Necessary Distractions

Distraction is sometimes a necessary thing to bring about productivity. I would love to work in an environment that appreciates peoples' need for a change in scenery or time out of the office but of course still have it limits [it's unrealistic to expect your employer to allow you to hop a plane and fly to the Swiss Alps just because you need to stretch your legs, as awesome as that may be].

Last week was a wonderful example of this idea. At lunch time nearly the entire office went out to lunch. It was more like a mass wave since I was almost literally pulled out of the door, not even knowing exactly what for or where I was being taken. We went to the Breakfast Factory [located next to Jesus' mailbox and office, no joke] and it was so nice to have lunch with co-workers, not have to check our watches for when we needed to be back and have fun conversations. We also got to see two US Navy jets take off from the Rolls Royce building next door. The break in the norm brought about great conversations and was refreshing to the mental and physical state of many if not all in the office.

With only one week left, I look back and am grateful to have found this internship. I've learned a lot about how a non-profit organization runs [and in some cases doesn't run], the differences between creating narrative film and corporate video and how to interact and meet new people [never been great at it]. I've been pulled out of my comfort zone and have been forced to find myself work to do at times. From these experiences I have changed some of my previous notions as to what I wanted or didn't want to do in my future. I have also come to see how even when one does not openly profess their faith, I can still be a witness to those around me by my actions.

Got the Go

Last Thursday I got the green light for the promo video series for the festival. Me and Jeff had a meeting to discuss the specifics and whatnot and I'm really excited to see this finally come together. There is four videos and I'm really hoping to get all of them dome but both Jeff and Katie don't think that will be possible since one of the videos is going to be a compilation of clips from past filmmakers and to make that we have to wait to get clips from them which might not happen till after I leave.

Also was given another quick project where I'll actually be working with Jeff Sparks which should be fun. It's a personal invitation from Jeff Sparks to past filmmakers to attend the festival this fall. He is currently out of town so when he comes back next week I'm gonna film it, edit it and turn it around for them in a couple of days.

These past few weeks a lot of things have been happening/changing in the office and while I'm obviously not in the loop with hardly any of it, I've been observing reactions of the people in the office. If any truth has been proved from interning at Heartland it's that communication is very key in any organization. Miscommunication brings confusion, frustration and unnecessary amounts of stress on all parties.

Only Me and Bob

Me and Bob were the only ones at the office today. Tim was there for maybe 20 minutes but he had to go to some film screening.

I try to learn something every day. I don't always succeed or rather I don't always realize that I've learned something, but today I got smacked in the face with a lesson: if you are ever a supervisor, someone's boss or in charge of a group of people, always, always be kind and grateful and let your employees [and even co-workers] know how you are thankful for their work.

Bob was going through his email and leans over to me and says, "Rikki, I've been worked into the ground recently [some changes have happened with positions, etc] and this is why I love Jeff [the President and CEO of HTMP]...." and he proceeds to read me an email that Jeff had sent him explaining how grateful he was for Bob's hard work in the midst of stressful time.

That's how you are to treat your employees.

I Never Liked Playing Limbo

I've been kind of in a limbo between projects and it's been difficult to find things to do when in all reality there isn't. I hope that I get to green light soon for my next project so I can work.

Stupidity Has Slowed Me Down

So today was a little slow at the offices because of my stupidity. I showed Jeff and Katie the One Film Can video and tweaked it a bit and then set about exporting the video. After an hour of waiting [during which I had lunch] I came back and reviewed it just to make sure....the audio ended before the video did. Such an amateur mistake, I nearly hit myself for it! I fixed it and decided to edit a few very minor things while I was at it. Here we go again, another hour wait. But after it was done I showed it again to Katie and Allison and they loved it. I got swarmed after the staff meeting by people who wanted to see it and it was kinda overwhelming....

I also was able to get a hold of Heartland's external hard-drive that they lent out over the weekend. For the past week and a half my computer's disk space has been full which doesn't allow me to save files or receive emails while in the office through Entourage, so I've been using my personal external which also was about to be full [since it's only 320GB]. Thankfully, the one I was just given is 1TB which is AWESOME! Don't have to worry about running out of space ever again [or at least here at my time with Heartland]. So now with this new room I am setting about cleaning up my computer and organizing files and what-not.

That is probably my biggest complaint as of right now [I don't like using "complaint" since it's more of just a nuisance then a real issue]. The company's MacBook Pro desktop is a mess and the hard-drive is just as bad if not worse. I really would love to go through and clean out unnecessary files and then organize the relevant ones into folders that are easily findable. But we shall see if that happens since I don't know which files/folders are to keep etc or if there is a certain way of organizing things [which I doubt since it isn't very organized in the first place].

Success! [well, almost]

Yesterday at the office I finished up a nearly complete [but still rough] One Film Can video and showed it to Katie, Allison and Jeff. They gave me great feedback - Katie and Allison gave me tips concerning the marketing aspect and Jeff gave me production tips. It's so nice having someone who understands production there to help and give advice [and to talk geek with while no one else understands a word you are saying. Always fun]. So, This weekend is my fix and finish weekend with this video and then on Tuesday I can say I have given Heartland my first completed project of the summer [not included archived workshop videos but I don't really count those].

It was nice to see the above three excited about the video. I can say I'm pretty happy with the [almost] final outcome of the video considering the equipment provided. I wish I could have kept the video quality consistent throughout the project but I guess we gotta do what we can with what we are given.

From Three To Five Pee Em

Work has been kind of slow since I'm waiting to go to Chicago [in about 20 minutes] to get more footage while I'm visiting some friends out there. Hoping I get more useful and diverse answers this time then in Indy [that was horrid].

Thankfully I was given another project and a second one is pending. HTMP had another workshop about scriptwriting with Andie Redwine a few weekends ago and so I've log and captured and have been putting that footage together and adding in her slides and such. The audio was painful to listen to, so much buzz and hum you could barely hear Redwine talk at times. I cleaned it up as best as I could in Soundtrack Pro [which took FOREVER it seemed] and I'm somewhat proud of the outcome figuring I've never really done audio sweetening before to any major extent.

I've realized that knowing people who know more then you in this industry is not only useful but very important. I've already contact some of my friends back from school to help out with issues with software or to bounce ideas off of them and it has proved most helpful. I know I wouldn't have been able to work through some of the Soundtrack Pro edits if I didn't have friends who knew A LOT more then I. And Jeff LeFores from work has been a great help as well [he graduated with a Media Production degree from Butler]. It's also nice to be able to talk to him about films/editing programs and he actually understands what I am talking about. Not many people know that the best time to shoot is from 3-5pm.

More Diversity!

Was finally able to get people to answer my question for the street interview feel for the "One Film Can" [OFC] campaign. Got about 6 or so people who gave answers [granted I can only use maybe 4] but there is a lack of diversity in the types of people interviewed [all Caucasian] so I am going to take the camera to Chicago with me when I head up there for Fourth of July weekend. Making sure we include everyone.

I was given another project - a simple log/capture/throw it together type deal. It's from another workshop earlier in the month about scriptwriting. One nice thing about having to watch the footage as it captures is I get to "attend" the workshops without having to actually go.

I'm getting to know the people in the office a little better and it's not so awkward anymore. Me and Bob bonded over 65% dark chocolate today and Jeff and I got to have a great conversation about Boondock Saints after he fixed Final Cut for me. Trivial things but comforting nonetheless.

So far my experience has been positive and I have learned about the workings of a business/organizations in the film world more-so then technique or skill with filming. Which I don't mind since one of my career options is to be apart of a non-profit like Heartland.

Sorry this is such a dry and boring entry. Nothing too exciting to write about as of recent.

Claddagh Irish Pub and Goodbyes

It is days like today that are such an encouragement to my spirit.

I got in this morning and received a warm "Good morning, Rikki" from Bob [office manager] before I sat down at my desk [it's a great way to start the work day and I can only hope I find a job where people are considerate and kind like Bob]. Began re-working my storyboard since I think I would be the only one to understand it. I get kinda messy when I do a rough draft/first thinkings on paper [too many scribbles, arrows and illegible notes]. From then till lunch I worked on the ending part of the campaign video in After Effects, dealing with text mostly. Was a little proud of myself for finding the correct font [finally] without knowing exactly what it was in the beginning [fun fact: turned out to be "Univers LT Std" if you cared to know]. I was then able to show Katie all that I had been working on [ending video and stop motion portions] to which she really liked and seemed genuinely excited to see the end result.

Knowing/seeing someone excited about your work is such a good feeling. Very encouraging.

Shortly after, the office went out to lunch at Claddagh Irish Pub [restaurant/bar] as a send-off for another co-worker who was leaving after nine years with Heartland. It was fun to sit down with my fellow co-workers in a non-work atmosphere [not that work is a restricting environment in any way] and enjoy the conversation. Bob, Adam, Mook and I went early to get tables which provided me with an opportunity to get to know them a little bit better, at least what a car ride and fifteen minutes at the restaurant would allow.

Following lunch was the last stretch of the work day, which didn't seem like a stretch at all. Working in a great environment with fun and personable people makes time go by faster I believe. Or at least makes work more enjoyable since you can't physically speed up time. I also began brainstorming for another project, this time an animation piece for the intro to the films being shown on their hopefully soon-to-be on demand channel.

*****

Now, according to the requirements of our internship we are to journal about the integration of our faith with the work place [you know you go to TU when you automatically think "integration of faith and culture" whenever you hear/read/type out "integration"] so I shall do so. I have not had any opportunity to blatantly talk about my faith but I believe I do so in a different way, through my actions or lack of actions in some situations. My personality has never been that of an extrovert or extremely bold in any manner and I believe that comes into play heavily in my relations to people and my faith. I use my witness as a tool to stand apart from the world and to be an example to those around me. My willingness to help in any way I can, strong work ethic, open heart, refusal to swear, smoke, and/or drink [and not just because of the LTC] all take a part in showing Christ's love/life through me.

Strangers Don't Like to be Bothered

Yesterday I went out to Indy with Andrew Hamilton to film for the "One Film Can" campaign and I have to admit it was a miserable failure. No one would stop to answer my one question and at the end of the two hours of trying all I had were me and Andrew's answers. Discouraging? Yes, but I'm going to try again on Sunday and hoping for a better result. And if Sunday doesn't work I am going to Chicago for 4th of July weekend and I can definitely get people there.

So instead of working on the interview portion today I'll be working on the stop motion part and hopefully get most of that done for tomorrow when I go to the offices. Fingers crossed.

Story-boarding About Post-It-Notes

My idea for the One Film Can campaign got a green light so I've been story-boarding out the video. The one curse about my organized/detail oriented brain is that I have to storyboard each shot before I begin. Thing is, is that this video is having random people answer a question, which means it's kinda unpredictable. Coming up with a basic template for how I want it to go is somewhat difficult.

Sigh

Working from home isn't helping my brain focus on things either. Too many distractions. To solve this problem [for at least this weekend], I decided to take a trip away from my bed, instant netflix and the multitude of people that come over every night and I drove to Upland, Indiana. Currently I'm at the wonderful, work conducive atmosphere of Payne's working my fingers to the bone on this video [and of course writing this entry as well]. I hope to have this storyboard done this weekend so I can start shooting early next week.

Board Meeting

Today there was a board meeting to which all available interns were invited to attend.

Dress code: business attire.

Rikki: somewhat nervous and started the day with her stomach hurting.

Awesome.

Whenever I see/hear "business attire" it kinda freaks me out because I think of fancy offices with expensive wood furnishings filled with head honchoes gathered together to discuss politics and finances while holding brandy glasses [I knew for a fact this last delirium wasn't going to be present but still....]. Thankfully none of this was true, except the business attire. That was required.

I must say this meeting was quite beneficial to my nerves and thinkings of my future. First off, I walked in and I was greeted by Allison and Katie with whom I chatted with briefly as everyone was getting their lunches [Panera!] and sitting down. I went to the back of the room where the interns where to sit and I got to observe [which I love doing - I blame my mother for that hobby]. My biggest realization was that these people, executives and staff members alike, were not just co-workers placed in a hierarchy in an organization, but rather they also were friends. The atmosphere was relaxed and casual [even though the attire was not] and yet still had the sense of professionalism you would see in any organization. This is the type of place I want to work at.

My observing was interrupted by a friendly "Hello, how's it going?" I turn and see someone I have no idea who they are [later found out his name is Jeff LeFors] and we just start talking. He too had just started and turned out to be the new Annual Support Manager. Awesome, here I am a tiny intern talking to one of those scary head honchoes I mentioned earlier. I introduced myself and explained how I am the video production intern and he tells me he graduated with a video production major from Butler, which then led into him telling me of a few companies to check out after graduation if I was interested in other internships. Connections [kinda]!

Staff members were introduced and they gave a brief overview of what they are involved with within Heartland for the new staff members and board members. Also us interns were introduced. It was nice to hear names with faces, granted I won't remember them but I at least know they are real.

Though there came a sobering moment for me personally. Jeff Sparks [President & CEO] mentioned LaRita Boren and how she had passed away. A flood of emotions came over me when he mentioned her. It took me back to my Taylor family and reminded me how much I have been blessed to attend TU. To have professors who actually care about my well-being and future and to go to a school where people give money so that I can have access to mind-blowing equipment because they believe in what I am passionate about. I am where I am because of those people.

Back at the office, me and Katie met so I could fill her in on my brainstorming and such. She liked my ideas and gave me the green light for them. We also went over the projects I am going to be doing while here. So excited! My mind is on overload with ideas. And if all goes right some of my videos will be showing at the festival which would just be awesome!!

Forcing Ideas Rarely Works

I find it really hard to schedule a brainstorming session. It's something that one cannot just sit down and make happen, at least for me anyways. One of my tasks this week as I work from home is to come up with ideas for two videos: one being a simple "Meet the Staff" video and the other a promo piece for Heartland's "One FIlm Can..." campaign.

I looked at every video that Heartland put up online on both their Vimeo and YouTube accounts and read up on the OFC campaign to try and get some ideas. I got a few for the MTS video but am struggling to break the lock on the other. They will come, eventually. Hopefully before Tuesday when I go in to present them to Katie and Allison. You never know when a good idea will hit you....

I've also been invited [along with the other interns] to a Board Meeting on Tuesday to introduce myself. Should be interesting, large offices and "business attire" have always made me nervous for some reason, never been comfortable in that atmosphere. And then again, who said we aren't supposed to be pushed from our comfort zone every now and then?

HARK! the beginning....

May 31st of the year 2011. First day of my first job that isn't camp or fast food related. Also known as a "real" job. But then I guess you could say it's not really a job since it's technically an internship but even this fact makes it more of a job then the however many jobs I've had since the age of 14. Mark this day either way.

The temporary offices for Heartland Truly Moving Pictures [HTMP or Heartland] are located right next to the Rolls Royce offices, which of course I walked into instead of the correct door one to the right. The front desk lady was kind and directed me to the right place with a smile, so I didn't feel too stupid [I mean both doors had 2135 on them so how was I supposed to know which was which?].

I was greeted with the friendliest welcome I think I have ever received, lots of smiles, hellos and handshakes. Got a quick or "dirty" orientation from Claire Norton [intern administrator] and was then handed my MacBook Pro computer, a handi cam, a buttload of cables and 4 tapes. Say hello to my first project. I had to log and capture [yes log and capture TAPES] three tapes which took 2.5 hours. I do not miss tapes. At all. I then compiled the 3 hours worth of footage of a workshop from April on Motion Graphics into Final Cut Pro and started to create a video that they would then put up on their website and vimeo account.

I was a genius and forgot my lunch. Typical Rikki thing to do on a first day of something. But I was able to give my order for Subway to Allison [web supervisor whom I will work closely with] and she was kind enough to pay for it. I of course protested but she insisted with a "Welcome to Heartland!"

From lunch on I continued to work on the footage and ended up finishing it by 4pm. We also figured out my schedule and talked briefly about what is to come on the near future. Next week, me and Allison are going to shoot an interview with some people who are working on the move to Fountain Square as a promo piece. Me and Katie [media marketing supervisor] also talked about the upcoming appeal video that is going to be used for fundraising. I have to study up on the film and story that's being featured. Should be fun.

I must say the first day was a success and I am excited to continue my internship with Heartland. So here's to the beginning of what seems is going to be a great summer....