Our Mission, Hope.

This is the video from Haiti 2012.  It rendered out a bit glitchy unfortunately.

Edit: 4/28/13   I clearly depended on musical montage far too much for this one.  If I had time to go back, I would restructure this video significantly.  

Greater things…

This particular film is for me a study in the difference between “as scripted” and “as shot”.

You will notice that the initial talent are all carrying bricks.  You will also notice at the end, that the bricks are nowhere to be found.  I totally forgot to bring the bricks for our last day of shooting.

I also learned that using a monopod for an effects shot is a HORRIBLE idea.  Even if you think it will save you some time on site, you will pay for it heavily in results or in post.

One of these days I’ll track down the original script that was pretty different.  It got a little “designed by committee” and lost most of it’s teeth by the end.  At least I think it did.

I really think the timelapses it opens with are the best shots in the film, although I do like the tone in the poolside scene with my friend Carter holding a brick.

Haiti Day 7 (2012)

In my final chats with Cam today, he reminded me of a truly profound truth that I have forgotten.  As I left, I said “perhaps our paths will cross again one day” to which he replied, “that is a forgone conclusion, seeing as we are both Christians”.  It filled my heart to think that he was right.  One day we will not only see the christian friends and family that we knew here on earth, but also everyone that our lives influenced, those who are Christians because of some small or large thing we have done to honor God.
I always tell myself and others that we may never get to see the change that we are helping God to bring about, but I always forget about the reality of the next life.

Haiti Day 5 (2012)

Today was a solid day…I was blessed to get the things I wanted on tape.
We started the day in church…worship was exciting and worthwhile.  I miss Dayspring, but really enjoyed the “Church of Hope” again this year.  The tour of the compound was excellent…lots of good information and encouraging results.
After church and lunch, we jumped on the bus for Bercy and Leveque.  Bercy has big plans in store for it, but frankly Leveque is my favorite place in Haiti.  Leveque is the site of MOH500 and where the three homes that Shelter 127 have worked on have been built.
I got to wander around in Leveque mostly unsupervised for the first time ever.  We were of course in teams of at least 2, but Mike, Matt, Ryan, and Joel were all willing to oblige my desires and allow me to drag them to various points around the village.  Lots of awesomely cool stuff to see and video tape.   I got to use the steadicam as well, and even survived tripping and falling backwards over some bricks.  Ryan helped out by running the second camera.
Later back at the compound, we had time for 4-6 interviews, and there was so much good material that it will be difficult to wade through everything or keep everything I want to keep.  I was really impressed by the way our trip affects everyone differently.   Kori worked with a cholera patient in another orphanage today, and Rita decided it was time to sponsor a student.  Ryan made some great statements, and all around there was just a lot of great answers and statements.
Tonight I listen to a symphony of snoring…music to my ears as I have recorded it for future generations…I shot over 128 GBs of footage today.  It was a great day.