Now that I have some video work experience, I truly know what it takes to make videos. Good videos don’t just happen; they take work from concept to completion. The concept is ultimately the most important part of this process. A good concept is accompanied by a script, proposal and storyboards. This is the paperwork that guides the entire process like a map. The more details are put onto paper, the better the results will be. A good concept takes time to develop. A professional can write a rough draft script in 12 weeks and may need additional months for rewrites.  An 11-minute film can take 6 weeks to produce storyboards.  A Hollywood film usually takes 2 years to complete a proposal, script, storyboards, and secure funding. Taking all of this into consideration I can be proud of my videos that were rushed in comparison to professionals.

My new rate of video production is faster than last quarter when taking every factor into consideration. I am faster, but I also do more editing and film more content to work with. My ability to pump out quick videos is improved, but they are just that (quick videos). With more time to work on one single project and have nothing else to worry about, I could truly create something great.

 My “in kind” rate for nonprofits I believe the same applies. When just going to a location to video document the events taking place, the process is much different. A plan is still needed, but the results then are dependent on equipment and teamwork. As a lone soldier without a lot of equipment, I have more work to do than if I had a team or more equipment to utilize.

Marketing ourselves as filmmakers, actors, artists, and composers is just a matter of money, time, and creativity. The right advertising design can tell the story with visual and audio appeal. Once that is created then it just needs to be posted online in a way that can reach people who want to see it.

Creativity mixed with skills can overcome any challenge and I proved that with my video work this quarter. Given the right amount of time and resources, I could do even better.

When it comes to filming real world events in a live time there are numerous variables that must be considered. For this essay, I will talk about my experience filming the Pirate Zombie Mud Run. This event is a 2-mile course full of obstacles and zombie ambushes. That is a lot of ground to cover for just one guy with a camera. Still, I made it work through following some simple steps.

Communication is key to beginning this task. Talking with the event coordinators allowed me to get a good understanding of plan. I was able to schedule filming times and have an inside look at where the obstacles would be. Once I had all the information, it was up to me to plan out how to film this event. Having a good plan in place allowed me to get some great shots. Unfortunately, with only myself and limited equipment to rely on, I had to choose which obstacles I wanted to film. This was not an easy choice with all the great options. I was also limited to quick shots that required reflex fast critical thinking.

Having this experience, I learned valuable lessons. The next time I film an event will be greatly improved for it. What I have learned is that it is more valuable to work with a team that can cover a large area for more film to work with in editing. I also learned that a team can be replaced with more cameras. Honestly both a team and more cameras would be even better, if I could only choose one option I would go with more cameras. Teams are not easy to come by. People have varied interests, scheduling conflicts, or other barriers that need to be crossed.

The best answer for filming an event this size is ultimately more cameras. Having 3 cameras strategically places at each obstacle, start, and finish would have allowed me to get every shot. I could have had the cameras placed before the event and preset the focus and white balance. In post-production editing this would have allowed me to document the entire event with a dynamic feel for a more entertaining video filled with much more information.

I posted on 3 different social media platforms to promote my videos on the Port Angeles Food Bank volunteering, Pirate Zombie Mud Run, and the Promotional video for the Pirate Zombie Mud Run. My posts also highlight the Film Festival so that people know when and where it is.

Here are the social media links to my posts:

Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1BmuLKFkWz

LinkIn

https://www.linkedin.com/posts/thomas-buscher-2a7297317_pencolmedia-activity-7332565634402226178-uvKj?utm_source=social_share_send&utm_medium=member_desktop_web&rcm=ACoAAFBPUd8BsEj7CBSxJWFlEKIBKTbWE-97Y-E

Instagram

Tom Buscher (@8576.tom) • Instagram photos and videos

My posts read:

https://lnkd.in/d32Av5Jv

 Here is my latest video. I created this documentary on volunteering at the Port Angeles Food Bank to show the importance of this resource, and the work the volunteers do. I am very grateful for the opportunity to shine a light on these amazing people.
I am also working on a video of the Pirate Zombie Mud Run that happened on May 17th. This event was sponsored by the ASC. The Skilled Trades students built some amazing obstacles. Many students participated in organizing, setting up the event, and participating as zombies. The event was an amazing opportunity to practice my live event filming skills, and I got many great shots. I am editing the video now and will hopefully be submitting this film as well. I did create this promotion video a day prior to the event: https://lnkd.in/d2CzqetM

I will also be entering these videos in the Film Festival at Peninsula College in Port Angeles Thursday June 5th at 12:30 PM on campus in the Little Theater and online via Zoom hashtag#PenColMedia

Although dialogue is a great way to tell a story, it will only entertain for so long before visual and audio aides are needed to keep the story interesting. The elements in the video speak louder than words. Both visual aides, and audio can tell a story without the need for words to ever be spoken. Visual elements are especially important. What is seen by the actions of the characters and the background elements can tell a story by keeping everything in a relatable context.

Music has a history of evoking emotion. There are certain sounds that key us into the context of a scene such as Richard Wagner – Ride of The Valkyries which clues us into an impending battle, or on a darker side the Sequential: Dies Irae tells of death and despair, and on a brighter note Beethoven – Symphony No. 9 in D minor: Ode to Joy tells of happiness. These are just a few of the songs that have been used for many years to sway emotion in storytelling

Knowing how to tell a story without words is the basics of storytelling. When this skill is mastered, true storytelling begins. The best movies use these elements to boost interest, convey a message, a allow the audience to learn about the characters, setting and scenes without need for dialogue.

Reference example at How to Produce a Compelling Video Without Dialogue | SproutVideo

Immersive experiences can be customized to fit 4 basic personality types according to Bartle’s Taxonomy. These are: Achievers, who want to accomplish goals and gain recognition for them. Explorers, who find satisfaction in discovering new places and items. Socializers, who are there for the community and find joy in meeting new people. Killers, who are just looking for a way to best other people and find entertainment in showing their dominance.

Though this was largely used for video game creation, it can also be applied to multimedia marketing with video creation. I think about the big fan clubs spawning from Star Wars, Star Trek, Marvel, and DC. There are numerous movies that have such great fan bases that clubs and fan pages were spawned and satisfy the socializers. These movies also have the elements of exploration of new places, killing the bad guys, and the hero achieving the goals. These movies were done so well and contained the right mix of the 4 elements that they later became video games.

When we create digital media and videos it is important to consider these personality types and to create marketing to attract them. In today’s world we have many social media platforms where we can create groups and new webpages with extra content to explore, create incentives for joining the groups, and we can create contests. These elements can help build groups fast.

The positive power of advertising during an event with large number of viewers, such as the Super Bowl, is the effect your commercial has on the audience and its ability to ripple effect out into the world through them. When a commercial is made great, it will live on forever in our minds and be talked about for years to come. In today’s world we also share our opinions about commercials on social media platforms such as Facebook which makes it even more critical that the commercial represents the message we want to convey. We see a lot of commercials every year and they have shaped our views on each brand.

Branding is not just about the products we are selling, but also about the companies views and policies. When a company such as Nike advertises commercials about the impact of sports and how it can shape our futures, we listen and make a judgement based on what we see and hear. Shining a light on the power of sports instead of the products leads us to believe that Nike believes in us and so we believe in Nike.

Commercials like this accomplish their goal of brand recognition and gain credibility while also spreading a powerful and positive message.

Respect is defined as to consider with high regard or to simply refrain from interfering with something or someone.

Responsibility is defined as a moral obligation to behave correctly.

These are simple words that have a huge impact on life. In a professional world people consider who they want to work with by asking the question “Is this person responsible, trustworthy, and respectful?”. This is why it is important to understand and live by these words in any industry you choose to work in. In the film industry it is most important to respect the rights of others, especially regarding copyright. We have a responsibility to ensure that our work is original or that we have permission to use others’ work.

A good way to present factual information to people is using video. When making films to inspire, motivate or inform the audience, it is best to be innovative and create a storyline with interesting scenes to captivate and entertain the audience. When the audience is enjoying the film, they retain more information. This is an art form that when done right, the audience will remember the message forever. My favorite example of this is the docudrama movie “Erin Brockovich” which serves as a reminder for people to always be vigilant and not afraid to stand up for what is right even when the task seems impossible.

Team Short Original Story or Documentary Video Project

The Zombie Mud Run

This annual event is brought to you by the Peninsula College and is a great example of STEAM. This fun and informative film will show how STEAM is used in a real-life example.

Social Good Video Project

Community Empowered 2nd Edition

This film documentary will feature the Port Angeles Food Bank which will help to promote this vital resource for the community.

Without videos such as “LOGIN2LIFE” and “My Avatar is ME”, it is hard to imagine that 3D worlds such as Second Life can be so much more than just a virtual experience. When I was younger, I was a CNA and an RLA with some medical training. I have always known that loneliness is the biggest killer of elderly people and that holds true for every age really. The fact is that we are a sociable species and not all of us can get out and socialize. Apps such as Second Life really open that door for everyone to be able to socialize with other people from all over the world. In this way Second Life can improve the quality of life for many people.

Second Life also opens the door for creativity and problem solving by allowing users to build their own worlds including avatars. This is essential to happiness. We are just entering into cutting edge technology and I look forward to the future when these virtual experiences will really be immersive, such as described in the book “Ready Player One”. Apps like this not only have the potential to improve quality of life, but they also have the potential to educate everyone in a more productive way while also providing jobs to those who otherwise could not work. So many possibilities.

2^nd Edition

In today’s world of rising prices and low wages people more than ever are looking for answers and when they don’t know where to turn for help, those problems become nightmares. Clallam County in Washington state has not been above this crisis. It seems impossible to simply go to a grocery store without seeing some unfortunate souls standing on the corner asking for help, people sleeping in alleyways, or even tents set up on sidewalks or in front of “Out of Business” signs.

“An estimated 11.2 percent of residents and 23.2 percent of children under the age of 18 in the county live in poverty (the national federal poverty level for a family of four is $26,500).” Quote from Clallam-County-Homeless-System-Needs-and-Gaps-Report-2021. Since then, more businesses have shut down creating an ever-growing unemployed population while rent, and food prices have increased. These statistics are even more real for those who live around here.

This essay isn’t all dark, in fact there is light to shine in this story. Here in Clallam county, there are some amazing resources for those who know where to look. Places like 4PA(4PA ) help clean up and help support homeless people. Sarge’s Place (Sarge’s Place Veteran Housing in Forks and Port Angeles, Wa – Sarge’s Veteran Support) provides veteran support with food, housing and medical. The Sequim Food Bank (Sequim Food Bank) is a great resource for anyone in need of food which helps fight food insecurity in the Sequim area.

Another great resource is the Port Angeles Food Bank (Port Angeles Food Bank) This nonprofit has a location in Port Angeles that allows food access to anyone in need, but also has a mobile market van that brings food to people in different areas in town including a weekly stop at the Peninsula college. This organization does so much more than just food. PA Food Bank also has an Outreach program that helps people who are experiencing homelessness.

Number 1 has got to be the film “Super-Size Me” part 1 and part two “Holy Chicken”. Wow this guy puts our food into perspective. He really does an amazing job at highlighting how misleading the food industry is in every way. Due to these films and others like them I have become aware of the importance of reading ingredients on the packaging and encouraging others to do so as well. In part 1 he really went the extra mile to show the effects of food on him personally and backed it with evidence. In part 2 he showed us how easily the industry can manipulate labels on “organic” “Free range” food.

Number 2 is more of a series of documentaries called “Man vs Wild”. This show really intrigued my wild side and left me aching for adventure. Bear Grylls travels the world attempting to survive in every climate and how to reach rescue. During his adventures he creates shelters and eats some interesting things. Whether or not he was ever actually in a survival situation is irrelevant to me as he showed the world what people can do to survive while on some amazing adventures.

Number 3 is most definitely “Salvador Dali: Master of Surrealism”. This film truly gives insight into the madness and creativity of the great Salvador Dali and how he became so successful. The biggest take always from this great artist are to be bold and creative but never underestimate the importance of business.

What is your motto or words to live by?

“It ain’t about how hard you hit. It’s about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward. How much you can take and keep moving forward. That’s how winning is done!”. – Rocky Balboa. This quote is a description of my life. I have been up, and I have been down, but no matter what happens I keep working to move forward.

 Who are your heroes in real life?

My father is my hero because he is the greatest example of a man who puts his family first while still maintaining an entrepreneurial spirit running his own business.

What would you consider your greatest achievement?

My greatest achievement is the help I provided people when they needed it most.

What do you most value in your friends?

Respect, honesty and trust are the foundation of all relationships. Without it there is no relationship.

What type of documentary would be about me? Expository, Participatory, Observational, Reflexive, Performative, or Poetic? And, why?

Participatory because the greatest story there is to tell about me is my hard headed stubborn will to survive and how I got into cycling after my gull bladder was removed. I lost a lot of weight and got into great shape. I have since gained a ton of weight and lost my fitness after losing my job at the mill. I am now on a mission to get back into shape and restore my health through bicycling and photography.