Sarah Dope

So there's this site that recently popped up for Avenged Sevenfold. Although the basic concept is a good one, the "little, fine text" is NOT.

Basically kids are asked to submit ANY photos, designs, wallpapers, icons, etc. to this website for 'points.' Racking up points will get you free prizes.

Unfortunately, not everyone will read the Terms of Service before they sign up (or maybe some of you don't even care). Basically, the TOS reads that ANYTHING submitted becomes property of this QiShare company. “By submitting your materials to QiShare, you hereby grant to QiShare the other users within the QiShare Service and QiShare licensee’s, affiliates and assigns (collectively, the “QiShare Licensees”) the rights to do or authorize each of the following…” It gives them the right to use whatever you submitted (EVEN IF IT'S NOT YOUR OWN WORK) to use for ANYTHING they wish-- their own graphics, and yes, some of that may include PRINTED material. You are giving them permission to do so WITHOUT ANY authorship/ownership to you. You are giving them permission to basically have the option to sell you work... and you won't see a dime in return, not even a simple credit.

Maybe some of you don't mind... Casual photos, and oh hey, cool, exposure! But PLEASE think about us artists/photographers' work (the professional shots) that YOU are submitting. It's ripping US off. (And yes, it's been brought to my attention that some of MY work has been submitted... AND with my credit tags CROPPED OUT).

Please visit http://www.havokpress.net/socialissues.htm to read more on this issue, and sign the petition.

(and for those who still favor this sharing site... Please do ME a favor and STOP SUBMITTING MY WORK. Thanks).

It has been brought to my attention that other people have been speaking on behalf of Alicia, myself, and quite a few of our other actual personal, close friends. This has been going on for quite some time now, but it seems to be happening a lot more lately than ever before.

Just to clear things up, we are not "extremely pissed" at anyone, nor are we just "mad" at anyone.

We are not angry that people are tagging pictures that are not theirs. No, we don't understand it, and yes, it can get annoying-- but we are NOT mad/pissed/angry/upset/whatever. We just don't understand it. As I have said before in comments to otehr posts related to this topic-- some of us just don't understand why you would tag a photo, unless you took the photo or are in it. But honestly, even still, although annoying, as long as those people aren't trying to claim the photo is theirs or trying to pretend to be us... It's no big deal. Just a little weird.

We are NOT mad at anyone for adding us to MySpace, LiveJournal, Buzznet, etc. Yes, sometimes it may weird us out a bit, but THAT'S IT. Again, no big deal.

I know some people have been claiming to be good friends with us-- when they really aren't-- and "speaking for us."

Please don't believe everything you hear.

If someone you talk to tells you something, and you want to know? Ask US:
www.myspace.com/aliciasimmons
www.myspace.com/sarahdope

(And yes, Alicia knows I'm posting this, and has read and agreed with every word I have written here.)

So like the rest of my public sites, I have decided to add Buzznet to the list, and go ahead and work on becoming a little more interactive with it for the fans (and the lurkers, apparently; haha).

For those of you who are here and have yet to stumble upon my LiveJournal and MySpace, I have been taking questions from everyone. Every few days or so, I will answer at least five at a time. For those who have missed the past sessions, here they are:


How did you do your profile? Did you do your profile yourself? How'd you get your MySpace to look like that? etc.
Yes, I did it all myself-- designing and coding. I used CSS and HTML codes, and Photoshop and ImageReady.


What's it like to be friends with Alicia Simmons?
Like being friends with ANYONE else on the planet. Chill out, people. She's human.


Who did your hair?
Me, myself, and I.


Why don't you come over and chill?
Do I know you? Didn't think so... therefore, the answer is HELL NO.


How did you do your friends section? With all of the polaroids?
Photoshop.


We're playing a show in Baltimore in May. Will you come?
If you buy my plane ticket and my own hotel room, I might at least consider it.


What are you shooting with?
Currently? Nikon D70. I might bring the F or 5700 back every now and then.


How did you get your profile like that?
HTML, CSS, Photoshop, ImageReady, patience.


Did you use a MySpace Editor for that?
No.


You are an amazing photographer. How did you get started with doing photography and being in the music industry?
I've always loved music. I grew up on classical, and eventually rock. I started going to shows in 1997. As a photographer, I believe it was the year 2000 when my interested in it sparked. I was going to a lot of Neptune Crush and Kill Hannah shows in St. Louis, MO. They would always play together, and at this one particular club (Mississippi Nights), they would have their own lights... which were just amazing. I would be there with just a generic camera, taking photos only for memory sake... but then they started coming out pretty good with all of their lights. It was beautiful. It was art.

So by the time I hit college, I decided to take a class to learn how to work a manual 35mm camera and develop my own film. By that time, I already knew a lot of bands on a personal level, willing to help me pursue this... so if I asked for it, they'd always hook me up with photo passes so I could have some practice in my new interest... and I ended up loving it.


What made you decide to pursue a career related to music?
It's weird. Even though I've always loved music, when I was little, I never really thought about being in the music business. I always pictured myself as being a writer, or mad scientist or something. Then I grew up, I guess. hahaha.

I started going to concerts in 1997, but I still never really thought about it. Maybe I have the guys in Dope to thank? I first met them in 1999, and I don't know what it was, but they got me into the whole street teaming/promotion thing. I just like to help people, and they would ask for help in getting the word out there about their band. They'd send me home with multiple copies of demos, posters, stickers, all kinds of stuff to pass around. I couldn't believe how incredibly easy it was. So that sparked my interest in promotion, and at that time, it was "the big thing"-- StreetWise, Bandbitch/StreetTeam.Net, Loudside/Total Assault, etc.

From there, I made new connections, and new friends, and ended up working heavily in it, and loving every minute of it. Well then my new interests in photography and graphic design came about... and what better way to indulge in that than to incorporate it with what I love the most? Besides, I'm not crazy enough yet to be a mad scientist.


What is your favorite part of your career?
With promotion/marketing, it's knowing that I'm helping people, even if it is just a little. I am a firm believer of "A little goes a long way." I also get to meet a lot of new people in the process who can do the same for me when I need it.

With photography/design, it's not just helping people... but it's creating art and being able to share that with the world. I think my favorite part is every time I get the phone call or email from fans and clients alike, telling me how they think certain work is amazing, fantastic, the best, or what-have-you... It's what every artist loves to hear. Their work is highly appreciated and loved, and spread. And when you hear those words from your own favorite artists? Even better.


What is your least favorite part of it?
Oh wow. I have a lot of little peeves with this industry. Where do I even begin? haha. Well there's the whole stereotype that comes with girls being in the industry.

Let me tell you, it's tough. Real tough.. because you have your groupie hoes who can't keep their legs closed backstage. Suddenly, if you are a girl backstage, most people (fans and bands) automatically assume you are there to spread your legs. It's hard for us girls who don't, and are only there to seriously work. You find yourself sometimes dealing with incompetent security guards who can't comprehend that you have a ridiculously nice, expensive, professional camera in your hand, and an official photo pass stuck onto your shirt. They don't care. You're a girl backstage, and if they don't know you, they immediately give you a hard time. Sometimes you find yourself trying to be picked up by band or crew members, wanting sexual favors (who then get pissy with you when you turn them down. Some will even start rumours about you). You get a LOT of kids on the other side of the barricade hating you WITHOUT EVEN KNOWING YOU. Remarks are made. Rumours are started. Then you also have to deal with the actual groupies, who are so paranoid that they think you're out to get their catch of the day. They can get pretty catty, and some can get pretty crazy. It gets frustrating.

But... once you build a solid reputation for yourself, it's not as bad. You grow and get used to it all, and learn to ignore it or just brush it off. Bands, crew, security guards... they suddenly understand you better, chill out, back off, and they definately respect you A LOT more.

Another thing is... You also have to deal with a LOT of fakes, and a lot of lurkers/stalkers. I've had to deal with musicians only keeping me around to get as much free work as possible out of me, or work in general, but the moment I state I can no longer work on a project for whatever reason, that's it. Some of them take it too personally and just disappear on you-- Some of them who claimed over the years that you were such an important friend to them. I've dealt with a musician or two who have sat there, so sweet to my face, only to spread rumours about me behind my back, and when I call them out on it? They deny it like the cowards they are. It's a small, small world, folks... and an even smaller industry.

Depending on who I'm working with, I've had my fair share of little stalkers. A few years ago, I was working closely with a musician. At the time, his band was at their peak... and I definately had kids asking me for personal information all the time. I had kids following me at his shows. I remember a time, we went to go grab dinner before doors, and kids were taking random photos left and right-- much like papperazzi. I've had kids not only try to get his number, but try to get mine. I've had kids threaten me for being so close to this guy, personally and professionally. I've had kids online go around pretending to be me to other fans. It's pretty creepy. Right now, I'm currently dealing with a very similar issue, only this time, I'm not the direct target. Just associated.

Oh, and I also dislike it when a lot of people don't understand that ALL OF US ARE NORMAL. Bands, models, whatever. We're all normal people. Just some of us have slightly cooler jobs. We all breathe, eat, sleep, laugh, cry, stress, shit... None of us are gods. Calm down; it will be okay. I promise.


What is one of the most memorable moments related to your career?
Obviously, I have a LOT of amazing memories. Let's see... which one will I share today... I'm not sure if you mean related to actual work, or just being around, or what.. so I'll just go with the fun ones. haha.

I don't want to get into too much detail... but basically, I was with my friends' band. It was the last day on one of the tours in Omaha, Nebraska. There was massive amounts of alcohol, drunken bowling (where shoes, people, and blowup dolls were being thrown down the lanes), the blowup doll being massively violated by all kinds of... things..., Bone Thugs 'N' Harmony just randomly being there, a beat down and it being caught on tape, one of my friends deciding it'd be a GREAT idea to stir his Jack and Coke with his dick, all of us going to eat afterwards where beers were being snuck in and pancakes went flying, and then us getting kicked out of the hotel later for DOING NOTHING. No, seriously. We weren't loud, didn't make ANY noise.. NOTHING. We were just sitting around, watching TV (which was on reaaaaally low volume, too), and next thing we know, hotel security knocks on our door, telling us we have to leave.


If you could be ANY super hero who would you be and why?
Does Aeon Flux count? I grew up on the original cartoons. C'mon... How cool would it be to have a neat little outfit with ridiculously abnormally long legs, run around like a super secret agent spy, have killer moves that we all could only wish we could really do, and be able to regenerate a million times? If that doesn't count, I think I'd choose Spiderman. I'd at least still get to jump around, only via web shooting out of my hands.


What is your favorite part about your life?
My all-time favorite part of my life, above the friends, above the fun, above the work... my family; my parents, especially. I have become undeniably lucky to be blessed from whatever god(s) with quite possibly the most supportive parents on this planet. They've done a lot for me. Whether or not they completely understand my decisions with my career choices, they will try their best, and have my back all the way.

My mother is one of my best friends. I can tell her anything without being judged. If I need advice, she'll give me her honest answers, whether it's something I'd rather hear or not. She's pretty laid-back, and fun to have roadtrips with. Sometimes we'll go to shows together. Yes, I'm PROUD to hang out with my mother. Everyone ends up loving her.


Which late night show host is your favorite? (Leno, Conan, etc...)
Honestly, I don't really watch Late Night shows. Sometimes I attend them if I have friends playing or performing... but that's about it.


What do you find to be the most annoying thing about the internet?
Viruses and Spyware that like to eat and destroy my PC's harddrive... ALL THE TIME. Well, it's either that or kids who decide they're going to pretend to be you online. No, I'm not talking about those RolePlaying things... I'm talking about kids who full-on have no real lives themselves, and decide to try to live vicariously through someone else by pretending to be them.


How did you get your MySpace to look like it does? Did you use some sort of MySpace Editor?
Not at all. I used HTML and CSS codes, and Photoshop.


Is Dope your real last name? If not, how did you get it?
No, my real last name isn't Dope. Some of you might know of the band, Dope. I have known those guys for many, many years-- Edsel (Edsel Dope; vocalist) the longest. I believe we're going on 7 years of friendship now. He's like an older brother. Anyway, back then, one of the guys had just started calling me "Sarah Dope" and it just sort of stuck since then. A lot of bands and now-friends know me by this name... and a lot of them found it easier to remember "Dope" than my real last name. (note: contrary to popular belief, NO, I don't do drugs.)


You majored in photography and graphic design, right? I was wondering if you had any experience with them before hand?
Yes, I have. With photography, I will say that I did need a class or two to teach me how the hell to work and understand everything with a 35mm camera, and how to process and develop my own film. With graphic design, however, a lot of it was self-taught/explored for years before I ever took a class in it.


What do you do, exactly?
Read my LiveJournal info. page. If you want more, you can also visit my MySpace. (Yes, newcomers. There is more to me than my friendship with Alicia Simmons or 30 Seconds to Mars).


Are you famous or something?
Well, that depends on who you ask and what you define as fame. I'm well known to a lot of people, just as much as a lot of other people have no clue who the hell I am. I believe that's how it works with anyone, really. If you define fame by being asked for an autograph on mulitple accounts, then my answer is yes. If you define fame by being asked by strangers for pictures with you because they admire you and love your work? My answer is yes. If you define fame by receiving fanmail from people who admire your work, or tell you how you're an inspiration to them, help motivate them, etc.? Then yes. If you define fame by being attacked by papperazzi? Then yes. Not often (thank god), but yes. If you define fame by having work published in big magazines or billboards, then yes. If you define fame by being interviewed by websites, fansites, radio stations... then yes. Do I consider myself famous? No. I never have. Do I consider myself well-known? Yes.


When are you coming back to Ohio?
The next time I'm on tour, if the tour heads that way.


How did you get your MySpace profile to look like that?!
Again, folks... HTML, CSS, Photoshop, ImageReady.


Why do so many people think Alicia [Simmons] is a hero?!
I posted this on a community last week when someone pretty much asked the same thing:

I think everyone's perception of a hero is different.

If someone says Alicia (or anyone else, for that matter) is their hero because she's dating so-and-so and gets to hang out with this "famous person" or that "famous person"... then no, I don't understand that, and I do agree those particular people need to reevaluate a few things.

I can understand if someone categorizes someone as a hero if they inspire and motivate them to do or at least strive for great accomplishments-- whether it's achieving goals and dreams that the person has in common with the hero, or saving the world... whether they're well-known or not.

If someone says Alicia is one of their heroes because she's a normal girl who's still young and has accomplished a lot ofher life goals already (teching, playing, touring...), and she gives the hope that it's possible for anyone to achieve this, and gives them motivation to keep going? I understand that. I've had people contact me, writing me complimenting letters and explaining how I'm their hero or muse; mostly for being an ordinary girl who works hard and achieves goals in what they've become interested in (touring, photography, design, marketing, whatever), giving them hope and inspiration that they can do it, too. Are we saving the world? No. Are we writing lyrics that touch millions of hearts? No... but neither does my mother (who's my hero for her strength, her honesty, her understanding, her patience, her willing to try to learn about things she doesn't completely understand before deciding whether or not she really approves, and quite a few more "small" reasons).

Just my two cents.


What are you up to presently? Anything new?
Depending on the last time you talked to me, I'm probably up to the same, give or take a few things.

I'm still working on a variety of photography and graphic design projects for other people, a couple companies, as well as a couple of bands. Some projects are more of a collaborative art thing... There are a few other projects I was approached with interest with that I'm trying to get into.

I might be going on tour soon for the rest of the year, depending on a few factors. I'm waiting for the word...

I was recently asked by a fellow friend and quite the wonderful musician to help contribute to his upcoming book.

I'm waiting on the release of two videos I did a while ago, as well as an independent horror film that I did very minor extra work in with some friends. The film is currently still in post-production, I believe. One of the videos is almost completed, and should be available online soon. Another video will also be out online next month, as well as on an upcoming movie's DVD.

That's basically it. Obviously I'll give out more details when I can.


Where did you learn to code?
The internet. I self-taught myself, reading and studying... and spending a lot of time with the "trial and error" process.


What do you think of Mikey [Way] getting eye surgery?
Like I've previously posted:

A friend recently got lasik. I know some of you know exactly who I speak of.

For those unfamiliar with what lasik is, basically, it's corrective laser eye surgery. They permanantly fix your eyesight.

Glasses do not define a person. They merely describe an appearance.

Appearances change, whether it's tanning, cutting or styling hair, painting your nails, deciding to wear more or less makeup, what clothes you put on for the day-- and yes, even whether or not you wear glasses. Appearances can change every day.

Appearance does not create the person. Appearance does not change what a person is capable of doing. Appearance does not change what they do and do not believe in. Appearance does not change whether the person is nice or mean, polite or rude, smart or dumb, intelligent or ignorant, caring or heartless, etc.

He didn't do it for you. He didn't do it for me. Contrary to popular belief, he didn't do it for his fiance. He did it for himself.

He can still play bass. He can still record the new album. He can still walk, talk, eat, breathe, sleep, read, write, think, laugh, cry, smile, frown, you name it. The only thing he can't do anymore is push his glasses up on his nose.

He's still the same person with the same talents and the same personality.

They're just GLASSES, people. Chill the fuck out already.

If you are seriously going to stop being a fan of his band and/or "lost respect for him" over his decision for eye surgery? You've got some serious issues of your own you should be dealing with instead of worrying about what someone else looks like without his "signature glasses."

/rant.


I recently caught on that you're a Neil Gaiman fan. What are some of your favorite quotes?
"Have you ever been in love? Horrible, isn't it? It makes you so vulnerable. It opens your chest and it opens up your heart and it means that someone can get inside you and mess you up. You build up all these defenses. You build up a whole suit of armor, so that nothing can hurt you. Then one stupid person, no different from any other stupid person, wanders into your stupid life... You give them a piece of you. They didn't ask for it. They did something dumb one day, like kiss you or smile at you, and then your life isn't your own anymore. Love takes hostages. It gets inside you. It eats you out and leaves you crying in the darkness, so simple a phrase like 'Maybe we should be just friends' turns into a glass splinter working its way into your heart. It hurts. Not just in the imagination. Not just in the mind. It's a soul-hurt, a real gets-inside-you-and-rips-you-apart pain. I hate love." [Sandman comics]

"We often confuse what we wish for with what is." [Mirrormask]