By Angela Almeida
Opinions Editor

                Chris Rajan, more aptly known as Cibu, is not a stranger to the camera. The 2009 CHS graduate was a member of KCBY for two years and devoted film creator outside of the classroom. It should not have come as much of a surprise then, when Rajan was recognized for his talents and chosen to take part in Usher’s upcoming music video.

            “At the end of my senior year I applied,” Rajan said. “I was literally just sitting at my desk, got an e-mail from got noise? and filled out the application fast, with basic information.”

            Sponsored by Body By Milk, got noise? is a program designed for young adults interested in film production to immerse themselves in a real-life music video experience. Only twenty teens, ages 13 – 18, were chosen out of 5000 applicants and separated into two teams, Team A and Team B.

            A day after Thanksgiving, Rajan was flown out to Los Angeles to commence the week long process of producing, editing and shooting Usher’s video. As a student at the University of Texas at Austin, Rajan also had finals to prepare for the upcoming week. However, he knew this was a chance of a lifetime and embarked upon the scene as a member of Team B. Given full input and creative control, Rajan and his team derived a concept for the video and started its production immediately.

            “Sometimes I would be behind the camera, other times I would be doing lightning or be an assistant director,” Rajan said. “We all worked and edited it together.”

            In addition to creating the video, Rajan got the chance to work intimately with Usher. Before both teams met with Usher, however, they were prepped to act professionally. The main objective was to treat the situation as if the teams were real film crews working with a celebrity. Rajan claims Usher was a down to earth individual, completely immersed in their ideas for the video. 

            Although the concept for the video is as of yet confidential, within a few weeks the final products from both teams will release online to be voted on for the winners. Rajan looks to win, as he could receive both an Apple MacBook Pro and ticket to see Usher in concert with the rest of his team. Voting starts Jan. 15 and will run until Feb. 1.

             “We’re all really proud of him,” Cousin and Senior Annie Abraham said. “Cibu and I are really close and he really deserves this.”

            Rajan is currently a Natural Science major at the UT but hopes to switch into Business with a focus on the entertainment industry. In addition, Rajan hopes to take part in the got noise? internships offered next summer for those involved with the program. If time allows, Rajan also has future aspirations for creating a short film.   

“I think he’s deserving of it because all throughout high school he was pretty nifty with a camera,” Senior Chaitnya Jayanti said. “It’s so exciting for him.”

Only time and votes will tell as to if Rajan will win the competition. Until then, he harbors the memories of an unforgettable week on the set of a real music video. From learning the technical side of production to the qualified side with the work load, Rajan reflects upon this experience as one which changed his perspective on professional life.  

“You enter the industry and you think you know, but you really don’t,” Rajan said.