How to Translate Your Programs Into Compelling Videos
When High Water Women first came to us, the first thing they said was, “We want a video about our program.” We cringed a little bit. As we described in The Starter Guide to Non-Profit Video Storytelling, many non-profits fall into what we call “The Program Trap.” Their videos focus too much on what they do, instead of why they do it. Let’s be honest. Videos about programs end up putting people to sleep instead of making them feel something. We’ve learned that compelling, shareable, money raising videos are about people, not programs. more »
Bearing Our Souls: Our Reel
I’ll never forget when I realized the power of storytelling. I was twelve. I watched The Deep End of the Ocean, a movie about a woman (Michelle Pfeiffer) whose son is kidnapped during her class reunion. Ironically and devastatingly, she realizes when he is a teenager that he has been living a few streets down from her for the past ten years. I remember sobbing, internalizing the weight of her pain- and my three sisters mocking me for being a crybaby. That night I couldn’t sleep. Michelle’s agonizing loss was incomprehensible more »
You Will Have A Story To Tell
Happy Friday! As all of New York City panics in glee over the imminent hurricane headed our way, we’re preparing to spend the next few days inside (and probably filming the rainy action as much as we can) since we are releasing several videos in the next few days… so keep an eye out. But I have to say, I love paying attention to how events like the hurricane become so much about storytelling. The earthquake earlier this week catalyzed a whirlwind of online (and then later, in-person) storytelling- everyone more »
How to Create Successful Nonprofit Campaigns
Recently I was lucky to get to attend the Social Media for Nonprofits conference here in NYC. The room was bursting with enthusiasm, passionate energy and unparalleled multi-tasking aficionados - which the live twitter feed at the front of the room only fueled. By the end of the day my eyes were blurry but I was wonderfully full of really useful ideas. A lot of the speakers talked about how not for profits can run successful campaigns, which I found extremely useful. Here are my takeaways: Position the Problem- Every campaign needs a more »
Why I Talk to Strangers
I saw my mom across the street talking to a strikingly beautiful woman and feared for the worst. She was in town for my graduation from NYU and so far had broken every social rule of NYC. She spoke loudly on the subway, walked slowly, stopped in the middle of the sidewalk and initiated conversation with strangers every chance she could. As I crossed the street I was prepared to save the woman from the grip of my mother’s never ending curiosity and small talk. As soon as I met more »
Limited Time Only- Fatty ‘Cue
Greetings from Accra, Ghana! We are very excited to share the work we are doing here, but first we want to share our most recent video… We recently had the pleasure of working again with Limited Time Only, a restaurant on the border between Chinatown and the Lower East Side, which features distinguished chefs for short periods, allowing them to explore new concepts in their cooking. Fatty ‘Cue, part of the Fatty Crew, used the opportunity to try a family style dining experience, setting up a communal table in the more »
Collaboration with LTO— portrait of Chef RJ Cooper
A few weeks ago, we were lucky to be asked by Limited Time Only, a restaurant just down the street from us, to film the kitchen of Chef RJ Cooper as he and his team prepared 24 course meals for 70 people. Limited Time Only is a restaurant that features chefs for as its name describes, a limited time only. As such, it is a hotspot for innovation where chefs can experiment with new ideas and test new menus. We had an absolute blast hanging out with RJ and his more »
Advantages of Outdoor Education: Trip to the Passaic, Great Swamp, and Raptor Trust
Last Tuesday I took a trip with students at George Washington HS in Washington Heights out to New Jersey to get a breath of fresh air. We scooped the Passaic river and looked at the creatures inside, did some birding, and netted insects in a field which we looked at more closely with microscopes. Then we went on this boardwalk tour of the Great Swamp wetlands, and checked out the Raptor Trust, where wounded raptors like bald eagles, falcons, hawks, and vultures go to heal. On the trip I met student more »
Meditation 3- Spring//Time
Millions of people, each with their own unique life stories, swirling together, intersecting each other, each retreating into their own public privacy. The chances to connect with others are infinite, especially in New York City, but the hardest part is taking the first step, reaching out. This spring break, my final break before the expansive and constrained freedom of graduation, I decided to push myself to reach out. For me, walking around with my camera is one of the best ways to meet people. In fact, the reason I met more »
Genesis Be Mississippi to Manhattan Release Party
Last night was Genesis Be’s Mississippi to Manhattan Release Party at Katra Lounge. The energy and love for Genesis was absolutely incredible. Genesis has grown her movement to be something really powerful and last night was definitely a testament to that. I’m proud to say I know her and as long as she is doing what she’s doing, I’ll support her however I can. Also, check out the images we took for her album cover. Check out Nyle Emerson (above) and Miles Megaciph (below) See all the photos here Tweet
