Help Ruben: Train Station

This is a video that one of my former CUNY students, Ruben Henriquez, made that I really like.  When he came to my class last Fall, he was a photographer and I have seen him add video to his repertoire to great success. He didn't use the video component on his Canon 5D that much before taking my class, so, I feel that I inspired him. If you look at some of his work on his Vimeo channel, you can see his motivation and talent.  I particularly like his series for the Complejo - M. Tony Peralta art exhibit as he's getting some interesting stories from people and his framing is just perfect. (I do believe he should figure out some audio issues to improve the sound a bit to make it more consistent.)

The reason I like the video embedded above is that he is a smart guy who is figuring out how to use video in new and innovative ways.  He has the knowledge and now he just needs practice.  He made a few of these videos in my class and I really enjoyed his Weekend with the Bradfords and What Do I Love? (although this last one, which was his final project, was a little long in my opinion).

In general, he's talented and now that he's off to the School of Visual Arts, which I am sure he will excel at, I just wanted to spread the word about his inspiring work.  Congratulations Ruben on SVA! 

Posted via email from Things I like this week

Karma Kids on Yoga City: Teaching Our Kids to Remember to Breathe

via yogacitynyc.com

This is a great review about Shari's business, "Karma Kids" on West 14th Street in the Village. Shari is a good friend who is revolutionizing the kid yoga movement in NYC and her ability to engage both kids and grown-ups is amazing and is also getting her some GREAT press. Check out all of the lovely notes in pink too. Her classes have made an impression on my kids which I have noticed at random times throughout the summer and beyond.

Most recently, my littlest one, likes singing the song they sing at the end of the classes where they talk about "sitting up tall and taking a deep breath....", which isn't a bad thing in light of all the recent black-outs and 'evacuation panic' in downtown Manhattan and elsewhere. Not bad advice for those of us big and small. Go Shari!

Posted via email from Things I like this week

In the garden

http://www.flickr.com/photos/30574310@N00/6067733029

Posted via email from Things I like this week

Andrea Syrtash: On Relationships and Love

I worked with Andrea while freelancing at NBC Digital and she sent me a new video today.  I like Andrea's persona on video a lot and I think she is using the medium really effectively. Short and sweet, these videos are cute, playful and fun to watch.  Her interviews look good in the park (although there is a little shaky camers stuff that can be avoided), and she's approachable which is the key in selling something.  Like how she is holding mic out to people and getting their real responses.  A little sweeter than typical Man On the Street stuff.  I also like this other video she has:

It's easy to remember her tip for keeping things fresh in relationships and since it's so fun to watch with the funny music and sound effects, I buy it.  She's clear about what to do, emanates confidence, so of course I want to learn more. I also think her video, Biggest Mistakes Men Make is cool from On Dating, a show that was originally broadcast online on On Networks but is no longer.

Posted via email from Things I like this week

Adobe Ideas 1.1 - YouTube: Utilizing this new tool for Producing Work

via youtube.com

I like using Adobe Ideas on the IPad these days for ease in describing a concept or idea where you need to include a plan or map. The YouTube video shows pretty well how it works. I also like using the pen tool as I can sketch a bit clearer than my finger, or course, but it has still taken some 'getting used to'. I definately like the ability to draw right over photos and include different layers. Neat way to integrate my obsessive note-taking in a digital vector format too! Since I am now producing the DVD for the new series on PBS, The Kimchi Chronicles, (Sunday afternoons, check your local listings.....), I am using the IPad for all the planning and design.

Posted via email from Things I like this week

Archive for August 2011 - Studio 360: American Icons: I Love Lucy

American Icons: I Love Lucy

Friday, August 05, 2011

It set the model for the hit family sitcom. Lucy's weekly antics and humiliation entered the DNA of TV comedy: from Desperate Housewives to 30 Rock – writers can’t live without Lucy.

ListenAddDownload Comments [15]

via studio360.org

I really enjoyed listening to this over the weekend as we celebrated the longevity of the TV sitcom"I Love Lucy". Not only was it interesting in it's relevance to today's comedy writers, but I was brought to tears when they talked about the episode where Lucy tells Ricky that she is pregnant at his work. I grew up watching these shows and loved seeing the characters over the years.

There was some interesting commentary from feminists to Lucy herself about how she got her start. I loved hearing her voice when she spoke about how she rose to the top in comedy because she wasn't worried about looking silly at times when her 'competition' was more interested in looking like beauty queens.

Liked how Google over the weekend, embedded some video of the show in it's TV on their homepage. Neat. Gone now, but fun while it lasted.

Posted via email from Things I like this week

‪Greed Is Good - [LEEMAN BROTHAZ] Wall Street rap music video‬‏ - YouTube

via youtube.com

A Mediabistro student of mine, Ted Papadopoulos, made this awesome video so I wanted to share. Loved his message and thought it was very nicely shot. He's the dark-haired guy that you see in the video and used to work as a banker. He learned enough in my course to make this satirical music-video such a success. Liked that CNN Money interviewed them too in the video below.

http://money.cnn.com/video/news/2011/05/13/n_leeman_brothaz_wall_st.cnnmoney/

Here is some of his email to me about what he got out of the class.

I was in your Media Bistro class last year - Create Quick Video for the Web
You may not remember me but I just wanted to contact you both because that Saturday & Sunday class was such a valuable class for me.

I learned the importance of A Roll and B Roll, getting quality video footage from a quick shoot and really assisted my creativity in shooting a recent video that I wrote, produced & directed. It received coverage by CNN Money, NY Magazine, CNN Int'l and other significant press.

So I thought I would share it with you because my experience in your class certainly helped me in shooting this! It's a satirical Wall Street music video about the housing crash -

Thanks again for your knowledge.

Best,
Ted Papadopoulos

Zachary and I are flattered and happy that his video is so well-done.

Posted via email from Things I like this week

The Kid Should See This.

via thekidshouldseethis.tumblr.com

Rion is an old friend who is a photographer, designer and someone who has an exceptional eye for interesting material. I love this new site she is doing. I happen to have one of these 3 year-olds on hand so feel like he will give it a chubby- handed thumbs-up. The video from yesterday is amazing as it gives a 3D view inside the new Mars Rover. Wow.

Great videos and photography.

Posted via email from Things I like this week