Community News

In Conversation with Director X: The Art of Direction and Receiving a Star

Published

6 years ago

September 24, 2018

BY: KRISTINA RAMCHARRAN

You’ve most likely seen many of his videos. Whether it’s Drake’s Hotline Bling, Sean Paul’s Get Busy, or Usher’s Yeah, we know the songs and the visuals but not the creative genius behind them. That genius is Brampton’s very own Director X. And in recognition of his outstanding work within the music industry, Brampton’s Rose Theatre threw a big bash to celebrate this wonderful accomplishment of receiving a star on their Arts Walk of Fame.

Reflecting upon his rise to fame and his recent endeavours Director X, real name Julien Christian Lutz, had the chance to open up about ongoing music video legacy and more ahead of the celebration bash on September 14^th.

“I had an internship with Hype Williams,” said X on the move that started everything. “You know, my time at Much Music is when I started to look at music videos as an art form I’d be interested in getting into. And then I just started, you know, banging on a lot of doors,” says Director X on connecting with Hype Williams as an intern at Much Music.

On his inspiration within the music video industry X notes, “Hype was the major influence.”

After working under Hype Williams for some time, Director X broke out in 1998, taking on the lead role in directing music videos. His videos soon became iconic snapshots of hip-hop culture, which would make a statement on the music video industry as a whole.

“In the day, a lot of the things I’d do in my videos would be taken by other directors and they would start repeating it. The same way I would repeat a lot of stuff that Hype did, I would innovate, and that would have an effect on the videos that were on the air.”

X adds, “I was one of those guys, I was setting trends. That was a pretty amazing time.”

As a Brampton native, and of Trinidadian and Swiss descent, Director X credits some of his style and influence to his own and surrounding cultures. “Being from Brampton it’s just a really multicultural place and, you’re around a lot of different people, but at the same time you can really immerse yourself in your own culture,” says X.

“So I was around a lot of West Indians, and you know how we all just kind of blend in with each other. And then my father, the European side, even though there wasn’t really a Swiss community, just the influence of European thinking is what my father brought to the table.”

This year, Director X tried his hand at something new and directed the film Superfly, starring singer and actor Trevor Jackson and Jason Mitchell, known for his portrayal as rapper Eazy-E in Straight Outta Compton. “The difference between a movie (and a music video) is the amount of time that you’re shooting. You’re shooting for about thirty-eight days, a music video takes one or two days, maybe three. Thirty-eight days is a long time, it really takes a toll on you,” notes X on the change of directing the film.

“I got in there and decided to make something fun and exciting. I didn’t want to make a hard crime movie, It’s not what we’re looking for nowadays, I wanted to make something that’s more of a fun action movie. Even though it’s a quote-on-quote crime movie.”

X adds that directing the film, which is now out on a digital and hard copy, was a great creative experience where he was able to apply his sleek and modern direction into the form of a film. “Superfly is about a drug dealer, but we’re not really giving a realistic portrayal of drug dealing, we are giving you a fun, exciting action movie set in that world.”

Apart from directing, Director X also takes pride in creating other forms of art. X debuted an art installation titled “Death of The Sun” during Nuit Blanche in 2016. “Just like my show Mr. Tachyon on Viceland, I’m very interested in science, and the Death of The Sun was a chance to show that interest, in an artistic and meaningful kind of a way, a thought-provoking kind of way.”

X continues, “Any chance I get to express some creativity, I’m into it. I have the chance to show a different side of my personality.”

Although he won’t be debuting any art for this year’s Nuit Blanche, X does note that he will be involved this year, “more like a curator.” He adds, “I’m very interested in artistic expression, whichever form it takes.”

With the city providing the backdrop and inspiration to many of his works, X says it’s not all altruistic when involving Toronto. “Toronto is a busy production town. We got good crews, we got good at everything. It’s one of the places in the world where they make lots of movies, a lot of TV shows. I’m fortunate that my hometown is the type of place I can bring my work to, keep the work going, spread the money around and get a good product. So it all goes together.”

On what defines him and all that he does, X makes it quite simple and notes, “I do music videos, I do commercials, I do television and I do film, I’m a director.”

Community News

Record entries for JCDC FiWi Short Film Competition

Published

1 day ago

November 5, 2024

TOCaribNews

Winner of the 2023 staging of the JCDC FiWi Short Film Competition ,Joel Miller, (third from left), shares a moment with representatives of the Jamaica Cultural |Development Commission (JCDC), organizers of the event. From left are Shaun Drysdale – Drama and Theatre Arts Development Specialist, Andrew Brodber – Director, Arts Development and Training and Executive Director, Lenford Salmon.

BY RUSHANE FERRON

The Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC) has received an unprecedented number of submissions for this year’s FiWi Short Film Competition. Launched earlier this year, the competition drew an impressive 47 entries. Currently, 17 shortlisted films are available for public viewing on the JCDC’s YouTube channel, with winners set to be announced on October 24^th.

Executive Director of the JCDC, Mr. Lenford Salmon, expressed pride in the competition’s growing success, stating, “This record number of entries reflects how Jamaicans are embracing the programmes offered by the JCDC. While the Commission is well known for preserving and showcasing our culture, we also recognize the importance of using technology to engage, particularly with our youth. The FiWi Short Film Competition is a perfect example of how we can bring our culture to life in the digital age. The fact that it’s four years old and already experiencing this level of growth is a promising sign for the future.”

Drama and Theatre Arts Development Specialist at the JCDC, Mr. Shaun Drysdale, attributes this year’s spike in entries to the increasing interest in filmmaking, fueled by the proliferation of social media platforms that support storytelling through visuals.

“We are living in a digital age. Filmmaking is now in the hands of the average person on the street via his, or her cell phone. Add to that the inherent creativity of Jamaicans and you are left with a potent combination, which when given the correct environment, can reap tangible rewards. That is what we are experiencing at this time,” Mr. Drysdale said.

The JCDC FiWi Short Film Competition seeks to promote Jamaican culture through the production of films ranging from 3-5 minutes in duration. The films must be based on set criteria, and primarily centred around a Jamaican proverb.

This year’s proverbs are: “Sweet mout fly follow coffin go a hole”; “Puss nuh hab han, but him tek him foot wipe him face”; “Keep clear a ole house, les dem fall dung pon you”; “Rockstone a riber bottom nuh feel sun hot”; and “Finger tink, yuh cyan cut eh trow ‘wey”.

In addition to the proverbs, participants were also given two special themes around which to build the treatment of their films, based on concepts provided by two sponsors. These are: “SEAS IN FOCUS: Uniting for marine managed areas”- National Conservation Trust Fund of Jamaica (NCTFJ) and “Need a passport quick, Get it with just a click”- Passport, Immigration and Citizenship Agency (PICA).

Mr. Drysdale further noted that this year’s shortlisted films represent a variety of the possible genres with eleven dramatic works, two animation films, one comedy, one documentary and two science fiction films. Three of the participants are from the youth category, which is for filmmakers between 12-18 years old and the remaining 14 from adult category.

In addition to viewing the short films online, the public will have an opportunity to view at a special screening to be held on National Heroes’ Day, Monday, October 21^st, 2024, as a feature of JCDC National Heritage Fest and Family Fun Day being held on the south lawn at Devon House in St Andrew.

The FiWi Short Film Competition was started by the JCDC in 2021 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The competition is the brainchild of the JCDC’s Drama and Theatre Arts Unit and encourages Jamaican amateur filmmakers to examine selected Jamaican proverbs and based on their interpretation create the treatment for a short film.

Community News

York Catholic is leading the province in educational achievement

Published

1 day ago

November 5, 2024

Paul Junor

BY PAUL JUNOR

The Education Quality and Accountability Office (EQAO), which administers the Grade 3, 6 and 9 assessments across Ontario and the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test (OSSLT), recently released the 2024 results. For many schools across the province, EQAO results are a snapshot of how students are doing compared to their peers in other schools at the same grade level.

The York Catholic District School Board (YCDSB) has maintained a high level of consistency with respect to the outstanding performance of its students on the Education Quality and Accountability Office (EQAO) and the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test (OSSLT). In a media release on Wednesday, October 9^th, 2024, details were revealed about the positive achievements and exemplary accomplishments of its students.

EQAO results were released on September 26^th, 2024. The focus was, “Mathematics Achievement Remains an Area of Focus but Sees Gradual Growth Over Time with Some School Boards Showing Significant Increases; Literacy Achievement Remains High but Shows Some Decline.” The data was based on the 2023-2024 school year during which over 570,000 students wrote the EQAO assessments at the elementary and secondary levels on the English and French-language school systems.

For students who wrote the Grade 3 Assessment of Reading, Writing and Mathematics:

71% met the provincial standard in reading compared to 73% in 2022-2023, and 73% in 2021-2022.
64% of Grade 3 students met the provincial standard in writing, compared to 65% in 2022-2023 and 65% in 2021-2022.
61% of Grade 3 students met the provincial standard in mathematics, compared to 60% in 2022-2023 and 59% in 2021-2022.

For students who wrote the Grade 6 Assessment of Reading, Writing and Mathematics:

82% met the provincial standard in reading, compared to 84% in 2022-2023 and 85% in 2021-2022.
80% met the provincial standard in writing, compared to 84% in 2022-2023, and 84% in 2021-2022.
50% met the provincial standard in mathematics, compared to 50% in 2022-2023 and 47 % in 2021-2022.

For students who wrote the Grade 9 Assessment in Mathematics:

54% met the provincial standard, compared to 54% in 2022-2023 and 52% in 2021-2022.

For students who wrote the Grade 10 Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test (OSSLT):

85% of first-time eligible students were successful, compared to 85% in 2022-23 and 82% in 2021-2022.
52% of previously eligible students were successful in 2023-2024, compared to 63% in 2022-2023 and 85% in 2021-2022.

John De Faveri, Interim Director of Education of the YCDSB writes, “We are always looking for ways to provide a better school experience, but today is a time to celebrate our students and staff for their excellent academic achievement. I want to particularly highlight the incredible work that is being done in mathematics, which we see in these results. Mathematical literacy is such an important life skill and we are happy to share a love of numbers with our students.”

Results from the Grade 3, 6 and 9 EQAO Mathematics results show improvement in Mathematics compared to 2023. In addition, with respect to reading and writing results for Grade 6 there has been a consistent steady upward rise in the performance of students as 89% and 90% of students met or exceeded provincial standards when compared to the province’s average of 82% and 89%.

Elizabeth Crowe, Chair of the Board of Trustees for YCDSB states, “EQAO results are just one of the ways we see how York Catholic is leading the province in educational achievement. As a Catholic learning community, we want to see every child succeed and EQAO results help us measure our progress toward that noble goal.”

Overall, the percentage of students who participated from YCDSB in Grade 3 and 6 EQAO were 97% and 98%, respectively. For Grade 9 Math assessment there were 93% of eligible students and 97% in the OSSLT.

Any parents or guardians interested in learning about the 2024 EQAO and OSSLT results and individual school results for their children can check the EQAO’s website: https://www.eqao.com/results/.

Community News

York Catholic District School Board plans open house for future high school students

Published

1 day ago

November 5, 2024

Paul Junor

Credits: Pch.Vector

BY PAUL JUNOR

There is: planning, preparation, and organization that parents, guardians and caregivers must make in York Region as they prepare their children for high school. For those who chose to send them to a high school at the Catholic board, there are open houses planned to make this process easier to navigate.

In a press release on Thursday, October 10^th, 2024, details were revealed about these open houses. It notes, “The open houses will highlight key aspects of each school, including administration, programs, graduation requirements, uniforms, school structure, student opportunities and more. In addition, information about the registration process, including registration dates, deadlines and documents needed to enroll, will be discussed.

The media release mentioned the seven regional programs, and ten Specialist High Skills Majors (SHSM) programs. They include:

Advanced Placement

Programs with an extended and enriched curriculum allow students to earn credits or advanced standing at most universities.

English as a Second Language

(ESL) and English Literacy Development (ELD)

English as a Second Language and English Literacy Development programs assist English language learners from diverse linguistic and education backgrounds in attaining English language proficiency.

French Immersion (FI)

Students who completed the Elementary French Immersion programs, or equivalent can continue with the immersion program to earn a French immersion certificate upon graduation.

High Performer Athlete (HPA)

An academic-based program for student-athletes participating in competitive-level athletics. Students benefit from a flexible timetable to help balance their academic and athletic commitments and earn high school credits for the work they put into their training.

International Baccalaureate (IB)

A rigorous and intellectually challenging pre-university course of study that allows students to earn an IB Diploma upon graduation, recognized in Canada and abroad.

Regional Arts (RAP)/Integrated Regional Arts Program(iRAP)

Students specialize in drama, dance, visual arts, digital media arts, instrumental music, or vocal music- while obtaining their high school diploma. In the iRAP, students experience their learning through an integrated model where the curriculum is explored in relation to the interconnectedness of the individual, the community, and the world.

STREAM Program

Students explore real-world challenges and use the design thinking process to develop critical thinking, creativity, collaboration, and communication skills, guided by the traditional Catholic social teachings. This academic program uses an interdisciplinary approach to inquiry and problem-based learning.

Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM)

Students can obtain a diploma with a specialist in either: Arts and Culture; Aviation and Aerospace; Business; Health and Wellness; Hospitality and Tourism; Information and Communication Technology; Justice, Community Safety and Emergency Services, Manufacturing; or Non-Profit. Every YCDSB school offers a SHSM program.

Parents or guardians who live in York Region and are interested in any programs can check: Website: www.ycdsb.ca