7500 Magazine by woodbury8

7500 A Woodbury University Publication

2019 | 7500magazine.com

7500 Magazine is a Woodbury University student publication encapsulating arts and culture in the Los Angeles area.

Cover Art Emi Motokawa Special Thanks Emi Motokawa, President David M. Steele-Figueredo, Jennifer Peterson, and Sue Vessella 7500 Magazine Woodbury University 7500 N. Glenoaks Blvd. Burbank, CA 91504 7500magazine.com

Digital Journalism Instructor & 7500 Faculty Coordinator Risa Williams Spring 2019 Staff Artineh Aladadian, Smaher Al-Harbi, Reem Alsomali, Dina Alyasi, Andrew Caldwell, Melissa Chavez, Eboni Collins, Joseph Frye, Shakeh Galstian, Johnathon Harter, Ryanne Hawkins, Yashaswi Iyer, Farzan Javaherchi, Maria Jorjezian, Elice Jrbashyan, Dianna Khudoyan, Maoqiang Li, Eduardo Morales, Amanda Way, Joshua Williams Fall 2018 Staff Omar Abduljawad, Awad Alkaldi, Mario Arana, Brittaney Bautista, Kristen Bayle, Luis Garcia, Galia Gharabeg, Johnathon Harter, Mohamed Hasan, Joshua Jones, Ahdenae Khodaverdian,Tad Klein, Franco Lema, Peter Martinez, Shushan Martirosyan, Mio Sai, Meg Shimizu, Addison Staubus, Sabrina Zhou 2019 Print Edition Manager Amanda Way 2019 Print Edition Assistant Editor Dulcie Yamanaka 7500 Club Members Amanda Way (President), Julissa Padilla, Roger Alix, Andy Barrales, Niomie Glory, Joshua Jones, Maria Ordonez 7500 Print Edition Cover Art: Emi Motokawa (2019), Allen Helbig (2018), Steve Martinez (2017)

2019 Issue Contents 4

Alan Flores: Drums of War

Finland to Los Angeles: Ingalill Wahlroos-Ritter

Filling in the Inbetweens with Randy Cartwright

Mear One: The Artist Warrior

Tickle Your Soul: Emi Motokawa

Sexy Brain Loading: DLD Studio

Melissa Archer: Future Wide Open

The Man, The Myth Legend: Return of Miguel Chavez

Coffee House Night

Being Authentically You: Malakhai Simmons

DRUMS OF WAR: Alan Flores Written by Jonathan Harter Photographed by Shushan Martirosyan

Alan Flores is a heavy metal fan looking to rock the game design world with his new virtual reality game Drums of War. Being a man of many talents, having worked on huge game titles such as Tony Hawk and Guitar Hero, he plans to use his variety of skills that heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s acquired over the years to beat the competition with a VR game that feels great and that will leave you cheering in the audience for an encore.

As I walk into the 1UP bar towards the back of the room to grab a table, I approach an area where there are rows of arcade cabinets with every old school game I can imagine. Midway through the Batman movieI hear the familiar voice of Alan Flores, the game designer of the past, present, and future. Alan tells me of his early carrier of creating games that resemble the old school games playing in the background. He tells me of the more known games that he has worked on such as the Tony Hawk franchise and the Guitar Hero series.

Although Alan has worked on so many popular games, he has moved on from those projects and has set course for the future. Virtual Reality is the talk of the game industry. The future of gaming is told to be seen through the lens of a headset that will make you feel like you are in the game. Games make you play as the main character but in virtual reality you are the main character. The sad thing about this is currently the lens and so-called reality in virtual reality can make you very sick. He set out to create an experience with heavy metal and no throw up.

“(My game) really solves the problem of people getting sick and gives them a great feeling experience.”

Eventually, Drums of War was created and would completely solve the sickness of virtual reality to create an experience that would truly rock. Recently you have stepped into the indie game scene with your game Drums of War, can you tell us a little about the game and where you would like to see it go in the future? “Absolutely, my game is called Drums of War where you play as an orc drummer using a unique local motion mechanic with four drums set in front of you and you bang the drums to the beat of the music to move your orc forward. So, it really solves the problem of people getting sick and gives them a great feeling experience.” You have really been excelling with Drums of War and as a game designer. That being said, where do you see yourself in the game industry in 5 years? “Hopefully, Drums of War will be a success so that I can potentially make a sequel. You know… I’m a big heavy metal guy. I really think that heavy metal and game design have a lot in common because they are very dynamicand explosive.” The game industry is ever changing and I am privileged to have interviewed a man of this many talents. I look forward to the next and innovative designs he has for us in the future.

" Most importantly, follow your passion and find what you truly love in the industry." 5

Finland to Los Angeles:

Ingalill Wahlroos-Ritter

ith a great big smile, Ingalill Wahlroos-Ritter welcomes us into her office. Wahlroos-Ritter is the Dean of the School of Architecture at Woodbury University. She lived in Finland when she was a child and that experience has influenced her design style. Ingalill Wahlroos-Ritter has a history of working with various firms including, Barton Myers Associates, SOM, Venturi Scott Brown and Associates, and Frank Gehry’s office. Her area of expertise is working with exterior glass facades. Recently, she won the 2018 “Educator of the

Year” Award from AIA|LA and was named one of the top 25 educators nationally by DesignIntelligence. She continuously inspires Woodbury students, helping to shape the School of Architecture. What motivated you to enter the field of architecture? “I’m a licensed architect and graduated from UCLA. I spent time in Finland when I was a child. In Finland everything is beautifully designed– from tableware, houses, to cities. Coming from that environment, I became aware of the value that beautiful design can bring to everyday life.”

“My advice is to be open and take time to explore. So, stay open.” 6

What is your best advice for students who are about to graduate from Woodbury? “I truly believe that your architecture education (at Woodbury) gives you entrance to so many opportunities. My colleagues and I feel a deep obligation that our students leave Woodbury prepared to enter the marketplace as architects and interior architects, and to understand the power and possibilities of our profession. I graduated from UCLA, and let me tell you, it was too big. I did not explore other departments, for example. As an architecture student, you are not typically taking business classes, or graphic design classes. The beauty of Woodbury is that it is the perfect scale for exploring... we have other wonderful programs, like applied computer science, management, and animation.”

written by Luis D. Garcia and Mario Arana photography by Luis D. Garcia

“Many of our alumni are now crafting their own unique, non-traditional career paths; they believe that architecture can be more than designing a building.

“When everything is designed with beauty in mind, it brings you joy.”

It can be designing systems, products and processes that combine many skills and interests. Companies outside of architecture too are looking for employees with your skills sets. My advice is to be open and take time to explore. So, stay open.” Ingalill Wahlroos-Ritter brings insightful ideas to our school and our city, continuously moving forward with inspiring ambition.

“What I’m seeing many of our alumni doing is crafting their own unique career paths. They are non-traditional paths.”

Filling in the In-Betweens with Randy Cartwright

Written by Julissa Padilla | Photos by Madison Shafer and Randy Cartwright

It is 1972 and it’s another hot summer’s day in Disneyland in Anaheim.

A college student is working as Dopey from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs interacting with the other dwarfs at the park. Who would have known that this college kid dressed like Dopey would one day become a famous Disney animator? Animator, Randy Cartwright has worked on some of the most beloved Disney animated films of all time such as Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, Shrek, and The Lion King. Growing up in the 1960's, Randy discovered how crazy the times were, but he was able to find solace by sketching away in a simple flipbook:

“I bought some little pads of paper and filled them up with… airplanes bombs blowing up… and I was just kind of fascinated with it. Very soon after that, I decided this is what I want to do forever.” 8

Randy went to Cal State Fullerton majoring in drama. He decided to get a job there since he was interested in performing. He played several characters including The Mad Hatter and Dopey. He enjoyed his time in Disneyland and this experience influenced how he would later animate his own characters.

the films as his own home movies, but they would eventually serve a wonderful purpose to preserve the history of the Disney Studios.

Randy eventually transferred to UCLA since they had an animation program. He worked under the wings of famous Disney animator Eric Larson and was being exclusively trained to create Disney material. He would now be a part of the Disney family which he remembers fondly. He had finally found that place where he belonged.

Randy has experienced almost everything in the animation world, so getting any advice from him is like nuggets of gold. He continues to work for children’s television shows yet he yearns to work on a traditional feature. He leaves me with this advice on entering the animation industry:

While working at the studio, Randy continued his fascination with cameras and decided to film the daily life of a Disney animator through home movies. He would show his goofier side and was showcasing how the studio ran. Randy used

Randy eventually moved to Dreamworks where he worked on Shrek and The Road to El Dorado. He later worked on The Princess and the Frog.

“So much has changed more than I had ever expected... Everything changes so much more than you imagine over the years. Be prepared.”

THE ARTIST WARRIOR

Mear One

Written by Johnathon Harter Photos Courtesy of Mear One

“Graffiti is the voice of the dissatisfied soul and we made sure it was heard.”

Mear One is an artistic visionary looking to fight the troubled world with his paintbrush and palette at his side.

Using his variety of street art such as graffiti, painting, and sculpting as his way to communicate ideas, he hopes to influence the world’s view on our government and manipulated society. Los Angeles is his heart, art is his soul, and he is painting a new path that the world should follow. Mear One plans to push his ideals and movements through his new book, The War on Art, hoping to change the world one step at a time.

Why do you choose art to evoke change? “I chose art as my tool of communication because it transcends language. All of humanity can read art and so that helped me to discover my unique way of speaking through it.”

What do you want to change the most?

“I want to change myself. If I can be a better person than maybe everyone can too. I’ve made a lot of mistakes and they have allowed me to see the other side. I’m grateful but aware how close I’ve come to irreversible moments that I couldn’t have fixed. If I can inspire anyone else to change, I would introduce them to what it is we are unconsciously doing to the world and how nature is all we really have. ”

times and it seems like it’s still rolling. I love LA, it feels like Mad Max, Blade Runner, and The Matrix, somehow insanely directed by David Lynch. See you in traffic.”

Why do you choose Los Angeles to be your canvas?

“I grew up in Hollywood in the 1970's and running these streets from such an early age permanently stamped this city into my being. In the late 80’s and 90’s, I spent a lot of time doing graffiti from the freeways and rooftops to allies of Melrose and train yards in the valley. The city has been a treasure chest of fun for me and as I have become a painter, sculptor, writer, whatever. I’m in allegiance with this city. We have rolled together through some crazy

“Art is about exposing ideas that society has trained us to be turned away from.”

tickle your soul

Emi Written by Briana Pong Photographed by Wail Balkhi and Alyssa Pieprzyca

In the rather confined space of Woodbury’s library courtyard, red bricks and empty tables surround Emi Motokawa. Emi is an artist residing in Monterey Park whose work can generally be characterized by figures with huge, alluring, dolllike eyes that seem to stare right back at you from the canvas. In 2016, Emi was selected by the LA Metro to create a painting depicting her interpretation of Monterey Park, which was then displayed on Metro’s trains and buses all across LA County. She adds a playful twist to Buddhism with the intention of “tickling your soul” and putting a smile on your face.

Can you share a little bit about your background? “My name is Emi Motokawa. I’m of Japanese and Korean descent. I was born in Japan, though, and moved to the States when I was seven years old. So most of my education has been in the U.S. I didn’t study art. My parents actually opposed it, but then after all the run-around, I came back to it and I do art on my own.” Who or what are the biggest sources of inspiration for your work? “My inspiration would be the universal truths—like the studies of Buddhism—but also people because life is about people and interactions among them that create everyday life and magic. So that’s important to me and that inspires me—learning about people, including myself. I guess generally my art [has] a Buddhist context and influence, but the imagery is hiphop meets LA meets anime. And I’m trying to modernize all these old concepts—Buddhist concepts—so that they’re relatable.”

Back in 2016, you created a poster for the LA Metro. It was part of their Through The Eyes of the Artist Program. Could you talk about the program? “It was Metro’s poster program, and what they did was service a lot of cities throughout the Los Angeles County. They chose artists that reside in cities—for example, in my case, Monterey Park. So they had chosen two or three artists to come up with an image of that city, and then out of those three artists, they chose which one was going to represent Monterey Park. So they chose mine... luckily [laughing].”

“I always say my goal is to tickle your soul.”

What would you say is the most rewarding part of your career as an artist? “The most rewarding part is when people appreciate your art and they get what you’re trying to do. Or even if they don’t get what I’m trying to do, just them thinking it’s pretty or [my work] making them happy is rewarding ’cause I always say my goal is to tickle your soul. If it makes you giggle or laugh or smile, that’s great. That’s my reward. That’s my drive. Of course I create these things for myself, but then at the same time as an artist I create it for everybody too to share. That’s important as an artist because if you just keep it to yourself, it’s pointless. So the more people who get to look at it and experience it, the more rewarding it is.” Do you have any advice for minority artists for how to be successful? “You have to believe in what you can share with the world and just keep trucking.”

SEXY BRAIN LOADING: DLD STUDIO

Written by Ryanne Hawkins Photographs and work provided by DLD Studio

Outside a rustic coffee shop, the L.A traffic becomes ambient noise to the cool and confident voices of Dawn Lee and Sophiea Kim.

This pair of ultimate girl bosses exude energy wearing a contemporary black pantsuit mixed with streetwear and an all-black look paired with a leather jacket. They speak and present themselves with determination, passion, and enjoyment for their business. Looks and laughter are exchanged over the journey only they’ve endured navigating their company. Together this duo employs creativity, business, and friendship in their vision and work for graphic design. Dawn Lee Design Studio or DLD Studio is a one-stop shop in the world of graphics. Dawn Lee (founder, art director, and lead designer) and Sophiea Kim (cofounder and business developer) formed DLD Studio in 2018, located in Downtown Los Angeles. Their team creates long term relationships with their clients and provide a wide range of services from strategy, design, and promotion. They’ve worked with content creators Jenn Im, LaurDIY, Marianna Hewitt, and beauty brands like Colourpop and Fenty Beauty, just to name a few. How did DLD Studio begin? “I graduated in 2015 from University of Southern California (USC) and started freelancing to figure out myself and the type of work I wanted to do. I had realized I had a passion for design outside of a standard company environment. 12

At the time, I was interested in the YouTube industry and watched a lot of Jenn Im and her peer’s videos. As I was watching them, I noticed that I could help and improve her banner graphics since it was evident that Jenn had a clear understanding of aesthetic and her own style. I decided to email her while working at a coffee shop to offer my services. Surprisingly, before I had left the cafe she responded back and was open to meet and discuss what I could bring to the table. I began working with her and because she has established a platform of over 2 million people, in return my work gained more eyes and became more public.”

What is your design process when meeting with clients and producing content? “I had to really figure out and know my specific style. Then when you add in clients and work with so many people, you have to be able to navigate and keep each client’s individuality. For us, it’s extremely important to meet our client in person and get to know them. To be able to have a conversation and build that relationship, it really helps me understand who they are as people

“Don't listen to what other people are telling you how you should appear in a specific job.”

and what they're trying to put out. This process allows me to visually translate that knowledge I have of them into their branding.” What has been difficult with expanding DLD studio? “This industry is so fast-paced with quick changes that bring different challenges alongside being a woman. We want to spread the message that you can be your own boss and pave a nonconventional way for yourself. We’ve had instances where comments have been made on our appearance and being younger girls. Don't listen to what other people are telling you how you should appear in a specific job. As long as you know you're doing a good job and delivering then you’re just as professional. With your own company, you need to keep in mind the type of energy you want to bring in. A reason I think we have grown so fast and stayed focused is that we’re equally working on personal growth; the two go in hand and hand.”

What are some ways you’ve been challenging yourself recently in design and evolving? “We recognized that we feared change, but in order to move forward in this industry, you need to overcome personal fears as well. You don’t usually see behind the scenes and it takes a lot to muster up the courage to overcome these fears and be a better self for your life and business. Having our chit chats on Instagram TV and starting our Youtube channel took a lot of back and forth discussion on putting ourselves out there like that. We also want to teach girls to stand behind their work and prices but know when to adapt and change. You can also have different interests and that doesn’t dilute your professionalism. They intersect and can influence other parts of your work. Your childhood memories can be a great starting point to find what you truly enjoy and to find healthy outlets for your time.”

Check out DLD Studio online at dld.studio

What advice do you have for students who are interested in freelance design or starting their career? “You need to believe in your work and have persistence. At first, the money may not be there, and freelancing is unpredictable. You need to be willing to risk it for growth in your company. It’s going to be a high risk and reward situation. To start off as a freelancer is for a certain type of personality; it’s not a one size fits all and shouldn’t be glamorized. If you’re going to let roadblocks define you then I don’t think freelance design should be an immediate path. On the other hand, if you’re not happy now in your job or in general not happy, start now. You’re going to end up doing it anyways so always pursue what makes you happy.” Dawn and Sophiea return to DLD World, their new office space, to fill with animated graphics and textures. In the two-story branded atmosphere, their team meets and holds graphic design classes. They create content to educate and inform students, design enthusiasts, and professionals via Instagram and Youtube. The burgeoning streets and sounds of Los Angeles remain as a background to their colorful world.

melissa archer future wide open

Written by Kandra Brooks Photos by Ayaka Takahashi and Laura Gutierrez

Mellow and calm like any other Friday afternoon at Tea Pop, customers sit drinking their teas and engaging in mild conversations with each other. All of a sudden, the door swings open, and in walks a woman with fiery red hair and piercing blue eyes. That fiery red head was known as Natalie Buchanan on One Life to Live, but to many of her fans, she is simply known as Melissa Archer. With a firm footprint in the world of television and film acting, Melissa is now also focusing on writing, producing and editing.

Melissa began her acting career at the age of 17 on the show Wishbone while still in high school. She took on a new role as producer in a new series she started with some friends called Viral, for which she won Best Actress in a Comedy at the 2016 Indie Series Awards. After majoring in Psychology in college, she made the huge jump into the world of acting. This carried out well in her characters Natalie Buchanan and Serena Mason in Days of Our Lives who were the aggressive women that are quite the polar opposite of Melissa herself. Growing up what actors influenced you to want to pursue acting? “I suppose that is probably pretty easy: Lucille Ball. She is still someone who is very influential to me. Claire Danes, back when I was in high school or middle school when

My So Called Life came out, I kept thinking I want that career, I want to be on that show, and I knew I just wanted to follow what she was doing, but there were so many… Jody Foster, of course, but there were just so many people that I thought were amazing and still think are amazing.”

“What I envied about (Natalie Buchanan) is that she had the ability to tell people like it is, no matter what, and that is something that is very uncomfortable for me."

“I love film and I love to make it, I want to get my hands on everything which is why I now want to learn how to direct!" What has been your greatest struggle in your acting career? “I think the greatest struggle probably was after the show ended because I was on One Life for a long time and I was very used to consistent work, 10 years of it. I wasn’t used to having down time, but it was actually such a blessing in disguise, because during that down time, I started discovering other things. I started writing, producing, and also getting into a lot more of the tech stuff; I’m very techy. I got super into that and started taking classes and enjoyed it.”

You seem so bubbly and sweet in interviews; how does this compare to the characters you play? “Well, most of my characters are not bubbly and sweet. Natalie was very young when she came about on the show. She was kind of petulant and she was tough, but more from a nongrowing place. I guess in that way I would compare. What I envied about her is that she had the ability to tell people like it is, no matter what, and that is something that is very uncomfortable for me. The same with Serena. She just didn’t really give a sh*t what people thought and I’m like, oh, I want that! Other than that, those characters had a lot of me in them, and I learned from them.”

What changes or plans do you hope to have in your acting career, as well as your personal life in the future? “I really want to get to a place where I can do a lot more on the production side. I love film and I love to make it, I want to get my hands on everything which is why I now want to learn how to direct. I do visualize things so clearly even when I’m writing I see things as a movie, I see how the camera moves in how it pans, I just don’t know the terminology for it or how to write a shot list, you kind of need to know this.”

Melissa has had a twenty-year successful career both on the screen as well as behind the scenes. She has made great strides in the acting world of soap operas and has featured on the big screen in movies. Confident as can be, Melissa places her sunglasses back on her face, tea in hand, and walks out of the café, striding her way through the world of entertainment.

“There is just so much creativity there and I love creating and I forgot how much I love creating until I started creating again and now I got the bug."

The Man, The Myth Saga:

Return Of Miguel Chavez Written by Melissa Chavez Photos by Melissa Chavez and Amanda Way

he man, the myth, the “stunt legend” returns for a new season of his career. Miguel Chavez is an up-and-coming actor and stuntman. A few months ago, Miguel was interviewed by Mohamed Hasan and schooled us on his stunt-double training. He showed us how to fall down stairs and how to be hurled through glass while making it look good. This season, however, his career takes an unexpected turn. Ever fall down the stairs so hard it hurled you back into your high school biology class? With unwavering determination and a fire in his eyes, Miguel threw himself down those stairs and landed in the show A.P. Bio as his new persona, Eduardo. He’s set off on a new adventure schooling you on what’s the latest in his life. What was your path like after graduating Woodbury leading up to your new role?

“I asked the right questions to find out what I needed to do. And then in October of 2018, I auditioned for A.P. Bio. On a Tuesday I auditioned. I felt good. I know what I gave and we’ll see what happens. On a Thursday I got the message from my manager that I was strongly pinned for the role, and that means that you’re the 16

number one choice for the role. And then Thursday night my reps told me that the role was yours. And I’m like, ‘what the flip!’ So, I go to table read at NBC, and I go... as Eduardo.

that’s when I got the message from my reps that the role is officially mine. And I was like, ‘Whoa! Wow, the role is mine!’” What are your thoughts on the show and castmates so far?

“I love the show, I love it with all my heart. I love how easy it is to watch and I love playing Eduardo. I love representing the Latino community because I’m the only Latino on the show." Any wise advice you wish you had known for aspiring stunt people/actors?

“Yes, you have to be lucky in this industry, but people can get in the way of their own luck. So ask yourself, ‘Are you getting in the way of your own luck?’ And if you are, stop it.” The role is pretty much mine but it’s not a hundred percent sure yet so I’m anxious as hell. And the people that are my co-stars are Glenn Howerton, who’s a star on [and co-creator of] It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia, and Patton Oswalt. And then, when I’m at a mall in the Glendale Galleria killing time before my stunt class,

“Try to love the process. Try to enjoy where you are at. One thing my producer told me is, yes, you have to be lucky in this industry, but people can get in the way of their own luck. So ask yourself, ‘Are you getting in the way of your own luck?’ And if you are, stop it." With a foot in the door of the industry, Miguel continues to improve his acting and himself. He climbs back up the stairs, only this time to meet his goals and aspirations at the top of a mountain. This stuntman-turned-actor rolls up his sleeves and gets to climbing. The hustle never stops when you stay hungry.

Coffee House Night Written by Eboni Collins | Photos by Melissa Chavez, Joseph Frye, Ryanne Hawkins and Dina Al Yasi

o , biscottis, frappu c c i n try e Po

Coffee House Night sponsored by HLP, 7500 Magazine and Moria, turned out to be a great success. While it rained sporadically earlier in the week, the stars aligned on Friday, March 22nd, and it was a peaceful sunny day for the event. With a collaboration from Woodbury's own 7500 Magazine and Moria Literary Magazine as well as the new WU Radio’s 7500 Show and The Healthy Living Program, the event featured an array of entertainment. Starting off with words from the advisor of Moria Club and poet/ professor, Linda Dove, and 7500 Magazine faculty and Healthy Living counselor, professor Risa Williams, we were lead into an atmosphere filled with alliteration, metaphors, and rhythmic sentences. The progressing writing scene on campus is not something to miss out on coming from Dr. Dove, “Woodbury's writing scene has a lot of momentum right now.

We really want to try and harness this moment as best we can.” Events to come on campus include several magazines, including the L.A. Times, coming to visit Woodbury next fall. For anyone on campus looking to share their work, keeping up with Mike Sonsken's upcoming poetry events is a must. With the expansion of literary organizations on campus, we can expect more and more events like Coffee House Night. As a great father, an exceptional poet, and overall cordial man, Sonsken is the perfect soul to have at the forefront of Woodbury's elevating writing scene. Soon after the open mic introduction, the crowd enjoyed a musical performance by student band, Rocky Jules. And by that time, the event had formed a very festive-like atmosphere. If the coffee bar already made the event feel pretty exclusive, Miguel Chavez who plays Eduardo on NBC’s A.P Bio made an appearance too.

As a Woodbury alumni, and now working as a professional actor, Chavez obviously has a lot under his belt. After majoring in Film at Woodbury, Chavez gives nothing but praise to his valued learning experience. “Here at Woodbury I really found myself and explored filmmaking in a way that really made me fall in love. I think everyone is amazing here and I’m really glad to be back visiting tonight,” said Chavez. You can catch Chavez on A.P Bio airing Thursday nights on NBC. Coffee House Night was one of many successful literary collaborations on campus. From the open mic poetry session, the concrete poetry gallery, and the 7500 podcast broadcasting, there was much to tune into. It was a great event for budding artists to share their work. Writers here at Woodbury are extremely lucky to to have this expanding writing community in formation on campus. With various literary events to come, it's a great moment for artists here on campus to present their work.

being AUTHENTICALLY you

Malakhi Simmons

Written by Joshua Jones | Photos by Omar Abdujawad & Malakhai Simmons

here we were surrounded by trees in the cool

mid-morning air. Being my first interview ever, excitement and nerves engulfed me. After meeting Malakhi Simmons, all the fear went away when I realized that sitting before me was one of the most progressive thinkers I have ever met. Simmons, 46, is a photographer, filmmaker, and one of the most down to Earth people in Los Angeles. 18

Malakhi got his start when he was five helping his dad John Simmons, an acclaimed Emmy winning Cinematographer, make movies. Growing up, his first toy was a camera. Malakhi would help his father on different projects like an industrial for the U.S. Army and people would be skeptical as to whether he knew what he was doing and Malakhi would show them that he wasn’t there to look good; he meant business. Some other people that inspired him and were like mentors to him where Carlton Moss (filmmaker/documentarian) and John A Alonzo (cinematographer). Malakhi mentions, “Don’t be afraid to ask questions and do what you need to do to make things tangible.” With the help of his mentors, he gained knowledge and hands on experience that helped him as the years progressed. Looking back on his life he remembers a lot of things that he was fortunate to have been involved in. When he was a undergrad student at Hampton University he went on a expedition and was the underwater

camera operator for a documentary called The Henrietta Marie Whispers from the Past they were filming on the slave ship, the Henrietta Marie. This lead him on a further expeditions to Brazil and Cuba that helped him learn more about himself and his culture as an African American. Malakhi began his craft in an era that did not have digital cameras, which has made his craft better. Malakhi knows how to work with nature light to create contrast and composition in a space that may be lacking lighting. “The best camera you have,” he tells me “is the one in your hand when you’re taking the picture.” Furthermore, he likes to experiment and take chances artistically. He believes in making the most with what he has, or as he explains, “Don’t let not owning a fancy camera stop you from creating art.” He may own a Sony A7 but he has also used Canon cameras and confesses, “It’s all about what feels good in your hands... Use the tool to your advantage.”

In the middle of the interview we took a break and Malakhi started taking pictures of me, the trees and the clouds. We all took a couple minutes to enjoy our surroundings and take in the beauty of the Woodbury University campus and the environment that surrounds it. We got to see Malakhi at work. He made taking the pictures look so easy but the results were amazing.

“You’re constantly building off your past experiences….and you are what you eat,” Malakhi tells me, “The things of the past make you into the person you are today and can inspire you. The things we watch or listen to can be inspirations for us which is important. We have to keep moving forward. Everything you’ve done in the past is reflective of your life in this present moment…

Malakhi’s art focuses on a variety of different themes but one thing Malakhi strive to do is foster empathy. “If you’re able to help one person with your craft you’ve done an incredible feat… It’s like dominos that person could change somebody else.” Pictures can change people and help grow empathy because pictures expose the “ugly truth” and help people become aware of what’s going on.

“A visual image “DON’T BE AFRAID TO ASK QUESTIONS AND DO WHAT After the interview is important,” he YOU NEED TO DO TO MAKE THINGS TANGIBLE.” says, “because we sat down some things can’t and ate at the be captured in words or translated in Everything is leading up to who you cafeteria on campus and talked about text...pictures transcend language.” are in this present time. Your choices different things that were discussed As a freelancer, Malakhi works on are gonna be reflected in a future in the interview. Malakhi continued to different projects, some can take that hasn’t come yet. expel wisdom and provide insight not months to finish while others can just on photography and filmmaking be short. Malakhi creates his own When it comes to doing a project, but about life in general. We talked for projects and stays up to date on Malakhi confesses that sometimes hours after the interview was over and what’s going on in the world around the hardest thing about doing a Malakhi still contacts me about different him. Each project Malakhi gets film is getting the people together opportunities to just give advice. involved in is different and unique for to do it. Sometimes getting other him. Malakhi mentions that you have people to be as passionate as you is Malakhi’s advice is “Be authentically to “stay hungry.” If you are passionate a challenge. Other times he mentions you.” and “Don’t be afraid to about something don’t allow people the challenge can be just getting experiment.” Even if you don’t feel or external forces to cause you not to started. “You,” he mentions “can be artistic, according to Malakhi, “It doesn’t be great. Right now Malakhi has two the challenge.” That is why is good matter what you’re studying... it’s project in the works. Malakhi likes to to have like-minded individuals that how you use it,” Malakhi mentioned. plan ahead and make sure he has all inspire you and left you up to help Whatever your craft may be, don’t be the bases covered before he dives you achieve your ambitions. afraid to experiment, don’t be afraid to into a project. While the projects are make mistakes, ask questions, and don’t not necessarily G-14 classified but let negativity control you. After meeting Images courtesy of Malakhai Simmons we will have to wait and see what Malakhi, I feel more inspired to be more they are about. authentically me.

“A VISUAL IMAGE IS IMPORTANT, BECAUSE SOME THINGS CAN’T BE CAPTURED IN WORDS OR TRANSLATED IN TEXT... PICTURES TRANSCEND LANGUAGE.”

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