has a youth media production aspect to its portfolio. This is a really interesting development that began most serendipitously upon meeting Bev Standish almost two years ago at a Final Cut Pro User’s Group meeting. Turned out she needed help teaching an Animation Camp two summers ago. Telling stories is so important a craft to human civilization and mass media seem to be such a focal part of storytelling these days. Teaching youth to deconstruct mass media through the act of production is what its all about in these classes, though it is never blatantly so.

3.10.10

Today is KIN 231 of 260 KIN on the Tzolkin, consisting of 13 tones 20 seals. It is the day of the Blue Planetary Monkey, a day connected to the illusion, play and magical dimensions of existence. I am following this calendar, despite my concerns about getting too new age-y, for a many reasons, which I will mention now.

This calendar is based on natural law and ancient knowledge. I feel that our current mainstream, western, industrial-technological-science driven paradigm is caving in on itself (though there are many good things about it) and that we are in need of realignment.

I have always been struck by the ways of indigenous peoples around the world. In particular, on my many visits to Mexico, those who speak Spanish (if at all) as a second language and are descendants of Maya and other peoples. I have considered for decades getting a tattoo o a half human/half animal, man -god but I simply don’t know enough about it to be happy with a decision. If I do that, I want to do it out of reverence, respectfully.
This calendar is based on synchronicity and the “art of time”" as opposed to “time is money.” It is very simple, but has various layers of complexity that can be explored as you get more in tune with the system. I particularly like the part of being a conscious participant in the “noosphere” and channeling to and from the more elevated places; being grounded on earth, but aware of our connection to that which is vast.

For example, today is a day that channels the energy of the Blue Planetary Monkey. It was on KIN 31, 1862, that paper money was first printed in USA. Now the Federal Reserve prints money behind close doors, never telling the public how much - injecting it into the economy - deflating the value of all our currency; robbing the middle class. The government counterfeits and does it somehow “in our interest?” These are the tricks that need to be seen for what they are. If we remain ignorant and uneducated about economics and we believe that it is far too complicated for us to understand, then we rely on “experts” who, it seems are inevitably tainted by greed and power. There are many other “tricks” being played, often “in our name” around food, war, social welfare, education, etc. I plan to dance with that monkey illusionist and play his games with him, exposing them along the way.
Now, on a more business related note. Primal Digital LLC offices will be moving again, back into the home front, as there is room available again, and cost-savings is important! Of course, the work is now coming in, and the office space is getting used more. Later today I have a video editing session and a recording session booked! I plan to do all I can to keep these clients and make the most of my new space. In addition, we are looking to plant ourselves somewhere else very soon, hopefully for a longer period of time. Most likely in Portland or some part of Oregon.
See the tricksters around us, and make some illusions of your own so that you understand the process.
In Lak’ech (I am another you). Julian Lauzzana, Primal Digital MC

3.3.10 PDX

Kin 224. Mayan Calendar info for today.

I created 3 electric seed thoughts, as requested in the Star Travelers 13 Moon Almanac of Synchronicity. 1) Our Concept of Family is Expanding. 2) We are in need of a society that better respects our elders. 3) Connect or Diffuse. Had two jobs today, which is great for me after so little work for these past couple years. Of course, it has been great to focus so much energy on raising my first child, daughter Aria (now 15 months). But work is important now and I had two fabulous clients today. Communications specialist and organizational consultant, Karen Mathieson, of Serendipty Communications hired me as videographer today. Many of you have seen the videotape of a conference presentation with bad audio and video. This is an alternative meant to show what a presenter will offer, but in better quality and more as a teaser for marketing purposes. Karen’s work is inspiring insightful and thought provoking. It reminds me that the oral traditions emerge in fascinating ways and that we need direct interpersonal communication now more than ever. My second client today was MC NETT, a high school student from Wilson High School. He is a talented lyricist using hip hop to channel his thoughts and personal expressions. Sometimes cathartic and abrasive, sometimes very loving, sometimes sounding much harder than he is- his work reminds that hip hop is here to stay and that it serves as a medium for personal expression through words with beats to keep the mind on track. So, today was all about the words. Words and vibrations. Yellow Electric Seeds being sent throughout the day by humans around the planet.

3.2.10 PDX

Wrapping up an intense day mostly spent in NE Portland after working in community garden for a while. Just back from Final Cut Pro Users Group (FCPUG) meeting at Portland Community College (PCC) about doing animation combining old school technology with new school tools. I love those combinations of old and new, ancient and modern, tribal and techno, primal and digital. But I often come back to the topic of how technology can, in many cases, lead to dependencies and “fuzzy logic.” I remember seeing street life in NYC change drastically as cell phones were introduced. Less interaction, less serendipity, less potential for tapping into telepathic skils and truly experience synchronicity of one’s immediate surroundings. I, of course, love technology and the tools of the modern world. But I really think we need to know when and how to use the tools and to keep them primal, that is, directed towards our needs/goals/values/dreams, etc. Not like channel surfing until your eyes bleed and realizing you should have turned off the idiot box hours ago. Not text messaging while driving a car or playing Super Mario for 8 hours on a beautiful day. Honor the tools, the food, the love, the earth, the friends and family that surround you and use but don’t abuse the tools and gifts you have access to. Of course, have fun too! Creativity often comes through improvisational moments and access to the right tools. Give thanks and keep it primal!

PDX , 3.1.10

Its March 1, 2010. Year of the Tiger. Many changes around us. Systems are falling apart. Many of us are looking for new ways to live and do things. We need radical rethinking of health care, transportation, economics, food systems, energy, fuel and other aspects of humanity and consumption patterns. How can it be that there are so many homeless while vacant properties are everywhere? How can it be that childhood obesity is an epidemic in America while mass hunger is causing food rebellions across the world? Time to shift humanity. LISTEN MORE THAN YOU TALK. We are inside the context of nature, not outside. BE THE LIGHT. Enjoy each day and give thanks.

2009 in Review

After a trip to Michigan with my baby girl Aria it is nice to return to Portland. I have many homes with many friends and lots of family. For this I am very thankful. As I have not secured employment with an organization, I have focused on entrepreneurial activities through Primal Digital. I have to make the best of this economy and actually consider that this shift is fundamental to what needs to happen to become more sustainable citizens. This recession is actually just what the forces of nature mandated. We needed to shift our consumption patterns. If the economists are happy that people are spending lots of money over the holidaze, I say check yourselves people. Sure, gift giving is a special and important activity. If I could ever get around to getting the Pd recordings for sale and marketed (Insha’Allah this year), I would ask for you to commit to the Primal Digital cause. But the level of consumption we are accustomed to is not sustainable and we must forge ahead with new ways of living; using less and enjoying the simple things.

But enough of that rant…what IS going on in Primal Digital land with Julian Lauzzana and his partners? I will continue with my teaching of video production classes at Multnomah Arts Center and Robert Gray Middle School. Teaching is a new adventure for me and one that I almost started immediately following graduation in Boston in 1992. I am a much more patient man now and feel that its good I waited this long. I work in media literacy and digital divide issues to my classes and feel that, through the act of production, I am teaching kids to be less of simply blobs and more participative members of this high-tech world. You can find out more about my classes and some of the useful links related to this work at my
wikispace for youth media production

On December 13, 2009 we held a Cd Release Party for the “Young Musicians of SW PDX” at O’Connors Pub in Multnomah Village. The place was packed. I did pretty good on the live sound (considering how out of practice I am). The musicians were stellar. We sold out all the merchandise with additional orders still being filled! Please keep buying this as 50% of proceeds supporting small arts grants program in the Public schools of Southwest Portland. It feels like this project is the beginning of something substantial and replicable. With the partnership of the Wilson Area Arts Council this CD really brought out some amazing talent from the neighborhood. I would love to do additional volumes in this community and branch out into other communities of Portland, the country, the world. We’ll see where it goes next!

Primal Digital hosted the Hillsdale MicroCinema in the last part of 2009 with 4 screenings September to December. We are now in planning stages for how to expand and sustain this project. Each event has been a wonderful undertaking with meaningful results and a sort of world unto itself. Attendance, support and donations are greatly appreciated!

There are many other things happening, but those are the media related events from Primal Digital during the last quarter of 2009. Playing music with the baby has been fun and there are many plans to roll out Primal Digital products and services. We wish you a festive 2010 and trust that you will do all you can to make the world a brighter place for me and you! Keep it primal with love, dedication and expression!

Hillsdale MicroCinema

Tomorrow is the second Hillsdale MicroCinema I am hosting/producing through Primal Digital in Portland. This time the theme is “Aging Artfully in America” with folks from the Geezer Gallery and Aging Artfully Initiative present for dialogue about the films and the topic.

In September of 2009 Julian Lauzzana of Primal Digital, LLC began The Hillsdale MicroCinema which will take place (at least) until the end of the year at The Watershed Building’s community room. Located in SW Portland at the corner of Bertha and Capital Hwy, this building is one of the cornerstones of the Hillsdale neighborhood.

Media Literacy thru Production

I am working in Portland, Oregon, USA as a teacher at Multnomah Arts Center and Robert Gray Sun School. I teach kids to make movies and, through the process, deconstruct the media and become more active participants in the media (not just passive consumers).

I love this work and feel that, while having fun, I am teaching valuable skills that will help kids be more critical of the media and less blob-like. I suspect this will be an ongoing part of my work and life in some fashion. “Don’t Kill your TV, Make TV!”

Currently, I am teaching 3 classes. I would like to begin teaching additional after school classes at the Primal Digital Hillsdale office along with 3D animator and teacher Bev Standish. We are working to promote a media literacy course for the Winter term.

Ongoing writings and rants about social change

I have often written in a journal. Those who know me well know that I always have ideas percolating. So, I shall finally be taking the blog-opportunity to let some of this out to the masses, should anyone care to partake. The topics I take on will often be controversial and opinionated. I will intentionally be ruffling feathers and stirring up the sediment, but always in a loving fashion that seeks to be productive. Upcoming topics may include: aging artfully and the need for inter-generational learning/sharing; eco-villages as a model for human development based on radical comprehensive realignment; the dance between freedom and discipline, etc. Although the process of blogging is rewarding simply as an archival journaling system, I hope to engage others in my discussions as well. They will be posted right here starting whenever the spirit moves me.

2nd Pd Podcast

Mert Balkanli was a frequent flyer at Primal Digital when it was located in DUMBO, Brooklyn, NYC from 2000-2005. Unfortunately he was rounded up in the hysteria surrounding the 9/11 tragedy as he was not in full compliance with his student visa obligations. Before and after serving time in Paterson county jail (for several weeks without any charges), Mert made music with Julian Lauzzana and others at Primal Digital. This podcast documents some of the work we did together in the cave of creation in Brooklyn back in the day.

http://www.primaldigital.com/media/PdPodcast2.mp3