Wing Beat : 01/18/10

Alas Media participated in an international Help-Portrait day where photographers from all over the world offered to make portraits of people and families in need for free. We along with several student photographers joined forces to create two studio spaces adjoining our offices and for several hours ushered in numerous families for a holiday portrait.

Check out the photos and behind the scenes:

http://web.me.com/dvrosa/Help-Portrait/Family_Portraits.html

Wing Beat : 10/27/09

Every September, the Royal Rangers host a pinewood derby race where kids and adults race their wooden cars down a 40 foot racing track. They compete to see who has the fastest and best designed car. Its a great day not only for racing, but for parents and children to come together.

Wing Beat : 6/22/09

When Ivan Forbes moved into his home in Sylmar, the Department of Water and Power offered him a lifetime discount on his bill. Ten years later, this discount was taken away from him. Ivan then decided to produced his own energy and now creates 95% of his own electricity.

Wing Beat : 5/29/09

Reyna Grande talks about the "Aha" moment in her life that lead to her becoming a writer. She shares the importance of writing about her culture, especially the aspects like folklorico that get left out of literature.

Wing Beat : 4/29/09

The California Latino Water Coalition staged a massive four-day march from Mendota, Calif. to San Luis Reservoir near Los Banos, Calif. This is their plea to anybody that needs water.

Wing Beat : 4/06/09

Ralph Arriola participated and documented the Bobby Kennedy Campaign and the Chicano Moratorium, significant political events that he now shares with the world!

We've also added storyteller commentary that discusses the three challenges we faced:
1) Following a stronger interview process
2) Deciding which parts of the collection to use in video
3) Video B-roll using photographs

Wing Beat : 3/12/09

Sylvia Suarez shares her memories of the late 1960’s, crusin’ down San Fernando Road and paints us a picture of what the San Fernando Mall once looked like.

We've also added storyteller commentary that discusses the three challenges we faced:
1) Shooting with a new camera for b-roll.
2) Follow up.
3) Finding one story and sticking to it.

Wing Beat : 2/18/09

Humberto Cuentas is a recording engineer, producer and artist manager who talks about learning through the challenges he's dealt with.

We've also added storyteller commentary that discusses the three challenges we faced:
1) Changing the Wing Beat structure.
2) Experimenting with the style.
3) Sticking to the core story.

Wing Beat : 2/03/09

Juan Pueblo shares the old tradition of mural painting and its role in articulating a community's challenges and hopes.

We've also added storyteller commentary that discusses the three challenges we faced:
1) Recording good audio in a windy situation.
2) Photographing a stationary object like a mural.
3) Photographing Juan's face as a form of b-roll.

Wing Beat : 1/28/09

Francisco Ramirez took advantage of a unique opportunity to do something he loves.

We've also added storyteller commentary that discusses the three challenges we faced:
1) Setting up for a green screen production.
2) Use of a secondary camera for additional b-roll.
3) Post-production effects we use.

Wing Beat : 1/06/09

The rosca is a cultural tradition that is still practiced in our community. See the process of making one from start to finish.

We've also added storyteller commentary that discusses the three challenges we faced:
1) Photographing in a busy business.
2) Recording good audio in a noisy environment.
3) Finding good light in a low light location.

Wing Beat : 12/23/08

The local Kiwanis Club follows a 10 year tradition caroling to local hospitals, convalescent homes, children and seniors.

We've also added storyteller commentary that discusses the three challenges we faced:
1) Hard shadows.
2) Limited shoot time.
3) Filling your frame.

Wing Beat : 12/09/08

Alas Media tours San Fernando's first art gallery.

We've also added storyteller commentary that discusses the three challenges we faced:
1) Keeping the interviewee within the line of sight.
2) Shooting the interview under low light.
3) Utilizing a tripod for b-roll.