IN[FOCUS]

Our founding Patron Saint, Julian St. Pierre was known to encourage others to “pay-it-forward,” and this pay-it-forward attitude has made it into our mission statement, to “empower studios to survive, thrive, and *SERVE*”

Many of our presenters, bloggers, and attendees have found ways to serve with their camera in hand.  Each year during the holiday season, we like to focus on one or more to encourage you to think about how you can be of service to those who are less fortunate.

Recently, I “sat down” with IN[FOCUS] 2011 platform presenter Steve Zugelter of Zug Media and Studio Z Films to hear about his experience in creating a fundraising video for his local Ronald McDonald House (see video above).

CJ: How much did you get paid for this project?
SZ: This was a free gig.  I didn’t charge anything for my time, however, they did give me $500 in gift cards :->

CJ: If they didn’t have money for this project, how did you get them to believe you could do a worthwhile job?
SZ: I got the gig from Daphne, the surprise wedding bride from last year.  She is heavily involved with the Ronald McDonald house and asked if I would help last year, which I did and it led into this year.  I will continue to offer my services to them because its such an amazing organization that helps children and families in need.

CJ: How much time did you spend on this video?
SZ: I spent roughly 15 hours total with filming and editing, maybe a little more with meetings and phone conversations.

CJ: How well was the video received?
SZ: They raised approximately 2.5 times what they did last year and they’re attributing that to the short film.

CJ: Why did you choose to do spend your time on this project versus one that pays you?
SZ: I definitely want to give to charity and sometimes that isn’t always possible financially, so I choose to donate my time and skills in a way that will help them receive more than I could ever donate financially.  To know that what I’ve done has made such a huge difference is absolutely worth the time spent on the project.  When I’m filming these families and I see their children with critical illnesses, my mind instantly goes to my own two girls and I know that I would hope someone would do what I’m doing if I were in their shoes. 
———————

Jones

Chris P. Jones began Mason Jar Films 10 years ago in his garage. He still has no idea why y'all would vote for him for EventDV25, but Thanks!

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We are very excited to announce another addition to our IN[FOCUS] 2011 lineup – the brothers Bui, Lan and Vu.  In inviting these webvideoDSLRworkflowphotographic consultants to our gathering, we are continuing to bring together a “meeting of the minds” across disciplines to share with you how you can supercharge your business in solid, inventive ways.

The Bui’s will also be conducting a hands on photographic lighting workshop attached to our event on Sunday, January 23rd from 1-7 p.m.  For existing photographers and beginners dipping their toe into the photography world,  you will learn how to use off camera lighting, natural light, and flattering angles to create the “perfect headshot.”  Registration goes live Wednesday, so stay tuned to our twitter to get the first word and to learn more about the workshop.

Since I’ve been following what the Bui brothers do for a long time, I could gush quite a bit about them – but I’ll let them speak.  Read their bio below:

[NAME] The Bui Brothers, Lan and Vu Bui

The Bui Brothers are photographers and cinematographers specializing in online media and promotional photography. Vu and Lan Bui both started personal videoblogs in January, 2005 and have created hundreds of episodes of online content for Noodle Scar, the [b] school blog, and Ask Dane. As early adopters of creating video with DSLR’s, the Bui brothers, along with Smashface Productions, shot the first US television commercial on the Canon 5D mark II.

On the photo side, they are called upon to create promotional and conceptual photography for many web and television personalities such as iJustine, Ask a Ninja, Veronica Belmont, and Felicia Day.

With their expertise across the disciplines of DSLR filmmaking, videoblogging, and photography/video lighting, the Bui Brothers have been invited to present at SXSW, The Photog Retreat, Converge, PhotoCine Expo, and Pictage Partnercon. As entertaining as they are informative, the Bui Brothers communicate both the artistic, the futuristic, and common sense-tistic in a unique and engaging manner.

[CRAZIEST EXPERIENCE ON THE JOB] “We were hired as Directors of Photography for a short. Throughout the day the director kept disappearing right before we started to shoot a scene, so we went to the producers and got them to straighten him out. Right before the next shot, he came up to us and started talking about how we needed to move things along because the day was almost over…? Then he says, “We can’t take any more breaks because we are running out of time…so I’m going on a smoke break and we’ll shoot the next shot when I’m back.”

[Our SERVICES STAND OUT BECAUSE] “We love to try new things… like when no one was using the 5D mark II for video we shot the first US broadcast TV commercial with it (in auto because it didn’t even have manual setting at the time!!!). We are not afraid to try new and unconventional things… like how we use glass table tops or chairs as sliders or dollies.”

[ENJOYS SHARING EXPERTISE ON] “We love to share our lighting techniques because it seems like everyone asks us how we light things… we also enjoy sharing our marketing techniques because you can make more money relatively easily in almost anything you do… as long as you properly market it. We also speak a lot about DSLR gear… both for photos and video. People want to know what to spend their money on… and although we believe you can do great things with literally ANY gear, there are things that will make the path a little easier.”

[A HINT AT MY "GATEWAY TOPIC" IN 3 WORDS OR LESS (OR IN HAIKU)] “Video =’s Money!”

Jones

Chris P. Jones began Mason Jar Films 10 years ago in his garage. He still has no idea why y'all would vote for him for EventDV25, but Thanks!

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Here at IN[FOCUS], a part of our mission is to empower filmmakers in order that they may “survive, thrive, and serve.”  In order to survive, we are [focused] on simplicity and efficiency, most notably by offering our workflow training, as well as promoting streamlined business systems and coaching offered by Matt Davis.

By implementing such training, we expect you to survive, thrive, and to also have the opportunity to serve, whether it be by giving back and mentoring other filmmakers or by serving others through the use of your talents and time.

One non-profit that really excites us and encourages creatives to be of service is Thirst Relief International. Thirst Relief provides water filters to those without clean drinking water in order to prevent water-born illnesses which claim the lives of thousands worldwide every week.  For only $5, one person can provide another with years of clean drinking water through Thirst Relief.

Thirst Relief is founded and operated by event photographer Jim Davis Hicks, so he understands the power of solid visuals in order to inspire others toward action.  In order that photographers may be freed up from the work of their businesses to go out and serve with their free time, Jim has developed Action Runner to automate many of the steps in the post-production process.

Action Runner is currently on tour with Showit, another business dedicated to helping creatives find more freedom through the use of their easy-to-design website services.  You can catch them in Washington D.C. (6.28), New York City (6.29), Chicago (7.1), and Nashville (7.2) to get hands on with their software and to hear from such inspiring presenters as David Jay, Promise Tangeman, Bob Davis, The Boudoir Divas, Sarah Barlow, Zach and Jody Gray, and Jessica Claire.

Many filmmakers are also using Showit for their web presence, most notably Ron Dawson of Dare Dreamer Media who spoke on behalf of Showit on the Austin/Atlanta stops of the tour.  So for all the filmmakers in the surrounding areas of the cities mentioned earlier, and for those filmmakers taking on photography as well, go check out Showit and Action Runner, and begin to think about the ways in which these tools can simplify your life, free up your time, and allow you to serve.

Cheers!
jones

Jones

Chris P. Jones began Mason Jar Films 10 years ago in his garage. He still has no idea why y'all would vote for him for EventDV25, but Thanks!

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