Ariana Grande vs. SAFIA

by Mister Promo | June 17, 2015

Why are so many people hellbent on feeling like they've been robbed? Could it be that both creators have similar minds? Whatever happen to the saying, Great Minds Think Alike?" Does it not work the same when money is involved?

Ariana Grande has a video titled "One Last Time" directed by Max Landis and published on YouTube on February 15, 2015. While SAFIA's video titled "You Are The One" directed by Jimmy Ennett and published on YouTube on September 24, 2014 just about 5 months prior. Both of which videos may be viewed below. This post is not intended to defend either party, however, I will be expressing my thoughts on both video concepts.

 Ariana Grande - "One Last Time"

First up, Ariana Grande. I chose to explain hers first because this is the order of how I tuned in. This video was captured in a style similar to home video footage. The majority of this video was in first person view (or POV). I feel directing it this way really places you in the role as the character traveling through the streets with Ariana. Everything she sees, you see. The chaos in the streets, the traffic of stopped vehicles, the police trying to maintain order, the paramedics saving lives, etc. Not to mention, the many colors that are illuminating the once still sky. They travel through the streets, down allies, into buildings, upstairs and finally to a rooftop. There's so much going on where the anticipation is both capturing and thrilling. Each and every second of watching this video you are perched at the edge of your seat wondering what will happen next?

SAFIA - "You Are The One"

SAFIA. The only reason I even knew of this, band(?) was because I was curious as to who Max Landis is. Upon a wiki or possible IMDb search, I ended up clicking on a link of a blog post comparing the two videos through their similarities.
This video is filmed with the main character facing the camera at all times. You, as the viewer, are not able to see what she is viewing when she is viewing it. You only see what she sees once she has passed the viewing subjects. Chaos, parked cars, riots, an ambulance, etc. What is odd to me is that she is in constant run mode. In this entire video she is running in one direction, forward. I.e. toward you, the viewer. And not fast. But in slow motion. The sky in SAFIA's video is not threatening at all. It's more of a sun-setting sky. In fact, the point of her sudden need to get out of her car and run is not quite clear. The reason is not explained until the conclusion of the video.

Do I believe that one creator took an idea from another. No.
Could SAFIA's video have been an inspiration to Ariana? Possibly.

I do believe that the two videos are extremely different.
What do you think?

Happy Birthday Rosa Parks (1913-2005)

by Mister Promo | February 4, 2015

Rosa Parks Bio

Rosa Parks was born Rosa Louise McCauley in Tuskegee, Alabama to James McCauley, a carpenter, and Leona McCauley, a teacher. At the age of two she moved to her grandparents' farm in Pine Level, Alabama with her mother and younger brother, Sylvester. At the age of 11 she enrolled in the Montgomery Industrial School for Girls, a private school founded by liberal-minded women from the northern United States. The school's philosophy of self-worth was consistent with Leona McCauley's advice to "take advantage of the opportunities, no matter how few they were."

Opportunities were few indeed. "Back then," Mrs. Parks recalled in an interview, "we didn't have any civil rights. It was just a matter of survival, of existing from one day to the next. I remember going to sleep as a girl hearing the Klan ride at night and hearing a lynching and being afraid the house would burn down." In the same interview, she cited her lifelong acquaintance with fear as the reason for her relative fearlessness in deciding to appeal her conviction during the bus boycott. "I didn't have any special fear," she said.

"It was more of a relief to know that I wasn't alone."

After attending Alabama State Teachers College, the young Rosa settled in Montgomery, with her husband, Raymond Parks. The couple joined the local chapter of the NAACP and worked quietly for many years to improve the lot of African-Americans in the segregated south.

(See more on this bio by clicking "Rosa Parks Bio")

A DAY IN THE LIFE

Rosa Parks was born on February 4, 1913 in Tuskegee, Alabama, USA as Rosa Louise McCauley. She died on October 24, 2005 in Detroit, Michigan, USA.

She was 92 years old.During her life, she married a barber Raymond Parks in 1932. He was a member of the NAACP.Parks became known as "the first lady of civil rights" when she was arrested for refusing to give up her seat on a bus in 1955. This act instigated the legendary Montgomery Bus Boycott, which helped end racial-segregation in public transit across the country.

PRIOR TO FAMEMontgomery Industrial School, where she attended, was burned down twice by racist arsonists.

USEFUL FACTSThere are two Rosa Parks days in her honor:Her birthday, February 4th,and the day of her arrest, December 1st.If she were still with us she would be 102 years old today.
See more on Rosa Parks

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"Celebrity Name", Will You Go To Prom With Me? ~ Cole LaBrant

by Mister Promo | January 26, 2015

Will you go to prom with?

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This is never easy to do. Asking that special someone (who may mean the world to you) to Prom. Nervousness, sweaty palms, trying to find the words. 

All of these things are likely to take place when approaching that specific person. Or maybe you're just that confident and fearless. Then none of this will occur prior to asking. However, one thing that will occur to both parties is that space of anticipation. Will they say, "Yes" or will they say "No"?

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Many people are brave enough to ask this question to their everyday peers. While very few are bold enough to ask this of that one celebrity they are a huge fan of. 

Courtesy of Matt Dinerstein

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In 2004, 17 year old Ruje'anne Duplessis (of Springfield, MA) wrote to BET asking Ludacris to her senior prom. The network was astonished by her bravery and accepted. They planned the whole evening and made it especially special for her.

Courtesy of MassLive

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Not everyone were as lucky as R. Duplessis. Such as Max Whitmore. He was brave enough to create a YouTube video asking Victoria Justice to his prom in 2013. She actually declined attending his prom, however, she did make an appearance later at his school where she spent the day with his friends and teachers.

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This year we have a new prom-posal. This one is coming from Cole LaBrant. Just two days ago, Cole uploaded a video to YouTube bravely asking a celebrity to his senior prom. This celeb is none other than, Selena Gomez.

What will Selena's answer be?

With your help, you could make Cole's dream come true.

All you have to do is share this post and
hashtag it with #SelenaYesColeTPS.

Courtesy of Pinterest

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Let's Go ! !