Thursday, February 23, 2012

Our own stuff

In addition to the assemblage of activities Camera Hogs has lined up, we are working on projects and films of our own as well.

With the new edition of the Camera Hogs trailer, graciously provided by Carlos Rubio, Camera Hogs is on wheels and ready shoot everything we can.
 
Our big current production is my own, Desert Wasteland- a drama series that encompasses the life of a girl consumed in the vicious world of border-land crime. We've spent most of the month building more equipment for our arsenal (Thanks to Carlos, our equipment-architect), story-boarding, location scouting, casting, rehearsing, more location scouting, more rehearsing, locking down locations etc, etc... (I think you get the point) Hard work always pays off! We are set to shoot three scenes this weekend, plus a scene from Flash Amadeus-by Gary Vau Jr. (Wish us luck!)

We are also currently in the process of producing short promotional videos for Camera Hogs. We have started shooting our first and anticipate the finished product in about a week. Be on the lookout for our first ever Camera Hogs promotional video, coming soon!



Wednesday, February 22, 2012

More on Us

In our previous blog, you got to know a little more about Levi Hart, Camera Hogs Editor, as well as myself. Today I'd like to delve deeper into the people of Camera Hogs and acquaint you with two of my co-founders- Carlos Rubio, Director of Photography and Ronnie Stepney, Public Relations. (More on co-founder Jason Turner soon to come)

"Carlos Rubio is no stranger to the entertainment business and began his film career as a set builder for many projects in his hometown of El Paso,TX. As a Construction Supervisor at many of his jobs he grew tired of very little pay his employers were paying for his under credited accomplishments and started his own company Chingon Props & F/X. Working under his new company's name he shortly began work on several projects that include the complete construction of the award winning YWCA parade float showcased in the El Paso Thanksgiving Parade 2008.

Inspired by his accomplishments Rubio went on to work for the Chainsaw Mafia as a Theater Performer and Prop Master where he toured with Fangoria Weekend of Horror 2009. Working as a Prop Master for The Chainsaw Mafia, Rubio constructed numerous props for “The Mafia” showcased in Fangoria’s W.O.H. to include a 25’ long metal chainsaw, a thrown used by the crowned Spooks model, and many other props. He continued working for “The Mafia” constructing props to be used in films and in photo shoots after the tour.

After a long year of working for “Viscera” and “The Chainsaw Mafia” Rubio began his college education attending film classes at DACC where he focused his studies on camera operation and cinematography. During his time at DACC he has worked on several short films shot in Southern New Mexico. Rubio continues his studies, working for Camera Hogs and perfecting camera rigs in his spare time."
Ronnie Lachone Stepney was born and raised in Pomona C.A. where he graduated from Pomona high. For several years he found himself working as a licensed pharmacy technician in california. Currently he is studying creative media at dacc. His goals are to "write direct and star in cinematic adventures."

Tuesday, February 21, 2012

Projects, projects, and more projects!

What are Camera Hogs up to now? Projects, projects, and more projects! 2012: the big new year brings in new and exciting projects with it. Camera Hogs has been diligently working non-stop in a 360 degree circle of creative production. With the finalization of the Dr. Green Hydroponics commercial soon on its way, we are all eager to keep the wheel of projects turning.

In January, we had the opportunity of taking architectural photographs for an architect from Norway. Although we ran into some astonishingly rude people, the photographs came out beautiful.

We also ran into a very talented young blues musician in January, Cat Matches. We went out, shot footage for music videos for him, and with the help of Joe Iviere of  EMP Music, recorded his songs. Although Cat Matches had to urgently leave town, we are continuing in making the music videos.

Speaking of music videos, we are also in the process of working on a music video for an impressive artist/musician from LA, Mine+Us. (Told you it was a big new year)

 My own production, "Desert Wasteland" is currently underway. The casting calls were amazing- it was quite a challenge choosing from all the talented individuals who came and auditioned. A big thanks goes out to everyone that came! For those who weren't called back, we are keeping you all in mind for future productions that may better suit your talents. 

We are shooting two scenes for "Desert Wasteland" this weekend and a scene for another production, "Flash Amadeus" by our good friend Gary Vau Jr. What an exciting weekend! We are shooting a party scene for "Desert Wasteland" on Friday and will be needing extras! For anyone interested, please send us an email with your contact information. 

We are always hungry for production! Our near future includes a quinceañera, wedding, more music videos, photoshoots for EMP Music, and films and promotional videos for and from our own Camera Hogs! :) Yes, this is going to be a big and exciting new year for  Camera Hogs!

Thursday, February 9, 2012

A world with no résumés?

No More Résumés, Say Some Firms

In a world where technology is exploding, our traditional "paper" methods are at stake. More paper methods are converted digitally- from books, magazines, and newspapers to art. The technological boom hits hard in the business world. We were all taught to make professional résumés growing up and now that too, is coming to a digital age.

Video profiles, essentially video résumés, are becoming increasingly popular amongst many companies- particularly the web or tech-savvy companies. Social networking sites and online quizzes are also amongst these new methods for finding candidates worthy of hiring. These companies feel a résumé does not give enough insight into the character of a person. A résumé does not show how it will be to work with you, a video profile can give people a closer look at the actual person behind the cut and paste list of accomplishments. This is good, right?

Some people may fear they will be scrutinized and judged by their appearance. It's no secret that some, or several, companies hire based on sex, age, and even race. With a paper résumé Jill Elaine McPhears can become J. E. McPhears, forcing the company to review her based on her accomplishments, skills, and experience. With a video profile, she would not be able to do this- unless she had a really good makeup artist.

This is where I'm torn. Technologically savvy companies should hire individuals like themselves; it only makes sense for them to be just as tech-savvy with social networking sites. I definitely think we need to be moving forward into a more efficient and creative approach to the hiring process. Individuals who are comfortable and themselves on the video attract that type of energy- some companies may be interested in having that type of employee while others may not.

In this technologically advanced world, people just don't have the time to be looking. They want you to find them



Wednesday, February 8, 2012

What the bleep is rhetoric?

When I took Rhetoric English a couple years ago, I never really learned the actual meaning of rhetoric. Today my portfolio class had a speaker who opened my eyes to the meaning and importance of rhetoric and how it affects our professional and daily lives.

Rhetoric is not just effective communication, but the art of persuasion. We use this art in our daily lives, both in the professional and non-professional world. You can't just say, "I'm awesome" and expect everyone to just assume that you are in fact awesome. You have to effectively persuade whoever you are trying to convince that you are awesome. Dan Williams of Telcote Films adds, "if you verbalize you are awesome without qualifying it, people around you will sense it is a joke and laugh."

How can you effectively persuade someone without imposing on them? The art behind this persuasion technique is found in ethos, logos, and pathos.

Ethos is the most important one here, because this is where your character shines through. Are you trustworthy? Credible? Knowledgeable? How you present yourself, and your professional work, gives people insight into your character. What makes you so awesome? What do you have to represent this awesomeness?

This ties into logos- "the appeal to reason or logic". The message you are trying to convey must be clear, concise, and consistent. No one will be able to understand the message you are trying to convey if it is unclear and inconsistent. I know I certainly would not think someone was awesome if their stories were inconsistent; this provides no credibility. (It also makes you look like you're full of yourself and don't really know what you're talking about).

So if you're message is clear, concise, and consistent who are you trying to persuade? "Pathos is the appeal to the sympathies, values, beliefs, and emotions of the audience." Let's say you're a photographer or videographer (like us) and a client approaches you and says, "Hey, I'm looking for an awesome videographer/photographer to capture my wedding on the beach." Why on earth would you show them a demo reel of the football games or car races you filmed last summer?! Yeah, they're great shots, but this client is looking for something sentimental, romantic, and beautiful. Show them a demo reel of some beautifully lit scenes or similar events. Messages cater to clients; but what if you just want to tell the world, "I'm awesome"? This is where all the previous traits merge together to form what you choose to put in your message. Put character and originality into your creative message and the awesomeness will speak for itself.

Monday, February 6, 2012

Casting Call!



Projects in the Works

Today I'd like to give you a taste of what Camera Hogs does.One of the first projects we had a pleasure working on was the Bowls for Charity event for the Potters Guild.

Every year the Potter's Guild produces hundreds of hand-crafted clay bowls for this annual charity event held in conjunction with El Caldito's Soup Kitchen. Carlos Rubio discovered this event from Joe Angelo of the Potters Guild. Every year volunteers of the Potter's Guild spend countless hours hand crafting bowls for the event. Attendees of the event purchase a ticket which includes a hand crafted bowl of their choice and a meal provided by El Caldito's Soup Kitchen. All proceeds go to feeding the people in need of the community. It's was quite beautiful seeing the community come together in such a positive way. Check out our video below.

Bowls for Charity