Mass Communication

 We would like to recognize MSU Mass Communication student, Amahl Abdul-Khaliq, for his outstanding achievements in the community.  A photograph taken of Amahl, while performing a complicated flatland bike trick, was recently featured in the current issue of BMX Plus magazine.  Flatland biking is a style of BMX riding performed on smooth, flat surfaces as opposed to surfaces with ramps, jumps, or grind rails.  Amahl has been fine tuning his flatland skills for four years.  His hard work has paid off as he is now sponsored by Quamen Bikes as a part of their flow team.

When he is not practicing his flatland skills or studying for his degree in Mass Communication, Amahl enjoys composing music.  He is a part of three different ensembles all with different music genres.  “AF THE NAYSATER” is Amahl’s solo ensemble in which he composes a variety of genres ranging from down tempo to hip hop.  Music from this collection has been featured on the ESPN website, the Red Bull website, the website for Props video magazine, the website for Diversion video magazine, and the Mecho Wars video game.  Amahl was recently nominated for an award by the Gaming Audio Network Guild (GANG) for his musical contribution to Mecho Wars.  The following links are examples of Amahl's work. 

http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=3846977&categoryid=null

 http://seanbeeson.com/news/mecho-wars-nominated-for-gang-award/

2010 GANG Awards Nomination! from Sean Beeson on Vimeo.

To learn more about his music, search for “AF THE NAYSAYER” on Facebook.  Amahl has another solo ensemble titled, “Flawed Giant.”  He describes this genre as electronic dance music.  To learn more about “Flawed Giant,” go to myspace.com/flawedgiant.  Amahl’s third music ensemble is with “Shuggie Watts.”  Amahl is the musical producer and DJ of the band.  The following video is from a recent performance by "Shuggie Watts" at AJ's Bar and Grill in Lake Charles, LA.

If all this does not keep Amahl busy enough, he works as the Public Relations Team Manager for Tall Tale Clothing.  Tall Tale is a new line of men’s clothing and accessories.  To learn more about Amahl’s public relations efforts with Tall Tale, go to TallxTale.com.

Jason Brown, Professor in the Mass Communications Department invited SAG’s South Region Executive, Jason Tomlinson to speak at McNeese on Friday, Oct. 23^rd.  The house held approx 50 to 75 students, young and old, faculty and staff from the university and other production company representatives in the Lake Charles area.  With an informal setting in the Theatre, Jason doled out information about what it takes to break in to the business and gave helpful information for butting actors.

If you did not get the chance to catch is workshop, here’s some places he recommended to go on line:

Film New Orleans.org

             Port Arthur TX. Seems an unlikely place to find an honest –to-goodness Buddhist monastery and, that’s where you’ll find Reverend K. and his ‘mindful’ followers.  Each Wednesday evening Reverend K conducts a meditation class for anyone who feels so moved.  Dr Carrie Chrisco invited him to speak in her intercultural class last week.  He spoke of his path and answered questions about faith and practice.  A short video is currently being edited and will be posted soon. 

For more information on the Buu Mon Buddhist Temple in Port Arthur, mouse over to the link.