I have been meeting with a graphic design studio in Manhattan called New Boston Creative. This morning I viewed several samples of a possible "brand" for the documentary and will choose two to show colleagues. They are now working on several adjustments to the two best that I selected. As soon as a decision is made, I'll insert it here on our blog.
We are continuing to interview and I have been going through video we have taken to select excerpts for possible use in the program. I lost an entire morning of work yesterday due to (I think) a file naming duplication in Final Cut Express Pro. Very strange.
Thursday, November 1, 2007
Friday, October 12, 2007
Breakthrough in music
Last week I contacted Yoav Goren, Manager at Immediate Music LLC, an Emmy Award winning studio that is a major producer of cinematic music in Los Angeles, to let him know about On Our Behalf. I just heard back from him early this morning.
They are willing to provide music for our five minute promo for potential underwriters at no cost to us!
In his reply to me, the manager of the company writes, "We wish you all the best with this project, and hope that it helps raise the support level for the families of the deployed."
This is a significant step, the first sign of support from an external "champion." I am looking forward to find more who will step up as underwriters so we can reach a national audience next year.
(edited to include name of organization with their permission)
They are willing to provide music for our five minute promo for potential underwriters at no cost to us!
In his reply to me, the manager of the company writes, "We wish you all the best with this project, and hope that it helps raise the support level for the families of the deployed."
This is a significant step, the first sign of support from an external "champion." I am looking forward to find more who will step up as underwriters so we can reach a national audience next year.
(edited to include name of organization with their permission)
Another interview
Interviewed another family two evenings ago. Mom, two daughters, and her young son. Wonderful video of a family who has had to deal with three tours of their father, a medivac helicopter pilot. More great footage for us to integrate into the program.
Monday, October 1, 2007
Initial viewings and progress
Last night (Sunday) we interviewed a family of a Guard soldier who is getting ready to deploy a second time. I am very happy with the video we obtained of the soldier, his wife, his thirteen-year-old son, and his wife's best friend. I also interviewed (actually stood back and let them talk) the husband and wife together. I am very appreciative of the family's hospitality and openness.
Got back into Manhattan about 12:40 am.
The seven-minute segment that I showed a week ago for Bowling Green State University students and faculty after I presented a keynote address at their early childhood conference was very well received. Many great comments and encouragement. This preliminary video focuses on the attachment and love children have for their Guard or Reserve parents. We have great video of youth describing their struggle to cope with the parent's deployment. The strength of this bond is then revealed even more powerfully in the homecoming we captured.
This part of our documentary really captured my heart and in some ways even blinded me to one of our critical goals: the need for community support. Plus, this first attempt is too long. Faculty and students didn't complain, but shorter can be better. So we have decided not to focus on a brief preview at the moment. Instead, as we continue to tape we will be assembling a five-minute appeal to potential funders.
In addition to the video, I want to develop a packet of brief descriptions of the documentary and it's purpose in a larger call to action for increasing the amount and effectiveness of informal community support.
As you can imagine, our ambition to reach a national audience is challenging. We have to find underwriters to support the broadcast, to help us obtain the services of a respected national figure (James Earl Jones would be great as would Tom Hanks or Denzel Washington), and to support the website.
Listening to these great families share their lives makes every moment working on this documentary worth the investment.
Got back into Manhattan about 12:40 am.
The seven-minute segment that I showed a week ago for Bowling Green State University students and faculty after I presented a keynote address at their early childhood conference was very well received. Many great comments and encouragement. This preliminary video focuses on the attachment and love children have for their Guard or Reserve parents. We have great video of youth describing their struggle to cope with the parent's deployment. The strength of this bond is then revealed even more powerfully in the homecoming we captured.
This part of our documentary really captured my heart and in some ways even blinded me to one of our critical goals: the need for community support. Plus, this first attempt is too long. Faculty and students didn't complain, but shorter can be better. So we have decided not to focus on a brief preview at the moment. Instead, as we continue to tape we will be assembling a five-minute appeal to potential funders.
In addition to the video, I want to develop a packet of brief descriptions of the documentary and it's purpose in a larger call to action for increasing the amount and effectiveness of informal community support.
As you can imagine, our ambition to reach a national audience is challenging. We have to find underwriters to support the broadcast, to help us obtain the services of a respected national figure (James Earl Jones would be great as would Tom Hanks or Denzel Washington), and to support the website.
Listening to these great families share their lives makes every moment working on this documentary worth the investment.
Monday, September 17, 2007
Preview nearly ready
Our 7-8 minute preview is almost done. We will have DVDs we can share with anyone who wants to see them. We might have the video available for viewing on the blog, though this would require putting it up on UTube. I have mixed feelings about that.
I think the preview is great. It captures the essence of what we are doing. If you want the preview, let me know and I will get one to you. Just send a message to me at casmith@ksu.edu. Tell me a little about yourself and make sure I get your mailing address.
I will post a message on our blog when the DVD is ready for the public. We should have that ready by October 1.
I examined the video we now have and captured about 85 still shots for use in the preview. I might also upload some of those photos here. I need to check and make sure I can do that.
I think the preview is great. It captures the essence of what we are doing. If you want the preview, let me know and I will get one to you. Just send a message to me at casmith@ksu.edu. Tell me a little about yourself and make sure I get your mailing address.
I will post a message on our blog when the DVD is ready for the public. We should have that ready by October 1.
I examined the video we now have and captured about 85 still shots for use in the preview. I might also upload some of those photos here. I need to check and make sure I can do that.
Another homecoming and great video
We had the honor of videotaping another homecoming. I interviewed about six or seven families before the soldiers arrived and than after they were reunited. One family/friends group all had the same t-shirts on with their soldier's name on them. He was significantly touched by their display of support.
In this case we had several politicians present from both parties. The soldiers arrived about 45 minutes earlier than planned and had to wait for speakers to arrive before being dismissed.
But what a celebration when they were dismissed!
In this case we had several politicians present from both parties. The soldiers arrived about 45 minutes earlier than planned and had to wait for speakers to arrive before being dismissed.
But what a celebration when they were dismissed!
Thursday, September 6, 2007
Going to Iraq?
There is a possibility that I will go to Iraq to talk with soldiers about their families. There are many hurdles to jump to get to that point (one of them being funding the trip). I care so much about what we are doing and the families that I am meeting now that I am willing to go the distance to make the documentary better than great if being there serves the story we are telling. Ron has decided that he has to remain behind to videotape the families' reactions during conversations with their deployed soldiers. He would much rather go to Iraq too, but he believes what is necessary for our documentary takes precedence.
Of course I have some apprehension about doing this (my family certainly does). But this story we are telling is so important that have to do all that I can to ensure that it is the best we can do. We can certainly adjust to not having this opportunity, though, if going there is not possible. Time will tell.
Of course I have some apprehension about doing this (my family certainly does). But this story we are telling is so important that have to do all that I can to ensure that it is the best we can do. We can certainly adjust to not having this opportunity, though, if going there is not possible. Time will tell.
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