My name is Xavier Burgin. I am a graduate student at USC's School of Cinematic Arts. I finished my undergrad at The University of Alabama. Que The Lights came into fruition on June 17, 2010 after I landed home from the Cannes Film Festival. As a student across the world in one of the industry's largest filmmaking venues, I was overwhelmed by its creative and business orientated atmosphere. Everyone had a website, a business card, and a slew of experience. Students I met during my tenure in Cannes boasted resumes some professionals could not match. Exploring the festival led me to a realization. If film was my calling, it must be met with the same passion I infuse within any endeavor I pursue..
An idea emerged. Why not build a viable portfolio open to the world's scrutiny. Encouraging or belligerent, this would motivate me to seriously engage my path as a filmmaker.
Que The Lights was derived from a combination of my fraternity's name, Omega Psi Phi, and the phrase "Cue The Lights." Omega in greek stands for the letter Q, forging my moniker. Que The Lights has grown from a small undertaking to the central core of disseminating my work.
Since beginning the site I've freelanced as a photographer for The NewYork Times. As a director, I worked for computer company, Lenovo, to produce the commercial, DO, for their Ultrabook laptops. My film, Bottom of a Glass, won Best Drama at Alabama's Campus MovieFest and was accepted into The Short Film Corner at The Cannes Film Festival. My documentary, Portrait of the Storm: Tuscaloosa, AL, won 1st place at the first ever student 3D film competition sponsored by the International 3D Society. My short film, I.F., was presented on mtvU's Filmmaker's Blog. I am a part of The University of Alabama's "Find Your Passion" series for my film work as an undergraduate. My photography has ben a part of The Nu Black along with my ongoing series "Journey of a Student Filmmaker." I've been featured on photography and film website, F-Stoppers, for my behind the scenes film work. I've written for photography tutorial giant, Digital Photography School and been featured on Rick Sammon's Digital Imaging Diaries. I've been interviewed on CBS42 and ABC 33/40 as well as featured in Tuscaloosa Magazine, The Dispatch, and Emerging Magazine.
All of this comes together through Que The Lights. Everything I've done as a student, filmmaker, and writer can be found in this central hub. I have been blessed to say this website has grown from a minuscule start-up for my earliest projects to an endeavor far beyond a mere portfolio of my work. The fruits of one's labor do, in some circumstances, pay off.
Que The Lights © 2010 Xavier Burgin Tuscaloosa, AL 35401 www.quethelights.com
