// BLOG

Quick; tell me one place where you can play multiple sports against representatives from all over the western United States, make some new friends, catch a quick set from dance troupes, and get down with yo' bad self at night as only Southern California can? Can't think of it? Well, let me introduce you to a campus called Cal Poly Pomona, the site of the 21st annual Sportsfest. Sportsfest 2010 will be taking place from March 19th to the 21st. This year's theme is “Heart of a Champion”, and this event definitely is not for the weak of heart. What started out as just a friendly competition between Southern California schools, Sportsfest has expanded its list of participating/competing schools to campuses from areas as far away as Washington and Arizona, with Northern California and Nevada covered as well.

Sportsfest covers a wide variety of sports that all ages, college students and alumni alike, take part in this weekend long event. A little bit of volleyball mixed in with tennis, add a touch of bowling, pour in heaping amounts of basketball, football, and softball, blend them all together and bake for about 3 days in sunny Southern California weather and voila! You get Sportsfest for your digestive pleasure.

Sportsfest wouldn't be at the level where it is at now if it weren't for the dedication and support of its participants and organizers. Thanks to Cal Poly Pomona and Barkada, the filipin@ group on campus, along with the thousands of volunteers, coordinators, and participants over the years, Sportsfest has grown to become arguably one of the largest Pilipino American sports tournaments in the nation.

For an event entering its third decade, Sportsfest is definitely not your everyday, run-of-the-mill get-together for a couple of clubs. This is the real deal where some high class competition takes place. Last second buzzer beaters, picking up a 6-7 split, one handed touchdowns - it all takes place here! Everyone who participates leaves with some awesome memories that will be with them for the rest of their lives.

Come through the campus on March 19th to the 21st, to witness for yourself, the “Heart of a Champion!”

What do you get when you blend together detailed sketches, motion graphics, some computer razzle dazzle, and sick bass lines? You get the unique style of music videos presented by the one and only director, Pilipino-American Charles "Choz" Belen. 

Choz is a huge enthusiast and dedicated fan of New York sports, especially the Knicks, Yankees, and Giants, and also refines his vinyl skills by DJ-ing on the side. His passion in the field rooted from the form of urban art otherwise known as graffiti.

When asked what exactly it was in high school that led him to where he is now, Belen replied:

I was really into graffiti throughout high school. That's where the name Choz came from, I used to write that all over the place. I started using the computer a lot more and my passion for drawing and graffiti led me to photoshop. Photoshop led to graphic design which was my first major in college, but then I got bored of print and wanted to do more work with video and animation so I switched over to computer art, where I eventually got into motion graphics and animation. I loved it! It was a lot harder than graphic design but definitely worth it.

Choz refined his interests in directing and producing through shows as a choreographer for his dance troupe “Moshn,” and was able to fine-tune his artistic skills while being a student and eventual graduate of Computer Art from the School of Visual Arts in New York City. Elaborating more on why he made the switch from graphic design to motion graphics, he explains:

I just felt like there was more I could do with video. I felt constricted with graphic design. It was more challenging. Learning all the programs was the most difficult part of the transition from graphic design to motion. The programs [and basic interfaces] are a lot more complicated and you're dealing with so many layers in audio and video.

After finishing grad school, Belen became one of the chosen few to take part in an exclusive filmmakers program based in California and see firsthand all the work that was put into creating films.

Choz made his first marks in the industry utilizing his skills in such films as Orphan, The Factory, and Whiteout. After going through various freelance projects, his first true noteworthy independent work was found in his role as director in the music video “Sleep”, written by Deep Foundation and featuring Jay Legaspi. Belen was friends with the group beforehand, and was more than willing to lend his talent to visualize the concept that Deep Foundation wanted to portray. Nothing but rave reviews were given to Belen and his final piece, and his unique style caught the eye of the music group Far East Movement. They personally contacted him to direct a music video for one of tracks from their latest album, entitled “Animal”. Well known through their nationwide hit “Girls On the Dance Floor”, FM wanted Belen to direct their next video since they were so impressed with his presentation. Choz was shocked, at the very least, at the opportunity and immediately jumped on board to handle one of their tracks. He chose to use the song “I Party” because he felt his style of work fit that song perfectly. The road to creating his latest piece did not come easily to Choz. Describing his lifestyle during the creation of the video Choz openly discussed:

The FM video took a while; it hit a lot of bumps, a lot of learning curves. I had a lot of aspirations for the video, wanted it to be 10 times bigger than my Sleep video. It definitely is, but it just meant it would take longer and would be more work. I was also working with a partner this time; my friend Chad Yapyapan helped me with some 3D work. There was also a time during production where the external hard drive I was storing crashed and I lost a bunch of stuff - that was a huge setback. I had to take a couple weeks off because of it, just draining, didn't want to look at it for a while. It's like after you write a long report and you forget to save. The FM guys were cool though and allowed me to take my time with it. They were busy on tour so I didn't really have much pressure, just kinda worked on my own pace. 
 

With two music videos under his belt now, Choz was asked to describe what his favorite aspect was in each piece that he’s worked on:

For “Sleep”, it was the story. It's about these 3 separate characters who have nothing to do with each other, but I worked really hard scripting it out and found a way to tie all the stories together. It ends up being really deep and emotional. The FM video was just FUN, a total 180 from the feel of “Sleep”. “Sleep” was very deep and serious, more of a drama. “I Party” is more of a horror, more colorful and upbeat mixed in with some comedy and lots of sex appeal, haha! I'm really glad to be able to work on that song.

He has spent months fine tuning every detail of every scene and his latest music video was just released. Choz held his music video release party last night at LITM in Jersey City. As a parting message and a preview of his upcoming work, Belen mentions:

There's no breaks after “I Party”. I'm so drained from this video. The last couple weeks I just wanted to get it over with.

I'm doing another music video for a dance/electro producer from Cali. I can't really say who the artist is right now, but he's from Cali and he has a couple songs on the radio. I can tell you that I've been working closely with the producer: Justin Michael (more of a David Guetta type based out in LA).

[As for my message], I know there's a lot of starving artists out there. I want them to realize that there are no excuses anymore. With advances in technology and media sharing, anyone with a dream and good work ethic can reach their goals.

Feeding off the never ending desire to put out the most innovative images out there for the viewing public and with the ability to manipulate still images into life-like maneuverable figures, the sky's the limit for Choz Belen and the opportunities he will encounter. Bakitwhy.com will be there every step of the way to document his escalating progress, and look for the shout out to BW in the credits of the latest music video for FM. ;)
 
For more information:

Choz Belen's website

World Premiere: Deep Foundation Jay Legaspi Launch Music Video for “Sleep”

We Are All "Children of the Sun"