Spring Cleaning

As you can easily infer from the posts below, this blog was created for a video production class back in the spring of 2010 and has sat dormant ever since. But thanks to my friend Colin McGuire and his "TV without a TV" blog over at the Frederick News-Post web site,  I'm finally dusting off this neglected cranny of cyber space and trying my hand at television analysis/criticism/bloviation. The show?  Why of course, the cultural, critical and er, "commercial" tour-de-force that is AMC's Mad Men. 

You (my one, and probably imaginary, reader) may already be lamenting the fecundity of blogs on this subject, but for his "Mad Men Project", Mr. McGuire has selected seven colleagues/friends/associates to analyze each episode of the fifth season from the viewpoint of a different character. Aside from being an outside-the-box type approach to blogging this show, the project is sure to generate some rich and engaging discussions (that hopefully involve more than seven people) and generally be a fun exercise for all involved.

As for my character, I'm pleased to say that I'll be following Roger Sterling. The character is arguably the most unlikable on the show, but I'm anticipating Matthew Weiner and co. might introduce a new trajectory for him this time around. I'll be posting my thoughts on him both here and on the "TV without a TV" blog each Friday of the season. To learn more about the "Mad Men Project", click here. Season five premieres this Sunday at 9 PM on AMC.

Meet the Intern: Episode One- Project #4

I've submitted this video internship visit for my final video production project. In this video, senior Speech Communication major Madeline Therasse discusses her internship experiences at Hermitage House Youth Services in Cambridge Springs, PA. Maddie gives a tour of her work space and we also hear from her supervisor, Ms. Lin Gabriel. This video is content for the soon-to-be-launched virtual internship site of the Edinboro Communication and Media Studies department. Let me readily acknowledge the less-than-stellar framing of Ms. Gabriel, along with an exposed lav mic cable (apparently I haven't learned from past mistakes). In hindsight, I also wish I would have shot more b-roll. Enjoy.

Special thanks to my grad student colleague Brian Shreve for his assistance.

High School Journalism Day Video Essay- Project #3

Here is my third project for JOUR 419, a video essay using footage from the Communication and Media Studies Department's 2nd Annual Journalism Day. It's longer than the 2-3 minutes specified, but I felt that my a-roll was quality enough for a six-minute video. In hindsight, I wish I would have chosen some different shots and angles and captured some additional footage from the end of the event. Nevertheless, enjoy.

Dr. Peyronel Interview- Project #2

This latest production is an interview with Dr. Anthony Peyronel, faculty advisor for the Edinboro chapter of the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA). This interview is the first part of a larger video project that will highlight the PRSSA chapter. Please forgive the annoying glare from the background photo frame and the exposed mic cable (both bush league mistakes, I know). Special thanks to Professor Wertz and his "vignetting" expertise.

Photo Montage- Project Numero Uno

Now up for your viewing pleasure (or displeasure), my first production for Advanced Video. This photo montage, set to the vintage hard rock strains of Uriah Heep's 1972 hit "Easy Livin", makes use of cornball photos of my friends and I during a memorable night out. Just to show that I sorta know Adobe Premiere, I've also thrown in many gimmicky video transitions. Enjoy.