Progress Report #2 - Jeff Warlick

Last week we went over the meeting that some of our team had with interfaith and shared the notes. We decided that during the week we would each make our own approach to the film. From those we plan to narrow them down to 3 to present in our meeting next week and then decide what would be the best direction to go in. We have a meeting scheduled with Christine this Wednesday morning which should be very productive, given we already have a great production schedule lined up and some solid approaches to the film. As for what unique contribution I have made to the production so far, unfortunately scheduling has been a nightmare and I am well aware that the team has been carrying me to this point. However, I am able to attend the meeting this Wednesday where I am eager to get my feet wet with the Interfaith program.

Progress Report #2 - Carlos Reyes

Last class session we learned about camera lighting. It was very interesting to learn and visually see how much of an impact lighting has on a scene. How lighting can uplift a shoot and make it happy and joyful or how it can make it sad or intense. This all depends on the different lights, umbrellas, and angles that the light is directed at the subject.

Our group has individually created a storyboard for the interfaith video. We all have different perspectives on how to produce the video which is great since we have more options and will be able to pick the best one. This week we will finalize a rough draft of the storyboard to present to the client. Then we will begin the process of scheduling a tentative schedule for filming. I have already started the process of gathering information on homeless veterans. Our client requested to have statistics to back up information on the video so it can appeal better to business viewers.

Progress Report #2 Ryhen Ann Roque

Last week, we learned how to do lighting. It was interesting to see how different positions of the lights could change the image of the person or object on the screen. We learn that each light gives out a different feel when used. If we wanted to focus on the person and dim out the background, more of the light would be on the person and not the backgroud. It all depends on the look that the people behind the camera wants to convey to the audience. Also if there is a shadow on a person's face we could light it up with the reflectors to remove the shadows.

For the assignment, we decide to have everyone make their own approach to the video that the client wanted. This way we could see what creativity each person had. Once everyone had theirs drafted, we would then compare each other's idea and take the best 3 or merge them together to get the best 3 approaches.

I helped the team by reserving a meeting time with Christine to go over the 3 approaches with her. We would show the approaches to her after we have recieved feedback from the class. We would then be able to make changes to the approaches if needed before showing Christine. This will help improve our approach and make it more understandable to Christine. Manging the team, giving directions and arranging the appointments for meetings is nothing new, however, I could improve on it. Not too sure how to improve upon it just yet, but I will as I get along. I would like to learn more about editing and creating the final project that will capture the audience and give them a sense to give to the cause we are going to project in the video.

Progress Report #2 - Jermaine Jackson

After class last week we all decided as a group that each person would come up with their own concept and report it to each other through email. From there we could narrow it down to the best three, or even take parts from each to comprise the best three. I think this is a great tactic for us because it brings together new and interesting ideas. Instead of us all sitting down together to come up with three concrete ideas, we get a chance to hear out everyone's interpretation on the project in order to come up with something unique, fun, and interesting for everyone in the group, our client, and the viewers. 

    We are scheduled to meet again with Christine on wednesday to go over the three paths we could take with the video. We will have to get feedback from the class on tuesday to critique our ideas before we present them to our client. With the idea in mind with each person coming up with a concept, it gauruntees that everyone has some sort of unique contribution to the group. I think our group meshes great together since each person has one certain area of expertise. Ryhen ann is very organized and has accepted the responsibility of becoming our production manager. I am more of the camera work/final cut person, carlos and jeff said they were good at graphics, and ryan is great with photography. I am learning a lot along the way as well, but would love to sit with carlos and jeff to learn more about graphics, and how we can work together to make both the video and dvd cover something with great potential.

    I think we all were able to learn a lot from the lighting workshop and will be able to apply these techniques when going out on a shoot. Although one of our lights did not work, we were able adjust to the situation, and make dues with what we had on hand. This is something that is very well a possibility that could happen in real life, so I'm glad it happened in a controlled situation so that we could learn from our experiences. 

Progress Report #2 - Ryan Anderson

Last week's class was interesting learning about the elements of lighting. Lighting makes a huge difference in getting the right feel your trying to get for your video. For our video we are trying to use a more positive aspect of lighting. We will continue to experiment with lighting to get the perfect effect were looking to accomplish.

Late last week I went on a solo mission to take photographs of Interfaith's headquarters and housing units for the veterans. I met up with John who introduced me to Mike; one of the people who help manage the apartment units. Mike was kind enough to lead me through the complex and even take pictures of the interior units. The pictures I took gave me a better grasp on where we could possibly do interviews and a more direct approach on our overall project.

Here are some of the photographs I took.
Contributions I've made to the group to date would be giving my approaches to our video and more photos to grasp a better idea on our overall project.

Progress #1 - Carlos Reyes

We met each other broke the ice by introducing one another and giving some insight on our individual skills and abilities that will contribute to the group. We also created  our groups availability and exchanged contact information. The ball has definitely started to roll and we are already planning our story board for the project.

Progress #1 Ryhen Ann Roque

To date, we have met with Christine and John on Friday at Interfaith Community Services. They gave us a tour of the location and what they do there (computer labs, job placement services and others). I learned that the program is a "hands up" and not a handout. (what that actually means, I will learn in the process). We also got to see the housing apartments and the inside of one of the rooms (one of the veterans allowed us to take a tour).

This project is going to be interesting. I will be able to gain insight on the homeless veterans housing as well as the programs they offer. I will learn about how they are a collection of programs and not just individual things.

From in-class lectures and lab time, I have learned many things about how to work the camera, how to film and position people in the shot. I got to see the different equipment that is used when filming. The most interesting one is the kitty that goes on the blimp.

I like how the group has different skills that we can lend each other too. I am one who does not know much about video and editing. I am glad that there are people in my group who does. I believe our group is doing well since we have a rough production schedule of what we would be doing in the next few weeks. This will be a fun and exciting experience. Hopefully we will be able to capture the image that Interfaith Community Service wants to protray.

Progress Report #1 - Jeff Warlick

Last weeks meeting was day one as a team, and I'd call it a success. We went over some basics of video/audio capture, did some fun interviews, and threw it up on the computer. Everything flowed and the group showed great potential. We called our contact at Interfaith and set up a meeting. Unfortunately, some circumstances came up this week that made it impossible for our entire group to meet together with our contact. We decided Friday would be best, which made it possible for the everyone except me to make the meeting. After reviewing the notes taken during our groups visit to Interfaith and the production schedule that Ryhen put together, I am filled with confidence in my group and very much looking forward to todays class. 

Progress Report #1 - Jermaine Jackson

So far I think that our group is doing well and are on track to have an awsome project. We already got a chance to meet with Christine Vaughan again and talk more in depth about the project. We even were given the opportunity to meet with Mr. John Stryker Meyer who is a former Vietnam Veteran and currently the Associate director of the Veterans outreach program within interfaith. After talking with the two of them we got to learn more about who Interfaith is and what they wanted out of the project. We will be focusing mainly on the Veterans program which is based in Oceanside, even though Interfaith has other services like a soup kitchen in Escondido. This is a picture of the oceanside site for interfaith:

Here they do job placement, have access to internet, and are offered a variety of things to help them get back on their feet.

what was also cool is christine let us travel to the actual location of the veteran housing.

After talking with them it seems like we have a fairly open path and can take the video in any direction. Sounds easy, but sometimes things can be too broad and make it hard without any boundaries. When we swing some ideas past her we will see what works out best for both the group and Interfaith.

From the screenings I think it would be nice to get footage of a persons everyday lifestyle to incorporate in the video just like in the documentary of the inmate program we watched in class. I am also learning how to work together in a group, which is a necessary skill in the professional world, since most of the time I'm used to working on my own. I think our group meshes well together and everyone will enjoy the outcome.

Ryan Anderson-Progress Report #1

Accomplishments our group has established are we have a rough production schedule to keep us on track of our production. We also have established contact with Interfaith and met Christine and John; the two leaders of Interfaith. At our meeting with Interfaith on friday we learned that they wanted a video that gives veterans a voice. The video should be about 3-5 minutes, and focus mainly on veterans and the Oceanside veterans houses. After the meeting Christine drove us to the apartment complex where they house their veterans. As a group we walked around the complex and got a feel for how the veterans live. It was a good experience because we got a lot of good information we could use when we start shooting. The three housing apartments will be our main focus to shoot as well as the headquarters and satellite site in Escondido. Target audience are potential donors and people who could help fund/volunteer. Film content should have some connection with the miltary, especially homeless veterans.

I've already learned a lot from our class meetings. I'm learning for the first time about audio and how to use a professional camera for shooting a video. I also learned how to frame my shots and a little about lighting and video camera basics. I'm excited to work with Interfaith and the experience ahead!