Vision Beyond The Lens by -J.J. McQueen-

Photo Courtesy: of Arlyn Wesley, Vision Beyond The Lens Student All I can say is wow!  Today we had our first Vision Beyond The Lens video workshop... I paused because the day really brought my video career full circle.  I've often hear veterans of the industry say the natural progression for a camera operator is to direct and teach.  When you're being told these things the importance of the words don't really sink in until you put them in motion.    I was so pumped from the class I didn't get to bed until 2 a.m. this morning.  I've been reminded of how great getting back to the grassroots of "why" we chose the television and film industry.   So today I want to thank my FIRST GOAL LINE MEDIA/ VISION BEYOND THE LENS CLASS FOR MAKING ME A PROUD TEACHER!  Stayed tuned for the spring session.  

In my last blog I said that August was a busy month and that was no lie.  So with that being said, we  have one more birthday to celebrate.  Uncle Clarence!  Uncle Clarence is a gentleman that I've heard nothing but good things about for many years but I'd never met him prior this past Sunday. It only makes sense being that we aren't related, lol. Stay with me I'm going somewhere fast with this one.  Growing up around older people I learned to appreciate the elders of the village and at age 93 I believe Uncle Clarence has more than exercised his right to be the "man".  What impressed me most was that he couldn't have been more than 5 ft 3 inches tall and a good number of us were 12 to 14 inches taller and at least 100 pounds heavier but he still had our respect and attention as if he was 7 ft tall.  As a child and now young adult that's what the old school legacy is to me, respecting the elders of the village no matter what size and stature of the per...

It's August and you know what August is, the birthday month.  I think between family, friends and clients I've captured about 15 birthday parties and we still have a full week left in the month. The down side to that is, you can't post everything and everyone that you capture.  So today I've decided to share with you 30 years of Earl .   With the increasing number of Afro-American males not seeing the age of 30, I thought this was the perfect opportunity to highlight a young man that I've known well over 10 years.  I call him, Earl !  If you knew him like I do, you'd understand that his mother and father couldn't have chosen a more fitting name.   With a booming voice, and the pleasant personality of an 80 year old man from South Carolina, Earl is the prototype of what any parent would want their son's to grow up to be.   Growing up on Baltimore's West Side Earl has beaten all of the odds.  Out of 3 boys he's the first college grad and a pudding ...

It's that time! Many of you have been asking, "when will there be a video workshop"? Well the fall workshop is here.  For those of you that are interested please note that seating is limited and filling fast. For additional information and consideration please see the poster below.   I'm excited about what this class is going to do for all who attend.   See you in two weeks!    

Charm School.... What is it exactly is it?  If hadn't I been exposed to so many different arenas of life, I would have thought it was something that has to do with animals or spoiled rich kids.  Fortunately, it's neither.  Charm School has to do with young women learning how to be well rounded spiritually, financially, socially and emotionally.  I'm almost sure that's just the tip of the iceberg.  Kim Ridley and her staff at the Christian Charm Academy are educating the masses about what it takes to become a successful young lady in America.   Here are a few snapshots of what our future young men and young woman looked like at their first annual Gems Crystal Ball .  Thanks to Kim and her staff at the  Christian Charm Academy our little girls futures will continue to shine bright.  If any of you are interested in enrolling your daughters for the upcoming Charm Academy session email us at goallinemedia@yahoo.com  Enjoy!  

the details are below the photos it's a must read story for the men.... The title of this blog maybe familiar to some, it's that of the autobiography of actor Sidney Poitier.  When you mention his name the words courage, great, intelligent, daring, brilliant and faithful may come to mind.  I've got a new name that replaces those words, Von Johnson.   My friend. My brother.  My cousin.  My new HERO. How and what does that have to do with the title? Yesterday, I observed what it means to live the final portion of your wedding vows,  "till death do us part"...... I can't even put it into words how I felt yesterday.  The only word that comes close is "helpless".   It was one of the rare moments in life where you want to take someone else's pain and throw it down the river and start fresh. I learned what the measure of a man is all about.   Can you live on life's edge and handle all it dishes out?  Can you stand in the toughest moments of opposit...