And so it's begun.

The moment I got out of college, I knew then and there I HAD to do something creative with my time and profession. And so, I've been taking on projects for various rates. To me, money isn't any object more than me just being there to do filming. It's the drive to excel that makes me want to film—I want to be out where the people are. Good thing there's at least a video production outfit or two starting up in and around Columbus (Believe me, we've come a long way since the early days of Damon Zex and Squirtman).

To prove it, here's a few projects I've collaborated on:

"HE DON'T OWN THE SUN" (with GingerATTACK! Video Productions)

Last Earth Day, I had the opportunity to accompany video producer/editor Julie Schatz, owner of GingerATTACK! Video Productions (which she started just one block over and down the street with T.J. Hansen, who owns the Midwest Photo Exchange, on North High Street), to Sonic Lounge Studios in Grove City. There we filmed a music video of a song written by local singer-songwriter Jenny Morgan, which was meant to teach its listeners/viewers about the dangers of fracking and finding new solutions to preserve our earth's energy.

GRANVILLE CANDLELIGHT WALKING TOUR (with the Granville Area Chamber of Commerce)

Under the guidance of one of my parents' friends, Steve Matheny (executive director of said institution), I put together a montage highlighting the sights and sounds of one of Granville's holiday celebrations, held every first Saturday in December. This involved various performers, activities, displays, and of course, Santa and Mrs. Claus' arrival via fire truck.

But I know beyond all belief, that with ANY project I may undertake with clients like these, there will be other projects waiting—and I want to try and get a piece of the action as best I can.

Again, if there's anything I can lend a hand (or camera, in this case) with, see the first message for contact info.

Tools of the trade

Hello again!

I've been busy all day playing with one of my birthday gifts: the GlideGear SYL 1000 steadicam outfit. What that is, is a metal curved camera stand with a joystick-type handle at the base where the camera screws into, with weights at either end to ensure a steady outcome. And with it, I even come up with camera angles I couldn't capture before (hint hint)!

The reason I brought this up was because today I'd like to introduce you to the equipment I use whenever I'm out on a shoot. Some may be outdated, but they've been worth every penny since the day I first got them.

—

First, and foremost, the cameras:

I own two Flip Ultra cameras (from Cisco Systems' now-defunct Pure Digital Technologies division, God rest their soul)—one HD, the other SD. Personally, I prefer the former because I can film footage on a wider scope, and it even has an HDMI port. The only trouble I have with them (and who doesn't?) is the battery power it uses. I keep having to recharge them on and off from time to time. But still, both Flips have proven useful to help me get the footage I want when I need it.

The other camera I own is this: the Vivitar HD Action Camera (model DVR785HD) for vantage shots. It comes with various other doodads, like a waterproof case and stands for placing on a helmet or bike. I use this one sparingly unlike my Flips, as their preferred output for footage is AVI.













Next (besides my new GlideGear), the stands:

Three tripods and one monopod, to be exact. First off, the ProMaster 7100—three extendable legs, a pan head, a quick-release mounting plate, a hook at the base... what more can you ask for? I use this for stationary shots with my Flip Ultra HD.

The other one, which I got for Christmas last year, was the ProMaster Vectra 3720—the same gimmicks as the one above, but in a metallic shade, and minus the base hook.

Then there's a much smaller one, the Sima STV-BPL large flexible tripod—which can easily wrap around branches, bars, just about anything!

Oh, yeah—I don't wanna forget my equally trusty monopod, the STX Model MP-1. I use that for roving shots, especially during filming concerts. Nothing much but an extendable foot, but it still works wonders.















And of course, no videographers' toolbox is complete without this important Swiss army-knife, the treasured software application. With it, this is where imagination really comes into play. All it takes a vast knowledge of keyboard shortcuts, transitions and keyframes to supplement it with the footage. My top choices for this include Sony Vegas and Apple Final Cut Pro. I started with the former, then graduated up to the latter.

There is also the factor of education, because even digital video production has people who have much to teach us about this profession. In doing so, I also attended a workshop at the Convention Center last August, headed by video editor Adam Epstein (from NBC's Saturday Night Live Film Unit), showcasing everything there is to know about digital video. See for yourself...

Put them all together, and I've got myself a failsafe toolkit for doing digital video the only way I know how.

Expect more soon!

Such sites you've never seen

Other than digital video, I've also designed various websites for people in and around town. For that I use Aptana Studio, with an emphasis on HTML and CSS.

With that in mind, here's what I've designed thus far:

THE OHIO SACRED HARP SINGERS

My mom's friend, Laura, asked me to commission this site for one of her groups. I was given a template for it and adapted it to how my Aptana saw fit.

THE CLINTONVILLE HISTORICAL SOCIETY GATEWAY MURALS

I consider this my piece de resistance, since it connects me with my neighborhood in ways I never expected—as to how some of the streets and locales got their name. Major thanks to Mary Rodgers (who also runs Moxie's Candy and Gifts) and Greg Denby (manager of the CML Whetstone Library) for signing me on to this.

ENGLISH COUNTRY DANCERS OF COLUMBUS

I designed—and currently maintain this site—for one of my mom's dance groups. It still keeps the same background color from the old site, but I replaced the linear coding with an image map and branched it out from there.

Like in the first message, hit me up if you need any help with anything digital media-related. 

Oh, by the way, speaking of groups—my mom and I had best be off to ai chi class over at McConnell. Till later!

My story opens today... atop the south end of Beech Hill, as it slopes into the Walhalla Ravine.

And there on that hill, at the far end of a certain boulevard, 3 houses off... lives one person who prefers to look at things from a different scope—me.

Hi, everybody—Ian's the name, and digital media arts is the game. If there's anything pertaining to digital media, I'm a jack-of-all-trades. Digital audio/video, Web design, you name it—I'll play it. Here's how I got to where I am today.

I grew up here in Columbus' Clintonville neighborhood to loving parents, and have developed an unending infatuation with everything and anything dealing with Central Ohio. And the best way to do that, I felt, is through technology. So I've decided to dedicate my life to helping where I live by capturing it all on video, taking a cue after my Uncle Wood—who I've idolized as quite a whiz with the biz—and my education at Canisius College in Buffalo, NY, thanks in part to my professors and classmates.

And to prove it, I'll start by showcasing my college projects:

ASTROTURF TROUBLE

This mock news story was recorded in October 2007, concerning then-Canisius lacrosse player Bobbi Jo Harris injuring her ACL on the astroturf—and how it impacts others athletes, too. That's me manning the camera, with Liz Keudel doing the editing, and Patrick Engasser and Eddie Powell reporting.

WHERE TO EAT DURING THE GREAT RECESSION

Recorded in October 2010, this story profile three Buffalo area restaurants that prove to be a godsend for people hit heavy by the recession. This time, I took over editing duties, with T.J. Neil working the camera, Alex Baldi producing, while the un-dubious honor of reporter going to Stephanie Ubaldini.

And a reminder: if you need any digital video or web design help, please email me or hit me up on Facebook or Twitter, and I'll be in touch. Whatever your project, I can't wait to see what you have in mind!

-Ian