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The 512 Collective, unless otherwise stated.
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| Back in Business! |
| 02.24.04 (6:50 am) [edit] |
So tBlog changed up their log- in systems and now I can't access my site... 'Cookies' don't really work as well here in South Africa, and the server just rejects my password (I can just imagine the problems I'll have when trying to post out of Zimbabwe when I get up there...). Luckily it turns out I can still use this Internet Cafe, but definitely a hurting situation overall - and the reason we haven't been able to do any 'blogging in the past week. I'll I can say is it's not my fault.
In other news... well, to be honest you guys actually missed a pretty boring week. Ha ha, just kidding, it's never boring here - but it has been raining a bunch. We're going up to one of the national parks this weekend to see lions and giraffes and all that typical Africa shit, so hopefully the weather will lighten up a little before then. The big news is the launch of our website, 512collective.org. We finally bought our domain and set up a site, though construction is still in progress. Check it out and let us know what you think, and I apologize now for all the dead links. Wait a week if you would rather see the site in a more complete form. Justice and a local R&B singer have recorded the first track of the 512 Collective 'Jo'bug Tapes', and that track will go up as soon as we have a final mix. We'll let you guys know when that happens, and we've got some pictures and stuff for you as well. Check back soon...
DL Fitch
Angry tBlog User
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| The Doc |
| 02.13.04 (3:10 am) [edit] |
Alright, so I know we've been talking about these documentaries the 512 is doing while we're here. I'll let Justice pitch his own film, but here' s the lowdown on mine.
A little background... The UN World Food Program has been feeding a fairly large percent of the population in Southern Africa in recent years due to a severe drought - particularly in Zimbabwe, but Lesotho, Swaziland, Malawi are also among the countries affected. Somehow, the WFP was unable to secure their full $300 million budget for the area this year (they got about half), and sometime in March the food will start running out. The program, which is funded by various countries including the US, requested only about $50 for each of the 6 million people receiving aid. The 'humanitarian' effort in Iraq, by way of comparison, has spent (in one year) $5,500 per Iraqi civilian - and we won't even take into account the fact most didn't want the help in the first place.
The basic objective of my documentary is to portray this blatant inconsistency in our country's distribution of international aid. The WFP offices in Southern Africa are located in Johannesburg, so I should have easy access to those who administer the food distribution throughout the area. One of my teachers at Wits has contacts with their offices, and he is helping me in that respect.
The majority of the film, however, will be shot outside of South Africa. One student that lives in our building is from Zimbabwe and called his family 'ruling class'. He's willing to take us around when we go up there, a welcome offer since the US Travel Agency recently issued a travel warning for the country. The objective in Zim is to portray the situation where it is the worst (the country produced only 40% of their required food last year), and hopefully to also get the Government of President/Dictator Mugabe's take on the situation. They were recently expelled from the Commonwealth over concerns that Mugabe's election was rigged, which has further hurt the country's devastated economy. So, lots to explore up North, it just depends on how long we can afford an armed driver. Can't do much if the cameras get jacked...
I also have trips to Lesotho and Swaziland planned, where the situation is a little less intense. This will allow us to really get in and talk with the people who are affected, and to explore these issues with much more depth than would be safe in Zimbabwe. I have other leads that I am following up in regard to these expeditions.
So... yeah, it's a big mo- fo of a project, to put in bluntly. I've been making far more progress than I expected these past 10 days, so as long as we keep up the pace it'll be all good. You know where to come for updates, and in four months we'll see if I bit off more than I can chew...
Until next time,
DL Fitch... over and out.
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| Day 10 - Phoenix rises... |
| 02.12.04 (12:32 am) [edit] |
:[Justice thinks to himself]:
--Well as the first week of classes slowly moves thru; I suppose I should to get on the digital bandwagon. The exceptional response from the "blog community" as well as the convenience of the digital postings finds me seated in front of my faithful workstation, relaxing on this Thurs. afternoon.
--Things here are still proceeding well. Classes are....Theoretical. We learned today that the poor Wits students don't even get to touch a camera until 3rd year, and its an analog hi-8 camcorder at that.....One of the many disparities between the local students and the NYC contingent.
--Alter Ego: Phoenix.3 will rise again this Saturday for some of that cupid Valentino shit that we love: the Valentines day show. Hosted at a local club in the student dominated part of town, I am looking forward to rockin the mic solid and expanding the rapidly growing 512 Collective Fan-club. Everyday I meet three more people that are dying to rock a show w/ me; produce a track w/ me or just chill with Luke and I...crazy.
[:Quality of Life: High:]
:Justice
--aka--
:Phaze 3 the Phoenix
:512 Collective International Ambassador
:Terminate : Dispatch:
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| Two G5s |
| 02.09.04 (10:05 am) [edit] |
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So, I've been working on this Sci- Fi film that I shot in New Mexico last summer, and I'm trying to finish it up while I'm here in Africa... thus I had to pay a few hundred dollars to ship my spankin'- new, Apple G5 out here so I can finish editing. We were told that NYU (the school that sent us here) was also sending us a bunch of equipment including a G4 laptop, but when we asked out teacher at the school about it today, he said NYU had changed their minds and we were getting a G5 instead. When I told him there was another one already in the mail for me, I could just see the disgust on his face. They've got a whole department that has to share just a few eMacs, and now the Americans roll through with TWO G5s. We're such spoiled shits...
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| Living the High Life |
| 02.06.04 (7:29 am) [edit] |
Yesterday we cruised a taxi to a mall in one of the Johannesburg suburbs - they ride in these big Toyota vans and cram about fifteen people into each one. You have to make sure you get one that's heading your direction, then all the passengers work out the fair between themselves on the way (it's about fifty cents a ride).
Anyway, I got back to my room and the housekeepers had come through and cleaned up all my crap. I mean, I knew that we had a maid service, but I figured they would just take out the garbage, change our sheets and what- have- you. And that much alone is more than any college student deserves as far as I'm concerned - but they even did my dishes! I'm gonna have to try hard not to take advantage of this...
The ridiculous cheapness of food also contributes to our baller life here. South Africans apparently love fruit juice, and you can get bottles of it fresh- squeezed in almost any variety. It costs about a buck for a liter and a half. There's also these cheese pies that you get three of for the same amount (7 rand, which is about $1 US). They've got this flaky crust and a chronic cheese filling, and are all fried up - I can't think of anything better than fried cheese. In fact.... they close at 5:30 so I think I'm gonna jet over there now. Peace.
The Fitchinator
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| Status Update |
| 02.05.04 (12:38 pm) [edit] |
| Phaze 3 (a.k.a. Justice): | | | | |
Things here are moving, and picking up speed fast. We got pictures of yesterday's show online; the first from a great quantity of multimedia this expedition will produce. The concert took place about 4 hours late - and the sun was killer - but the crowd stuck around and they were feeling the New York beats.
Reckoning time for our two documentaries came Tuesday, when we presented our ideas to the teachers in the TV department here. After Justice and I had gone through our respective pitches, there was a momentary pause... Would they go for it, or were the projects too big?
I'm happy to report that they were fully and 100% down, and that we both have been stacking resources at a furious pace ever since. Prepare for some shit to be rocked - but once again, I put off my blogging until the evening, and duty calls at a party down the street. Details on these immense projects will have to come later...
I await your imminent return,
DL Fitch,
Black Belt Grand Champion
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| Day 2 - Welcome to The Blog |
| 02.03.04 (9:59 am) [edit] |
This page has been constructed to chronicle the 512 Collective's 2- man expedition in Southern Africa; a mission that entered the Operation Phase (i.e. arrival in Jo'burg) about thirty- six hours ago. While Justice has been holding things down here at the University of Witwatersrand for just over a week, my arrival on campus was crucial - I came packed with our camera, tripods, video decks, and much more that was needed before any 512 documentary production could commence.
For those who were not briefed on this mission beforehand, it is being conducted at the afore mentioned South African University between now and late June (during the prime weather here). Our primary objectives include the production of two extensive documentary films in South Africa and surrounding countries, as well as the recording and mastering of The 512 Collective Africa Sessions (a multiple- disc album featuring the established artists of the Collective as well as local musicians throughout the Johannesburg area). Justice will be rocking our first show tomorrow at an amphitheater on campus; word on the street is things will blow up after that.
But more on that stuff later. It's orientation week and the evening is setting on. Last night the party featured 1 rand (twenty- cent) vodka shots - the shit was way too nasty for drinking, but it made for a pretty wild scene... so I'll be busy all through the week and don't have my own computer set up here yet, but within a short period of time updates to this page will come every few days. Or so. We'll see if y'all can keep up.
Until your return, peace out .
DL Fitch,
512 Ambassador and Commandante of Information Technology
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