Docu-drama
So, I haven't updated in a while, but here I am with crazy adventureness! The coolness of what has transpired over the last week should make up for the lack of transmissions from me during that time of transpiration.
Things were slow for a bit, but in a good way. Martin, the German student of Dai's, and I worked during the day and enjoyed the evenings. It felt like living here, actually: mix of work, rest, culture, country, city, socialization, and solitude. I have rested up well and am ready for my South Island travels (more on that later).
I missed Halloween, no costume parties (sob), but I did go with Martin to a birthday party for his Indian friends, which was cool. I got to learn a bit about Indian culture and hear some traditional songs, as well as chat with people from China, Japa, Thailand, and Mongolia. I had a blast, and some way-too-hot curry. Those wacky Indians and their deadly spices!
But the true coolness was yet to come. I must preface this by saying what awesome people Deb and Dai are. Out here on their land in the hills just outside of Wellington they seem like normal, friendly, kind of goofy people (I mean all of those things as compliments). They are very fun and down to earth. They never put on airs, which is incredible considering Dai is professor at Victoria University with a PhD, a published author, and a justice of the peace, and Deb is also a professor, runs her own company, and is changing the face of New Zealand (case in point: thanks solely to her, New Zealand is now working to replace Guy Fawkes' Day with their own holiday, Parihaka Day. Long story, so I'll tell details on my return.)
So, thanks to Deb's world-shaking projects, I have just finished a documentary about a global competition, the making of which thrust me alongside heads of business, allowed me to interview political party leaders, got me filming inside NZ's White House equivalent, and allowed me to edit it all together on Final Cut Pro.
Deb's project was a world business competetion, facilitated in Victoria University, where universities from around the world put forth students to work together with each other on international teams to create realistic business proposals. The winner, a great girl named Suma, flew down here from Canada and stayed with the Gilbertsons (that's the family I'm staying with, for those who haven't been paying attention) to accept the award. It all started when Deb borrowed a camera and asked me to videotape the ceremony so they could remember it. I thought, "Hey, while I got this camera, I bet could do some interviews and make the start of a small video about the project." I did way more than that.
Here's a brief rundown of the incredible events: faxed the Speaker of the House himself (exactly as important as the person with the same title in the US) for permission to film; went to the Beehive (executive offices of NZ government, like the White House) for the ceremony; interviewd Jim Anderton, a member of Parliament and head of one of their parties; borrowed a camera from Victoria University for free; interviewed the head of the business department at Victoria; was invited to a private trade conference by the sponsors of the project, interviewed the head of New Zealand Trade and Enterprise, who had put forth 80 grand for this deal; shot segues across Wellington, including on the steps of Parliamanet whilst important Italian dignitaries were moving around our shooting; edited it all together at Victoria's media labs (again for free.) Oh yeah, all this happened within THREE DAYS.
That's right. Three days from "hey, maybe I should film this gathering" to a finished DVD of a documentary including all those important interviews. I'm not a sacrilegious man, but I don't think Jesus could have done it in much less time. Then again, He'd have to learn about modern technology and take time out to heal the sick, so I guess He's still The Man when it comes to All Things, but I can be The Man when it comes to entertainment and media.
Well, there you go. I have lots of good little stories about the whole process and my fun day in Wellington yesterday, but that is stuff for another post. South Island plans are still up in the air, but I will leave within a few days for sure, just a matter of when and with whom. Keep in touch all!
Things were slow for a bit, but in a good way. Martin, the German student of Dai's, and I worked during the day and enjoyed the evenings. It felt like living here, actually: mix of work, rest, culture, country, city, socialization, and solitude. I have rested up well and am ready for my South Island travels (more on that later).
I missed Halloween, no costume parties (sob), but I did go with Martin to a birthday party for his Indian friends, which was cool. I got to learn a bit about Indian culture and hear some traditional songs, as well as chat with people from China, Japa, Thailand, and Mongolia. I had a blast, and some way-too-hot curry. Those wacky Indians and their deadly spices!
But the true coolness was yet to come. I must preface this by saying what awesome people Deb and Dai are. Out here on their land in the hills just outside of Wellington they seem like normal, friendly, kind of goofy people (I mean all of those things as compliments). They are very fun and down to earth. They never put on airs, which is incredible considering Dai is professor at Victoria University with a PhD, a published author, and a justice of the peace, and Deb is also a professor, runs her own company, and is changing the face of New Zealand (case in point: thanks solely to her, New Zealand is now working to replace Guy Fawkes' Day with their own holiday, Parihaka Day. Long story, so I'll tell details on my return.)
So, thanks to Deb's world-shaking projects, I have just finished a documentary about a global competition, the making of which thrust me alongside heads of business, allowed me to interview political party leaders, got me filming inside NZ's White House equivalent, and allowed me to edit it all together on Final Cut Pro.
Deb's project was a world business competetion, facilitated in Victoria University, where universities from around the world put forth students to work together with each other on international teams to create realistic business proposals. The winner, a great girl named Suma, flew down here from Canada and stayed with the Gilbertsons (that's the family I'm staying with, for those who haven't been paying attention) to accept the award. It all started when Deb borrowed a camera and asked me to videotape the ceremony so they could remember it. I thought, "Hey, while I got this camera, I bet could do some interviews and make the start of a small video about the project." I did way more than that.
Here's a brief rundown of the incredible events: faxed the Speaker of the House himself (exactly as important as the person with the same title in the US) for permission to film; went to the Beehive (executive offices of NZ government, like the White House) for the ceremony; interviewd Jim Anderton, a member of Parliament and head of one of their parties; borrowed a camera from Victoria University for free; interviewed the head of the business department at Victoria; was invited to a private trade conference by the sponsors of the project, interviewed the head of New Zealand Trade and Enterprise, who had put forth 80 grand for this deal; shot segues across Wellington, including on the steps of Parliamanet whilst important Italian dignitaries were moving around our shooting; edited it all together at Victoria's media labs (again for free.) Oh yeah, all this happened within THREE DAYS.
That's right. Three days from "hey, maybe I should film this gathering" to a finished DVD of a documentary including all those important interviews. I'm not a sacrilegious man, but I don't think Jesus could have done it in much less time. Then again, He'd have to learn about modern technology and take time out to heal the sick, so I guess He's still The Man when it comes to All Things, but I can be The Man when it comes to entertainment and media.
Well, there you go. I have lots of good little stories about the whole process and my fun day in Wellington yesterday, but that is stuff for another post. South Island plans are still up in the air, but I will leave within a few days for sure, just a matter of when and with whom. Keep in touch all!