Final Project

As I have mentioned in previous posts, the unit topic I chose was modern day slavery. At Milton Middle we have Adivsor/Advisee time every day for 15 min. I always struggled to come up with daily activities to fill that time. After going to Haiti and showing students video and pictures from the trip I began to see how powerful media can be in education. I discussed modern day slavery with students and had them take a survey online that showed them how many slaves were involved in making the things they own. After they had a good grasp on the concept we started talking about making a difference. We discussed various ways they, as teenagers, could make an impact. In the end we decided that spreading awareness was the most affective action we could take. At Milton we have MPNT, a weekly newscast shown throughout the school. The kids came up with the idea to shoot commercials and ask if they could be shown on the newscast. The students submitted different ideas for the commercials and we filtered through them and decided on three ideas to shoot.

Cabell County Digital Media Presentation from Curt Mann on Vimeo.

Video Haiku

This week we took the 8th graders to Washington DC. I really wanted to use that time to shoot video and use it for this week's assignment but time simply did not allow for it. So, upon return I had some fun shooting this video with one of my fellow teachers, Alex Whitt. Quite the character as you will see!

Video Haiku (kinda) from Curt Mann on Vimeo.

My project will be on ending modern day slavery. Basically my homeroom will make a series of videos that will be shown on the school news cast. Here is an example of a video that will be used.

Slavery in the US from Curt Mann on Vimeo.

not so "Spring" break

Well, "Spring" break was quite the dud this year. Despite the weather my wife and I did manage to make a trip to my hometown (Renick, WV). My original plan was to go fishing and hiking in the Cranberry Wilderness, site see at places such as the falls of Hills Creek, Droop Mountain Battlefield, and Beartown State Park however, the weather simply did not cooperate. This led to me shooting random video around the ol' home place.

The first opportunity I had was to shoot was while my dad and I ripped plywood for a teardrop camper he is building. Growing up we always had a project or two or three going. He was always building and working on something. This of course led to needing my brothers and I to help him. We spent many Saturdays in the barn or garage. While we would work he would always have bluegrass music playing. Occasionally we would take breaks to get a drink, eat supper, or just watch wildlife.

The next shots I had the opportunity to take are of another hobby of my father's; playing the banjo. On Friday nights at "The Pretty Penny"(a restaurant just down the road in Hillsboro, WV) my dad and whoever else wants to join in play music on the stage for the patrons and anyone decides to drop in and grab a bite to eat. It was on that stage I learned to play guitar.

All of the shots in the video incorporate the scenes mentioned above. The music in the video is actually from a bluegrass band located in Renick named "The Black Mountain Bluegrass Boys". I wanted to use the audio from the actual video but the restaurant was simply too loud.

 Hope you enjoy!!

Not so "Spring" Break from Curt Mann on Vimeo.

Home

This week I drew a blank on the prompt so I used a video that I mad with my HOMEroom. Enjoy!

Slavery Still Exists from Curt Mann on Vimeo.

Nostalgia

There is nothing more nostalgic then looking at old photographs. I caught my wife looking at pictures on the couch this weekend and thought it would be a perfect opportunity to tell a story. The music is a song that I recorded for a Haiti benefit cd. Hope you enjoy!

Nostalgia from Curt Mann on Vimeo.

Reflection

Well, I'm sick. Sick as a dog. Bed ridden for 5 days. So here I am, wondering what the crap am I gonna take a reflection picture of? My medicine! That's what! Called to my wife to get me a mirror, she said "you don't want to see yourself right now" Thanks. I took some with the medicine straight up and down in good lighting but it didn't portray the imminent death that was hanging in the air, so I turned off the light, tilted the camera and pulled the ISO all the way up to make it grainy. Once I had it in Lightroom I made it black and white and pulled the clarity down quite a bit. I feel the picture captures a little of what it feels like to be sick (disorientated, backwards, a little blurry).

As much as being sick really does stink, a lot. It does allow for time to well, reflect. Being sick allows you to slow down, read a book you've been wanting to (Undaunted Courage is mine of choice at the moment) or re-watch a favorite tv show. All that being said I think I'd still rather be at work right now...