Update on the prom photos: No luck so far. I can pass out flyers to students, but since the school has a contract with LifeTouch, I can't post the flyers on buildings.
I did so much on Saturday. I didn't have the energy to type up a blog post after the event.
Yesterday, my mentor, his fiance, and I headed to the salon to start the first part of filming extremely early in the morning. I had to film details such as the bride getting her hair and make-up done, the salon itself, and the groom getting his make-up done, too.
After the salon, we documented more details at their house. This wedding event was also shared with the couple's son baptism. We documented the outfits and more preparation of the wedding and baptism at their house. At the house, I learned the importance of the most tiniest details. RV Vision's intern was really on top with positioning the outfits and accessories. I thought, as the videographer, of helping with positioning. I did. What I suggested was the positioning of the baby's shoes.. but it turned out so awkward in person than what I imagined it would be. Small details such as that could really determine the image. It could either make the image better or worse. Of course, as professionals and as people, we want the better part.
After that, we headed to the church for the baptism. It was pretty simple to document since there weren't that many baptisms happening all at once. I learned to really assert myself though. Of course, at any event, the relatives attending would want an upclose picture. What I did was literally take up the whole space of the aisle without looking like a jerk. Asserting yourself with a camera in an event is VERY useful. It's the videographer's job to make sure they get the top knotch shots so it'll be smooth sailing in the editing process.
Following the baptism, we headed back to the house to do more wedding-related shots. The bride was really awkward and I observed how Celia made her comfortable. No one wants an awkward image. When I take pictures with professional photographers, I ALWAYS feel really awkward... and the photographers I've posed for didn't know how to make things less awkward. Haven't you noticed at how they just tell you to turn your head a certain way and smile a certain way? That's not natural looking. What Celia did was that she physically did the pose for the bride to understand. I think photographers should really put the effort to do this to make the situation less awkward. It's like showing an evil plan to the superhero when they are caught and then the villain gets trapped in their own plan. The superhero will look better after the plan is foiled.
We headed to Oyster Point to take their wedding picture, but we took only one because the family kept calling the couple to come back to open the hall since it wouldn't open. This really killed the chances of the couple getting a variety of nice wedding pictures because of their own disorganization. We're their photographers/videographers so we don't have a say in their wedding, really. (Honestly, if one of their relatives took care of it.. or if they had a wedding planner.. we wouldn't have to cut down on the photo session.) As you can see, their wedding was disorganized...
Because of that mishap, we headed back to the hall and managed to take more wedding pictures before their wedding. We found a nice area near the hall to do them so at least we got more pictures!
The small, civil wedding came later and all I had to do was work the primary camera. Just film it. Sthiv's younger brother did the other shots on the side. I've collaborated with his brother for the night since he is their main videographer. His brother directed me where to go and the kind of shots needed. He also advised that I should wait ten seconds before the interviews started and wait a little after it ends. That was hard to maintain since a lot of people that we interviewed just started right when the mic was given to them.. It was sort of annoying. I thought it was common sense to ask if they can talk already.. Guess not. It sounds mean, but when you've been working since around 6 or 7 AM, you get slightly cranky at night... So what I did was film before the mic was given to them.
The whole service was pretty good. I just had to get more B-roll, detailed shots, and film anything that had to do with the couple.
Towards the end of my work, Sthiv told me to use the DSLR to film the live band. I learned how to focus and zoom in with the lens better. It was sort of hard to managed the zooming since I was not familiar with the way the lens work. Another downside was that I became completely deaf after filming the band. I need to get earplugs.
I was supposed to work for another hour, but I was brought home early since we got a lot of the major things filmed. I guess they didn't want me out so late. RV supposedly had to stay an hour later than what was intended. I basically got out two hours earlier.
A majority of yesterday's events was primarily based on filming and observation skills. Whenever we had our small breaks, we were constantly thinking of more creative ways to get shots. We were always on our feet, ready.
~
March 17, 2013 (I don't want to make a separate blog post on a small thing.)
I found out that my sister's friend is getting married next week and she might need a videographer. I basically contacted her friend and Sthiv for half an hour to look into their interests and trying to figure out what's possible. It's still in the process, but hey, I think I may have my very first client. So updates on that later!
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March 16-17 Hours: 15.5 Hours (Woot!)
Running Total: 18 Hours (Hooray! A huge step up!)
Sunday, March 17, 2013
Wednesday, March 6, 2013
Week of March 4th (Part 2)
I love the smell of hours being put in. I never knew that the Capstone Project would really be this interesting.
So I've decided to title my posts by the "Week of ____" and include parts throughout the week since I don't have a fixed schedule on working at the moment.
My mentor APPROVED my idea. To recap, my idea for a promotional photo package is based on prom proposals and planning. Sthiv also said that we CAN do prom/ball pictures. It has to be within the three days the men rent their tuxes. (In my opinion, I think it would be difficult to schedule a photo shoot on the day of someone's prom or ball since everyone is rushing. I can't say much since I don't really have the experience of doing photo shoots. Sthiv did say that a photo session takes about 30 to 45 minutes because it's based upon location and not studio. He even told me that when meeting a client, I have to mention that unlike the usual prom pictures, RV offers diverse and original shots.)
After approving the idea, my mentor said that if I can find two people to do the photo shoot, they can get their photo shoot and images for FREE. I have one person thinking of taking up on the offer, but he still needs to give me his official answer. Hooray for people that are interested!
I showed my mentor the flyer I made. Here:
If you recall from my last post, you may notice some changes. "Prom or ball pictures" replaced with the "you name it!" I think Sthiv told me to change it so there isn't any confusion. Instead of "20%", it was changed to "$25" since, according to Sthiv, dollar value works better than percentage. True fact. It's little things like these where you just don't notice how valuable this information can be until proven correct.
Throughout our conversation, I remembered how I cannot drive nor take the bus. (Yes, I'm 18 now and I can't drive.) This can affect personal meetings with clients. I told Sthiv and he said that I should set up the meetings after 5PM so he and Celia can come along with me (I feel like a burden). He said he can also give me the contracts and I can do them before/after school and during lunch... (Which reminds me... I need to ask the school first.)
After getting a couple of things finalized, I printed and made copies of the flyer and even hand-cutted them. Boy, do I need my own office now. A majority of today's work was asking questions. I feel like I'm annoying, but mentors are there to answer all questions, right?
I even advertised the flyer online so hopefully we get some calls in soon!
My next plan is to see if the person that is interested in that photo shoot. If not, then I have to find another couple. I mean, it's FREE pictures! How can you resist that? I would do it! Along with this, I got to start advertising more.
---------------------------------------------
Today's Hours: 1 Hour
Running Total: 2.5 Hours
So I've decided to title my posts by the "Week of ____" and include parts throughout the week since I don't have a fixed schedule on working at the moment.
My mentor APPROVED my idea. To recap, my idea for a promotional photo package is based on prom proposals and planning. Sthiv also said that we CAN do prom/ball pictures. It has to be within the three days the men rent their tuxes. (In my opinion, I think it would be difficult to schedule a photo shoot on the day of someone's prom or ball since everyone is rushing. I can't say much since I don't really have the experience of doing photo shoots. Sthiv did say that a photo session takes about 30 to 45 minutes because it's based upon location and not studio. He even told me that when meeting a client, I have to mention that unlike the usual prom pictures, RV offers diverse and original shots.)
After approving the idea, my mentor said that if I can find two people to do the photo shoot, they can get their photo shoot and images for FREE. I have one person thinking of taking up on the offer, but he still needs to give me his official answer. Hooray for people that are interested!
I showed my mentor the flyer I made. Here:
Throughout our conversation, I remembered how I cannot drive nor take the bus. (Yes, I'm 18 now and I can't drive.) This can affect personal meetings with clients. I told Sthiv and he said that I should set up the meetings after 5PM so he and Celia can come along with me (I feel like a burden). He said he can also give me the contracts and I can do them before/after school and during lunch... (Which reminds me... I need to ask the school first.)
After getting a couple of things finalized, I printed and made copies of the flyer and even hand-cutted them. Boy, do I need my own office now. A majority of today's work was asking questions. I feel like I'm annoying, but mentors are there to answer all questions, right?
I even advertised the flyer online so hopefully we get some calls in soon!
My next plan is to see if the person that is interested in that photo shoot. If not, then I have to find another couple. I mean, it's FREE pictures! How can you resist that? I would do it! Along with this, I got to start advertising more.
---------------------------------------------
Today's Hours: 1 Hour
Running Total: 2.5 Hours
Driven Into Tears
Throughout my whole life until my senior year, I lived a life full of leisure. I always witnessed my fellow peers going through tough times during school. Stress was always eating them up. I used to think, “This is why I take what I can do. Stress and pressure never fit me.” That’s what I used to think. And now, I am one of the victims of being overwhelmed. Being overwhelmed with stress and not happiness is human. I knew that. However, I didn’t think it would hit me that hard until that day.
I am the Historian-Technician of the school. A part of what my commission does is to create the semester yearbook for ASB, Student Leadership. This year is my first year to lead my new commission since I am the only commissioner that has returned from the previous year. Of course, my commission has to look up to me for everything. I had to set a good example for them, especially since the youngest one will be taking over next year.
The event that has happened back in December was truly the most overwhelming experience that year. We had to get as much footage as we can for our semester yearbook. We were so behind on our interviews. On top of that, we had to also work on a farewell video for someone that was transferring schools. We only had less than a week left and I was already stressed out. My commissioners didn’t understand how much I’ve stressed out about how we needed all of our first semester footage before break begins. They were more focused on the farewell video. I know that had a closer deadline, but honestly, it’s not that hard to do. Delegating the work is the key.
One night, I sent a text message to my commissioner and told him that he and our other commissioner can finish their farewell footages while I finish getting our yearbook footage. I can’t quite remember, but I do remember how he said how the farewell video is much more important than the yearbook one. He even brought up my former commissioner which made me feel slightly guilty and angry. Saying, “What would he do?” How can someone compare one of my favorite commissioners when they didn’t even share anything with them? This isn’t the first time either. He brought up my commissioner many times when my idea seemed to not satisfy him. My whole theory is that we shouldn’t totally compare our ideas to the previous year. We need to try to become more original so we, as leaders, can bring something new to the table.
I didn’t talk to him after that text. I couldn’t help it. Bringing my old commissioner up made me feel as if I failed my old commissioner. It’s like you failed to prove yourself independent towards someone who is above you and expects you to do well. What else happened that night? I cried until I fell asleep.
The next morning, I felt like crap. My commissioner went up to me and I just gave the silent treatment. My feeling at the time was that if I spoke to him, I would either have a mental breakdown or yell at him. I couldn’t do that.
When 4th period came, I still gave him the silent treatment. I was getting slightly angry because he was acting as if nothing happened that night. That was annoying. That felt like as if a break up happened the night before and the boyfriend or girlfriend is casually talking to their former other half. When class began, I approached my teacher and asked if I could do something really quick that regarded the yearbook and she denied that request.
Two days in a row of being shot down on what I absolutely needed to finish. My teacher noticed my mood and she asked.
I broke down.
Tears were streaming down my face. I couldn’t hold it in anymore. I felt the stares from my commissioners across the room. They went outside to do their footage. My teacher told me that I should talk to them immediately.
And I did.
I walked out and spoke to the one that didn’t really know what was going on. I just remember telling him that I didn’t feel like I was being supported anymore. I felt as if our commission wasn't a team at the time. Another teacher of mine walked passed me and gave me a hug. Great, I've brought in more attention upon myself. It's not that I don't like being comforted, but I just don't like how something that seems so small to others attracts attention.
Afterwards,
my main problem approached me while the one I was just talking to stepped out.
By just looking at him made me cry even harder. I was so hurt from how he has
been acting lately.
We sat down
while I cried my eyes out even more, if that is even possible. He put his arm
around me and apologized. He didn’t realize how overwhelmed I have been lately.
Everything happened in a flash. All I remember saying to him was that he never
listened to me. He continued his apology. Eventually, he tried cheering me up
with a pointless story about a Pikachu. I can’t lie. It did make me laugh a
little. Isn’t it funny how just one small action can change or enhance your
emotion?
In the end,
we agreed to set aside all differences and work with the most possible and
quick solution: delegating the work evenly as a team.
And what do
you know? We managed to pull it off successfully.
Like I
said, being overwhelmed with stress is a human trait. It may drive us into
tears, but somehow, a part of that stress makes you work harder. When other
people are involved in the stress given, we have to understand that we must
work with them together. Being overwhelmed with stress could be conquered when
done the right way. For me, I conquered it by approaching the problem at hand.
If I hadn’t, who knows where our bond as a commission would be?
Tuesday, March 5, 2013
Week of March 4th
I was so busy last week that I couldn't focus on my physical project! SENIOR PRIORITIES COME FIRST, GENIE!
Anyway, today, I came up with an idea for the promotional portrait package. Hooray! This package will be based off of prom and ball. I looked into my mentor's offers of his business and one of the offers is to document a love story. That offer inspired my idea for this package.
Because prom and ball are just around the corner, people are on their date hunt. I've seen many guys and girls ask their dates in a cute way. Because of that, this could help with the package. RV Visions can have a photo shoot based off of the couple's proposal and/or prom/ball planning. Think of it as an engagement photo shoot.
I even started on the flyer. I don't want to make the flyer official yet. I need my mentor to approve of this idea first. Here's the flyer!
It's simple, but I've based it off of their last flyer for Valentine's Day, which was also very simple, too.
I've already contacted my mentor and now, I'm just playing the waiting game. If he approves it, I'm going to try to talk to my school's administration and see if it's okay to promote this special at school. If not, then maybe online. Can't hurt, right?
Also, on March 16 and April 4, I will be helping out with the wedding events RV Visions is working for. I can't wait for that!
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Today's Hours: 30 Minutes
Running Total: 1.5 Hours
Anyway, today, I came up with an idea for the promotional portrait package. Hooray! This package will be based off of prom and ball. I looked into my mentor's offers of his business and one of the offers is to document a love story. That offer inspired my idea for this package.
Because prom and ball are just around the corner, people are on their date hunt. I've seen many guys and girls ask their dates in a cute way. Because of that, this could help with the package. RV Visions can have a photo shoot based off of the couple's proposal and/or prom/ball planning. Think of it as an engagement photo shoot.
I even started on the flyer. I don't want to make the flyer official yet. I need my mentor to approve of this idea first. Here's the flyer!
I've already contacted my mentor and now, I'm just playing the waiting game. If he approves it, I'm going to try to talk to my school's administration and see if it's okay to promote this special at school. If not, then maybe online. Can't hurt, right?
Also, on March 16 and April 4, I will be helping out with the wedding events RV Visions is working for. I can't wait for that!
-----------------------------------------
Today's Hours: 30 Minutes
Running Total: 1.5 Hours
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