What I’ve Been Up To….

Since September I have been working on a few things, so I’d figure I would blog a summary of what I have been working on, to make things more easily digestible.  Most recently, I uploaded a video of the performance of “Who Invited Jesus?”, a play I wrote and directed.  It was originally performed in Philadelphia at the Shubin Theater during the Art, Life, Action! Festival.

I’ve also been working on some music.  I think if it had to be categorized, as everything in this world seems to be, it would be considered Electronic and Dance.  Take a listen.  I have two mixtapes I have been working on.  The most recent being, “S Club”.

The first being “SBSTN”

My favorite song is not on either of the mixtapes….

I also have started a little weekly blog… I call it little because hardly any effort goes into making it.  I pretty much mention things in Entertainment that I think you should look out for.   I have only two thus far.

Everything else I have been working on is Top Secret and will be revealed in due time.

Like Me on Facebook.com/WeLoveSebastian

YouTube.com/SebastianCummings

Thanks to my friend Andra for the photo below!

Into The Night

I have been out of town for some time now, creating.  I have created quite a bit.  It began as an effort to finish work on a play that I wrote this summer…. which I have done.  It then spiraled into something a bit different.

I started creating music with some software that I have and it has become an obsession.  I spend hour upon hour making music.  I have been uploading many of them, but none compare to this….

It is something I am very proud of.  But, I should dwell on this, as I have much more work to complete and I am sure I will be up Into The Night.

 

SBSTN

Ladies & Gentleman, I am thoroughly excited to announce that I have put together my very first mixtape of Dance Music, titled, “SBSTN”.  It is nearly complete and I have a few songs available for your listening pleasure at YouTube.com/SebastianCummings.

This Music is guaranteed to make you have sex with a stranger at the club dance.  The perfect music for, pregaming for a party, dancing at a party, throwing up during a party, & getting into fights during parties.  No, but, really.  This music is great and upbeat.  It will make you want to dance.  Stay Tuned for release dates, coming soon.  Until the, you can find me at YouTube.Com/SebastianCummings ….. Twitter.Com/SebastianAC and right here at my blog, Seanings.WordPress.Com.  I cannot wait for you to hear it.  Until then, take a listen at my first single.  It’s a Fan Favorite.  Find Me On FaceBook.

-SBSTN

Take This Out – The Extended Version

I have been creating some music and I want to put out there for all to hear. Tell me what you think.

How BET Is Making MTV The RedHeaded StepChild

Music Television.  That’s a funny name for a channel that plays more Reality and Scripted Television Shows than shows that have anything to do with… Music.

In the past, when a youngperson wanted to see the latest music video for their favorite artist they tuned in to MTV.  Before heading back to school, one could always count on The MTV Video Music Awards to provide entertainment and something to talk about on the first days of class.

From Madonna grinding on the floor in her performance of “Like A Virgin”, to Michael Jackson showing the world who’s “Bad”,  to Brandy And Monica both declaring “The Boy Is Mine”, and of course, no one can forget when Britney Stripped and declared, “Oops, I Did It Again”.

But, in recent years, despite ratings, MTV and it’s award show have lost the “interesting” factor, much due to a decline in Artists who generate spectacle in a performance…. Excuse me, I should say “lack of”, Beyonce is pregnant, so there’s really nobody left.

But, BET has become more and more interesting over the years.  Mo’Nique gave an insanely entertaining performance of Beyonce’s “Crazy In Love”, while Beyonce, herself, performs nearly every year.  The BET Awards also allow talents that are just as popular as MTV Performers, but are neglected for whatever reason, the opportunity to perfom.  Kelly Rowland, gave a tantalizing performance of her most successful single to date, “Motivation”, Chris Brown gave an amazing tribute to Mr. Michael Jackson when no other award show would have him.  BET also gives tributes to artists that MTV has forgotten all about; Prince, Patty Labelle, and Teddy Pendergrass.

While MTV has retired the once popular TRL, BET is still keeping things going with it’s version of the series, 106 & Park.  Giving audiences a chance to see their favorite artist talk about their latest projects.

Don’t get it wrong, MTV is still tearing it up in the ratings.  Shows like “Jersey Shore”, “16 & Pregnant”, and “Teen Mom” are more popular than ever… but, then again “Two And A Half Men” is also a popular television series….  Enough Said.

Meanwhile, BET is not competing with shows that are mostly entertaining because people acting out on them.  BET has shows like “Born To Dance”-acclaimed choreographer, Laurieann Gibson‘s show, “Sunday Best”, “The Mo’Nique Show” and “The Game”.  BET also, shows re-runs of great older shows; “Everybody Hates Chris” and “Girlfriends.

So, if we want to see a bunch of reality shows with a not so diverse cast, we know where to go.  And if we want to see something that has something to do with  music…. we know where to go.

If Brooklyn is the New Manhattan, BET is the new MTV.

-Sebastian

 

 

Thank You Kelly

The first step in accomplishing a goal is to get it in your mind that you can indeed accomplish the goal.  I have completed step one.  It feels amazing.  Now that I feel there is nothing I cannot do, I am prepared to do just what I want.  Making the next step is a little more difficult.  Doing something.  There are so many options and possibilites.  It can become confusing.  One thing I learned while studying at Rutgers University is if you give yourself limits you have more to concentrate on.  I am trying to find the limits for me to work within now, so that I can concentrate better on accomplishing my goal.

I had the biggest boost in Motivation today.  I watched a recording of a performance today and I almost cried.  Not because the performance was so spectacular, (although it was) but because I decided years ago that I would be able to do that one day.  Perform something powerful to an arena filled with people who want nothing more than to see me perform.  It was a reminder sayiing, “Hey, remember when you said you wanted this?  Well, it’s not going to just come to you and as a matter of fact if you don’t work hard and get here, somebody else will get there and replace you.”

Today I had a performance and the audience size was not spectacular, but I was more than okay with it.  It made me think…. how this will change.  How one day, all those seats will be filled.  I look forward to that.  Now, to work on what the people witl be watching.

A New Expedition

So,  I have decided it is time for something New……  Something Better…… Something Great.

Have you ever found yourself saying or thinking “I know that I can do much better than this, I just need the opportunity to show what I’ve got”?  Yes?  Well,  I have decided to end the waiting process and create the opportunity for myself.  Why wait, hope, and pray that some casting director is going to open doors for you by casting you in the role of a lifetime, when you can do it for yourself?

Something interesting to think about:  I have very rarely thoroughly enjoyed performing the work of others.  I often feel closed in and disconnected from the piece.  I’m not sure why and maybe that will change over time, but as of now….. I’m over it.  While studying at Rutgers a few things were said to me by my superiors that resonated.  One was, “So what?”.  Meaning, who cares?  What is interesting about this to you?  What is special about this to you? And I think about this often.  Another thing that has been locked in my mind:  “If you’re not having fun, then why do it?”.  Really.  Why do it.  You will drive yourself crazy working on something that is not fun for you in some way.  I no longer want to be in such a place.  A place where things reach beyond exploring and finding what works and slowly move toward unpleasant and personal criticisms.

I have created something for myself.  Something that I have great interest in.  Something that makes me want to sit in a dark room and explore.  Something that excites me.  I feel fire in my eyes.  I will do whatever necessary to make this vision come to life and before the people of Philadelphia and eventually elsewhere.  The ground work (the writing) is complete.  What do I need now?  Ideas.  Collaborators. Space.  Money.  Will I let any of these things get in my way?  Hell. No. I have never felt more determined in my life.  I hope to blog about the entire process so that I can share with you, yes YOU.  I want to share with you the creative process and the work.  I look forward to you seeing me.

 

-Bastian