The Dust That Settles

so there you are, with a camera around your neck and no tripod because the kids need it to film the day's scenes of the Dust That Settles, a Western short, the current Movie Making Project. screen play is written, characters are cast, roles are decided, location is determined. is it possible to love this loud, joke-cracking, set designing, costume prepping, scar marking, bullet-hole-lacing, boot wearing group any more? oh wait...what about the family that donated 6,500 sq. ft. of living space for this purpose before the demo and reconstruction of this newly purchased danville property? seriously? every day i am reminded why we homeschool: to think outside of the box, to dream big, to DO. and to be with others who share those values.
i love these young people, and the generous families that go with them.
Below: Taco Vega gets prepped before his shootout.

Until I have video editing software that works, stills will have to do. Below: the Dust That Settles cast in the Far Cry Saloon:

Fairytale Forest Ballet

There was magic in the air of a local redwood forest just a short drive from home. Snow White, Sleeping Beauty, mermaids, fanciful carnival characters and colors of all sorts. Fog and misty morning, to a glorious day of sun graced us. Such a large group to coordinate, what an event in itself, the coordination of people, costumes, accessories. Glorious, all things considered. So many things I could have/would have/should have done differently, but all in all a very satisfying shoot.

Jazz, 2012

And there was Jazz. I love those not considered professionals. So pure, energetic, raw. Love!

what else keeps me going

so. fun. so. rewarding. so. much. work.

oh, my heart.

more to come.

teaching

after several requests, i agreed to teach a 4-week clinic on using the DSLR. my students are bright, attentive, eager to learn, and fun to be with. most importantly, they *want* to take my classes. i love teaching, opening up pathways of understanding, watching experimentation and seeing what these young people come back with.
pinch me. (pictures shown came from the ipad)

 Photo: Matthew