I’m in the field quite a bit these days. As a camera operator and cinematographer, 2009 took me to 6 countries and 13 US States. It’s just June and 2010 has already taken me to 3 countries. I’ve compiled a list of 10 rules that guide the documentary camera work that I do.

Rule #10:
Whenever possible, encourage interviewees to speak in their native language.

Rule #9:
Ignore equipment fads. Learn what’s available; know your gear, and use the right tool for the shoot.

Rule #8:
Be real. Illusionary trust will not sustain your work or your relationships.

Rule #7:
Get good audio. Audiences find crap video quality more palatable than crap audio.

Rule #6:
Work hard. Bring snacks.

Rule #5:
Never underestimate the power of good shoes.

Rule #4:
Take a deep breath before you hit record. If there’s no time, take one after.

Rule #3:
Learn to shape light and shadow regardless of whether your kit is large, small or non-existent.

Rule #2:
Find the blessings; you get to be an insider on some of the most amazing stories.

Rule #1:
Break the rules, but only if you know what you’re doing.

Here is the trailer for a movie that I worked on in 2005. It premieres on October 11 at the Chicago International Film Festival and will air on PBS in January 2010.

The White House is building on the success of the Obama campaign to win the 2008 election by being media savvy. Combining traditional media and the web 2.0 world, they’re simultaneously reaching through and beyond conventional media to connect with people around the world.

An example of their efforts is the March 20, 2009 video message that Obama directed at the people of Iran. This video has reached audiences of half a million people who have viewed it online, downloaded it and done their own mash-ups, mixing it with their own messages and putting it back online.

According to White House tech genius Macon Phillips, the 30-year old in charge of the White House New Media operation, this video has thrown Tehran off balance as it thinks out its’ response.

Inside the US, the Obama White House has just launched FaceBook, YouTube, MySpace and Twitter (as well as a myriad of other social-network) accounts as a way to communicate with its’ constituents.

Breaking it all down, I’ve come up with 3 lessons from the Obama approach to media:

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Advertising in an Age of Distrust

New Media Solutions and Messaging to Build Consumer Confidence

RICHMOND, Va., Nov 11, 2008 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ — As the stock market crumbles, retail sales fall and consumer confidence plummets, businesses are looking for ways to survive and thrive in this economic climate. In October the consumer confidence index dropped 32 points, marking the single largest monthly drop since measurement for this index began in 2002. So how does a company build and maintain trust when consumer confidence is at an all time low?

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Under Obama, Web Would Be the Way
Unprecedented Online Outreach Expected
By Shailagh Murray and Matthew Mosk
Washington Post Staff Writers
Monday, November 10, 2008

CHICAGO — Armed with millions of e-mail addresses and a political operation that harnessed the Internet like no campaign before it, Barack Obama will enter the White House with the opportunity to create the first truly “wired” presidency.

Obama aides and allies are preparing a major expansion of the White House communications operation, enabling them to reach out directly to the supporters they have collected over 21 months without having to go through the mainstream media.

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We went to the Port of Tacoma on a beautiful Saturday morning to film with Kalmar Industries. I was shooting 1080p at 25fps and got to take the Panasonic HPX500 on a man-lift and crane. While I was up there, I thought back to my days of working with one of the DPs from the TV show Lost. His advice to me: “Get height in your shots. It makes all the difference.”

Luckily, Belal Hibri was the PA on this shoot and snapped some photos.

I just saw this video at a conference and thought it would be great to share.

Here’s a great video:

I didn’t expect to own a business.

Previous to receiving an MA in mental health counseling, I was an advocate for survivors of domestic violence and a project coordinator at a program for homeless youth. I studied political science and alternative education through my undergrad and spent time as an activist, organizing for social change.

When I arrived in the world of business, I treated it like my previous employment. I wanted a clear plan, a solid organizational structure and a set of guiding values.

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Production happens in 5 stages: Development, Pre-Production, Production, Post-Production and Delivery/Distribution. Here they are in a nutshell.

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