This morning Steph and I went back to New Bethany Ministries, but this time to explore the soup kitchen on the bottom floor. We met with Brandy Garofolo, the Director of the Hospitality Center, and met and interviewed all of the staff around the center. We then went into the main dining room, and began to talk to some of the homeless who come to the shelter to eat. One thing we learned is that not everyone who comes to the shelter is actually homeless - some have homes, but can't afford to prepare a meal every day. We spoke to one man in such a situation, who called himself an artist. He had a whole portfolio of artwork, and sat with markers and colored pencils around him. We also spoke to a man who called himself "retarded," and said that he had been kicked out of his house in Easton. Another man told us he was not homeless, but had just gotten in a fight with his daughter, and was just staying there for a few days.
I found this trip to be an eye-opening experience, and very inspiring. All of the people at the shelter were friendly and nice, and I didn't feel uncomfortable being there at all. The workers were more than happy to talk to us, while the homeless were a bit more hesitant. I think it is probably difficult for a lot of them to share their story, since many are extremely traumatic. However, they seemed so greatful for any of the food they were given, and the opportunity to just sit with each other, eat and relax. While we were there I noticed one man that I see all the time in CVS - it's heartbreaking to think that that man I see all the time is homeless, and that I had no idea.
I'm looking forward to going to back to the shelter, and maybe volunteering when all of this is over. The people are so appreciative of any of the things we do for them, and it makes you want to help. This project is definitely helping me learn to be thankful for what I have, and see what is going on out in the world.
Monday, March 29, 2010
Initial Trips to the Homeless Shelter
On Saturday my group members and myself took our first trip to New Bethany Ministries in order to capture some images on film for our first news video. Before we went, I didn't really about what I was going to see. I knew that we were going to a homeless shelter, but I didn't really think about the actual people who would be living in this shelter, and the fact that they had no place to go.
As soon as we stepped inside, the first thing we saw was about 10 strollers propped up against the wall. As we took that in, we then saw three children, no older than 10 years old, running around and looking at us curiously. My first reaction was, "Oh wow. There's actually young children who are being raised in a homeless shelter."
We then met with the director of the shelter, who invited us into her office and spoke to us for about 25 minutes about the work she does there. She told us all about the people who come (you must have children to be admitted), the programs they offer them (a home for six months, parental counseling and drug rehab), and the success stories that happened to people after they left the shelter.
After talking to her, she brought us around on a tour of the shelter. When we went into the common room, I saw something really shocking. A woman was sitting there watching TV with her child. She was white, clean and young, and looked as if she could have been any other person in America. She could easily have lived in my neighborhood and I would have never looked at her twice. I always pictured the homeless as dirty and hopped up on drugs, but she easily broke the stereotyope. This really shook me up, because it showed that homelessness could happen to ANYONE. The director explained to us that people at the shelter were not necessarily just "bums" - they could have lost their homes in a fire, lost their jobs, or suffer from mental illness. It was a big eye-opening experience, and really taught me a lot.
As soon as we stepped inside, the first thing we saw was about 10 strollers propped up against the wall. As we took that in, we then saw three children, no older than 10 years old, running around and looking at us curiously. My first reaction was, "Oh wow. There's actually young children who are being raised in a homeless shelter."
We then met with the director of the shelter, who invited us into her office and spoke to us for about 25 minutes about the work she does there. She told us all about the people who come (you must have children to be admitted), the programs they offer them (a home for six months, parental counseling and drug rehab), and the success stories that happened to people after they left the shelter.
After talking to her, she brought us around on a tour of the shelter. When we went into the common room, I saw something really shocking. A woman was sitting there watching TV with her child. She was white, clean and young, and looked as if she could have been any other person in America. She could easily have lived in my neighborhood and I would have never looked at her twice. I always pictured the homeless as dirty and hopped up on drugs, but she easily broke the stereotyope. This really shook me up, because it showed that homelessness could happen to ANYONE. The director explained to us that people at the shelter were not necessarily just "bums" - they could have lost their homes in a fire, lost their jobs, or suffer from mental illness. It was a big eye-opening experience, and really taught me a lot.
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Sex Offenders: Closer than you think
As part of the Google Mapping learning experience, our class researched the addresses of sex offenders around the Lehigh Valley. We used the PA Megan's Law Webite to research sex offenders in the 18015, 18017, 18018 and 18020 zip codes. Scary reality check: they are EVERYWHERE! Seriously. Down the block from where we live, all around the stores and restaurants that we go to. It's terrifying. But, thanks to Google Maps, at least we now know where they are! Check out this map of how scarily close these sex offenders are in our area.
View Megan's Law: Registered offenders in Bethlehem, PA in a larger map
Scary, right?
View Megan's Law: Registered offenders in Bethlehem, PA in a larger map
Scary, right?
Movie Theaters in the Lehigh Valley: A Map
Feel like going to the movies, but don't know where to go? Are you sick of your local movie theater and just want a change of pace? Do you feel like exploring all of the movie theaters that the Lehigh Valley has to offer?
Well, you're in luck! Here is a specialized Google Map of all of the movie theaters within the Lehigh Valley.
View Lehigh Valley Movie Theaters in a larger map
Enjoy! Let me know how you liked the movie!
Well, you're in luck! Here is a specialized Google Map of all of the movie theaters within the Lehigh Valley.
View Lehigh Valley Movie Theaters in a larger map
Enjoy! Let me know how you liked the movie!
Monday, March 22, 2010
Our First News Video: The Highs and Lows
Today in class we went over the four news videos that different groups had created before spring break. Painstakingly, the first video we went over was my groups, which featured a great big close-up of myself as the starting image. For those who haven't seen it yet, watch it!
Luckily, our reviews were not too brutal. One helpful tactic for myself personally was to slow down as I was speaking, because at times it can be difficult to understand. However, the content of what I was saying got positive reviews, which I was proud of.
Other criticisms for our video were related to sound. At some times it could be difficult to hear the people we were interviewing, while other interviews were loud and clear. We also had a tendency for cutting off what people were saying, which I think could be fixed by editing a bit more carefully.
Another problem was the introduction, which was shot indoors. Professor Littau told us that since the video was about the snow, which is a topic that consists entirely of being outdoors, we should have shot the introduction outdoors as well. I completely agree with this suggestion, and think it would have greatly helped the video.
All in all, not a terrible review!
I'm looking forward to filming for next weeks news video, which is also about our final project. Our final project is focusing on the homeless crisis in Bethlehem, and we are going to be going to homeless shelters to try and find some quotes. But, you'll hear more about that later!
Luckily, our reviews were not too brutal. One helpful tactic for myself personally was to slow down as I was speaking, because at times it can be difficult to understand. However, the content of what I was saying got positive reviews, which I was proud of.
Other criticisms for our video were related to sound. At some times it could be difficult to hear the people we were interviewing, while other interviews were loud and clear. We also had a tendency for cutting off what people were saying, which I think could be fixed by editing a bit more carefully.
Another problem was the introduction, which was shot indoors. Professor Littau told us that since the video was about the snow, which is a topic that consists entirely of being outdoors, we should have shot the introduction outdoors as well. I completely agree with this suggestion, and think it would have greatly helped the video.
All in all, not a terrible review!
I'm looking forward to filming for next weeks news video, which is also about our final project. Our final project is focusing on the homeless crisis in Bethlehem, and we are going to be going to homeless shelters to try and find some quotes. But, you'll hear more about that later!
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Snow Video, Attempt #2
After a morning of filming, editing and producing, our snow video made it to youtube (as you can see from my last post). However, a few hours later my group members and I recieved an e-mail from Professor Littau, telling us that we had gone about the project completely the wrong way. This was supposed to be more of a news story that we would see on TV, not like a traditional web video like what we had been doing in the past.
After a few moments of discouragement, I decided to jump at the chance. I watch NBC Nightly News every night, and Brian Williams is my celebrity crush. I always watch reporters such as Ann Currey and wonder what it would be like to be on camera like them. So, when we needed a person to do the voiceovers and introduction and sign-off, I jumped at the chance.
And it was fun! True, it's horrible to see yourself on screen (you never look worse), and my voice sounds like Minnie Mouse, but I had a good time doing it! I think it brought a whole new element to the way our video's are done. I had a really good time doing the assignment. I think I can definitely see my group's skills improving, and our videos have been getting better.
Some criticisms with the video: we cut off two of our interviewee's while they were talking. They ramble! And it's hard to get a clean ending without completely going over the time limit (which we already did by 20 seconds). There's also indecent sound quality, with some people sounding a lot louder than others. I don't know if there is a way to fix that on MovieMaker or not, but I would like to find out.
So, here's the video. Check it out and see for yourself. I'd love to know what you think!
After a few moments of discouragement, I decided to jump at the chance. I watch NBC Nightly News every night, and Brian Williams is my celebrity crush. I always watch reporters such as Ann Currey and wonder what it would be like to be on camera like them. So, when we needed a person to do the voiceovers and introduction and sign-off, I jumped at the chance.
And it was fun! True, it's horrible to see yourself on screen (you never look worse), and my voice sounds like Minnie Mouse, but I had a good time doing it! I think it brought a whole new element to the way our video's are done. I had a really good time doing the assignment. I think I can definitely see my group's skills improving, and our videos have been getting better.
Some criticisms with the video: we cut off two of our interviewee's while they were talking. They ramble! And it's hard to get a clean ending without completely going over the time limit (which we already did by 20 seconds). There's also indecent sound quality, with some people sounding a lot louder than others. I don't know if there is a way to fix that on MovieMaker or not, but I would like to find out.
So, here's the video. Check it out and see for yourself. I'd love to know what you think!
Monday, March 1, 2010
News Video, Snow Style
As you read on my last post, our news video about the homeless didn't quite work out. On the day we were supposed to film it, a blizzard occured and all of our cars were completely snowed it. Well, when life gives you lemons, make lemonade. Our news video about the homeless quickly turned into a video about the blizzard that affected the student body.
We captured some great footage of students talking about how they were affected by the snowstorm, and ended up with footage of one guy having a ton to say, one girl who was practically mute, and one girl from Florida who said the snow was "intimidating," to say the least. We compiled them in a video, overlayed some pictures of the snow, created some title bars and credits, and voia la! We were done.
The video's a bit choppy, and I may come in on Wednesday just to practice making another one, but the end result is really not bad. Here it is!
We captured some great footage of students talking about how they were affected by the snowstorm, and ended up with footage of one guy having a ton to say, one girl who was practically mute, and one girl from Florida who said the snow was "intimidating," to say the least. We compiled them in a video, overlayed some pictures of the snow, created some title bars and credits, and voia la! We were done.
The video's a bit choppy, and I may come in on Wednesday just to practice making another one, but the end result is really not bad. Here it is!
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