Watch Me On My Video Blog?
If you’re wondering, yes, the title of this entry is a Beyonce reference. I actually went out and bought Popeye’s for the first time this year in honor of the original premiere day of she and GaGa’s video for “Video Phone.”
Needless to say, I was disappointed yet very well nourished once I found out the video wasn’t premiering. So I won’t be right until I see the video for myself.
In any event, for about two years I’ve been asked the question, “When are you going to start doing video blogs?”
My usual response is, “Uhh…never?” Or, “You know, I’m not sure. Soon?”
Translation: Polite way of saying never.
In hindsight, I wish I had done so before everyone else started doing it.
Then again, I stopped wanting to be in front of the camera a while ago. I was a broadcast journalism major in college.
My cousin was a CNN anchor, so as I kid when I saw my long last name at the bottom of the screen I got geeked. When my mom told me she was kinfolk to my dad, I slowly developed a dream to be on air. Then years later I found out about Katie Couric’s $80 million dollar deal with NBC and decided I was going to be the black male answer to her.
No, not Bryant Gumble. Not Trevor Collins. Katie Couric…but with color and a penis.
And as fate would have it the second I stepped on the campus of Howard I realized that I didn’t want to do that shit.
You have to smile on command. You can’t have an opinion. Well, at the time you couldn’t, but you know what I mean.
I’m not Mr. “Hi, this is Michael ….” as I burst into a big cheerful grin.
I knew that the job wasn’t for me but I never changed my major…mainly because it might have prolonged my stay in college. Trust me, I was there long enough. Most people assumed I was a print major who just looked like a broadcast guy anyway.
And then senior year came and I had to fulfill a requirement — which meant I had shoot, edit, and report on my own news packages.
I hated it.
I had to dress up. Go out and talk to people. I’m the type who will likely talk to strangers, but the idea of doing so to report? Ick.
And when it came time to review my packages, my brilliant professor would let me know that I wrote great copy but spoke way too fast.
Only the classmates born in New Orleans could understand me.
Everyone else thought I was Speedy Gonzalez.
Those responses took me back to the days of me interning at a radio station where I developed a self consciousness about the sound of my voice. One jock told me I needed to become the male version of Wendy Williams. I quickly told her as a man that would mean I would get shot by a rapper, but I knew what she meant. Another girl at Howard used to call me “Star (as in Star and Buck Wild).” I don’t think she meant asshole, but who knows.
They thought I should do radio. I thought they were being too nice.
I don’t really care for my voice (hate is the word) so when I was told on top of that I talk too damn fast I was like, “To hell with this. I want to write anyway.”
However, in the last month two of the media outlets I write for have mentioned me appearing on camera. One has asked that I video blog and comment on the topics I write about, another to ask me to actually act.
And then more memories surfaced.
Uh, I used to act. As previously noted that I starred as the wolf in Windsor Village Elementary’s breakout play, Lil’ Red Goes To The Hood. My mama’s job threw shade by not letting her off work, but the audience at the venue (cafeteria) gave me a standing ovation. Or they were trying to hurry and catch the woman who ran the Cool Cup house for a Cool Cup and Frito-Pie before she shut it down for the day.
During my fat years, I played somebody I can’t remember in a play I can’t recall either in middle school. But I do remember people laughing at me and I in turn laughing to play it off. I might have waved my middle finger in the air, too. Again, my memory is sketchy.
I actually tried out for a performing arts school in Houston (yeah, the one Beyonce went to) but I totally blew the audition. Again: I had become way too self conscious.
So yeah, all of this has led to a rarely vocalized fear of the camera, which ironically I grew up yearning to be in front of.
Last night I took the first step in correcting the problem. I shot a very short video of myself looking into the camera.
Ya’ll be gentle with me…it’s my first time:
My First Time from Michael Arceneaux on Vimeo.
For the record, I wasn’t in my draws. Basketball shorts, but I wasn’t matching…if that’s anything.
And watching this reminds me of another reason I have always been reluctant to video blog: You can really tell how I roll once you hear me speak.
As I’m often reminded you can’t if I just stand silent.
Eh, but one can’t be acting all shy if they’re trying to get ahead, huh?
Baby steps.
Gon’ wear me out. I do it on a daily here.
P.S. Despite the melodrama of this entry, I don’t sleep with a nightlight, nor am I afraid of the monster living under the bed. And I don’t really need to sell Kim Zolciak myself for rent. It just sounds so easy, though.
VaunTV
November 16, 2009 at 12:15 am
True T.. YOUR VOICE ISNT ANNOYING AT ALL..AND YOUR CUTE SO HEY..JUMP IN FRONT OF THE CAM Lol … You do talk a lil fast but its cut..U betta get on youtube and get you a partner check lol…
lebeam
November 16, 2009 at 1:02 am
I liked it, you seem so much more personable and understandable. You didn’t speak to fast at all, I understood you (and i wasn’t born in New Orleans
Diane S
November 16, 2009 at 10:08 am
Loved it! Always love your blogs but now it s nice to but mannerisms and a full face to the blog. Makes it funnier and believable. Will keep watching and reading. Keep it up!
Lulu
November 16, 2009 at 11:50 am
Hey Michael
wow didnt realise ucould be Chris Brown’s twin
anyways love ur site,but i wish you would do more frequent postings
im sure u have alot on ur plate,anyways keep up the good work
ur blog is funny and intillectual at the same time.
Lulu
November 16, 2009 at 11:55 am
Hey Michael
wow didnt realise ucould be Chris Brown’s twin
anyways love ur site,but i wish you would do more frequent postings
im sure u have alot on ur plate,anyways keep up the good work
ur blog is funny and intillectual at the same time.great stuff
Natasha Guillory
November 16, 2009 at 12:20 pm
LOL! You did fine. You should of had Nakkia as your partner. LOL Keep it up and and please let us not subject ourselves to plasma or sperm donations for money coozan (Creole talk for cousin)! MUAH!
Mellovirgo89
November 16, 2009 at 2:10 pm
Aww lol
You are nothing like I thought you would be like…you seem really nice.lol Hope you don’t take that the wrong way though. Like Labeam said, you just seem so much more personable on the vid.
Keep up the good work. You definitely have one of the funniest and most interesting blog sites.
babygirlja
November 16, 2009 at 3:47 pm
LOL. You did OK for your first time and your’re cute in a roger rabbit kinda way (lol just playin). You are hilarious in your writing so I can only imagine how much more funny you are when you speak so I can’t wait for more videos from you.
Shanise
November 16, 2009 at 6:24 pm
hahahahah you ARE NOT ON THE VERGE OF SELLING ASS (maybe plasmas… and probably go go dance somewhere in the inland empire where people don’t know you, but not selling ass!). Aww now the whole world gets to see how awesome you are. And don’t lie to the ppl you WERE in your draws!
Thegdlife
November 16, 2009 at 6:52 pm
You were marvelous darling !!!!!!!!
BonitaApplebum
November 16, 2009 at 7:09 pm
I think you did very well and I like your voice. You are a cutie!! I have been reading since last month and I have went through all your archives and I always said you sounded like someone I would be cool with. Now that I see the video I know we could hang. Keep it up, dont be so shy and nervous next time…you might have found your new calling!
Marikai
November 16, 2009 at 7:36 pm
You did seem nervous but that will go away with…blah…blah..blah *insert meaningless encouragement here*. But with your wit and intelligence, you could be the next Jon Stewart…but with color and keeping the penis of course.
Huey Freeman
November 16, 2009 at 11:21 pm
Camera-ready face, but your voice is annoying: Too reedy, no bass. I hear why you don’t like it. You don’t talk too fast. Somebody lied to you.
Misty Knight
November 16, 2009 at 11:27 pm
Damn Dude that was painful! LOL like 1st round American Idol auditon painful!
I can definately relate, I hate seeing myself on camera, and I’m hypercritical of all my pics. Maybe my apprehension has more to do with vanity, but the talking through the teeth, rapid speech, and foul mouth….Its like a mirror…If I was a dude..but I too have big white teeth.
Maybe you should get some “Loose Juice” before you appear on camera? * May I suggest a 99′ Boon’s Farm?*
Granting that you can hold your liquor, and what not.
Taco
November 16, 2009 at 11:44 pm
You sound like a natural to me. You didn’t speak fast at all, and the only way I knew you were nervous was because you kept saying you were. You just need to practice being in front of the camera so you’ll feel more comfortable and less insecure. And, uh, maybe control that potty mouth of yours.
In all honesty, you have the potential to go really far in this medium if you set your mind to it. (I swear I’m not saying this to make you feel good. If I didn’t think you did well, I’d just keep it moving without responding!)
Keep up the good work.
Peace.
MissTee
November 17, 2009 at 12:29 am
“You can really tell how I roll once you hear me speak.”
********************************************************************
MosDef! LOL, but it’s good. If you hadn’t given the disclaimer about your anxiety, might not have noticed so much, but since you cared enough to point it out…..
You didn’t talk too fast, I understood every word. NOW what I would LOVE to see is one of your Dear Micheal advice responses live & direct! THAT would be the…..nice. (See why you shouldn’t try to refrain from cussing, its an endearing quality we both share. Do you wanna be nice or do you wanna be the ISH?????)
RoCkii BoXxE
November 17, 2009 at 12:54 am
YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL!
Melody Jones
November 17, 2009 at 1:34 am
Love it! u look hot on camera, cant wait till the next one!
J2201987
November 17, 2009 at 7:54 am
You do sound like Que (but you know, with more bass, personality and intelligence).
Ricky
November 17, 2009 at 12:16 pm
AHAHA! Que from Day 26, that is who you sound like! But you don’t cry nearly as much as he does. Keep rockin’ on with the video blogging though. And why you ain’t on YouTube? That’s where you make the coins, s0n!
K2DAI
November 17, 2009 at 5:28 pm
And I thought i crused alot!!!! it wasnt that bad. but i dont understand why you were so nervous you can do that with your eyes closed. Just keep trying and this will come like second nature. Hiram Clarke siging out
Charlae
November 18, 2009 at 1:45 am
Loves it. If you become more comfortable with this and want to expand your following, I recommend a YouTube channel. People who have those and build an audience end up becoming mini celebs in their own right.
50% Creole
November 18, 2009 at 4:04 am
1st of all…i clicked on the embedded link in this post. i didn’t know about your blog in 2007, but i do agree – - wholeheartedly – - that the “suki yaki” song from “the last dragon” is the shiznit! it is a totally underrated song. i really thought that i was the only person who liked that song. i sing it to people quite often, and they never get it.
2nd of all…i didn’t feel as if you spoke too fast. i understood everything that you were saying. i can sympathize with you because it IS hard to be in front of the camera. it’s like, “what do you people really want me to say?” it is challenging to be yourself in those moments.
continue to practice. eventually, you will feel so confident about your camera work that you will chuckle at how you could have ever been nervous about doing it in the first place.
yours truly
November 18, 2009 at 7:08 am
nice first video. the nerves will go away with time. you have a really nice face and voice for the camera and you’re wonderful with words so that’s three aspects covered right there.
keep at it hun. as far as i’m concerned, the sky’s the limit when it comes to the potential you have.
Tashinkashae
November 18, 2009 at 7:20 pm
You’re voice is far from annoying and your nervousness is too cute!
Mia (Lioness)
November 19, 2009 at 3:00 am
Michael you are just too cute! Love the site, your writing, and everything you do!
RemTheMulatto
November 24, 2009 at 5:27 pm
There are many many more people big on youtube who are WAY more annoying than u r. If u do make the transition, I’ll sub
Gem
November 28, 2009 at 5:55 pm
Your voice is pretty normal, nothing annoying about it. Great to put a voice to your persona though. I could tell that you were nervous, you closed your eyes for longer than usual.
Now I finally see why you always said you had big teeth :laugh: . They are semi distracting though, that’s the only thing. Keep writing, its a joy to read.
Gem
November 28, 2009 at 5:56 pm
…for longer than usual at certain markers*
iman
December 21, 2009 at 11:19 am
I LOVE UUU.