deep insight (yeah right!)

2006-12-05T20:49:00.000-05:00

Just put the finishing touches on my production binder. We show our final footage tomorrow to class tomorrow night. Everyone can't wait to see footage from the date, but I am nervous that they might be a little disapointed. I mean, the date itself was kinda boring just because it was the getting to know you time. We edited it down to showing some pre date footage, a little from the date and then some of the post date. Hopefully the date stuff won't bore the class, but we will just have to wait and see.

2006-12-04T09:38:00.000-05:00

Shannon was right when she told me the editing lab is like a time warp, I was in there for 9 hours yesterday and didn't even realize it! CRAZY! Well, the good news is EVERYTHING is done!! YEAH! Now Steph and I just have to get together to organize our production binders. I can't believe it will all be over Wed night! This semester has gone by way fast. Anywho, now I can go concentrate on the other 200 million other things i have due this week.

2006-12-03T16:11:00.000-05:00

What a day today has been! So I woke this morning to not being able to find one tape that had some of our footage on it. After tearing up my room, my car, and running over to my work to see if it fell out where i keep my purse, i didn't find it. So at this point a mass hysteria came over me and I had a emotional break down. It might have something to also do with the lack of sleep i have been getting. Anyways, i decided to go to the editing lab and do what I could and just pray that with fresh eyes i would find the tape later. I got to the editing lab and went to get some headphone when I noticed a tape sitting on a table, i just took a glance, not really thinking anything of it, and guess what it was: OUR LOST FOOTAGE! I started freaking out, thankfully i knew the two people in the lab so they didn't think that I was to strange. Anyways, i am currently in the lab and we are condensing all of our footage to fit on 4-6 tapes. Well, gotta go switch out tapes.

2006-12-01T23:21:00.000-05:00

Sitting in the editing lab as we speak, and so far everything is working! It might have something to do with the fact that I had to go out and pay $170 for an external hard drive, but I don't want to talk about that! Anyways, we have captured and logged about 3 hours of tape, so we are going to call it a night soon and come back to finish getting the rest of our footage onto the hard drive. Then once we got all of that done, we have to edit the date in some way so that we can show it in class next week. That i feel is going to take forever. Oh well, gotta do what you have to do.

2006-11-30T22:04:00.000-05:00

Sooner or later something was bound to go wrong, cause up until now we have had no problems. Steph and I went to Shannon's this morning to have a crash course on Final Cut Pro. After we left we both felt really good and we were ready to roll. We went to the editing lab and it was another story. We tried 4 different computers and each one had its own problem. Talked with Shannon about it and it looks like we have to get an external hardrive, so that should solve everything!! Now if there were only 38 hours in a day....

2006-11-28T09:18:00.000-05:00

So, the couple finally got over to my house last night. I would have to say that this was probably the most unsuccessful interview. They didn't really seem in the mood and they were short with there answers which made it difficult to pull more from them. Oh, well, everything went to smoothly up to this point, something was bound to go wrong. Well, we are done with all of our shooting. Thursday Shannon is giving us a quick crash course on editing so we can get all of our stuff organized and together. Then it is just making sure all of our paperwork is good to go.

2006-11-27T21:19:00.000-05:00

waiting to do our last interview......and waiting....i am nervous that they forgot. I called them this morning and they said tonight is good, then i called later in the day to pin down a time and they had forgotten, were going to dinner then would call me. I don't want to keep on bugging them, but it is getting kinda late.....

2006-11-26T17:26:00.000-05:00

Though we only have one more interview to do, which I am getting tomorrow night, we still have a lot left to do. I didn't realize how much we have to do, but loging and editing the date is going to take a while. I really hope we are going to be able to get into the editing lab to do that, otherwise i don't know what we are going to do cause niether of us have editing software. So, one more interview left and then just getting all the paperwork and stuff together, it is going to be a very long week, cause not only do we have this project but we have like 3 other major projects due and some finals thrown in there as well!!! YIKES!! It is that time of the semester!

2006-11-21T18:08:00.000-05:00

So, yesterday we were going to finish up and do our last two interviews, the married couple and the gay couple. Something fell through on our gay couple so we will finish with them next week. I went and interviewed the married couple, it went ok. They had their young son and a dog that were a little distracting. But, the interview went a little short but you got the jist of it. So, I thought we would be done, but things happen!

2006-11-19T20:12:00.000-05:00

We DID IT!! Yeah, just finished filming our big blind date!! It went well. We had a few technical difficulties but all in all I think it is going to turn out very well. I am very excited to see how it all looks on the big screen. The restaurant worked out very well, and the lighting was very nice. The sound worked, I am just a little nervous on the volume of Karen's mic. I also think Karen and Kyle hit it off nicely. There were a few awkward silences but one they started talking more the conversation came smoothly. We have our final two interviews tomorrow and then we are done!

2006-11-16T22:16:00.000-05:00

Confirmed all of the rest of our interviews.....oh yeah!

2006-11-15T21:53:00.000-05:00

Today I confirmed with the manager of Artisians that we can infact use there resturant for our date for sunday night. And it appears all is good! YEAH!! We screened footage tonight. We watched Steph's parents,and my niece and nephews. We got a really good response from the footage which is always good. And leave to my darling nephew Cameron to steal the show! That interview turned out a lot better then I thought, and they said the right things. I think it really helps that Steph and I have a really clear idea of what we want our film to be and everything has just fallen nicley into place (knock on wood). I really feel like we can finish it this weekend. Then in a couple of weeks we are going to get a crash course on editing so we will be able to combine all of our footage. So, we got a lot still left to do....so lets keep on going....

2006-11-14T08:03:00.000-05:00

Last night Steph and I had a little meeting to catch up on all our projects that we have. It was good to just sit and figure out what is next on our GIGANTIC list of things to do. I have to call Artisan Cafe sometime tomorrow to confirm using the resturant on sunday. When I spoke to the manager about a week in a half ago he said this weekend would be the best. We got all of our equipment we need and everything, and things have been going really smoothley I am terrified that he is going to back out on me or something. Lets cross our fingers. I truly believe we can finish all of our filming this weekend which would be GREAT! we'll see if it really happens.

2006-11-12T15:57:00.000-05:00

Yeah...Sorry about the lack of entries. Well, it is that time of the semester and it is full speed ahead on this project. The weekend of the 17 is our big weekend. We have got 3 sit down interviews, street interviews, and the big "blind date". Hopefully we can do all of this cause that would mean we would be done shooting our footage!! YEAH!! Unfortunately our interracial couple backed out cause I don't think they are going to be a couple much longer. Stephanie is in Raleigh this weekend getting her parents interview. Wow! I can't believe that there is light at the end of the tunnel!

2006-11-05T08:18:00.000-05:00

I'm in Charleston now getting ready to do my interviews with my nephews and niece. I am really nervous one because I hope I get all the equipment right that it records sound since I am down here by myself and two I hope all the kids are going to respond to this well. I am nervous that they will get shy and not open up to the camera. Let's see if Auntie Ashli can work her magic today. Wish me luck!

2006-10-30T20:13:00.000-05:00

I went by Artisan Cafe today to ask if we could film our blind date and I think I got a yes. The night manager and the owner were there, but they were in what appeared in a important conversation. The owner quickly said yeah whatever, and the manager gave me his card and asked that I give him a call tomorrow when it would be better to talk out the details. So i am taking that as a yes.

2006-10-29T09:09:00.000-05:00

Yeah....so we might have to make a few adjustments on our paperwork because as of last night our "recently dating" couple has now become our "recently engaged" couple and once again I wish i had a video camera with me because we had a surprise party for them right after they got engaged and there were some really great moments. Anyways.... I am going to artisans again later today because I have not been able to get over there when Dave, the night manager, is working, so hopefully he will be there this afternoon. We really need to get the approval on the restaurant so we can tape our blind date, because that is probably going to be our most difficult shooting.

2006-10-28T07:08:00.000-04:00

Thursday night we workshoped our footage that we have so far, and it went very well. No one had really anything negative to say. We are going to reshoot our Vox Pop interviews cause of lighting issues. Stephanie quit her job so it gives us more opportunities to do interviews during the day. We are planning on also doing Vox Pop interviews on campus. I am really excited about going home next weekend and interviewing my 6 year old twin nephews and my 13 year old niece and some of her friends. The only thing i am worried about is my niece not really opening up, but i will just have to work my magic.

2006-10-23T16:33:00.000-04:00

I am going to try really hard tonight to get over to Artisans Cafe to speak to a manager about the possibilities of shooting our blind date at the restaurant. Hopefully they will let us on a slow night do it cause it is a great location with a good atmosphere. I haven't really gotten a chance to talk with Steph about her weekend in Raleigh, i did just get an text message from her saying that she only got an interview with her friend and not with her parents which is the one i really wanted, but things happen and things fall through

2006-10-19T15:45:00.000-04:00

last night we workshopped some other groups footage and it went really good. it really helped give me some ideas of things to do and not to do, so that is good. so, steph is going to raliegh this weekend and I hope that she gets some footage of her parents, there is still a chance they might do it. so at the moment that is our only delema. i hope we get some good stuff to workshop next week in class. i really work off of feedback

2006-10-17T17:53:00.000-04:00

Stephanie and I got a chance to view our footage from sunday night....I was very nervous that our sound might have not taken, but everything looked and sounded good. There was one point where we forgot to white balance after we moved the camera, but I kind of like the look of it. It was really cool finally seeing footage with sound, everything i have done before now has just been focusing on the image. We are well on our way and aren't stopping anytime soon. I am excited to see the footage from the other classmates tomorrow. this weekend stephanie is going to raliegh and will interview a friend and hopefully her parents.

2006-10-16T09:28:00.000-04:00

Last night Steph and I hit up downtown Wilmington to get some more B-roll footage and to do street interviews. Doing the street interviews was actually really fun to do. We only got turned down by a few people, but everyone else was wanting and willing. I think we got a good mixture of people which will help for the universal appeal of the film. The only thing i am scared about, and it is a major thing, is that i have this BAD feeling our sound didn't record to the tape. We are going to check it out in class tomorrow so we can use the dv player on campus. Lets cross our fingers!!

2006-10-15T13:26:00.000-04:00

Friday night Steph and I took some B-roll footage outside the Mayfair 16 movie theater. It went well, and I think we got some good shots of people out on dates. Tonight we are moving downtown for some more B-roll footage and to do some pop interviews. My only concern at this moment is I hope we can get the sound to work. I checked it with Tony before checking it out, but anything can happen.

2006-10-13T08:07:00.000-04:00

Tonight Steph and I start shooting our Doc. Super excited. We are just starting with some B-roll footage to get more comfortable with the camera. We, are also going to scout a location for our blind date. Wow, things are going to happen way fast from here on in.

2006-10-10T10:58:00.000-04:00

Steph has introduced you to the guy for our blind date, and i think we have found our girl. meet Karen:

2006-10-09T20:45:00.000-04:00

I just got back from my trip to NYC. I had a goal to get some really great B-roll footage, the universe had other plans. For some reason or another I was unable to get the footage that I really wanted. I had to settle for a quick 45 min trip to Midtown before I left for the airport. I did get some cute shots of of different types of couples walking the street, but totally not what i wanted!! Oh well, you win some you loose some!

2006-10-07T20:06:00.000-04:00

So, i am currently in NYC for Fall Break. Having a blast, before i have to head back to reality. I decided to bring the palm cam to record some B-roll footage. Havn't really had a chance to bring it out, but I think i am going to dedicate tomorrow night for that. being here though has opened my mind to a plethora of documentary ideas that if i had the chance, and the funds, i think it would be fun to do.

2006-10-05T17:34:00.000-04:00

So, last nights class was a little overwhelming. We took a look at all the equipment we could use for our projects and I got a little nervous, because i am not familiar at all with cameras. But, Steph and I talked and we have a good idea of which camera we are going to try. I actually checked out the small palm cam to take with me to NYC to get some B-roll footage which i am super excited about. I think it will help give our film a more universal look. Well, I am going to be in NYC till Tue and will not have access to a computer so I willl hand journal while gone

2006-10-03T17:40:00.000-04:00

We pretty much have an idea of our scheudal and budget, we are going to try are hardest to stay on schedual, but things do come up that will change that. We plan on starting with filming the
B-roll so we can become comfortable with the camera. During our discussion on schedual we both thought of some more people we could interview which will make the film very divers. Counting down the days till we start shooting!!

2006-10-02T21:12:00.000-04:00

Steph and I met today to work on our proposal organizer. It went very smoothly. It really made us sit down and really think out our film. For a while it has just been this broad idea, but doing this organizer really made us look at it in detail which is going to help us in the end on how we want the film to look. Tomorrow we are going to discuss schedule and budget.

2006-09-29T09:20:00.000-04:00

Wed night we workshopped our doc idea. I think it went very well and the memebers of our group were really helpful. The all like the idea and thought that it would be fun to do so that is good. The next step is sitting down with Steph and working out a sched. This is probably going to be our highest hurdle to jump, but gotta figure something out. I think when we start shooting we are going to start with filming B-roll, just so we can get used to the camera and stuff. I am excited about getting going and getting this stuff filmed!!

2006-09-25T23:12:00.000-04:00

New idea....gotta run it by Steph still, what if we did a pop question interview with people on the street. That would give the documentary another type of interview style other than the talking heads, maybe it would help mix it up a little. Oh, and went on a road trip this weekend and was stuck in the car with three girls: one in a interracial long distance relationship, one who just started to date a guy, and a bitter single girl. Needless to say, a lot can be said about relationships when you are stuck in the car for 4 hours. Got some good insight.

2006-09-23T14:55:00.000-04:00

So yesterday we sent out our doc. Proposal for other to read and get feedback from. I actually really like this idea, because for me I find that positive criticism helps a lot. Because an idea sounds great to me and I would want to see a film on the topic doesn't necessarily mean that it will have mass appeal. I am looking forward to what the groups have to say about our idea

2006-09-21T16:20:00.000-04:00

I was talking to a friend of mine who is single and has just signed up for E-Harmony.com. One viewpoint we could add to the film would be the view of dating from a singles perspective.....

2006-09-20T17:14:00.000-04:00

so at work today I asked a few people who i thought we could use for interviews if they would be up for it and i have had a very positive response. So far i have got a couple who just started dating, a gay couple, an interracial couple, and a couple who have been married for around 5 years and have a young son. i am starting to get more and more excited as we get deeper into the project. YEAH!!

2006-09-19T20:40:00.000-04:00

I think today was very successful. Steph and I met and really sat down and talked about our ideas for the film. We were able to pin down some great ideas and both got excited about it. We met to do some research and we were able to write out our sketch which is due tomorrow. I feel like we are finally getting somewhere and it is great. We both have great ideas and it will be interesting to see how it is all pulled together. To be honest, at the beginning I think we both didn't really care where our project went on from here, we just wanted to do the assignment, do it well and that was it. But, I think today we both started thinking what it would be like to have a hand in the final project, to bad we aren't taking advanced editing next semester. But, I think we both want to have our hand in it some way next semester. Who knows!

2006-09-18T23:13:00.000-04:00

Well, met with Shannon today with Steph to pin down a documentary idea, and we have settled on doing a documentary on the evolution of dating. I think we can have some real fun with this. Something else great happened today, I got to hear the director of my favorite documentary "Born into Brothels" speak and I even got the chance to have dinner with her this evening which was REALLY cool. She said something in her lecture that shocked and inspired me. She mentioned that this film was the first time she every did film work, her background was photography. After watching the film that was hard to believe. It inspired me because this documentary is going to be my very first attempt and actual filmmaking so it was a little relief to know that her first film was so great. Not saying I plan on winning an Oscar or anything. Well, now that we have a topic, it is time to do some research!

2006-09-17T08:17:00.000-04:00

I was sitting at work today and another idea came to my head. I work at a hair salon, one of the largest and most successful salons in north Carolina. My owners are a gay couple who have owned the place for like 15 years. This got me thinking about the extra struggles one might have for being a business owner who happens to be gay. There are a lot of successful gay business owners who come to the shop and I wonder if they would be interviewed. It might be interesting to take a look, especially with being in a small southern town.

2006-09-15T21:29:00.000-04:00

ok.....new idea.....so you if you have been to any of UNCW basketball games you have seen that really tall man with the foam finger. I think he attends every single game. He is like the schools unofficial mascot. I have always been interested in knowing more about him, I see him waiting for the bus all the time, and I have heard that he has tried running for some council before. I really think he might have an intriguing story and it would be great to do some digging. Just an idea!

2006-09-12T21:18:00.000-04:00

I am finding it quite difficult lately to be inspired for a film topic. I feel like my life is so monotonous. I get up, go to work, or go to school, then I go home. Maybe i need to a little more reading of the current events. maybe that will spark something.....having mental block!!

2006-09-09T23:24:00.000-04:00

so, i think i am going to dig a little bit more into this whole dating topic. It would be really great if there is a speed dating thing going on in Wilmington some time, i have heard about them and have always wanted to see what one is like. it would probably be fun to film. I am thinking that this would definatley be a fun and light hearted film. I really want to have fun with this!! gonna think some more......

2006-09-08T22:16:00.000-04:00

2006-09-07T21:52:00.000-04:00

I was sitting in Port City Java trying to study when a couple came in and sat behind me. As they were sitting there I began to listen in on there conversation. The end conclusion I came to was that they were on a first date and they were at that ask questions to get to know you better stage. This got me thinking about an idea for a documentary. The idea would be an indepth look at dating, from the first date to going on dates even when you have been married for 50 years. The film could also look into the effects of online dating sites and the slew of reality shows based on finding your true love. I am going to do some more thinking on this one.......

2006-09-04T21:54:00.000-04:00

I fell in love with this documentary when I saw it last year. The funny thing is a friend of my rented it when we couldn't find anything else to get. I had never heard of it and only agreed to watch it cause it was during my India obsession phase. Man, was I ever glad of that decision. I would have to say that this film had a huge impact on me deciding to take this documentary class. I had not really been a fan of the genre before I saw this film, but of course I hadn't really seen any documentaries in the first place. It took this film about street children to change my mind completely and to look at the genre with different eyes. So, needless to say I was uber excited when I heard that the director was going to be visiting UNCW! I can't WAIT!!

2006-09-03T17:08:00.000-04:00

I find it amazing how much more aware of my surroundings I am since having to journal for class. I find myself more observant of the people around me and more aware of what is going on in the world. I am almost overwhelmed because I look at everyone and thing as having a story to tell and thinking about how I can turn that story into a successful documentary. My mind is sometimes in overdrive making it difficult to focus on one subject. So, needless to say, I am having a difficulty in narrowing down a subject for the documentary because there is so much out there. How do you find just one?

2006-09-03T00:33:00.000-04:00

So something kind of interesting happened to me today. While I was at work today someone had to call an ambulance for a client who was having what appeared to be a seizure. Ok, so I was under the impression that if you call 911 it is obviously an emergency and should be taken seriously. So I had the duty of waiting in the front for the EMT to arrive and then show them upstairs to the client. Well, it seemed like it took them forever to get there. Once they finally arrived they didn't have their sirens or lights on. Two EMT's got out of the truck and proceeded to debate which one was taking this call. A young man started walking into the salon when a girl said: "Wait, isn't this one mine? You got the last one." Which the young man responded with: " Whatever, I don't care" Is it just me or does this seem like an odd conversation to be having while someone may be in serious need of some help. JUST GET UP THERE AND GET HER TAKEN CARE OF! Oh how I wish i could have thought to have said that then. Like does it really matter who takes it, just TAKE it!

2006-08-31T17:04:00.000-04:00

And so hurricane season begins! Don't you just love the names that they come up with for these storms. I mean Ernesto!!!! I am terrified! Well, I am stuck inside cause I was let out of work early and I didn't want to be on the roads because just because I can drive doesn't mean that everyone else knows how to. Anywhoo....I probably will just stay inside and watch movies and drink some wine. Who knows, maybe I will finally decide what to make my documentary film on!