My first video

One of the things I believe is esssential to life is continuous learning. At the shelter where I work, I learn something new everday -- I am touched in different ways ever day. And, I am presented a new way to operate, to be, to do, everyday.

For the past few weeks, we have been getting ready for Christmas and the holiday season. One of the things we've been doing -- video-taping clients and staff wishing everone a Merry Christmas, Season's Greetings...Recently, my assistant left the organization and I am currently without someone to edit the video. Two of m staff jumped in to offer to help filming but... they don't have the time nor skillset -- yet -- to do the editing. While I can't say I do either, I can't layer more work on them at such a busy time of year. So... I figured, what can be so hard? I mean really, I've produced documentaries, sat in the editing suite with an independent film producer for hours as we worked on the Stand by Me video and other projects for the shelter -- what can be so hard about clipping a short video together?

It isn't the 'hard', it's the time.

Editing is a time consuming enterprise. And it fascinates me -- not the process, but the getting it right, the pulling everything in, eliminating the extraneous pieces and creating something of meaning. It also brings out my compulsive nature, my desire to know, to be able to do that which I can't yet do because I don't know how. And... it also humbles me. I have spent hours attempting to understand the software, to learn its intricacies, and I know, I am just at the surface.

Pefection is a long and distant horizon.

Which brings me to a very important lesson ... perfect is not important. It is not the issue. Getting the message out. Honouring the work of our staff, the stories of our clients -- that's what counts.

And seriously, I don't have the knowledge base to understand the intricacies of a complex editing software so, I've begun with the basics -- always a good place to begin. Using Windows Live Movie Maker, I've been playing around, creating a piece that will express our clients and staff's gratitude and wishes this holiday season.

What I'm sharing today is Draft One -- see, I don't want to leave myself open too too much to criticism by telling you this is the finished product :) -- I gotta give myself wriggle room!

And, because today is my birthday and I like to do one thing new on my birthday, I'm posting my Christmas Greetings from the DI, in its raw and longer than it needs to be version. (and don't you love how I fit in my special day today! :) )

New learning is always the opportunity to explore uncharted terrirtory -- so here I am. Born on this date many (okay many, many) years ago, chipping away at revealing my one true self with everyday of my life and now, chipping away at a new learning to reveal the beauty of the world in which I work. And with this learning -- who knows what can happen?

Editing is like sculpting. You begin with a big block of material and start chipping away, searching all the while for the essence, the elemental truth of the story.

It is in the lives of the people we serve. The honesty, the beauty, the sadness and the joy that we experience truth.

So, without further ado, here it is.

And then, the miracle of technology steps in and sideswipes my best laid plans. In terse and simple language it informs me... "An error occured while processing your video. Please check again later."

Hello?

Not there?

Can't show it!

Later? what is later? What do they mean?

Ahhhh. What the... fiddlesticks.

The joys of exploring uncharted waters. Expect the unexpected and you won't be surprised.

I'll be back later.

Must run. Got a meeting.

Nameste!