Tuesday, April 3, 2012
Monday, April 2, 2012
‘The Rebels’ prepare for NRB 36-hour DV challenge
By Rachel Hunter
Co-Managing Editor
February 12, 2012
Four students. 36 hours. One short film.
It was the most intense challenge “The Rebels” had ever been given, but the four-member student film crew didn’t panic – instead, they prayed to God for guidance.
“We just said, ‘Don’t let us have a heart of hate – we don’t just want to win, to have a video that wins,” Matthew Miller, a senior film major, said. “No, we want to have a heart of creativity. We want to go in and make a film that we can be proud of, that tells a convicting story, that an audience can connect with and cause them to think.”
The Rebels is a crew consisting of Cornerstone University film majors: Matthew Miller, director; Nathaniel Porter, cinematographer; Crystal Sherbondy, audio engineer; and Katelyn Fox, actor and first assistant director. They competed against five other teams during a 36-hour digital video challenge, which was held at CU Jan. 20-22.
The instructions were simple: produce a short film within a 36-hour timeframe that exemplifies John 3:19-21, incorporating both an OCD character and a ceramic mug in the storyline. So, with five pizzas, boxes of cereal and ample amounts of coffee at their side, The Rebels – as well as the other teams – plunged into the task ahead of them, knowing they’d be using all of their available time to write, shoot, produce, edit and export their short 4-7 minute film about life’s choices.
The Rebels’ film showcased maturity and excellence in storytelling, according to Kathleen Sindorf, an associate professor of communication and media studies.
“It’s not just a happy go lucky story. You know something dark, sinister element coming up,” Sindorf said. “But, I liked how they ended it with the sunrise coming up, as a symbol of hope.”
According to Sindorf, the communications and media studies department organized the contest in order to prepare (and offer an all-expenses paid trip for) their students to compete at the national 36:DV competition Feb. 17-20, which is held annually at the National Religious Broadcasters Convention in Nashville, Tenn. The top prize at this competition is $1800 in cash and prizes.
After seeing this contest in action for several years, Sindorf expected the CU students to be like the ones she had seen – anxious, or at least very competitive. But, Miller said, they had no reason to be uptight, because of the level of deep-abiding trust they had in one another.
“I’ve never worked with a group, in which I am directing, and, yet, I can take 20-30 minutes and take a nap, just trying to recoup and recover, and trust that the others will carry on, continue filming it even when I’m not there – and they’ll do it just as good as I could’ve done it,” he said.
Now, only a week before the competition, The Rebels are meeting with advisers, planning strategies to decrease their inefficiencies. They know they didn’t do everything perfectly during the in-house competition and want to eradicate any weaknesses possible before they enter in another competition.
Even still, their motivation isn’t fed by the desire to win. They just want to produce a good story, one they can take pride in even after the contest is over. “
I’d be happy if we go down and win, but I’d be just as happy if we make something great and I am able to put it on my demo reel to show people,” Porter said. “I don’t really care if we win or lose.”
Co-Managing Editor
February 12, 2012
Four students. 36 hours. One short film.
It was the most intense challenge “The Rebels” had ever been given, but the four-member student film crew didn’t panic – instead, they prayed to God for guidance.
“We just said, ‘Don’t let us have a heart of hate – we don’t just want to win, to have a video that wins,” Matthew Miller, a senior film major, said. “No, we want to have a heart of creativity. We want to go in and make a film that we can be proud of, that tells a convicting story, that an audience can connect with and cause them to think.”
The Rebels is a crew consisting of Cornerstone University film majors: Matthew Miller, director; Nathaniel Porter, cinematographer; Crystal Sherbondy, audio engineer; and Katelyn Fox, actor and first assistant director. They competed against five other teams during a 36-hour digital video challenge, which was held at CU Jan. 20-22.
The instructions were simple: produce a short film within a 36-hour timeframe that exemplifies John 3:19-21, incorporating both an OCD character and a ceramic mug in the storyline. So, with five pizzas, boxes of cereal and ample amounts of coffee at their side, The Rebels – as well as the other teams – plunged into the task ahead of them, knowing they’d be using all of their available time to write, shoot, produce, edit and export their short 4-7 minute film about life’s choices.
The Rebels’ film showcased maturity and excellence in storytelling, according to Kathleen Sindorf, an associate professor of communication and media studies.
“It’s not just a happy go lucky story. You know something dark, sinister element coming up,” Sindorf said. “But, I liked how they ended it with the sunrise coming up, as a symbol of hope.”
According to Sindorf, the communications and media studies department organized the contest in order to prepare (and offer an all-expenses paid trip for) their students to compete at the national 36:DV competition Feb. 17-20, which is held annually at the National Religious Broadcasters Convention in Nashville, Tenn. The top prize at this competition is $1800 in cash and prizes.
After seeing this contest in action for several years, Sindorf expected the CU students to be like the ones she had seen – anxious, or at least very competitive. But, Miller said, they had no reason to be uptight, because of the level of deep-abiding trust they had in one another.
“I’ve never worked with a group, in which I am directing, and, yet, I can take 20-30 minutes and take a nap, just trying to recoup and recover, and trust that the others will carry on, continue filming it even when I’m not there – and they’ll do it just as good as I could’ve done it,” he said.
Now, only a week before the competition, The Rebels are meeting with advisers, planning strategies to decrease their inefficiencies. They know they didn’t do everything perfectly during the in-house competition and want to eradicate any weaknesses possible before they enter in another competition.
Even still, their motivation isn’t fed by the desire to win. They just want to produce a good story, one they can take pride in even after the contest is over. “
I’d be happy if we go down and win, but I’d be just as happy if we make something great and I am able to put it on my demo reel to show people,” Porter said. “I don’t really care if we win or lose.”
Social Conservatives make their mark on Washington
By Rachel Hunter
THE WASHINGTON TIMES
OCTOBER 12, 2011
Although the Family Research Council's Values Voter Summit wrapped up last weekend, social and evangelical activists are networking and appear ready to make sure their opinions are understood in 2012.
“We will never shrink the size and scope of government until we strengthen the family. The reason we have big government programs is because we have dysfunctional families that have been discouraged through government policy,” Family Research Council President Tony Perkins told reporters on Saturday following the VVS straw poll.
“I’ve already had a handful of people come up to me and say that they changed who they wanted to vote for because of this information,” said Christopher Plante, the executive director of the National Organization for Marriage – Rhode Island, as he held up a spreadsheet with all of the candidates’ stances on several key values.
“People are grateful for this information. We need all the candidates to lead on marriage, not something else. Right now there are many who believe in marriage to be between one man and a woman. But, we don’t want them to just believe it. We need them to lead on it. So far, Rick Santorum is the only one who seems to be doing that,” Mr. Plante added.
Each year the summit draws social conservatives to Washington, where they can hear speakers discuss religious liberty, smaller government, the sanctity of life, and marriage between a man and a woman. A number of non-profits and activist groups also get a chance to exhibit.
Many attendees, like Scott Smith of Terra Alta, W.Va., appreciated the exhibitors’ transparency and frankness, believing that they can’t trust the information that was being “disseminated by the liberal media.”
“In times like these, you can’t trust the media,” he said. “Instead, you have to look up all the information yourself. So, I was really glad to see organizations like The Heritage Foundation down there. They gave me a lot of good info. No offense, but journalists only report what they want people to know, not what is really happening in the world.”
More than 3,400 conservatives – the largest registration count in the summit’s history – flooded into the exhibition area over the long weekend, eager to peruse the displays and pick the brains of the people representing the organizations present.
But, many booth laborers, like Deborah Hart, believed it was the conservative attendees that made the atmosphere so lively and interesting.
“I’ve gotten to meet some wonderful people,” she said. “This is the perfect place for people to connect with us on a personal level. Some have already heard of us, some didn’t. It’s quite an experience to be able to interact with so many of the nation’s most devout conservatives.”
All the GOP presidential candidates spoke at the summit except former Utah Governor Jon Huntsman. And while skepticism about the summit's straw poll results (Congressman Ron Paul, Texas Republican, won.) from Mr. Perkins surfaced during a press conference and controversy over remarks from a pastor who introduced Texas Governor Rick Perry enveloped the weekend's events, nevertheless the Values Voter Summit will likely have just as large of a draw next year.
THE WASHINGTON TIMES
OCTOBER 12, 2011
Although the Family Research Council's Values Voter Summit wrapped up last weekend, social and evangelical activists are networking and appear ready to make sure their opinions are understood in 2012.
“We will never shrink the size and scope of government until we strengthen the family. The reason we have big government programs is because we have dysfunctional families that have been discouraged through government policy,” Family Research Council President Tony Perkins told reporters on Saturday following the VVS straw poll.
“I’ve already had a handful of people come up to me and say that they changed who they wanted to vote for because of this information,” said Christopher Plante, the executive director of the National Organization for Marriage – Rhode Island, as he held up a spreadsheet with all of the candidates’ stances on several key values.
“People are grateful for this information. We need all the candidates to lead on marriage, not something else. Right now there are many who believe in marriage to be between one man and a woman. But, we don’t want them to just believe it. We need them to lead on it. So far, Rick Santorum is the only one who seems to be doing that,” Mr. Plante added.
Each year the summit draws social conservatives to Washington, where they can hear speakers discuss religious liberty, smaller government, the sanctity of life, and marriage between a man and a woman. A number of non-profits and activist groups also get a chance to exhibit.
Many attendees, like Scott Smith of Terra Alta, W.Va., appreciated the exhibitors’ transparency and frankness, believing that they can’t trust the information that was being “disseminated by the liberal media.”
“In times like these, you can’t trust the media,” he said. “Instead, you have to look up all the information yourself. So, I was really glad to see organizations like The Heritage Foundation down there. They gave me a lot of good info. No offense, but journalists only report what they want people to know, not what is really happening in the world.”
More than 3,400 conservatives – the largest registration count in the summit’s history – flooded into the exhibition area over the long weekend, eager to peruse the displays and pick the brains of the people representing the organizations present.
But, many booth laborers, like Deborah Hart, believed it was the conservative attendees that made the atmosphere so lively and interesting.
“I’ve gotten to meet some wonderful people,” she said. “This is the perfect place for people to connect with us on a personal level. Some have already heard of us, some didn’t. It’s quite an experience to be able to interact with so many of the nation’s most devout conservatives.”
All the GOP presidential candidates spoke at the summit except former Utah Governor Jon Huntsman. And while skepticism about the summit's straw poll results (Congressman Ron Paul, Texas Republican, won.) from Mr. Perkins surfaced during a press conference and controversy over remarks from a pastor who introduced Texas Governor Rick Perry enveloped the weekend's events, nevertheless the Values Voter Summit will likely have just as large of a draw next year.
The Washington Times -- Live-blogging moderator
I was the first moderator for TWT's live-blogging of the Fall 2011 presidential debates.
Event in city makes strides against cancer
By RACHEL HUNTER
WATERTOWN TIMES INTERN
SATURDAY, JUNE 11, 2011
Throughout history, marches have always instigated change and north country residents are hoping their efforts will have the same effect — this time against cancer.
Hundreds of participants clothed in purple took to the Alex T. Duffy Fairgrounds track Friday night at the 2011 Jefferson County Relay for Life event, organized by the American Cancer Society.
As the survivors walked, spectators lined the track and cheered them on toward the finish.
"People look at you like you're a hero, but inside you know you're just like them," 61-year-old Helen M. Williams, a five-year breast cancer survivor, of Carthage said.
With over 100,000 cases of cancer reported in New York state last year, it seems everybody knows somebody affected by the disease. But Donald J. Boshart, the community executive director for the Relay for Life of Jefferson County, said the $170,000 already raised will help to combat cancer.
For the past five years, the Randy's Rangers team has participated in the Relay and team members say they are not going away any time soon.
Randy L. Clement started the team when was diagnosed with cancer and we just kept the momentum going, said brother Douglas S. Clement, 57, of Watertown.
"We're going to keep this going until we can't do it any more," said Sarah R. Mono, 31, of Carthage. "We even have our kids involved so when we can't do it any more, they can."
They weren't the only ones thinking long-term.
Christopher J. Palmer of Brite Orange Reality in Evans Mills has been attending since 2004 and believed it was time to be more "creative" during the overnight event.
"Each year my family brings out a white sheet and everybody signs or does whatever to it. We do one each year. It's great because you can see all the changes the family goes throughout the years. We want to adopt the same thing here. We're hoping people will cover the board with messages or drawings dedicated to their loved ones who have gone through cancer. Eventually, we hope to form walls in the tent with these orange boards," he said.
As darkness fell over the sea of people, sponsored luminaria bags were placed around the track and lit in memory of those lost to cancer as well and in honor of those still struggling with the disease.
Many, like Brianna E. Bates, 18, of Carthage, decided to imprint the bag with a message for their loved one.
"The experience is all pretty emotional," Miss Bates said. "My grandmother died of cancer 11 years ago and I have done this every year since. It's a sad event, but a great way to remember
WATERTOWN TIMES INTERN
SATURDAY, JUNE 11, 2011
Throughout history, marches have always instigated change and north country residents are hoping their efforts will have the same effect — this time against cancer.
Hundreds of participants clothed in purple took to the Alex T. Duffy Fairgrounds track Friday night at the 2011 Jefferson County Relay for Life event, organized by the American Cancer Society.
As the survivors walked, spectators lined the track and cheered them on toward the finish.
"People look at you like you're a hero, but inside you know you're just like them," 61-year-old Helen M. Williams, a five-year breast cancer survivor, of Carthage said.
With over 100,000 cases of cancer reported in New York state last year, it seems everybody knows somebody affected by the disease. But Donald J. Boshart, the community executive director for the Relay for Life of Jefferson County, said the $170,000 already raised will help to combat cancer.
For the past five years, the Randy's Rangers team has participated in the Relay and team members say they are not going away any time soon.
Randy L. Clement started the team when was diagnosed with cancer and we just kept the momentum going, said brother Douglas S. Clement, 57, of Watertown.
"We're going to keep this going until we can't do it any more," said Sarah R. Mono, 31, of Carthage. "We even have our kids involved so when we can't do it any more, they can."
They weren't the only ones thinking long-term.
Christopher J. Palmer of Brite Orange Reality in Evans Mills has been attending since 2004 and believed it was time to be more "creative" during the overnight event.
"Each year my family brings out a white sheet and everybody signs or does whatever to it. We do one each year. It's great because you can see all the changes the family goes throughout the years. We want to adopt the same thing here. We're hoping people will cover the board with messages or drawings dedicated to their loved ones who have gone through cancer. Eventually, we hope to form walls in the tent with these orange boards," he said.
As darkness fell over the sea of people, sponsored luminaria bags were placed around the track and lit in memory of those lost to cancer as well and in honor of those still struggling with the disease.
Many, like Brianna E. Bates, 18, of Carthage, decided to imprint the bag with a message for their loved one.
"The experience is all pretty emotional," Miss Bates said. "My grandmother died of cancer 11 years ago and I have done this every year since. It's a sad event, but a great way to remember
JULY 4TH TRADITION CONTINUES
By RACHEL HUNTER
WATERTOWN TIMES INTERN
SATURDAY, JULY 2, 2011
Dominic J. Fiorentino, 70, of Watertown glanced questioningly toward the stage as the Symphony Syracuse began playing "O Canada." But a smile emerged a few moments later when he heard the all-familiar sounds of the "Star Spangled Banner."
"I love to listen to all the patriotic music that the orchestra plays," he said. "If they weren't here, I wouldn't be here either. I come for their music every year. Listening to their sweet, relaxed style is the perfect way to celebrate the holiday."
Mr. Fiorentino was one of the thousands gathered at Thompson Park to celebrate the upcoming holiday with the 27th annual "Concert in the Park" and fireworks display.
The sea of faces turned toward the stage as Symphony Syracuse, under the direction of Daniel Hege, presented "An Independence Day Celebration," featuring several patriotic favorites including Tchaikovsky's "1812 Overture" and John Phillip Sousa's "Stars & Stripes Forever."
Symphony Syracuse was founded by about 65 musicians of the former Syracuse Symphony Orchestra, which ceased operation and declared bankruptcy. After SSO's season was canceled, the holiday concert was dependent on the community's support.
Along with 26 other community members and The Northern New York Community Foundation, former Watertown Mayor T. Urling Walker raised more than $25,000 so that the patriotic show could go on.
"I founded it 27 years ago and wasn't going to just let it go away," Mr. Walker said.
The Northern New York Community Foundation's contribution was a one-time $5,000 grant.
Mildred A. Clark of Clayton said she makes a tradition out of the event each year and was extremely happy to hear it was going on as planned.
"It is at these kind of events that you realize what it is to truly be an American," she said. "You have all these families gathering together and it's so peaceful. You can't really get that any other time of the year."
Several who came were curious to see if the new orchestra would provide the same quality of music.
Dexter resident Craig W. Tucker said he wasn't disappointed.
"The name may have changed but it's the same people and their playing is as good as ever," he said. "This is a great way to see them... I didn't have to pay. It's always good to save a buck when you can."
Northern New York Community Foundation Executive Director Rande S. Richardson said similar orchestral or instrumental performances will be able to continue this year since the foundation board agreed to utilize the former Syracuse Symphony Orchestra Endowment for such performances.
About $500,000 remains in the endowment, which was established in 1981. The foundation board typically provides $20,000 grants per year from the endowment for performances. Mr. Richardson said endowment funding was reconfigured to accommodate Symphony Syracuse performances.
"Because of the short period of time to plan for the fall, they decided to use half of the available funds this year, so they allocated $5,000 at this point for the Orchestra of Northern New York to do a performance in October," he said.
The Oct. 23 Fall Gala Concert: Russian Tales at the Dulles State Office Building will feature music from Tchaikovsky's Swan Lake and Rimsky-Korsakov music based on The Arabian Knights.
Mr. Richardson said another $5,000 will be allocated for Symphony Syracuse to perform a Dec. 14 Holiday Pops concert at the Dulles State Office Building.
Mr. Richardson said board members are undecided as to what performances would be funded in 2012 with the remaining $10,000 allotment.
After that is decided, he said, the board will look into putting a process in place to decide what performances would be funded and how they'd be funded.
Oh, those pastries ...
By RACHEL HUNTER
WATERTOWN TIMES INTERN
SUNDAY, JULY 10, 2011
CAPE VINCENT — Holding a cream puff in his outstretched left hand, Brian M. Sanford yelled for people to take his last pastry.
"I just want someone else to taste it," the Alexandria Bay man said. "The cream puffs were so sweet, and I know that I won't be able to eat the last one before I leave here today. It'll be hard to enjoy the festival if I have to carry around this plastic container."
Mr. Sanford was just one of the thousands beckoned by the sweet smells of 10,400 French pastries and breads at the Cape Vincent Fire Hall on Saturday — the first day of the two-day 43rd annual French Festival. Excited chatter rose as the attendees surrounded three oblong tables filled with a plethora of French desserts, including cream puffs, turnovers and cream horns.
"I like to bury my head in the sweets right after I buy them," said Lucille M. Danilowicz, Cape Vincent. "I have a really, really large sweet tooth that needs to be satisfied. I am already a sweet person, but I like to devour sweet desserts as well."
Wiping cream from the corner of her mouth, Brenda L. Schultes, Sackets Harbor, said she arrived in the early morning eager to sample the pastries available.
"They're really the reason my daughter and I come every year," she said between bites of her chocolate cream puff. "The pastries are always so delicious and the filling is amazing. All the pastries go really fast each year, and I wanted to make sure to get some."
Brownville resident Sandra D. Delong said that the desserts were perfect, and that she realized only afterward that something was missing.
"They really needed to have milk available," she said. "People really want a glass of cold milk at the end, but it didn't matter in the end. The pastries are always the best part of the festival, and I've got pretty much all that I came for — my French bread and desserts. Now I can go to the vendors and watch the parade without them on my mind."
While many kept their desserts in the provided plastic containers, Cheryl A. and Thomas A. Biebler, Rochester, said they couldn't resist the temptation, savoring each morsel of the delicacies before them.
"The cream horns were so rich that I got a sugar rush just from eating it," Mr. Biebler said. "I don't usually have this much sugar early in the morning. The desserts kind of put me over the edge, but then I probably shouldn't have had that Icee on my way here. Next time I'll know better."
WATERTOWN TIMES INTERN
SUNDAY, JULY 10, 2011
CAPE VINCENT — Holding a cream puff in his outstretched left hand, Brian M. Sanford yelled for people to take his last pastry.
"I just want someone else to taste it," the Alexandria Bay man said. "The cream puffs were so sweet, and I know that I won't be able to eat the last one before I leave here today. It'll be hard to enjoy the festival if I have to carry around this plastic container."
Mr. Sanford was just one of the thousands beckoned by the sweet smells of 10,400 French pastries and breads at the Cape Vincent Fire Hall on Saturday — the first day of the two-day 43rd annual French Festival. Excited chatter rose as the attendees surrounded three oblong tables filled with a plethora of French desserts, including cream puffs, turnovers and cream horns.
"I like to bury my head in the sweets right after I buy them," said Lucille M. Danilowicz, Cape Vincent. "I have a really, really large sweet tooth that needs to be satisfied. I am already a sweet person, but I like to devour sweet desserts as well."
Wiping cream from the corner of her mouth, Brenda L. Schultes, Sackets Harbor, said she arrived in the early morning eager to sample the pastries available.
"They're really the reason my daughter and I come every year," she said between bites of her chocolate cream puff. "The pastries are always so delicious and the filling is amazing. All the pastries go really fast each year, and I wanted to make sure to get some."
Brownville resident Sandra D. Delong said that the desserts were perfect, and that she realized only afterward that something was missing.
"They really needed to have milk available," she said. "People really want a glass of cold milk at the end, but it didn't matter in the end. The pastries are always the best part of the festival, and I've got pretty much all that I came for — my French bread and desserts. Now I can go to the vendors and watch the parade without them on my mind."
While many kept their desserts in the provided plastic containers, Cheryl A. and Thomas A. Biebler, Rochester, said they couldn't resist the temptation, savoring each morsel of the delicacies before them.
"The cream horns were so rich that I got a sugar rush just from eating it," Mr. Biebler said. "I don't usually have this much sugar early in the morning. The desserts kind of put me over the edge, but then I probably shouldn't have had that Icee on my way here. Next time I'll know better."
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)