Interview

Q1: Have you ever created a design specifically made to persuade a crowd?

A1: Yes, in fact I have. Even my students work with real companies to create advertisements, keeping the target audience in mind.

My thoughts 1: Mr. Martin definitely can help me with my work with his skills.

Q2: How did you go about doing this?

A2: I had to contact the business owners and see if they're willing to be customers, and went over the skills with the class. They had a few days to get ready to make the phone calls.

My thoughts 2: It's amazing how the middle schoolers did it themselves. This shows dedication and bravery.

Q3: If you were trying to persuade a group of people through one design or image, what would be some of the aspects of the design you would focus on?

A3: Well, it would depend on the target audience, really. If they were little kids, you would want to use bright colors and custom fonts. If they were older folks, you would keep it more simple, and not so flashy.

My thoughts 3: This is exactly what I had in mind when I made this question.

Q4: How do you get a group of kids (like the kids in your class) to listen to an individual like yourself?

A4: The main way is to give them tasks with real world meaning. It makes they're ears perk up when they know it's for a real customer and not just a grade. Because if it was bad, it would embarrass them.

My thoughts 4: This means the children are really into what they are learning, and they are dedicated. It is hard to be a teacher of such enthusiastic kids.

Q5: Have you ever made a design that has been mass produced across the school or even, the state?

A5: Well I actually am the guy who designs the icons for Hall Connect. As far as statewide, no. I've made a commercial that has played on local television, but that's about it.

My thoughts 5: Wow! It's amazing this guy I met is the one who makes the logo I see everyday on the internet!

Q6: Have you ever made a promotional video of any kind? What were they/ was it?

A6: Yes, I've made some for Habitat Humanity, my church, and more. But primarily, I just do non-profit work for friends who don't know how to do it.

My thoughts 6: Doing non-profit work is a huge deal. It shows that you're not just in it for the money.

Q7: Was the promotion successful?

Q8: And it what ways?

A7: The events were successful yes, but I don't think it had anything to do with me. 

A8: I will say my Sander's Drugs video was very successful, because he said he added over 100 customers that were drawn in by the commercial.

My thoughts 7: I think he was trying to be modest, but I believe without advertisements, a product?service is nothing.

My thoughts 8: Anyone who can make an ad and get that much hype from it, knows what they're doing.

Q9: When you are making any sort of promotional video, what are some of the aspects or outline you follow?

A9: We storyboard every single video. It starts with a phone call to whoever is going to be playing the video. Then, you try to get the customer to see things from your point of view. Those are the main steps.

My thoughts 9: Storyboarding is a big part and helps you keep things organized. You can tell Mr. Martin is an organized guy from his answer.

Q10: If I were to make a Kickstarter promoting an item to a schoolboard, what advice would you give me?

A10: The best advice I can give is make your customer know what kind of benefits they can receive from you. They won't be interested in what you have unless they get something out of it.

My thoughts 10: I never thought of this aspect, honestly, when I was brainstorming of ways to approach schoolboards.

Empathy

I feel as if I'm a pretty empathetic human being, at least more than the average. I find it easy to make friends with people because I can see life through their eyes, and see that everyone is cool in their own way. The empathy test was somewhat right, which stated that I was slightly above average. I believe it was being a little harsh on me. I believe it doesn't know me enough from only 60 robotic questions. My mother is probably the most empathetic person I know other than myself, since she is always such a soft-hearted lady. She is always quick to give, even when it means sacrificing her time and money. On the other hand, one of my best friends from high school is not so empathetic. He always makes fun of people to their face, and I'm not sure if he realizes it or not. He is a popular kid, so when he will sort of pick on someone, I see them laugh it off, but I see deep down inside of them, and he or she will become sad.

HMP Assignment - Self Reflection

Resolution: FOCUS

I chose this word because focusing in the year of 2013 is my hardest task. It is a year filled with so many gadgets and hobbies, and my brain is easily distracted by everything that is going on in the world.

I am not the type of person who envies a lot of people, and I'm really laid back about some situations. However, there are certain things/ events  that some people get to experience that just really grind my gears, because I can't. My parents shelter me a lot from the world, so there's just so much in life I haven't experienced because of fear from my parents. I really envy some kids when they come back from an awesome concert that I could never go to, and they're telling me all about how awesome it is. I'm not a habitual liar, either. Although, I may spurt a quick lie out in a conversation depending on the situation. For example, if I'm talking to a girl about music, I may say I love her favorite band even though I've never really listened to them.

HMP Assignment Student Project Focus

1. I need to know that if high school dropouts are capable of creating a successful business, then I am too.

2. My current essential question is: How can I start my own Visual Media Production company? It has been the same since I typed it up.

3. For my final presentation, I will make a digital portfolio of all of my graphic design, photography, and videography with my laptop. I will make it so an individual will be able to scroll through them all, and pick what they want to observe. I will also display my Kickstarter posters, and document the success of it by having the Kickstarter page up on my iPad.

4. For my "real inquiry", I will begin asking myself questions such as:

- How are some production companies with lower production quality more successful/ well known than companies with better production skills?

Basically, find out what appeals to people most, and how I can get my name out there.

Beyond Boundaries: Gordon Parks’ Fashion Photography

Beyond Boundaries

One of the most imaginative photographers of all time, Gordon Parks, would have turned 100 this past week (he died at 93 years old). He was an African American who grew up in discrimination and poverty. He had to work little side jobs to survive, including playing music. He was doubted throughout his life, and had very little support, but he finally found his niche in 1983. It was the world of photography. 

He was shooting for months after he received his camera from a pawn shop, and his pictures began to be displayed in Minneapolis. Parks was an insanely skilled photographer, because he could snap pictures in any type of scenario, from ghettos to fashion shoots. Through the years, he became one of the most legendary photographers. He eventually got a deal with LIFE magazine, and he was the director of the movie "Shaft".

Parks not only worked his way up from poverty to riches, but he also had a passion in what he did, and it wasn't much of a selfish desire. He said he saw photography as a weapon to fight against poverty and racism, and he believed he could bring the people together with his art. Parks was undeniably one of the best photographers in the nation, and he will always be missed.

"Beyond Boundaries: Gordon Parks' Fashion Photography." Style Design Beyond Boundaries Gordon Parks Fashion Photography Comments. TIME, 30 Nov. 2012. Web. 07 Dec. 2012. <http://style.time.com/2012/11/30/beyond-boundaries-gordon-parks-fashion-photography/photo/03_05927762/>.

Technology in my Field

1. You would use a wide variety of technology, from hardware to software. You would use a DSLR camera to shoot photography. You also would always have your camera attached to a stabilizer for hollywood quality shots. You would use a computer with a strong processor, and Adobe software to incorporate my graphic design and editing skills into every shot you have.

2. I usually communicate with other professionals through email or phone calls. I never text them from the phone, though.

3. If I ever present my work, I do so with a projector if it is a video, and with a portfolio of pages if it is my design work.

4.  I believe we will still always be using the same equipment for the most part, like the camera and lens, but of course as the years go by, technology will be improved majorly.

5. I imagine so much more technology being incorporated into photography/videography/design. For example, I believe you will be able to "photoshop" a person in a video (make them look skinnier, change their complexion, etc.) and input designs all from your camera.

For my final presentation, I will make a digital portfolio of all of my graphic design, photography, and videography with my laptop. I will make it so an individual will be able to scroll through them all, and pick what they want to observe.

My Essential Question

How can I start my own Visual Media Production company?

I chose this as my essential question, because I plan to make short films in the future that will actually have relevance, and hopefully change how the world around us thinks. I want to learn the best methods of persuasion, because everyone knows only persuasive individuals can change a nation. Researching my essential question will actually be exciting to me, mainly because knowing and understanding the full answer to my question is really going to change my life in many ways. I will be able to influence populations with my media in a heartbeat, and get people motivated. More people will want to actually help the world become a better place by fixing all of the mess we made. I feel as if this question is the core question that will actually make my media worth something, and it's exactly what I need. My videos can look as cool as I want it to, but without any influence, all it is is a bunch of colors on a screen.