Wednesday, April 25, 2012

Final Project

The group having broken off into mini groups Marc and I will be sticking it out together to make a video on the Gold Crown bowling ally.

This project needs to incorporate two or more multimedia styles, so we will be shooting footage with a video camera, as well as getting stills and to get better sound in the interview we will be using a voice recorder.

We hope that in the interview we will get to be taken behind the pins, to see the machinery that sets the pins and the ball retriever.

The work will be split evenly between Marc and I. Marc will be taking all the photos and video footage and I will be doing the interview and sound recording. We will both be taking part in the editing, and final product.

Martial Arts Video Project




The dojo might be the basement of the Eagles Club, but every Wednesday night, residents of Bethlehem, NH are being transformed from beginners to black belts.

White Mountain Martial Arts is an independent Shotokan Karate Program that puts “martial arts in its proper perspective in today’s world.”  

Sensei Leon Currier, fourth degree black belt, teaches students of all color belts.    

“We’ve been open since November of ’97,” Currier explained. “I’ve taught some before, but mainly here.”

Shotokan is the most widespread and influential style of karate. It was developed from various martial art styles by Gichin Funakoshi.

The first official dojo Funakoshi built was named Shotokan, which is how the style received its name.  This dojo was destroyed in an allied bombing.

Funakoshi is credited for the popularity of karate clubs throughout the West because of the public demonstrations he would give. 

Today there is no leading organization guiding the way Shotokan is taught, but almost all styles include Funakoshi’s influence.

Currier teaches eleven forms of Shotokan depending on the level of ability his students have. To see the different forms and their explanations, click here.

Some of Currier’s students have been studying with him for as long as 8 years. 

“Sensei Tristan Emerson, second dan, eight-ish years,” student Tristan Emerson proclaimed. “Second dan” means that Emerson is a second degree black belt.

Currier describes the style of WMMA as “heavily dependant on the three K’s of karate.” This means there is a mixure of drills, forms of self defense, and sparring.

“We call our style ‘Tae-Sho Shotokan Karate,” explained Currier. The group has incorporated some Taekwondo into their style.

Classes are $10 per month and meet every Wednesday at 7 p.m.



Monday, April 16, 2012

Last two projects

The last video project is going to be on the martial arts club I go to.

The video that I have at the moment focuses on grappling and basic self-defense, and sparing.

I will be shooting some of the footage, with the possibility that someone else might need to get more.
Sam will be doing the story to go along with the video.
Mark and Sean will be doing the video editing.


Final Project

All ideas are still very tentative. Between trying to find something that interest the group and make the project include people we don't know.

We might try to find a microbrewery and do an interview/how to.

For this project we can split off and do the project as individuals.

Wednesday, April 11, 2012

Video project



Things are getting sticky in the Northeast Kingdom—or at least in a bathtub.

Sierra Willenburg, a senior graphic design major at Lyndon State College, recently finished filming her original thirty minute short film entitled “The Cyborg Rises Up from the Oatmeal” for Advanced Non-linear Video Editing.

Advanced Non-linear Video Editing is a required course for New Media majors with a video concentration. Willenburg had to take the required class as an independent study because it was not offered for the Spring semester.

In order to take an independent study from the college, students must fill out an independent study contract. The contract asks for students to state the purpose of the study, objectives, and reasons for taking the course independently.

Students also must have their instructor, their advisor, the dean and the department chair sign off on the study. Though the form may sound tedious, Willenburg was not annoyed by the process.

“I think I got it all done in a day or two,” she said in an email.

She also believes taking the course independently has not changed what she could have learned.

“I think [taking it as a class] would have been about the same,” Willenburg explained.

Willenburg co-wrote the script with friend and junior English major Peter Nute. They wrote the script while at a journalism conference in New York City.

Willenburg played the role of director and cinematographer and recruited friends and family to help with her with the project. Willenburg’s younger sister, Jaime Willenburg, is the focus of the film in her role as the cyborg. Cyborgs are fantasy creature who have both artificial and biological parts.

Detective White, played by digital media major Bryan White, and Detective Sherman, played by Nute, go to an apartment building to investigate a murder.

It is in this same apartment building that the Cyborg has been living in a bath tub filled with Oatmeal.

“Every time I move my feet there are these little, little, semi-cooked grains and they are kind of going up my pant legs,” Jaime explained how sitting in a bathtub full of oatmeal felt. “It’s not slightly pleasant.”

Though it was not a pleasant feeling, Jaime agreed her suffering was worth her art. Cast and crew worked, played, and acted for about five hours two days in a row to complete the filming process.

“I think this is going to be a great movie,” Barber said excited when filming was over. “I can’t wait to see it!”

Wednesday, April 4, 2012

Video project idea

With the groups collective brain only thinking of spring break, the ideas for  our video project didn't really add up to much.

Right now everything is still up in the air. Ideas included making a behind the scenes video of LSC students making a video, and going on campus and seeing what the school was like while students were on spring break...

As far as I know the group wanted to do the behind the scenes thing for our project but I haven't really gotten any details about when and where this thing is going to happen, so I might have to fall back on the empty campus idea.

The job distribution might go something like this (dependent mostly on if I hear back from anybody):
Sam- reporter/interviewer
Me- camera person
Marc- video editor
Sean- Write up

If I don't hear back from anybody I will have to do the empty campus thing and I might be both interviewer and camera person.

Wednesday, March 21, 2012

Don's Tats

Don's Tats, a tattoo and piercing shop in Lyndonville, Vermont is the popular place for many of Lyndon State College student to get tattoos.

With help again from Angry Ani, we were able to get the run down on this local business and see the process of getting a tattoo. Ani is no novice when it comes to the pain of getting a tattoo, having gotten a peace sign she designed tattooed on the back of her neck.

Today she is having the Greek word for 'family' forever placed in her skin, in honor of her families Greek heritage.

Don Furbush, the owner as well as the tattoo artist in the slideshow, is one of three who work in the shop. As is policy with every legal tattoo shop before you get any ink done you need to sign a waiver, stating that you know the risks that come with getting a tattoo.

Each person is also verified that they are who they say they are before any of the tattooing starts, once again for legal reasons.

With high demand for tattoos and only one place to get the in town Don's Tats was quickly able to move from its original location to Depot street.

Furbush's tattooing history is rather extensive having majored in art while at art school in MA and he has 11 years of tattooing under his belt.
Each time a person comes in for a tattoo Furbush will show you that the needle he will be using is new and sterile, along with the expiration date of the equipment.

Furbush said that you shouldn't trust a tattoo shop that already has the tattoo gun ready to go before you show up; which is why his shop assembles the gun right in front of you, letting you see all the parts as he puts it together.

First Furbush will discuss with you what and where you want your tattoo, then he will shave and clean the area. To make sure that the client will be happy with the results, a stencil of sorts is placed on the skin where the tattoo will go; this insures proper placement and accuracy while tattooing.

To make sure the skin doesn't try out and the needle glides over the skin easier Furbush will frequently stop to lube the skin.

When the skin is punctured there should be blood, to keep a clear view of the stencil on the skin Furbush will wipe away any excess ink from the gun and any blood that may come with the tattoo.

When the tattoo is finished Furbush will tell you how to care for the tattoo once you get home; in addition, Don's Tats will give you a paper telling you how to take care of your new tattoo.

Tuesday, March 13, 2012

Slideshow 2: Tattoo

After talking about our next slideshow, with help from our teacher, our group will be interviewing a tattoo artist and an LSC student getting a tattoo.

Before the tattooing Marc and I will show up and ask the tattoo artist questions about the job. What made him want to become a tattoo artist, any perks the job may have. I want to check out the gear he needs to properly tattoo somebody and if their are any rules about tattooing.

The slideshow will follow a LSC student as she gets her first tattoo. We will probably ask her questions about why she wanted this tattoo and if it represents anything special for her, and after the tattooing is done if she thinks she will get another one.

Wednesday, March 7, 2012

Fire Department Life



Kid’s dream of being firefighters everyday. At 22, Christian Henault is no longer a child, but he definitely still wants to be a firefighter.

On the job officially for about a month, probationary firefighter Christian Henault gave reporter Heather Cobb a tour of the St. Johnsbury fire department.

Henault is not only a member of the full time staff of the call division, but he is also a full time business major at Lyndon State College.

Henault inherited his love of firefighting from his father and grandfather who both served as volunteers in New Hampshire departments. Christian first worked in the Barnet Fire Department, but then moved to Saint Johnsbury.

The Saint Johnsbury Fire Department deals with various incidents, from EMS calls to fires to car accidents. Because of the variety of calls covered by the fire department all of the full time staff must be EMT’s or have higher medical training.
        
Henault told us that not every day is the same in the life of a firefighter. Each day begins with cleaning and checking equipment. Although these morning duties may seem mundane, they are necessary for safety.

The equipment in each engine goes beyond that of fire prevention or fire protection, trucks also carry a medical equipment. One example of such equipment is a defibrillator.

Teamwork is highly valued within the St. Johnsbury Fire Department. All the firefighters sleep together and eat “together like a family.”

The St. Johnsbury Fire Department covers the larger St. Johnsbury area. The St. Johnsbury Fire Department also helps out surrounding towns in the event that it is needed.

Henault says the department receives an average of four calls a day, but could receive up to 11 a day. Each call costs around two to four dollars per trip within a two square mile village area.

The St. Johnsbury Fire Department has four fire engines that can be used, but some trucks are better suited for certain emergency calls. Engine four has a longer ladder and a basket making it better suited for chimney fires then engine one.

Henault believes that fire week is an important week for young children. This is because fire week allows the fire department to educate the younger generation about fire safety.

The St. Johnsbury Fire Department has someone available to help 24 hours a day. The St. Johnsbury Fire Department is located on 1187 Main Street Suite III.

Monday, March 5, 2012

test slideshow

St. Johnsbury Fire House Rock

After much tossing back and forth between slideshow topics, the group has come to the conclusion that a slideshow about the St. Johnsbury fire house will rock.(Previous topics include LARP weapon making, LARP fighting and the rules of LARPing, why people joined LARP.)

The original idea was to have a 'day in the life' kind of slideshow featuring one of the firefighters. After getting the recording and photo part done I think our slideshow will be less of 'day in the life' and more of 'rookie firefighter walk through of the fire house'.

A young fireman took Marc and I on a tour of the fire house and explained the daily goings on of a fireman. From how long it takes to get ready for a emergency call to the background training they need to become a firefighter.

Target audience for the slideshow would optimistically be everyone from the town of St. Johnsbury, realistically, just the class. I hope that St. Johnsbury Academy students might stumble upon this blog if they are doing a Capstone project related to the fire department. (When I called to schedule an appointment to tour the fire house the fire chief asked if I was working on a Capstone project.)


The group duties have been divided up to share the work load.
Interview: Heather Cobb
Photo: Marc Samson
Editing: Samantha VanSchoick
Write up: Sean Yergeau

Sunday, February 26, 2012

Two slide shows, one photo gallery

A Fallout 3 slide show.
http://www.gametrailers.com/video/slideshow-fallout-3/24031 It's very short, but the pictures it has are good. It has no sound to it, as well as no replay, pause, stop function; once you starts loading it just goes. I really wanted it to have Fallout music playing in the background, the lack of any sound kills it for me. A

Gundam Wing slide show.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pVb0zMBFrhg As a fan girl I was very pleased with the quality. The songs were either from the show or the movie, keeping very close ties to the die hard Gundam Wing fans. It would have been better if the creator ended the slide show with the first song, but the song styles were close enough that it made little difference.


A Kingdom Hearts photo gallery.
http://www.minitokyo.net/Kingdom+Hearts Lots of really cool KH pictures you can download, sized to fit a computer screen or a print out. Not all the pictures have to do with the actual game, most just look pretty; which is ok but I was hoping to find pictures of cut-scenes or epic boss fights.

Wednesday, February 15, 2012

Angry Ani's crib

On the latest episode of LSC Cribs we followed Angry Ani on a tour of her Main Street apartment in Lyndonville.

If you are not aware of who Angry Ani is, you are missing out. Angry Ani’s popularity came from her opinion column in Lyndon State College’s newspaper The Critic.

Though she is famously known for the outrageous rants in her column, this week we get to find out what doesn’t make Ani angry.

Angry Ani is a woman that knows exactly what she likes and this knowledge seems to know no bounds. Her tricked-out apartment is nothing to be ashamed of and is most definitely worthy of being the spotlight on this week’s podcast.

Angry Ani lives in quite the palace: 75 square feet, two bed-rooms, one kitchen, a half bath, and a living room equipped with a hammock.

To get to Angry Ani’s “chill pad,” visitors must climb the “stairway to heaven.”

Angry Ani likes to “keep it classy up in here,” with several items that are precious to her. Among them are her beloved dogs, two Lay-Z-Boy recliners, one flat screen television, and a “no pants policy.”

Angry Ani’s kitchen lives up to her vivacious personality, being decked out with hardwood flooring, a great view of the driveway, and a fridge stocked with Corona Light and pudding.

Angry Ani keeps all different types of pudding “up in here.” She also “represents” by showing off some LSC pride with a flag that hangs above the sink.

In her down time, Angry Ani likes to cook in her saffron kitchen that is lined with multi-colored Christmas lights, “’Cause we’re always shinin’ bright.” Angry Ani likes to keep it classy.

None of these wonders even come close to the amazement that is the “Scoliosis shower”, or as Ani says, “the S.S.—or the scolioshish shower.” Angry Ani can stand in the shower despite the slanted walls, but it “looks like she has that disease where her back is crooked.”

Now to where the “magic” happens, Angry Ani’s bedroom.

Angry Ani’s room comes with a Greek flag to show her Greek pride.

Whenever her bed moves, the ceiling fan in the apartment below will shake. “I know how to make the ceiling fan shake,” Ani assured us.

If Angry Ani does one thing well it’s not caring what other people think because they are wrong. Ani shows off her 2011 Robert Pattinson calendar to all who enter her bedroom. “He’s hot,” she exclaimed.

Of course, Angry Ani’s ride is “baller status.” Her Honda Element is “riding dirty,” with a crooked roof rack. With 30 inch spinners, a plastic floor (for easy clean ups), six cylinders, and seats that turn into beds, Angry Ani has made sure her ride is “fly .”

Before leaving Angry Ani’s crib, she left us with one last message. “’Outta my house bitches! Peace!”

Next week, LSC Cribs takes a heavy metal tour of the “Hall of Pain” suite in the Rita Bole Complex with Nick Brien, General Manager at WWLR, and his suitemate senior graphic design major Chad Abromovich.

Monday, February 13, 2012

LSC Cribs ~the early stages~

The group and I have agreed to make a mock cribs episode featuring students at LSC.

Right now we only have on definite willing candidate to be apart of our cribs podcast, other potential people include my older brother, and some friends of the group members.

The podcast should be just purely funny information with no actual factual information needed. ( names/titles may change) interviewing the people in funny ways and having them blow out of proportion actual experiences they may have had.

We hope to just have fun with making the podcast.

Tuesday, February 7, 2012

Three podcasts walk into a bar...

 From the makers of Red vs. Blue, Rooster Teeth Podcast is every bit o f random you would expect from the successful voice actors. The two podcasts I listened to were each over an hour long, taking me about three days to finish listening to on my way to and from work. The actual podcasts while funny followed no pattern or topic list; the four guys would just talk about anything that sprang to mind.

Turbolift is a podcast based around Star Trek: The Next Generation (TNG). As of Saturday they only have two podcasts; the first cast being from around 2007... it was a while ago. The second cast is much more recent, maybe two years old if that. The host plans to dissect each episode and go through a list of around ten different categories from story ark to fashion... I had high hopes for this podcast but the host has too many topics in her 20 minute casts that I found it to be boring and difficult to listen to.

NPR's podcast Wait Wait Don't Tell Me... its not so much that I didn't like it more like I thought it went on too long for the kind of show they hosted. basically a phone line quiz show based news articles; the winner's prize is having one of the hosts record a message for the callers answering machine. I managed to finish around 40 minutes of one podcast before I had enough.

Sunday, January 29, 2012

Sunoco Robbery

On the 6th of December a lone gun wielding man robbed the Sunoco on Swanton street.

The man entered the Sunoco at 1:15 AM and took and undisclosed amount of cash from the cashier. Although the robber did have a gun pointed at the cashier no one was injured.

Police are still looking for the culprit; the police have informed us the case is still under further investigation.

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

The bear and the hunters

Hunting Accident Leads to Court Case

58-year-old Wanye Goff was shot by his hunting partner, Conrad Masse, while tracking a bear on January 18th.

Goff and Masse, had set out hunting on Urie road in Albany Vt., they had been following their two bear hounds from the road. Goff had gotten out of the truck to wait for the dogs to flush out a bear, while Masse drove approximately 541 feet before getting out of his truck and firing three rounds at the bear across the road.

One shot hit the bear, one hit a tree, and one hit Goff. The bullet from Masse’s gun entered Goff in his pelvic area. Goff was transported to North Country Hospital and then to Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center for treatment.

Goff is now released from the hospital and is in stable condition.

Masse is facing charges from the police of Aggravated Assault, and for Shooting from the Road, Having a Loaded Rifle in his Vehicle and Not having roper permits for the bear hounds from Fish and Game.

Tuesday, January 24, 2012

Shotokan Karate

http://www.24fightingchickens.com/ The blog I found for our class assignment, it is a Shotokan Karate blog. I found it to be a very good blog that covered a wide number of categories in the marital arts world. The responds to the posts all seem to be contributory to the original post and the updates were frequent enough to  keep the readers coming back and sharing stories that are relative. This blog is for both hard core and casual marital artists, or anyone who is even curious about the many aspects of the discipline.