Camp Footprints

Given the opportunity to describe Camp Footprints is a task I have yet to accomplish. To describe a place that not only holds so much love, happiness, and almost magic to it seems like a huge, unattainable task that I am still working on to this day.

To put it short & sweet, I have been involved with Camp Footprints for over 15 years now. Once a camper and now a staff member, Camp has not only guided me to where I am today but has also surrounded me with the most amazing, inspirational, loving people I could ever imagine.

Camp Footprints is a non-profit, volunteer organization dedicated to providing a week of quality care, support, and love for disabled and at risk children from the Southern California area. Since 1993, Camp Footprints has been a safe haven for children to come and enjoy themselves without the judgment of the real world, ridicule from their peers, and slander from unknowing individuals. Camp Footprints focus is not only to give our campers a level of affection and care not found in their everyday lives, but to reinstate positive thinking and overall love for one another.

For the past few years we have started to make music videos with the campers throughout the week to some-how find a way to explain how awesome camp actually is. Although these videos do not straight-forwardly explain what camp actually is, it most definitely shows how much camp can change you for the better and how much love there is within each child.

Check out the website and please help make Camp Footprints 2015 happen, any donation helps make a difference!

Live a life uncommon.

The One Shot Wonder

The one shot video; a swelling new trend among the video world, engaging viewers leaving them mesmerized and only wanting to see more, myself included. Recently I was introduced to the  music styles of OK GO. Then came the shock after continuously watching all of their music videos...

If there is one thing that I will always take away from film school it is that no matter how hard you try, you will always have to do more than 2 takes of any shot. Whether it felt perfect the 1st time or the 18th time, multiple takes are necessary. So after watching these videos, let us take a moment and applaud not only the performers, but the workers behind the camera and how many sleepless nights, takes, and hours they must've put into this. 

Funnelbox

After finishing school and now being a "grown up" filmmaker, it seems like a whole new world I live in and have to acclimate to. I was always under the assumption that once finished with school, I would go on to find work and life would throw adventures my way. Don't get me wrong, that's exactly what has been happening but sometimes people (myself included) seem to think that after school, that means that you've pretty much learned everything you can.

Genius thought process, right?

In the world of film, there is always something new to be learned. There is always a new piece of equipment to discover, a new editing technique to learn, and a new phrase to master before the next time you are on set. 

HOT SET  › there's active filming going on and if you make any sound what-so-ever, your f@#*ing up the shot and sound and you're in trouble with someone, most likely the AD or Christian Bale.  

MARTINI  ›  the last shot of the entire shoot and thank the old and new gods because now it's socially acceptable to get trashed.

10-1  › I need to pee or poo, let everyone know that when they're screaming my name and wondering where I am on set. 

MAGIC HOUR  › the most amazing light ever that will make your film look like something Steven Spielberg produced but you only have 20 mins to get the shots so move your ass! 

And that is where Funnelbox comes in. At the beginning of April, I was hired on as an intern by them to help out with anything and everything I could. Being finished with school and now being a "grown up", I was hesitant taking a position as an intern only because I thought I would be able to contribute better as an employee. But that is where I was wrong; as an intern I have been able to dip my hands into the realm of marketing, customer relations, high fashion film sets, graphic design and motion graphics work. Things that I would have never been able to do and learn more about as a specific employee. So why am I writing this insanely long blog post about them? This company has not only shown me what it is like working as a "grown up" in the real world, but they have taught me how to do it with style while also working alongside some kick-ass workers.

All in all, internships have a bad name because of the horrific instances that others have experienced throughout the past (myself included). But sometimes it's worth taking that chance and start from the beginning and work your way up the ladder to a point where you then get to come into work and have a blast working with a bunch of goofballs.

Don't believe me? Check out their videos and see for yourself!

Collaboration

In this industry, the only way to survive is by sticking to 2 rules of thumb at all times:

1. NETWORK

2. COLLABORATE 

Sticking to these two simple rules only leads to crazy adventures, new experiences, and getting to meet some amazing new people. Now working at Collective Eye Films for a little over a year, I have met some truly amazing artists. Today, I had the pleasure of getting to know Lauren Mueller, who also works at Collective Eye and is working on setting up the animation for the new feature film we are helping produce called, SEED: The Untold Story. Soon to be heading off to grad school and starting new adventures down in California, Lauren has a unique view on the world that she shows beautifully through film. Check out her website and checkout the website for this amazing new documentary that we are both working on!

Laren Mueller Personal Website:

www.lauren-mueller.squarespace.com

SEED: The Untold Story:

www.seedthemovie.com

Scrambled Eggs

Scrambled Eggs is locked and ready to go! With so much help by other students around school and friends around Portland, Scrambled Eggs has morphed into the short film that I envisioned only a short 9 months ago. 

Wanna check the film out? Then come on down to the Hollywood Theater, December 12th @ 7pm and see all the wonderful films that the seniors have created!

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