Sometimes They Just Turn Out This Way

This one fell out of my camera. This has happened once before. Sometimes I get lucky and they just look awesome. Also this is supposed to be from a black and white polaroid and somehow there is color in there. I think it kinda looks like a picture of a mushroom cloud after an a-bomb has been dropped. Feel free to make your own interpretations. 

Sister Husbands EP (new charles martel music)

People Here it is! Charles Martel's new EP. We worked tirelessly one afternoon to bring you songs from our collection. 5 songs including our christmas hit! Sit back and enjoy the sultry sounds of two dudes doing work.
Ben Watson: Vocals, piano
William Mason: Acoustic Guitar, Vocals, drums
 Sister Husbands EP by williammason98

"He Buries My Mistakes"

Here is the final project of my TCF 201 class. I wrote and directed this short film. Douglas Dillingham was my Director of Photography and editor. It was a great project. Its a story of about a father and a son and advice vs. experience.

Polaroids Thanksgiving Series "Riley and Price" pt.3

Here is the final polaroid in the 3 part series. This is picture of Riley Scruggs and my brother Price. Their faces are all over exposed and out of focus, but I still like the picture. I took this in our drive way. In the background is a recycling bin and the home of the Gatty's, a family who lived across the street from us since I was born. I used to "run away" to the Gatty's every week if not more. They would let me in and feed me oreos while I sat on their couch watching tv and playing with their smelly wiener dog. They would always ask, "Does your mom know you over here?" Of course I would always answer in the affirmative when the answer was for sure NO! I must've scared the crap out of my mom and made her feel a little embarrassed, having her son impose himself on neighbors we didn't really know that well. I loved it. I wore my blue jean jacket and felt like a BA. I was running away! YEAH! For some reason I hope every kid feels that way because its not till you do it that you realize what your missing. I always got a spanking for "running away".

Polaroids Thanksgiving Series "Killer Hill" pt.2

This polaroid was taken at the top of Killer Hill, a legend to the people of Altadena Woods. This particular hill has been faced by kids of all ages on bikes, skateboards, scooters, and roller blades, but one by one everyone, EVERYONE who tried it DIED! Thats right, if you ever went down this hill your body first burst into flames from the speed and then as you fell over and rolled onto the black asphalt, breaking every bone in your sorry prepubescent body you DIED from a car hitting you because of the terrible visibility on the road. It was the worst and best thing about our neighborhood growing up. We would dare each other to go down it blindfolded or talk about the last kid who died because of naïvety. Killer hill was a miraculous place. You can't really even see the hill from this spot but the road basically drops off a couple yards into the background. If you ever visit the temperate Altadena Woods you must ask one of the locals to show you the death trap that is KILLER HILL!

Polaroids Thanksgiving Series "Father" pt.1

Its been quite a while since I've personally posted anything. I assume many have lost faith, and hey thats ok. But I do have more material! I recently purchased black and white polaroid film which is insanely exciting! While I was home for thanksgiving break I spent some time with my family and tried to incapsulate the essence of my time there in a three picture series. This first picture is of my father, a man who has ceaselessly worked for my family my entire life. When I picture my father at home this image comes to mind. Always moving about our kitchen in his work clothes which are tennis clothes, either in the early morning preparing food for the dogs or late afternoons helping my mom cook dinner.

Full 5 shot exercise (sort of edited)

The sound is wack, but the rest is alright. I had to shoot this for my tcf 201 class. It was a 5 shot exercise. It consisted of a wide shot, a medium close up, two over the shoulder shots, and a close up of an object being exchanged. Scenario: Character A is in the frame, character B comes in and says something to character A. They exchange an object, then one of the characters leave. The actors again are Tucker Godek and Cayce Savage.

5 Shot Exercise (Wide Shot)

Here is the wide shot from my 5 shot exercise in TCF 201: Intro to Media Production. The actors are Tucker Godek and Cayce Savage.

Fallen Robot Drawing

"Lick The Star" TCF 201 Short Film Review

(Click on part 2 after this finishes)

“Lick The Star”

Short films are an art form that create story out of the simplest details. Short filmmakers must create a world and conflict in just a small amount of time. It has to relate, build up, and ultimately resolve in under a half hour. This week I watched “Lick the Star. ”This awkwardly crafted and exceptionally executed short film by Sofia Coppala gives a clear story telling of the ever-occuring junior high girl drama. This film related well, had good conflict, and resolved appropriately.

I really enjoyed this film. I love black and white and even though there didn’t seem to be a good reason for it in this film, I think it worked well. Punk rock music sets the tone giving off a rebellious feel throughout. The title appears across the face of one of the story’s main characters, Chloe. She is referred to as “Queen Chloe” and starts off the movie wearing a tiara and thick dark lipstick. I also really enjoyed the narrator. She appeared to be a plain down to earth, go with the flow character. She wanted to fit in with Chloe’s posse and soon learns about the girls’ vicious plan. The camera work was great. Everything seemed to flow flawlessly and there never was a boring shot. There is a beautiful shot of one of the girls swimming in the pool at night that turned out very well in black and white.

The story was a little far fetched, but I think it served as a good metaphor for how girls act in Junior High. There is always a group of popular girls who control what is cool. Chloe the Queen comes off as a major bully, when she rudely squirts ketchup all over an innocent student and takes another’s taco at lunch for no reason other than she wanted it. The main character starts as the outsider as she comes back from missing school. She comments on how not much had changed except for the fact that someone else was now the outsider, the person who was ostracized and exiled from popularity. The story dissolves well with the bully getting what she deserves and ultimately being expelled from popularity like others before her, and as she mourns the fall she then becomes the narrator and ultimately the outsider.

The acting over all was quite good. The director must have gotten the best she probably could have out of each girl. At times there were some very faked emotions, but overall everything worked out.

Favorite Quote:

“When sam was out with the flu everyone decided she was a big lesbian and she spent the rest of the month eating lunch in the library”

Literary Allusion: Flowers In the Attic by V.C. Andrews

New Music "My Worst Help (Demo)"

I've been working on this song this summer, and I just felt the need to release it. I guess its not completely finished, but its basically a skeleton. Also, now that I am back in T-town, Swim Team is almost all back together. Becca, Baber, and I practiced in our new space in Room 413 at Riverside North. I'm not gonna lie we sounded pretty good. We are also workin on getting some shows this fall. SO GET READY WORLD! Enjoy a new hit from Coaster Chief (what I'm gonna call my solo project for now) "My Worst Help"

My Worst Help (Demo) by williammason98

Polaroids "Canadian Geese"

I took my last polaroid of this roll today. I thought I could get a clear shot of these geese, but they kept moving away from me. There is three of them in this picture. Alas I move to college in two days and this will be the last polaroid till I get more. Please enjoy this photograph as a part of my "Don't Let Them Keep You From Creatin' Week" it will continue tomorrow.

"Trashcancer" an old poem

Here is poem I wrote senior year. It is a reflection of time spent at the high school age. You feel so connected with everything around you that when you do stupid pranks it never really seems insane until maybe years later.

Trashcancer

Remember the time you kissed that girl?

Remember how it turned out to be a dude?

That was a crazy time. I hit you in the face

Because I was so jealous of your new puffy

Hat. I can't believe you ran those scissors

Through the teachers computer.

How did we ever get away that time?

The time we threw that water ballon

Full of maple syrup at that cop car.

How did we ever move that massive boulder?

How did we get away with so much destruction?

Remember that documentary about the people

That lived in dumpsters? How people fed them

Plastic show fruits. I really enjoyed it when you

Took that bath in potpourri.

Remember when we filled that mailbox

With rotten eggs and three-week old spaghetti

And milk.

I couldn't believe you managed to step in

Animal waste every time you went outside.

Don't Let Them Keep You From Creatin' Week!

Tomorrow, Sunday, August 1st, marks the start of a blogging extravaganza which I would like to call "Don't Let Them Keep You From Creatin' Week!" During the entire next week I will be working hard to crank out some form of art everyday till my birthday August 7th. This idea struck me as I thought about my summer. I have listened to countless musical albums, watched an endless list of films, and seen a lot of performances over the past months. I've been sucking down the internets via Facebook, twitter, and music review websites. The word "consumer" comes to mind when I describe myself this summer. I really can't help that much, but I did realize how little I have been creating. Most of the music I listen to is made with the idea to stimulate the listeners imagination. Some of these artists are trying to inspire their listeners to create for themselves. Almost like scientry (science), each person makes a break through then the people that come after get to work using that information. How have I sat on my thumb for so long! I am fat with ideas, but have never taken time to try them out. So this is why over the next week I am challenging myself to produce something for everyday next week. The posts will range from poetry, stories, pictures, music, and whatever else. We'll see how this next week goes. I normally start off with a huge idea then fail mid-way through the project, so wish me luck!

New Music "Love Sense"

I've had this song done for a while, but never felt it was truly finished. I woke up this morning and decided it was time to release it. Here is a DJ LaZar jam entitle "Love Sense". The words: Lets make heart to you/ You are my love sense. Please enjoy this experimental james blakean style song.

Love Sense by williammason98

New Polaroid "Cooper Lamp"

This is a polaroid of my dog cooper in my basement. We put him in his crate when we leave, but sometimes when we open it back up again, he doesn't want to come out. I caught him in that kind of lazy mood this afternoon. I decided it was polaroid worthy because I have yet to take a polaroid of him. I also wanted to try the polaroid with no flash and with the exposure turned up a bit. This is the result. I think its shakey because I moved the camera when pulling the lever. Anyway here is the most recent of the polaroids. I have 2 pictures left on this roll.

New Script "Party Games"

Coming up this Summer in the month of June the University of Alabama's Telecommunications & Film Department will be making 30 films in 30 days. I pitched an idea back in the spring for a short comedy sketch called "Party Games." The other day I was alerted that it had been chosen. So I am crazy excited and am now offering the script for download here on my blog if anyone wants to read it. Its a short 6 page script that has maybe 5 characters. Please give it a read if you have the time. I am pretty excited about it, and hopefully the finished product will turn out nicer than my first film The Future Has Difficulties. Oh and the above picture is from Lake Como, Italy. I took that picture this springbreak.

Producer Spotlight The guy who made "A Milli"

This morning I was looking for a song I heard on the radio by new hip hop girl Nicki Minaj. The beat was super fresh and nicki was killing it. Turns out the song was "Did it on 'em" and at the beginning I heard a familiar sample. Almost in audible I heard that guy say "bangaladauhn!" yeah it sounds like that. I've heard it in a bunch of songs but I had no idea what it meant. I guess I realized it was the producer leaving his footprint, but you can't really hear what he's saying. You've probably heard this guy yelling to. It always happens in the first 15 seconds of the song. Turns out the guy is Bangladesh and he is yelling "bangladesh!" he is a independent hip hop producer that has had some serious hits (lil wayne's "a milli" Beyonce's "Diva"). In fact all the beats that this guy makes are freaking awesome. I found an article about him on creative loafing that gave the low down. This guy sounds pretty great. No sampling and no record deal. Here's the article.

Here's a list of all the good stuff he's done:

Bangladesh

Nicki Minaj – Did it on ‘em

Ludacris – Whats Your Fantasy

Eightball & MJG's - Forever

Beyonce – Diva, Video Phone

Gucci Mane – Stupid Wild, Lemonade

Lil Wayne – A milli, 6 Foot 7 Foot

Ke$ha – Sleazy

Petey Pablo – Vibrate

Tyga – Cut My Check

Mario – Break Up

Dem Franchize Boys – Talkin Out the Side of the Neck

Kelis - Bossy

Old Music "The Coolest Dad" Download

If anyone wants it I have uploaded Charles Martel's dance hit "The Coolest Dad" and made it available for Download. Maybe you will need it for your next party or for father's day, who knows! Its easy to sing along when a song only has 5 words! And its easy to dance along after you learn the S.A.S. (Sweet and Sassy) Dance Squad Approved dances moves. Please enjoy this song with permission from piratehouse records.

The Coolest Dad by williammason98

(To download just click the down arrow at the side of the player.)

Polaroids "Summer Hill"

Here is the newest of the polaroids. I tried to post this once before but it got completely deleted. This picture happened on a beautiful day this summer. I brought my wonderful hammock, which could be the best gift I have ever received without asking specifically for it, and I brought my book Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close, which could be the best book I've ever been given to read. I laid in my hammock that I had set up next to one of the great lakes in Heatherwood and read and napped and ultimately took this polaroid. This hill was to my left and the lake was to my right. It was a beautiful day. (This post is no where near as good as the one I wrote that got deleted, so sorry)

Summer Time Clothes

This is a picture from my basement and maybe you recognize this lamp. I am very fond of it. This should be a summer of creation. I'll be doing my best to keep recording and posting what I've made. I do have a polaroid stowed away waiting to be released. I hope to get to work on some scripts this summer to and maybe play some shows. I recently got to check Rain Man play live at the Spring Street Firehouse downtown. It was a pretty cool place. Hopefully what I do on here will help people have a better summer than if I didn't do anything at all. Thanks for your time. New songs, polaroids, and art, soon.

Polaroids "Arboretum" Continued

Both this polaroid and the one before it were taken from the same spot, a blanket laid out underneath some shady trees at the edge of the woods by these separated gardens. Inside this bath tub were different plant predators like the venus fly trap and another one of which I forgot the name.

Polaroids "Arboretum"

This polaroid was taken at the University of Alabama Arboretum, which I think is a cool name to describe this beautiful place. Wikipedia says the word "Arboretum" is a place where many varieties of trees are grown for research, educational, and ornamental purposes. There are various trails and gardens in this secluded area which my friend Michael Ammons told me about. I came to this place on one of the best weekends of life. It start with the Band Of Horses/Avett Brothers show on friday night. Then Saturday I woke up and drove out to Lake Nicol to jump off of high cliffs into the water with my friends. The afternoon was spent here and everything seemed just about perfect. That night my friends and I visited the Green Bar to hear some wonderful jazzy style music. Sunday was beautiful too. The weekend made me never want to leave tuscaloosa. This is the first summer I am actually feeling pretty apprehensive about. I don't want to leave me new home. This place is too easy going and beautiful to me.

New Music "Trinity" by Swim Team

Trinity by williammason98


Trinity

The death machines are rising
The end of all our time
People run for cover
We all have lost our minds

Why do we try to for hiding
We are deeply scared so
Underground can’t save you
I don’t want to be alone

Trinity
Hold me
I am no longer awake
Trinity
Hold me
I don’t know how much I can take

We just want fulfillment
For everything to fit
Our souls just long to be mirrored
Our direction path to be lit

Chorus


Dreams take away my friends
And the hope always seems to end

And to my world I cleave
The more I think the less happiness I receive

Polaroids "Duomo"

Another Polaroid from Europe. I don't know why it has taken me so long to put this one up, but its finally here. We walked through this mall type area where there was roof cover but it was basically outside. Passing among the other tourist there were restaurants and fine clothing stores. We stopped in a coffee shop to have something to drink and the waiter took a look at this polaroid. Most of the people are intrigued at first, but then notice the poor quality or at least thats what I think they are noticing. I don't really care. Its a better way for me to remember the small random important things. Like this creepy white haired man in the picture.

Polaroids "Milan"

This polaroid was taken in Milan, Italy in a park right down the street from where we were staying. We stayed in Milan for two days on our way back from Ukraine. I never thought I would make it to Europe this early in my life. I was sincerely overwhelmed. I have never seen anything like the architecture that was on every street. Everyone there was either a tourist or in love and sometimes both. There were big posters on buildings for Prada and other fashions. It was a remarkable place. I would really love to return one day, especially to Lake Como. That is where I plan to have my honeymoon, and where I will also party with George Clooney. The last day there we took a train to Lake Como, and I almost couldn't move it was so beautiful. The birds were singing, and we ate lunch up on the mountain side facing the lake. The food was delicious and I will never forget it.

Polaroids "Orphans"

I am actually in this picture. Like most of the polaroids I don't take this one is out of focus and super shaky. This photo was taken in Kherson, Ukraine at an ice skating rink. I went on a mission trip with 6 other men and we helped to do some work at a local church. During the day we built shelves and cleaned, and at night we hung out and played with kids from the orphanage down the street. This was the final night when we took them ice skating. I wish you could see their faces. They were out of control happy.

Polaroids "Train Tracks"

So I set out last thursday to paint by the river with my friend cayla drennen. The weather was beautiful and it seemed to be just right to create a masterpiece. My friend michael ammons appeared and said hello only after a young couple asked if we were art majors. So with esteem through the roof I began my painting. It was an artistic failure. I got frustrated with the colors or maybe the shape or maybe the fact that it is nowhere in my ability to actually paint something worth looking at. The art soon just became objective: FINISH THIS JUNK WITHOUT MAKING IT LOOK WORSE! I failed at that too. I now have a canvas that literally looks worse than when I started. But don't worry the moon was coming out. I thought to myself, "Alas the moon! It comes to for me to save this horrible day!" I ran back to my dorm to snatch the polaroid camera to take a picture of its majesty. I knew where I wanted to go to take it, THE TRAIN TRACKS! that would be perfect for my VERY LAST POLAROID of this set. Although as I got out there I realized that the moon was very small through the lens of the camera. So I thought, "HMMMMM. Maybe I'll just take a picture of these here train tracks, they look nice enough." Turns out it was kinda dark so you can't see that much of them. The day was basically a huge WASTE! But now that I look back at this picture it just reminds me that People > art. This day only got better because after all this I ate my weight in bbq with some awesome dudes and watched some great tv at the hassel's + randall apartment. The day ended beautifully, artfully. Enjoy the polaroid so you can be underwhelmed

Themed Playlist "Songs About Ghosts"

So you may have seen my earlier Themed playlists "Same Names Cool" and "Numbered Songs" and I know have a new one for you. Even more specific I present, "Songs About Ghosts" Because I am too lazy to type out the actual songs I have here screen shot of this awesome playlist. Everyone song just had to have ghost in the title and as you can see it works out to a good 15 song set.

New Hit Single from Swim Team

Those of you who know things, know that I am in college and that I am part of a new band. This band is SWIM TEAM. Thats right, SWIM TEAM. Me, Tyler Bass, and John Baber. Here is our new hit single. Recorded in under 10 takes, this new song explores our new boundaries with pretty piano and banjo, sorry no oboe. But maybe one day. Listen and enjoy and try not to find any mistakes.

Every Last Dime by williammason98

New Dj Mix

I just recently downloaded a trial version of Ableton Live. Its a pretty complicated software. I made a mix during class and worked on it a little in my dorm. Here is my first attempt at a mash up. This song includes: LCD Soundsystem's "Get Innocuous" A Tribe Called Quest's "Excursions" and of course M.I.A.'s "Paper Planes". Hope yall enjoy!

Get Paper! Innocuous Mix by williammason98

Music Thats been sat on

Here's some music I've had for a while, and its not that great, but I thought since I haven't posted in a hundred years I felt I owed it to you. Enjoy my lonely ode to mad men from Peter Campbell's perspective.

Good Ideas by williammason98