Level 84

Level 84 . . . what a beast. This was a project that now after principal photography is over I love/hate. It was quite the learning experience. It was my first real chance to play with expansive lighting. The first real time where I had an opportunity to play with camera angles. It was full of first.

We shot the entire project on the Cannon XL2 in 24p. We had one telephoto lens, no filters, no rails,no mat box,no follow focus and no monitor. We did have a jib that was constructed out of pipes,a doorway dolly and a Steadicam.









Some gaming sites have written about the project:
www.destructoid.com

www.fancinematoday.com

Georgia Gameday

Georgia Gameday is new to me this semester. Gameday is a live weekly sports show that only runs during fall semesters. It focuses solely on UGA football. From a technical aspect it runs very similar to Newsource 15. Both shows are run out of the same studio.

However if you go into a taping of Gameday the buzz around the control room is different from Newsource. The show for one has more graphics. We operate with 2 green screens. One for the host and one for the two panelist. The background for the panelist is a virtual studio while the graphic for the host is a simple graphic.

Gameday also tends to do more live shots than Newsource. Many occur around the stadium or North Campus where several football traditions began. Also while in the control room there is a more relaxed atmosphere. I believe it is because even the talent for Gameday is volunteer. Everyone equally wants to be involved in the show.

Tearless Tester

Tearless Tester is a sketch about the guy who has to test tearless shampoo. It was written by a group of guys who refer themselves Slow Children at Play. (SC@P)

I was approached by the SC@P guys about gaffing this project for them. I had to work around the exiting florescent lighting in the chemistry lab. We also had very limited light equipment, practically zero, with 2 Kino Flo 400 Divas. The Kinos were great because we could control their intensity and they are very versatile. However, even before we could get the first shot off one of the kinos blew a fuse leaving me to get creative. I then found a florescent desk lamp and enlisted it for the day.

My Day Job

As a student here at The University of Georgia I am one of many who also have a part time job. I'm an employee of Daktronics; a member of their production crew. For a year and a half now I have been Between the Hedges on Saturdays at Sanford Stadium for football games, under the net at Stegman Coliseum for basketball games and on the floor for the Gymdogs gymnastics meets.

This job has been great. Not only do I love the guys I work with but it has given me a great opportunity to become comfortable with shooting. With the fast pace of sport there is no time to dwell on a shot and set it up. You have to create the shot out of what you have and as quickly as possible. I really couldn't be happier with my job. I get to make money and work on my skills all at the same time while also gaining an education. Pretty great deal if you ask me.

Hyper-Left Syndrome

Hyper-Left Syndrome was created to be a 30 second Easter egg on the Red Clay Chef DVD.

This project was for a class I was in Spring 2008. It was a challenge for me because it could be anything as long as it did not exceed 30 seconds. I wanted to try to write something. . . well I did and I learned I am no writer. But maybe after my script class this semester I'll be awesome at it. I shot this using the Panisonic AG-DVC60. I lit it using a simple 3 piece Arri kit with some diffusion. Lucky me my roommate let me dress her up and move her around for a couple of hours.

The editing was done using Final Cut and it just about gave me a heart attack. Three hours before it was due I managed to kill my external hard drive losing everything. Lucky me I had the backup saving sent to my flash drive so the project was still intact. I just had to re-log footage, re-create the graphics and I would be on my way.

Newsource 15

Newsource 15 has taken me hostage for far more hours than I would like to admit. I am currently in my fifth semester as a Production Manager for the nightly thirty minute live newscast. I spend roughly 20 hours a week in the control room volunteering. As a production manager I am responsible for the shows graphics, wrangling the volunteer show staff, directing, technical directing and maintaining the studio.

Each semester we produce a special one hour show. Past shows have covered local and national elections along with the sever drought Georgia suffered in Summer 2007. Each show usually consist of one or two live shots sent to the studio by reverse cable feed, broadband or by microwave relays. We switch the show using the New Tek VT5 instead of a traditional switcher. All of the studio and newsroom cameras are robotic and controlled by a single operator.

I have become very comfortable in the newsroom but I have also learned that I do not wish to work in news past college. Its great experience while at The University of Georgia and I have made some of the best friends I could as for. However, news is not for me. I need more creativity.