Chained Fate
Chained Fate || @ Tekrox Studios
Archive for February, 2009
AIMEE ALLEN PHOTOSHOOT
AIMEE ALLEN PHOTOSHOOT — photos for upcoming album
photos and concept by KT Moon, FIDAMO in partnership with Tekrox
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ABOUT AIMEE ALLEN ::
http://aimeeallen.com — http://myspace.com/aimeeallen
At nineteen‚ Aimee Allen felt she had already conquered her native Montana‚ with sold out club dates and frequent radio play‚ she longed for bigger adventures in a new city. Determined to reach people with her music‚ she packed her car and moved to Los Angeles to start living her dream. Leaving the comfort and stability of her friends and family‚ she hit Hollywood’s less than glamorous side – night shifts waiting tables and couch surfing till the perfect opportunity arose. Roles in MTV’s Undressed and The Bold and the Beautiful gave her a taste of the entertainment industry but it was only after months of playing out and writing did Aimee start to get results. And the results were well worth the wait; a bidding war between the labels started- a dream situation for any artists but one that rarely happens in today’s turbulent market.
Ultimately Aimee was signed to Elektra Records‚ and commenced work on her album‚ “I’d Start a Revolution If I Could Get Up In The Morning”. The album became an underground hit even before its release‚ the fan favorite “More Man Than You’ll Ever Be” was a scathing mission statement‚ declaring that she was ready to play (and win) the boys club radio -rock game. Leadoff single “Revolution” would infiltrate film‚ TV and radio with its anti-anthem hook‚ “I’d Start A Revolution if I could get up in the morning” was ultimately picked-up by “Birds of Prey” on the WB and in Warren Miller’s “Storm”. Underground MC Pharoahe Monch dirtied up “Oblivion‚” a track topped in sultriness only by the hedonistic “If It Feels Right.” Her resume reads like a who’s who of industry heavy-hitters; discovered by American Idol and platinum selling producer Randy Jackson‚ she worked with Bloodshy (Britney Spears)‚ Scott Storch (Jay Z‚ Eve)‚ Justin Stanley‚ (Beck‚ Nikka Costa) Mark Ronson (Amy Winehouse‚ Lily Allen) Don Gilmore (Linkin Park‚ Duran Duran) and the list goes on.
While on tour with Unwritten Law‚ supporting her album‚ she and lead singer Scott Russo discovered and nurtured an intense and creative relationship. By the time Elektra collapsed‚ Aimee was already working on the “Scott and Aimee Project” re-recording some of Aimee’s original Elektra tracks as well as creating and writing new material including “Miss America” and “Southern California Love” for the album “Sitting In A Tree”. At the same time‚ Aimee was writing material for Unwritten Law’s album “Here’s to the Mourning” and collaborating with Linda Perry and Scott Russo on the Billboard Chart topper “Save Me” which reached 4 on the Billboard rock charts.
With a scorching hit “Cooties” on the Grammy nominated Hairspray Soundtrack and guest vocals on reggae legend Lee “Scratch” Perry’s up-coming release Repentance”‚ Aimee’s all conquering attitude and hard work is establishing her as a successful name in the industry. She has continued to explore the relationship between her music in film‚ and is featured in “Numb”‚ an independent tribute to the 80’s punk movement which she performs three songs for. Her haunting ballad “I’m Here” featuring world renowned guitarist Kaki King is featured in Tate Taylor’s “Pretty Ugly People” set for release in 2008.
Tila Tequila, star of MTV’s hit show “A Shot At Love with Tila Tequila” recently fell in love with Allen’s “Stripper Friends” and has re-recorded it to be used as the title music to the second season. Underground soul king Kevin Michaels also reached out to Aimee for his reworking of “We All Want the Same Thing”, which was released through Atlantic in 2007.
Photography Expedition || Morocco
NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC
photography expedition
where :: Morocco, Africa
when :: Oct 22 – 31, 2009
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I couldn’t be more thrilled for this upcoming adventure!
I am extremely excited to announce that on October 22-31, 2009 — I will be joining Chris Rainier (below) and a small group of cultural photographers on a photography expedition of Morocco, Africa. This upcoming expedition is sure to be an absolutely amazing experience in which to learn cultural photojournalism techniques from the absolute best of the best. Please check back in early September to view photos from this adventure.
CHRIS RAINIER
Chris Rainier is considered one of the leading documentary photographers working today. A National Geographic Society Fellow, Chris is a director of the All Roads Photography Program and the Enduring Voices Project, documenting endangered languages and cultures. He serves as a contributing editor for National Geographic Traveler and a contributing photographer for National Geographic Adventure, as well as a photography correspondent for NPR. He has won numerous awards for his photography, including the prestigious Lowell Thomas Award, given by the Explorers Club for adventure stories.
TRIP ITINERARY
Days 1 and 2 — U.S./Casablanca, Morocco
Depart on an overnight flight to Casablanca. After time to relax, visit the extraordinary Hassan II Mosque, whose 689-foot minaret is the world’s tallest. Then, take an excursion to a vineyard set among cork oaks and eucalyptus trees near the town of Ben Slimane. Enjoy lunch and a wine tasting in this bucolic setting. Later, stroll through Casablanca’s Habous district and mechouar, the ceremonial meeting place outside the Royal Palace. Tonight, gather for a festive welcome dinner overlooking the sea.
Golden Tulip Farah Casablanca (L, D)
Golden Tulip Farah Casablanca (L, D)
Day 3 — Casablanca/Marrakech
Drive through the elegant Anfa neighborhood on the way to Marrakech, Morocco’s legendary “pearl of the south.” After a poolside lunch at the hotel, meander through the stunning Majorelle Gardens, once owned by Yves Saint-Laurent, and pay a visit to the museum here. See the splendid Koutoubia Mosque, and visit Bahia Palace and the Dar Si Said Museum of Moroccan Arts. Explore the labyrinthine streets of the medina, lined with market stalls and craftspeople; and soak up the colorful chaos of Djemma el Fna Square, where snake charmers and magicians enchant the passersby. Discover the city on your own this evening.
Le Méridien N’Fis (B, L)
Le Méridien N’Fis (B, L)
Day 4 — Marrakech and the Atlas Mountains
Today you may continue your exploration of Marrakech, or head into the Atlas Mountains on a back-road adventure, stopping to visit Berber villages and local markets. Sip mint tea in a Berber home, and learn firsthand about this culture. Stop for lunch at Lake Takerkoust, and go for a hike along the shore. Visit lesser known suqs on the way back to Marrakech. Gather for a special rooftop reception and dinner in the medina. (B, L, D)
Day 5 — Marrakech/Aït Benhaddou/Ouarzazate
Cross the Atlas Mountains to the UNESCO World Heritage site of Aït Benhaddou and have lunch overlooking this enchanting fortified city. Then venture into its warren of twisting lanes and dwellings, stopping for tea in a traditional adobe home. Take an optional horseback ride along the river before continuing to Ouarzazate, a former trading post now known for its movie studios, where films like Gladiator andLawrence of Arabia were shot.
Le Berbère Palace (B, L)
Le Berbère Palace (B, L)
Day 6 — Ouarzazate/Erfoud/Merzouga
Learn about traditional adobe architecture in Taourirt Kasbah this morning. Set out on the fabled Road of 1,000 Kasbahs to Erfoud, passing spectacular rock formations, oases, and rose plantations. Enjoy a hike through a palm and tamarisk grove. Later, walk into Todra Gorge and have lunch at the foot of the soaring, red canyon walls. In Erfoud, climb into 4×4s and drive into the desert to a traditional tented camp, nestled among the dunes of Merzouga. Dine under the star-studded Saharan sky, and enjoy an evening of Berber folk music and tales around the campfire.
Bivouac Tented Berber Camp (B, L ,D)
Bivouac Tented Berber Camp (B, L ,D)
Day 7 — Merzouga/Erfoud/Fez
Awaken early to a ride a camel across the sandscape as the rising sun paints the dunes orange and gold. Return to the camp for a hearty breakfast. Head north into the high-mountain plains on your way to Fez, stopping for a walk in a lush cedar forest. Arrive in Fez late this afternoon, and settle into your room at the legendary Palais Jamai, your home for the next three nights.
Palais Jamai (B, L, D)
Palais Jamai (B, L, D)
Day 8 — Fez
Spend the day exploring this magnificent imperial city. Discover the 14th-century Bou Inania madrassa, characterized by its intricately carved stucco walls, arches, and cornices. See the Nejjarine Fountain, covered in exquisite mosaics, and the Kairaouine Mosque. Delve into the lively medina, where merchants preside over colorful mounds of spices and tanners soak skins in vats of dye. Later, visit the Royal Palace and Fes Jdid, home to the historic Jewish quarter. (B, L, D)
Day 9 — Fez
Today you may choose to explore Fez at your own pace or take an excursion to the Roman ruins of Volubilis, a World Heritage site; and Meknes, Morocco’s 17th-century capital. Tonight, toast our Moroccan adventure at a farewell dinner and belly-dancing performance at the Palais Jamai. (B, D)
Day 10 — Fez/U.S.
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your return flight. (B)
FTV || Working in Asia
Sometimes, life changing opportunities find you when you aren’t even looking –
In the summer of 2007, I boarded a plane headed through Hong Kong to Cebu, Philippines … the final destination … the production grounds for FTV Asia (Fashion Television), Bigfoot Entertainment, and the International Academy of Film & Television (IAFT). The following is a candid account of my first adventure in Asia … work, play, and cultural contrast.
CASTING CONTRAST
I will never forget the first morning that I woke up on the campus of Fashion Television Asia (FTV), Bigfoot Entertainment, and the International Academy of Film & Television (IAFT).
At 5 o’clock in the morning I restlessly ventured out of my new apartment (home for the next 2 months) and strolled along the sidewalk that led up to the FTV Cafe’. Along the pathway I passed by two huge sound stages that Bigfoot Entertainment used for film production and set design, a 20 foot dive training and underwater filming tank, an outdoor tiki bar, a huge building containing the classrooms for IAFT and the corporate offices of Bigfoot Entertainment / FTV … the South China Sea AND 10 sleeping and caged ostriches. (Bigfoot Grounds, photo above)
I finally arrived at two huge glass doors with the FTV logo embossed proudly in frosted glass … Just beyond was a world containing fingerprint scanners, vanilla lattes, leather coaches, fashion/film concepts, huge plasma tv’s, film editing suites, workout/acting studios, a grand piano, state of the art conference rooms, etc etc etc. Just before entering, I turned to look across the street directly outside the gates of my new ‘Hollywood’ home — standing there was a modest wooden hut and a man staring at me curiously as he washed himself from of a bucket in his front yard. I had somehow been ‘cast’ into a bizarre world of constant contrast, 12 time zones away from home. Later I would learn from my new eclectic and extremely talented group of international friends — that living and working at Bigfoot was fondly referred to as … life in the bubble.
photo by KT Moon
WORKING IN THE PHILIPPINES
I was hired into a 2 month work contract for Bigfoot Entertainment with a rather broad job description. In the mornings, I would serve as talent/model for FTV. With this, I would be trained in the art of underwater modeling and would also be asked to concept a shoot that would air on Fashion Television in Asia …. and in the afternoons, I would either work on production for one of the Bigfoot Entertainment projects or would assist in the marketing department for :: Bigfoot Entertainment, the International Academy of Film & Television, and the Bigfoot Asia Pacific Foundation (nonprofit community outreach). With so many diverse projects being housed under one parent company — I can definitely say that each day brought something new and exciting to learn/experience.
Bigfoot Asia Pacific Foundation Website (one of my marketing projects) – http://bigfootfoundation.org
As much as I adored this new world of film production, marketing concepts, underwater diving, and fashion photography — I have to say that it was the people that truly blew me away. Everyone that I met seemed to have an absolutely amazing background and impressive resume to back it up. From my immediate supervisors :: Michael Gleissner / owner FTV Asia, Bigfoot Entertainment, International Academy of Film & Television – Carrie McCray / Director of Marketing & Public log/wp-content/plugins/nextgen-gallery/tinymce3/langs/en.js?ver=311″ type=”text/javascript”>Relations, Bigfoot Entertainment (formerly Director of Home Entertainment and Television at Deluxe Media Management, Hollywood CA) – Regan Wynne / Producer, Bigfoot Entertainment (formerly of Toyota, Nintendo, Pepsi, Airbus, and Hasbro) — and Rick Robinson / Director of Photography, Bigfoot Entertainment (Emmy Award winning and veteran Motion Picture and Television professional with over 20 years experience) — TO my roommate (most recently serving as a model on Project Runway, 2009) — TO every single other person that I met, whether student or employee — everyone had a fascinating background, talent that they brought to the table, and story to share. Above all else, I loved living and working with people from literally all over the world!
TIME TO WORK & TIME TO PLAY
In addition to amazing work experiences, there are so many stories to tell from the time that we spent traveling in our off/weekend time. Almost every evening we would hop on a jeepney and head to dinner at one of the local cultural restaurants — on the weekends we would either plan a local trip to visit Magellan’s Cross, Tops Lookout point and Art Garden, Alegra custom guitar factory, Cebu Dancing Prisoners, Shangi-La, the Taoist Temple, tour a local market, etc — or a group would head to one of the local adjacent islands or venture off to climb waterfalls. Cebu was where I absolutely feel in love with quasi-third-world-culture. (photos from the Philippines :: http://fidamo.com/photolog/?cat=3)
All in all, I feel absolutely blessed to have had this international corporate work experience. As I head to Australia (Sydney, Melbourne, Cairns — March 2009), Morocco, Africa (photography expedition with National Geographic, Oct 2009) — and pursue a Masters in Cultural Art History — I will always remember my time in Cebu/Mactan as an experience that absolutely changed my life and set me on the path to cultural pursuits.
Cebu City
Backpacking Australia
BACKPACKING AUSTRALIA
March 16-28, 2009
In a few weeks, one of my girlfriends and I are headed to Australia on a 14 day photography and cultural tour of Victoria, Queensland, and New South Wales. I couldnt be more excited for this upcoming excursion! Amongst other things, diving in the Great Barrier Reef has been a dream of mine since I was a little girl — and now armed with an underwater casing for my SLR — I can wait to put my photography skills to work on the reef. In addition to this, I am thrilled to have the opportunity to visit the tropic rainforest and experience authentic aboriginal culture. This is definitely bound to be an adventure of a lifetime!
Please check back in early April for photos from this adventure!
BACKPACKING AUSTRALIA
VICTORIA
NEW SOUTH WALES
QEENSLAND
Mastering Culture
MASTERING CULTURE
Masters of Cultural Art History
Globalization and the Homogenization of Art & Culture
Greetings!
I am very excited to announce, that as of February 2009 I was formally accepted to the Masters of Cultural Art History programme at Warnborough Ireland. This is an amazing opportunity and I feel very blessed to be able to continue my formal education in the areas of art and anthropology.
The Masters of Cultural Art History programme is a wonderfully intense and highly research based course of study — One that leads to a Doctoral Programme and also provides a path in which to study, travel internationally, and pursue publication of academic work.
I am greatly looking forward to this pursuit within the world of academia. I hope that through focusing my studies on Globalization and the Homogenization of Art and Culture that I will be able to make a positive impact in the support and documentation of disappearing cultures and various forms of unique artistic expression.
Thank you for reading and I will be sure to update as my studies progress.
All the Best!
KT Moon
Director of Brand Management
FIDAMO, USA
