Dec 1, 2012 ... and greet Tony Vaughn, of Tyler Perry's Meet the Browns, they are getting a
unique opportunity to professionally work with the accomplished ...
PROPAINE “Burning the Midnight Oil for a Brighter Education”
A STUDENT FEATURE FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF MEDIA STUDIES
December 01, 2012
ISSUE 13
Meet Tony Vaughn ...Tyler Perry’s Meet the Browns by Tonja Bryant Paine College’s Department of Media Studies students are not only finding themselves in the welcomed position to meet and greet Tony Vaughn, of Tyler Perry’s Meet the Browns, they are getting a unique opportunity to professionally work with the accomplished actor on a regular basis. Mr. Vaughn is on the Paine College campus every weekend to participate in rehearsals for an upcoming original stage play entitled, By Reason of Insanity, that is written by Media Studies department Chair, Dr. Gary Flanigan. “I’m excited to be a member of such a fine cast that innovatively joins student talent with seasoned professionals,” says Mr. Vaughn. Starring in the role of Judge Gregory Goodman, Mr. Vaughn brings national celebrity status to the By Reason of Insanity theatrical production. Having appeared in popular TV series such as Meet the Browns, Drop Dead Diva, Army Wives, In the Heat of the Night, and I’ll Fly Away, Mr. Vaughn’s impressive filmography includes Stomp the Yard, The Gospel, Diary of a Mad Black Woman, and Mama Flora’s Family. By Reason of Insanity will be presented at the Augusta, Georgia Kroc Center, February 1st and 2nd, 2013. Ticket’s may be purchased throughout Augusta and at all CSRA event ticket outlets.
December 01, 2012
PROPAINE
Issue 13
Tennis Anyone…
by Dominique Smith
Now that the reality of a Paine College football team has registered, is a Paine College women’s tennis program any kind of realistic possibility? With the Paine addition of collegiate football, in order to maintain NCAA compliance, expanded opportunities for women’s sports at Paine College has to be on the drawing board. Tim Duncan, Paine College Athletic Director, says there are several women’s sports options that will be given serious consideration. “We will be looking at the viability of soccer, bowling, and/or tennis as possibilities regarding expanded opportunities as far as women’s varsity athletics at Paine,” said Mr. Duncan. Cailin Weaver, an Education major and senior, is an avid tennis player. “I think a tennis program at Paine College would be fantastic,” says Ms. Weaver. A sport popularized by Venus and Serena Williams, a woman’s tennis program located on the campus of an HBCU would be a great asset to the Paine College community and the sport in general. Undoubtedly, having tennis at Paine will open the door for higher enrollment numbers since most high schools have competitive tennis teams. With Paine having a tennis team, high schoolers who have the passion for playing will be more inclined to consider Paine College for a degree. Who knows, perhaps it’s time for Leon the Lion to meet his “match.” From 2002-2012, Serena Williams, age 31, has earned over $135,000,000. From 2002-2011, Venus Williams, age 32, has earned over $75,000,000. That’s $210,000,000 playing tennis.
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December 01, 2012
PROPAINE
Issue 13
Back in Stride Again… 33,000 Views by Shakira Reid Two months after releasing their collaboration of Sometimes It Last In Love video, featuring Adele, some 33,000 views later they are at it again. Dwayne "Showtim3" Dyke Jr. And Sterlyn "Nyres the Poet" Colbert are striving to be heard. In a market where it's all about social climate and relevance, the two are making strides in a short amount of time. Showtim3, a lyricist from Washington, DC, better known as the DMV, has put out 4 mix-tapes in the last year and has a ranking of 6th in the area, and 850 nationally in overall artists out of 5 million according to reverbnation.com. Nyres the Poet, ever since directing/shooting Showtim3's very first project, has did his share of videography around the CSRA. Not to mention, both are students at Paine College and athletes as well. Their ambition is to “make it” in their field of study before graduation has become a reality. Dyke Jr. has been signed to BMI for a year now as a songwriter/composer, has shopped around several songs, and has sold one, "She's Gone," to Atlantic Records. He’s also started his own company MNCNSP, which stands for Mr. No Call No Show Productions. MNCNSP focuses on web page design, music production, videography, and jingles. Colbert has his own brand, Lost Generation, where he also does videography, photography, and poetry. Back in stride again, the dynamic duo’s second video production is titled, "Crave Who? You. This is a very big step for us says Showtim3, “We have an opportunity to make some noise, knock down doors, and be heard." Colbert says, “This project will be our baby; it starts from the ground up, and if 33,000 views is the ground the sky is the limit.” Both Dykes and Colbert are juniors and are doing a lot in their field of Media Studies. “Already their portfolio is real sick,” says radio DJ Chillz of Power 107. “It’s just a matter of time before the world knows it,” Chillz adds. The video will be released December 1. Be on the look out for the Dykes/Colbert collaboration.
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December 01, 2012
PROPAINE
Issue 13
Making a Big Difference…
by Helen Blocker-Adams
It was one of the most memorable experiences I’ve ever had. The opportunity to play a role in shaping, motivating, inspiring and teaching a group of young people at an HBCU was quite appealing and fun. My background in radio broadcasting, public speaking, journalism, public relations and writing provided the skills needed to effectively teach a radio production course without the benefit of the college having a radio station; or radio production equipment. The career areas of interest for each of my students were diverse. As a result, I was constantly aware of the need to use specific and relevant examples of my professional experiences so they could grasp concepts and be able to apply them in their lives. I found that to be one of my best accomplishments in teaching Radio Production I with Dr. Gary Flanigan as instructor of record. Our field trip to the radio station where I host a weekday talk radio program, The Helen Blocker Adams Show with Co-Host Sammy Lilly, on 103.7 FM/1600 AM WKZK The Spirit, was the highlight for the semester. Twelve of the 17 students in the class joined me from 12:30 p.m.– 4:00 p.m. on a Tuesday. They each had the chance to speak on my program live and discuss relevant issues. Charlotte Hill, General Manager of Maryland Fried Chicken, provided complimentary lunches. After the show was over, my students spent an hour with one of my colleagues in the production room. There, I saw the light bulbs go off with many of them because they were able to see many of the things I taught over the previous weeks about different aspects of a radio station, personnel positions, radio equipment and what it takes to be a radio talk show host. They all had a great time and expressed an interest in returning. Some of the other activities during the Fall 2012 semester included: (1) A local entertainment producer bringing his mobile Apple production equipment to class for students to produce their own personal jingles, in which they wrote and selected their own music. (2) A local television personality and Paine College alumni speaking about the field of broadcasting. And (3) Speakers with the B.E.E.P. program sharing their work experiences regarding Georgia Public Broadcasting. It’s my prayer that I was able to instill excellence, real life practical experience, encouragement and motivation to my 17 students. My goal was to also show and demonstrate that I cared for each of them and want to see them succeed in their careers areas, and in life.
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December 01, 2012
PROPAINE
Issue 13
S.P.A.R.K. Finale Lights…$15K Grand Prize by Tonja Bryant The S.P.A.R.K. (Speaking Poetically and Remixing Knowledge) finale is scheduled for December 1st at 6:30pm in the Paine College Odeum. Hosted by Brotha Trav/the God Brutha and area poet laureate, the television show is a collaboration between the CSRA African American Arts Alliance; Blue Bistro Theater; and Paine College’s Department of Media Studies. How did SPARK get started? SPARK creator, and Paine College Media Studies‘ instructor, Anthony Page, says, “During the Summer of 2012, the CSRA African American Arts Alliance set out to showcase the most promising creative talents in the area. From a group of potential candidates, twelve were chosen to compete in this ground-breaking Fall 2012 extravaganza.” Beginning September, and each month following, SPARK participants presented original works before a live audience with telecast through Augusta’s Comcast Spotlight an added feature. SPARK contestants include Paine College Freshmen Shaquilla Jackson and Gerald Waller, along with Andru Champion, Sassett West, Bobbye Matthews, Raheema Johnson, Torrence White, Clifford Boyd, Marie Nicole, Kahleel Mathis, Monet Epps, and Erica Hawes. Over the course of SPARK’s four month run, contestants were also given socially relevant and culturally sensitive topics to artistically interpret. A cross section of industry professionals signed on as judges. Drawn from a wide range of disciplines, judges included jazz vocalist: Bill Karp; neo-soul sensation: Fayth Hope; community activist: Joey Traina; contemporary gospel artist: Shonna “Passionate” Wesby; hip hop entrepreneur: Dorian Harris; theater pro and dancer: Jezibell Anat; and Daniel D.U.B. Sapp of Brilliant Musiq. During SPARK’s December finale, one of the remaining four finalists (Jackson, Champion, Epps, West) will be sparked by the competition’s $15,000 grand prize package.
Paine College Macmillan Higher Education Book Fair 5
December 01, 2012
PROPAINE
Issue 13
The Paineful Truth…Code Black by Gary F. Flanigan What is a Republican Strategist? Michael Steele, a former chairman of the Republican National Committee, who is African American, is one. Joe Watkins, a MSNBC political analyst, who is African American, is one. And, then there is Sarah Palin, Sean Hannity, Glenn Beck, Rush Limbaugh, John McCain, and Lindsay Graham best friend, Allen Bernard West. Allen West is the recently defeated former U.S. Representative for Florida's 22nd congressional district. West is also African American. And, West happens to be a big one; Republican Strategist, that is. Watching the Republican contrived issues with U.N. Ambassador Susan Rice, and the apologetic responses of Steele, Watkins, and West, I couldn’t help being reminded of A Few Good Men; the movie that is. When Tom Cruise bellowed: “Did you order the code red?” the classic Jack Nicholson tirade was prefaced by the simple, “You can’t handle the truth!” Exactly what is the truth regarding African Americans who present themselves as Republican strategists? Or, just plain ole Black folks who are apologetic sympathizers of a Republican Party agenda that here and now principally embraces the so-called “noble cause” that fueled the Confederate States of America from 1861 to 1865? Can the truth, here and now, be handled? Anyone smarter than a fifth grader who gives a causal glance at a map showing those states currently most aggressive in effort to secede from the United States, circa 2012, will find it an exact duplicate of those states that tried the same stunt circa 1861. But, of course, whether 1861 or 2012, there will always be some folks who will never be theoretically smarter than any grader as far as political awareness. The famed Harriett Tubman quote, “I freed a thousand slaves. I could have freed a thousand more if only they knew they were slaves,” is just as relevant and timely today as it was some 150 years ago. Mr. President, of these here United States, is a graduate of Harvard Law School. Yet, and still, Republican Party surrogates referred to him as lazy and incompetent with nothing but basketball on his mind. Steele, Watkins, and West merely laughed and grinned; ardently defending their Party’s Campaign 2012 “noble cause.” Ambassador Rice is a Stanford and Oxford University Rhodes Scholar. Yet, and still, Republican Party leaders called her unqualified and incompetent. Again, Steele, Watkins, and West excused those racially coded remarks with an intellectually stylized minstrel jig. If having a degree from Harvard, Stanford, or Oxford is held by the Republican Party brain-trust to be representative of the holder’s intellectual lack of skill-sets, just what weight do you think Republicans, as a Party, would give the recipient of a degree from any HBCU in general; or let’s just say Paine College in particular? A strategist is an expert in strategy. So, what is the readily apparent strategy behind Republican disdain for Barack Obama, Susan Rice, and let’s not forget Eric Holder, the current Attorney General of the United States and the first African American to hold the position? Steele, Watkins, and West didn’t order the now proverbial code red; but symbolically, they right along with A Few Good Men’s Pfc. Downey, and Lance Cpl. Dawson, are unyieldingly loyal followers just as worthy of a dishonorable discharge. Now, I’m talking about the type of “follow-ship” that would have found Michael Steele, Joe Watkins, and Allen West apologetically laughing, grinning, and cheezing as a noose, circa 1861, was being tightened around their individual and collective Party-of-Lincoln necks.
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December 01, 2012
PROPAINE
Issue 13
Windowpaine…
Michael Steele
Joe Watkins
Allen West
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“The angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt.” KJV
PROPAINE
December 01, 2012
Issue 13
a Biweekly Publication of the Department of Media Studies Paine College Student Managing Editors: 1235 Fifteenth Street ‘ Tonja Bryant Augusta, GA 30903 Dominique Smith Shakira Ried Justin Dummett Photo Journalist: Shakira Reid Tonja Bryant © 2011
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Gary F. Flanigan Chair, Media Studies Department Staff Coordinator: Pamela Mclean, School of Professional Studies
www.paine.edu
