Living with Geeks MOVED to Wordpress (see new url below)

Check out new Wordpress site for Living with Geeks

2006-12-17T20:03:00.000-08:00

Click here for Living with Geeks' new home or the new url is:

http://livingwithgeeks.wordpress.com

Thanks to Blogger & hello Wordpress!

...have a great week.

Interview leads: top Open Source women geeks in country

2006-12-16T13:43:00.000-08:00

This list is officially logged in my lead funnel for interviews (wow...and Mitchell Baker has a law degree in addition to her Mozilla leadership. Swank).

Geeks help ninjas help geeks: Geek Ent TV covers dvd release

2006-12-15T13:26:00.000-08:00

GETV released this a few weeks ago; oh so sweet: living in an age where ninjas & geeks help eachother out.

Video/indie film: creating your studio

2006-12-15T12:40:00.000-08:00

I love learning indie film tech & system compatibility; more & more folks ask for equipment insights. I've broken (yikes) plenty of cameras but am currently having good fortune with Panasonic's PVGS-180.

Since my knowledge fund is still forming on said tech, I like referring folks to more informed bloggers on equipment comparisons like Andy Coon, a Final Cut advocate & filmmaker in Greensboro.

These lighting kits per last week's Gov't Video & Technology Expo offer decent bang-for-the-buckeroo; having one of these intermediate kits is an eventual goal.

...reading iCreate Magazine for the non-Net reader experience is a good reference too for Apple folks.

1 minute: Kelly's man, Linux, & external force

2006-12-14T12:39:00.000-08:00

The editing-exercise series continues!

... e.g. posting raw interview footage & respective edits incrementally for that original raw clip.

Sound is rough but I sure like how Kelly makes her comparisons.

30 seconds of DC where Santa bites the dust (& Christmas came early with Final Cut Express)

2006-12-12T20:10:00.000-08:00

Sean The Santa surprised me!

When I returned home tonight, his face was gleaming toward some wrapped gifts with that look of "I know somethin' you don't know".

This Santa forbid waiting till Christmas (or birthday this weekend). Now that's a rule to play by! With haste, with glee, the Final Cut Express magic was unwrapped. Thank you x 6000.

...exploring it now with wide eyes & high hopes.

En route to the Gov't Technology & Video Expo last week, these festive bits appeared throughout DC.

May your week be filled with all the fa la la la la's you can muster.

Hans Reiser & other more festive matters

2006-12-11T10:32:00.000-08:00

Hans Reiser, a computer programmer in Oakland, confronts difficult times.
My husband smirked-out an off-hand suggestion for me not to interview him...nice advice.

Tonight(!) at DC Web Women
DC's contingent of estrogen-based professionals & enthusiasts in all things new media convene for the holidays tonight. Can't wait.

Footage for the project
...forthcoming.

Linux Beer Hike/LBW & a new interview source

2006-12-09T15:26:00.000-08:00

What a thought(!):
--visiting some beer-enriched European country for healthy outdoor treks & Linux loyalists. I'd love to go this year for international interviews for the project...why not?! [ze budget ze budget, the financial faery chimes in the background]

I've recently posted an interview call on their list serve. -Looking forward to the Red Hatters' response.

Gizmodo: geeks, gadgets, & garnering attention from that other sex

2006-12-08T19:27:00.000-08:00

Love it, read it, take the poll.

Jonny & Matty, T3: observing progress from the first take on up

2006-12-06T22:41:00.000-08:00

This third pass includes music & minor edits.

For kicks, here are the (3) posts of Jonny & Matty's segment with the most recent cut immediately below (random aside: the video/technology expo was excellent today!):

take 3

take 2

take 1

Fumentos' interview: comparing take 1 to take 2

2006-12-06T09:23:00.000-08:00

Immediately below is the second cut of the Fumentos' original clip. I love the music; what say you on playing the music along with their audio track? Have a good day (...with their original post directly following).

TAKE 2

TAKE 1

2 minutes: Mary & Mike on home grown German magic

2006-12-05T11:27:00.000-08:00

...raw, fun stuff. I'll post more segments & edits for them later today or for sure this week.

I love how they've created their home. Mary & Mike were a pleasure getting to know.

Great tip from my man e.g. Main Geek

2006-12-04T20:20:00.000-08:00

--Must give a big blogged thanks to Sean for suggesting the raw footage posting approach. It's a great idea although it took a while of gentle family debates to convert my mind. [note eye roll + head shake of dismay on that "gentle" comment]

I can't wait to see how cuts & effects change throughout Jonny/Matty's segment & for future interviews.

Jonny, Matty T2: added effects + draft title bit

2006-12-04T19:54:00.000-08:00

Thanks for taking time to see this footage & relay thoughts.

--Had fun with this second take. It's hard not to keep editing until completion; but I keep reminding myself to value the editing process by posting bit by bit to better gain from readers. Allow imperfection. Allow incompletion. Grrrrrrr! It's tough for some reason. I guess my ego thinks the video police will .... growl.

Photo credits (to be added in final segment):
SteveA, CC license 2.0 for A Few Laptops
The Stivo, CC license 2.0 for Red Bull
Amayita (for Flickr citation yet isn't original photographer), CC license 2.0 for Peace, Love, Linux

5 minutes: Jonny, Matty, a throbbing boil, & geek anthropology

2006-12-03T11:13:00.001-08:00

No voice over, no edits, no music - just pure footage to start an editing experiment.

Thanks again to Jonny & Matty for the fun, animated conversation. NOTE: this clip starts with Jonny sharing his experience in an NYU program. And with this post an experiment takes flight: posting an unedited interview segment first, with subsequent edits posted to the same segment later.

QUESTIONS TO YOU:

Through this process, what do you crave in content on this particular clip...
e.g. more narration?
more follow-up questions to Jonny & Matty?
or another raw clip to compare to this one?

Love your thoughts!...with more raw bits tomorrow.

Star Trek's theme sung through the nose + Jonathan's Throbbing Boil

2006-12-02T08:02:00.000-08:00

A lot unfolded last night when interviewing Jonny Goldstein & his wife Matty Lau. He's the techi geek with Matty owning up to her own geekhood in physics.

They shared their wonderful home & humor last night for a great talk.

What the *heck* is Jonathan's Throbbing Boil? Oh it's real & officially apart of the Web's evolution of online radio shows.

This - & Capt. Kirk's impact - are en route @ warp speed...

Cleavage & German Christmas: great interview with the Fumentos

2006-11-30T19:43:00.000-08:00

It was darned euphoric meeting Mary & Michael Fumento last night to talk on their 'geek' love for the project. They were gracious, spirited folk with clear affection. I can't wait to view (and share) the footage.

And yes - the headline isn't just random flub -- deep bust lines & German festivities play distinct roles in their home (more to follow soon!).

Until then, here's an unrelated, animated tangent on geek lovin':

Seeking geek-vlog sense of style

2006-11-29T09:19:00.000-08:00

I'm stepping-up study of vlogs to learn new editing tacts & signature styles. My short-term goal in geekville is launching a geek-couple interview series January 1.

So much greatness abounds! Here's a savory, stylish vlogger from the Vloggies' Best Editing winner, Freshtopia.

...love the wit,
the intent,
the verve,
the hair.

Enjoy chocolate-vlogging lusciousness here.

Re-living the Vloggies (& some great brains at that)

2006-11-28T07:29:00.000-08:00

If you missed the Vloggies in San Fran recently like I did, here's a hip re-cap per PodTech (LOVE their starting sequence with PodTech's logo).

See some fantastic vloggers at their best (many have excellent ideas for starting your own online video cast series).

Great documentary forum in DC: GWU's Docs In Progress

2006-11-27T14:56:00.000-08:00

In getting this project off the ground, I've craved a local group with which to brainstorm on project ideas & to get pumped on the documentary craft.

The Docs In Progress program at GWU fits that bill. Tomorrow they host their bi-monthly event where selected documentary filmmakers (both inside or beyond the Beltway) ...share their unfinished works with a local DC audience. Afterwhich, the forum offers feedback to each filmmaker. Suggested donation is $5.

It's an excellent tool to learn more technical points on visually telling a story. I love it -- candid, enthusiastic folks scratching their documentary itch.

Apple's service, iMovie, & the project's first female techi interviews for project

2006-11-25T10:13:00.000-08:00

Just returned from Thanksgiving in Charlotte, NC. All was fantastic (heartburn heartburn heartburn). There's much to give thanks for; & the trip brought that point home.

Thanks very much for the varied insights to my recent experience with Apple's non-web customer service. The DVD-R format worked perfectly for burning my first short (...completion of which brought tears to the eyes - sappy but true). I cut it with Apple's iMovie, which has been a good first-step program for smaller projects. In the next 12 months, I aspire to train on Final Cut Pro.

Yowza!

Next-up for this week's interview pipeline:
-following up with Tony Boyd & his wife in Silicon Valley;
-meeting with DC Web Women's technical director & her husband (the project's first female 'geek' to participate);
-securing a Skype interview with Navigance's CEO-&-spouse

May all be excellent your way.

Apple customer service not the apple-of-my-eye

2006-11-20T20:49:00.000-08:00

In between meetings today I called two different Apple customer support lines with a general question. Neither department knew the answer (one support member transferred me to sales who then wanted to transfer me elsewhere).

And the second customer/sales agent said I needed my computer's serial number to avoid being charged for the call. Yikes(!) + odd(!).

I just cut a 7-minute short & needed to burn two dvd discs on Mac's intel core duo machine. The question was thus:

Which dvd format e.g. plus or minus is most conducive to this type of Mac?

Time was pinched so at the office supply store I bought both formats. After reading more later, I learned the system should accept both types.

This was the first time to utilize Apple's customer support teams (non-web). Ugh.

What's been your experience?

Mr. Clapton & living with geeks

2006-11-19T14:41:00.000-08:00

So then I started winking,
Then I started thinking
That I really had a flash this time.
That I had no business leaving,
And nobody would be grieving;
You see I'm on Tulsa time.

I stayed in Clapton's lyrical Oklahoma town this week with little blogosphere access.

It was a great trip where at least two project connections transpired:

a) discussed a Skype interview with Tony Boyd, a webmaster & former colleague of Sabeer Bhatia (the guy who sold hotmail.com to Microsoft for $400 million); Tony's wife unexpectedly had a client meeting so their audio-interview was re-scheduled and will occur post-Thanksgiving. I enjoyed talking briefly with Tony & better personalizing the film with him.

b) met Gail Hagerdon of Navigance Technologies Group; she referred me to her "geeky" boss, CEO Bob Jandebeur for a talk with him & his spouse.

My next steps are building off these connections and having 5 interviews in the pipeline within two weeks.

Georgia Tech's definition of a geek

2006-11-15T14:39:00.000-08:00

What's a geek? Is that perceived as good, bad, indifferent? How do hackers & crackers relate?

...all's addressed in quick fashion here:

Reader feedback for project's first segment + party naked

2006-11-13T20:17:00.000-08:00

Quick n dirty regarding the six minute segment:

- treatment works with interview footage so far; the transitional scripts more support vs distract;

- humor compliments the subject's experience (vs undermines it which concerned me at first;

- possibly (from interviewee Kelly directly) the clips on change were too long;

- adjust camera/interviewee angle so her gaze crosses the expanse of the screen vs the right-flush edge;

- dance on tables naked with Sean...doh!...that's not for this blog! So I've been working a deadline for my husband's home movie, a gift from me for our anniversary. It's been about 40 hours in four days with this and other freelance projects. All of which have been fantastically needed experiments in editing.

Color me loopy!

Hope all is well with you.

Interview pipeline brushes with Hotmail & Reinventing Television (+ an emergence)

2006-11-12T17:38:00.000-08:00

Project news (excellent!):
Interviews are in the works with DCWW's technical officer, a guy in California & his wife (he used to work with Sabeer Bhatia that founded Hotmail.com), a software engineer - a girl geek - with her husband, and potentially new media/techi buff Jonny Goldstein (Jonny also hosts Reinventing Television online).

This interview pipeline creates an addictive momentum!

Chief Geek: making my man's anniversary present
What a blast it's been making a home movie for my husband (& it's not too saucy either!). I'm experimenting with voiceover, exporting audio, increased photo imports.

What's that? Hear it? ...ahh, the sweet sound of technical fear morphing into confidence.

DCWW: recording panelist event & surmounting imperfect audio

2006-11-10T07:31:00.000-08:00

The fine group DC Web Women hosted a panel discussion on website accessibility last night & they asked I record the event.

Mics were not available at the facility (with only a lapel mic on-hand personally). But DCWW was gung-ho anyway despite the risk that audio might sound like whispers in the end. So with tripod set-up & back-up dv cassettes ready, I recorded my first non-interview event!

--haven't reviewed the footage yet (or gulp... the audio) but shall before leaving town next week.

First video segment e.g. it ain't a trailer

2006-11-08T22:19:00.000-08:00

Run time: app. 5 min

I love how Kelly remarks so clearly on her geek (sometimes bluntly but always with affection).

Now for the ridiculous qualifiers:
-it's a rough cut as in Lassie-come-home ruff ruff
-it's time to try narration or voice over (that's the next cut for this)
-pump up your volume (good ole YouTube conversion subtracts from audio quality)
-g'nite, sleepy sleepy peepy

Refined project goals: video series + feature-length documentary

2006-11-07T12:29:00.000-08:00

ENTHUSIAM!

-VS- STRUCTURE.

With this project, the desire to go-go-go often overwhelms commitment to project benchmarks.

Enthusiasm is the spice of life but should be matched with structure to achieve steady production.

So!

Writing down goals (again but now refined!) right now.

Short-term by Jan. 1:
Publish weekly video casts of 3 to 5 minute segments (...maybe titled 'Geeks This Week'). All based on geek-couple footage that's subject-centric (vs a conversational drift between many topics).

Longer-term (12 months or less):
Continue cutting footage toward the documentary, ideally to be a feature-length project of at least 40 minutes or more - which means I need to PUT IT in gear!

Icing-on-the-cake:
--would be collecting a suite of clips where the techi experts were women with domestic partners & then pitching that to the BlogHer conference planners. But that idea needs a whole lot more footage.

Happy photo by Andrew Swan.

Structure (in Singapore) by Uiruriamu.

Xerox & a computer graphics geek in the making: my mom & a young Steven Spielberg

2006-11-05T18:36:00.000-08:00

My Mother pictured in front of Scientific Data Systems in California, 1965

My folks met in California in '67 (-on a blind date through Uncle Donnie who loves those little caramel candies he gave us kids). But that long story follows this story when kids weren't even a flirtation.

Mom then worked in Santa Monica Scientific Data Systems where company Vice President Arnold Spielberg oversaw the engineering department (where mom was secretary to good friend Essor Maso, head of scientific computer programming). She recalls seeing Mr. Spielberg's young son Steven, then age 20 or 21, visit his Dad at the office.

I love her memories of this; it's simple & not overly interactive. It's not like Steven walked up to my Mom & said 'Hey, wanna a coffee?' But it's the era, it's when computers & transistors were on the cusp of major influence. There weren't college degrees for computer science; according to mom - she worked with brilliant people teaching themselves how to program with then new languages like Fortran & COBOL. The programmers forged computer programming on the fly.

And this young volcano of creativity name Steven just walked in to visit his Dad for lunch sometimes. Nice, neighborly.

Steven Spielberg already had made Amblin' and Firelight by then (which led to Close Encounters). Mom wondered if he'd ever ask his Dad for cash at those visits for next projects.

Now that's a father-son talk to envision...:

Young Steven: C'mon dad - it'll have space ships and science and kids and aliens; it'll be like NASA research but the aliens hug.

Dad Arnold: Um, son I'm unsure where this'll lead long term, I mean the movies? aliens again? Why not do a nice film, a documentary, on the data chip...

Last night Mom and I discussed these memories again & shared one of those long talks where the topics first seemed unrelated but later formed an unforeseen map of how life emerges.

Delicious.

The wit, grit, & verve of The Vloggies: the winning few

2006-11-05T11:11:00.000-08:00

People's Choice Award winners from last night's Vloggies per Scobleizer.

Maybe some of the tech Vloggie entrants would be up to interviewing for the project?!

Hmmm.

Producing a documentary + tossing a novel e.g. NaNoWriMo on the fly

2006-11-05T10:38:00.000-08:00

--Can't let starting late destroy the will to complete writing my first ever NaNoWriMo novel (first novel to complete in my 35.9 years truthfully!).

Tossed out 1,500 words so far with 44,500 to go by Nov 30th with two 5-day out of town trips this month.

must...write...f a s t e r.

ON THE FILM FRONT
A few interviews are almost scheduled with some really energetic leads from DC Web Women. One geek couple e.g. the good Kelly & Jeff interview together later this week. The big challenge has been securing interviews in the destination city I visit mid-month down South. The blogosphere must be busy out that way - with few responses to interview invitations. But that's ok. Onward, upward! Intrigued geeks WILL BE unearthed!

And have fun fellow NaNoWriMo novelers!

Andy Coon interviews Director Deborah Scranton on 'The War Tapes'

2006-11-04T15:11:00.000-08:00

Listen to filmmaker Andy Coon's strong podcast.

-how her latest documentary The War Tapes began production
-why stories of certain soldiers were chosen over others
-subjectivity vs objectivity
-where truth comes from

...it's all there.

Question for next trailer: music on 100% in Scobleizer interview

2006-11-03T12:25:00.000-08:00

Thanks Anthony for suggesting this e.g. to gauge the trailer with the music track on throughout vs a fade-out between interview clips.

It increases the momentum, which I like. But it distracts some from the actual interview content.

What say you - continuous music improves or removes quality overall?

McDreamy & McSteamy interview for 'Living with Geeks' ! ! !

2006-11-02T17:03:00.000-08:00

HA!

Good pal Sebastian, smart but still a loser for not blogging, makes fun of his wife & me for our almost dignified crushes on the Grey's Anatomy cast. With his geeked-out wit in stellar form, he wrote this sketch with our crushes & recent 'geek' interviewee - Scobleizer - in mind:

-FADE IN-

Jill: So tell me Dr. Scoble

Scoble: Actually, I'm not a doctor. I used to be a Microsoft Technical Evangelist, and now am Vice Pres...

Jill: Just shut up, please. You're so interrupting my McDreamy sequence right now.

Scoble: Not certain what that refers to, but I thought we were here to talk about serious issues like...

Jill: No, I don't suppose a geek like you would know about McSteamy and his fantastic abs, would you Scooby? And this is important, thank you very much....[starts humming loudly]

Jill, still humming & ignoring Scoble completely: You're not here only McDreamy and McSteamy and me...

-FADE OUT-

That's called mccrushing the mccrush!

One more time...: revised audio for trailer 4 (Scobleizers)

2006-11-01T18:50:00.000-08:00

Thanks to folks for feedback, esp on the audio.

I altered some clips just now but with the YouTube conversion, the volume still isn't the sexiest. One friend, Jen, said the intended format of the trailer was unclear e.g. 'is it a music video or an actual project trailer?'

Good point. So I've suppressed my crush on the song; it now fades out completely after the end credits.

Alexander Blu & Living with Geeks

2006-11-01T11:40:00.001-08:00

Can we give the World Wide Web a world wide hug?

-Received my first email from the former Yugoslavia today from musician Alexander Blu, who offered feedback on the recent trailer (& permitted use of his music).

...wonder if he's ever heard of Walters, Oklahoma - town of 2,500 - my childhood anchor at the holidays complete w/ Grandma's mega watt rum punch. Thanks to the Net for making this connection!

Whatta a splendid day.

Trailer 4: minor edits to Scoble segment

2006-11-01T07:19:00.000-08:00

Have a good day (& crazed novel writers per NaNoWriMo, get crackin'!).

UPDATE:
It's a great thing when folks - geeks & non-geeks alike - see the love they've got.

Trailer 3: Robert & Maryam Scoble per ConvergeSouth

2006-10-31T22:23:00.000-08:00

Comments welcome!

Rougher cuts in the pipeline: a three-minute segment with the Scobles on geek stereotypes & Kelly Bower's love user guide for her network engineer spouse.

Some want 'Shut Up' to shut up: Dixie Chicks' film gets flak (plus learning of Libertas)

2006-10-31T08:46:00.000-08:00

I still haven't seen Dixie Chicks' doc Shut Up and Sing; but Helen Szamuely doesn't like it.

She favors the documentarian Pierre Rehov & his film Suicide-Killers, based on trainee interviews from terrorist training camps. Heavy. risky ... and I'm now intrigued to see both.

Has anyone read the conversative film critics at Libertas?

Coming soon: weekly vodcasts with geek couples (& DCWW kicks male-geek stereotype)

2006-10-30T17:44:00.000-08:00

This week, I attend DCWW's steering committee meeting e.g. DC Web Women to pitch the project to a larger tech crowd. Wouldn't it be great to interview female-geeks with their non-geek mates?! That's a less common dynamic.

DCWW really appeals to the project's goal since it defies the pervasive stereotype that IT only attracts men. I'd like to learn hard stats on that gender issue.

As for eventual publishing goals, the interview pipeline will achieve a weekly podcast or vodcast goal by at least February.

In the meantime, I'm editing footage on three interviews for podcasts and maybe via vlog. The content in many cases is so sincere (a favorite is when one woman, Kelly, said she wrote a love how-to guide for her network engineer spouse).

That same woman interviews again along with her geek Nov 9th.

We're gettin' there.

November is national novel writing month: vlogging meets NaNoWriMo

2006-10-30T17:31:00.000-08:00

I'm in.

I'm doing it. And this year I'm vlogging my attempt!

It's time to fearlessly write a novel in one month. Heck why not November?! What the ^%&*!, you gest? The folks at NaNoWriMo can set you straight for free, complete with self-motivation tips & how to sign-up.

Do it.

Remember nothing can stop us novel writing wannabes, not fear, not pumpkin pie, not writer's block. Let your brain drum up some characters & some kind of plot wrapped in 50k words by November 30th at midnight. And then we'll cross this off our lives' must-do list.

Ze Frank talks computer-geek smack

2006-10-30T13:00:00.000-08:00

-Laughed out load at Ze Frank's blinkless attempt at computer-geek lingo:

Good geek interview leads per Sean Stickle & Fortune 100

2006-10-29T21:32:00.000-08:00

Photography by Helmut Newton, per dziner.

Sean Stickle, IT Architect at ASEE, re-designed his blog recently & published it here.

Yes that piercing gaze is as piercing in person. And he's a fine kisser. I wonder if he'll dedicate his new blog to his humble, brilliant wife...

He posts today on a top CIO listing per Fortune 100. What an excellent, aim-high(!) resource for Living with Geeks & future interview subjects.

AND TO YOU:

What computer-savvy geek with a steady spouse, partner, or sweetheart would you want to learn about? I'd love to interview that couple!

More info on call-to-interviews here.

Learning lifestyle interviews: Studs Terkel & keeping it real

2006-10-28T15:03:00.000-07:00

Just picked-up Terkel's American Dreams: Lost and Found. It's addictive & reminds me why conversation is so damned enriching.

Studs brings a respectful awareness & comfort to each conversation that creates a confidence & focus in his interview subjects - what my cousin Jeff calls "Keepin' it real".

When discussing interview styles today, my husband Sean disagreed with one of my lessons learned per recent experience at ConvergeSouth e.g. 'don't over affiliate with the interview subject'. He said approaching an interview with too much formality and distance broaches mainstream media (stiff journalism).

So next stop in interview land...:
Relax & let the interview build like a regular conversation -- off of shared passion for the topic.

Avoiding sountrack prison...: music, public domain, & Creative Common licenses

2006-10-26T11:23:00.000-07:00

Photo Brass Sheet credited to La Femme Jen in Columbus, OH.

Excellent day...great resources unearthed.

It's time for including music for a teaser trailer (regarding Scobleizer & his warm, hilarious wife Maryam).

And the net offered the mother load for music options less the traditional copyright constraints:

Go here

or here

or here

& here.

Documentary on Spielberg now in production (& a big, big dream)

2006-10-25T13:13:00.000-07:00

A documentary on Spielberg's career, heavily based on interviews with The Big S himself, forecasts a 2007 release.

...wonder if Spielberg & his wife would ever, EVER consider interviewing for the project?! He is after all the maestro-geek of computer graphics. Gotta dream big!

Geeks & non-geeks welcome: Podtech to honor vlogosphere with Vloggies

2006-10-25T11:12:00.000-07:00

Richard Hall just might win...

at Podtech's event next week: THE VLOGGIES!

Check out this year's nominees (& Richard Hall's competition). -Great ideas & diversity as deep as the web itself.

PROJECT UPDATE:
This past week, I've been forcing the Scoble interview to be an independent segment for the project -- when there's just not enough there to do the Scobles or the storyline justice. So instead, some of the footage will be cut into a promo piece (...to better explain the project to prospective interviewees).

Using the web enables your documentary

2006-10-23T19:34:00.000-07:00

I so love my project blog even if only my husband & folks read it. ...Ok maaaaaybe a wider audience would trip my trigger.

But this blog helps focus & refine direction. Updating it pushes me to conquer that sense of idea-possessiveness e.g. that suffocating angst where 'no one can have my idea therefore no one can criticize it'. This blog helps move past that self absorption and onto - ideally - gaining useful feedback from readership.

...a way to exchange ideas & grow the project.

Docs Interactive, apart of GWU's Documentary Center, makes a good point on how a web presence can help spark buzz and awareness for a film project or concept.

I think 'blog' is a more current, applicable term for this article's premise; but I say 'web' for this post since the article's authors rely on that usage. I found the documentary sites referenced in it useful (as well as the emphasis on filmmaker responsibility when finding an audience).

UPDATE:
I interview both Kelly & her geek-spouse early November. The footage should be more well-rounded by portraying spouses independent from and together with their mates.

Reviewing interview footage, rush logs, & Tiger Woods

2006-10-22T15:07:00.000-07:00

To documentary fans or golf fans or life fans...: Has anyone seen this documentary on Tiger Woods?

...still making rush logs & treatment ideas for the project's three un-cut interviews for the project e.g. second one for Kelly (spouse of network engineer), first of Kerry (wife of IT manager), & Maryam (the wife of Scobleizer...who joined his wife for the interview too).

Short-term goals to achieve pre-Thanksgiving are set: make 3 more trailers, cut the Scoble interview as a self-contained segment, & schedule at least 3 to 5 more interviews.

Filmmaker Andy Coon's tips for film interviews

2006-10-20T12:03:00.000-07:00

Thanks Andy for taking time to send these:

1) Never ask a yes or no question
2) Try not to answer your own question when asking it.
3) Best way to get someone to talk is using these..."Tell me ____" "Explain how that made you feel."
4) Always be silent... You'd be amazed how much information will be revealed in silence. Not too much of course, but never interrupt.

...onward, upward!

Maryam & Robert Scoble interview: the boss, budget, & third character in their marriage

2006-10-19T17:55:00.000-07:00

...a symbol for the Scoble interview.

And possibly I've reached overkill on ConvergeSouth's banana pudding served so yummily, divinely, graciously at David Hoggard's home.

I'm a new gal 'cuz of it.

But here's the thing: when making the rush log for the Scobles' interview this week, it's clear how much joy, and I mean joy, that stuff brought Robert Scoble. And Maryam. And me.

Despite the Scoble interview being a blast, in auditing it these few days -- it's also revealed how I could better handle my next interview (either with them or anyone else).

APPROACH FOR NEXT INTERVIEW

-Keep questions short; suppress prefacing
-make the interviewees feel at ease & natural but don't over affiliate to the point your (my) remarks interfere with the continuity of their replies.
-don't interrupt
-fearlessly ask 'why'

SCOBLE SEGMENT: SUBJECTS THUS FAR
Despite the imperfect direction during the whole thing, the Scoble footage reveals four core, usable subjects for the video cast:

a) their shared affection -- it comes across as a third character in their relationship e.g. him, her, & the fondness expressed in their smiles. So it sounds like a soupy romance novel. I'm tellin' ya, the truth shines through;
b) who the boss is;
c) if they do or do not stay within their tech-gadget family budget;
d) banana pudding

VISUAL TRANSITIONS
I like their company logo; is it ok to use it briefly during a clip transition?
...shall ponder and research. Using head-shots, images, facts on their blogs appeal to me for introducing them before each subject-driven clip.

The first cut of their interview footage will include three, main transition dividers: HE (with Robert's photo, # of Scobleizer blog hits daily or monthly or such data); SHE (Maryam's photo, her crowning day as a featured MSN Spaces blogger); and THEY (their hugging, their company logo...transitioning to the core relationship topics of what it's like living with King Geek e.g. the Scobleizer).

Dixie Chicks & Barbara Kopple's documentary "Shut Up and Sing"

2006-10-18T18:35:00.000-07:00

In cutting footage, I aspire to convey character & storyline as effectively as Kopple does in the trailer for her new doc Shut Up and Sing.

The story follows the band Dixie Chicks in the wake of their controversial remark made days before the US invaded Iraq (2003).

The trailer conveys a perspective but not so much it seems force fed. And based on Kopple's previous non-fiction work, one could reasonably expect she'll handle the free speech issue more directly -vs- offer 90 minutes of anti-Bush redundancy.

Band member Natalie Maines'comment initially embarrassed me & I'm not sure why. She made that highly publicized anti-Bush statement just days before the US went to war. I thought America seemed nervous & uncertain enough without them taking advantage of their popularity to stir-the-pot.

Yet even those well attended by the media have rights. And the depicted backlash to their music & well being indicates America forgot the band can speak their mind like the rest of us.

At the time, the Dixie Chicks were performing on a London stage in a city potently filled with anti-Bush opinion. Maybe it's logical for them (or Natalie...) to have shared their remarks to affiliate with their London audience.

But I think Natalie's remark hit me the way it did at first because as American celebrities, it was an easy shot to make from across the Atlantic. But was it just an off-hand comment to bond with the Brits? Or was it more ulterior with hopes for increasing focus on their tour? Or was it their (or singer Natalie Maines') true political voice chiming through with the confidence of free speech behind it?

I'm compelled to see the film.

ConvergeSouth & Scoble's link love e.g. giving is receiving when it comes to good blogs

2006-10-17T07:35:00.000-07:00

Maryam Scoble gives link love to ConvergeSouth women and the good 'ole men as well. Thanks to her for the kind words & perspective on the project.

Link love was cited as a strong factor in Maryam's 'How to make a killer blog' talk at ConvergeSouth (presented with her geek-man Robert Scobleizer Scoble).

I liked their emphasis on this point.

As an amateur-but-passionate filmmaker, the blogosphere continues to be a major tool in learning from other filmmakers & bloggers in the tech industry. Linking to their helpful blogs just seems neighborly let alone a tool to compile blogged sources for my reference here (like mom & dad say: remember where you came from). By linking to them, they get their appropriate 'due' but I also have a type of roster for future use (to invite folks' opinion on rough cuts, interview tacts, etc).

Happy Scobles + ConvergeSouth hones interview skill

2006-10-17T06:15:00.000-07:00

Credit goes to Sue Polinsky for this fun pic at her home. 'Twas a great evening (tasty crab dip too ... correction per Sue: LOBSTER DIP :).

After ConvergeSouth ended Saturday afternoon, Robert and Maryam - pictured above with some cheesy gal... - agreed to interview for the film project.

LESSONS LEARNED:
-World needs good love: The footage shows some happy, hugging Scobles (...not a lesson for interviewing but rather in life: world needs good love!)

-Use the tripod (or talk more softly when interviewing): My voice interfered with their audio at times.

-Calm down & focus, even if the interview subjects are happy, fun, nice: I was nervous about their time & getting them out of there. In reviewing footage, the nervousness is clear because I didn't follow-up with Robert a few times on his replies with a "why" or "that's interesting, tell more".

It was great meeting them. Yet the procured footage works for a quick vlog -vs- an independent interview segment for the documentary.

I beat up on myself yesterday & then my husband said: "It's all unfolding." --Not sure what that means but it inspires a sense of calm.

...& this thought: flying to Cali within six months for a Scoble follow-up (too extreme?)?! Or maybe a recorded phone interview via Skype.

Good peeps merge at ConvergeSouth e.g. Blogger Bonanza + Banana Pudding

2006-10-15T12:01:00.000-07:00

Just returned to DC after ConvergeSouth.

Vlog forthcoming...

Enthusiasm. Warmth. Brain Power. Contagious confidence. Sincerity. Banana "Oh God it's good" Pudding. And I went nuts & asked the keynote speaker sitting just behind me to say 'hi' on camera to my husband back in DC.

...& keynote Elizabeth Edwards kindly agreed!

It was all there plus:

-- Keynote Elizabeth Edwards gave useful remarks on valuing & creating communities (on or beyond the blogosphere).

Sue Polinsky, Fearless Geek Goddess, was fantastic in pulling the conference off. She took time to be with folks during what must have been crazy times on Friday e.g. shared her home for a Digital Diva session amidst pre-conference stuff, the missing Scobles (delayed in Chicago but successfully appeared in the nick of time), & her recouping husband.

Robert and Maryam Scoble were generous with their time and ideas --- let alone effective (and happy!) presenters at making a killer blog. Thanks Xarker for the notes.

Maryam Scoble really got me thinking on alternate tacts for the film project - fireside at David Hoggard's home over banana pudding Friday night.

--Can't sleep from dreamin' on that pudding.

She & other wonderful folks shared their insight & good humor:
Billy 'Wise Poet' Jones at Street Planes, Donna Fryer at Search It Right, Ed Cone, Andrew Lunde at What Is Viable, James Harris at Elementalinteractive, Filmmaker Andrew Coon...

NEXT STEPS:
taking action on lessons learned & exchanged ideas;
staying in contact w/ ConvergeSouthies;
napping

ConvergeSouth + Scoble's rhetorical pondering...

2006-10-12T11:56:00.000-07:00

Adrenaline builds to see Greensboro & the great folks at ConvergeSouth! But first, I've savored an exuberant visit in Charlotte with folks who wonderfully motivate this project and are really good friends.

Robert Scoble 'Scobleizer' pondered recently who he and his wife Maryam would sit next to en route to this conference. The context of his post conveyed a flare of anticipation, curiosity....

GUESS WHO I SAT NEXT TO?!

What every aspiring documentarian DREAMS OF, of course: a filmmaker for National Geographic. We gabbed on recent projects and his thoughts on technology and YouTube giving him a run for his money. He appreciates the new, accessible pool of creativity.

--but underscored an interesting point: true passion and talent rise to the top. And the fun question in response: ...top of what?

Here's to endless possibilities and good peeps.

Staring at trailer ... as if it's the Storyline Mecca

2006-10-08T12:00:00.000-07:00

I have 1.5 hours of footage from two new interviews to finish the rush logs for & cut new trailers from. And yet I still, still, and yet still gaze at this trailer finished a few weeks ago:

...staring at it as if the Mecca of Inspiration will grab me through it & scream: "STRUCTURE YOUR DOC LIKE THIS & THIS & LIKE THIS & YOU'LL HAVE THE IDEAL STORYLINE WITH PERFECT CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT".

I know I'm round-n-round on this issue but it helps to write/focus/ponder/write again to flesh things out.

I still covet an intro with narration on some IT stats & some pop culture geek images like articles or posters from "Revenge of the Nerds" -- like the brainstorming here.

From there, I like the idea of acknowledging the extremes of those images and how they've morphed into an IT reality powerhouse in the economy & the blogosphere (where their opinions have street cred like no other modern time e.g. decline of Rather's career).

And then I gravitate toward the interview segments revolving around once perceived (currently perceived?) stereotypes of the very computer savvy, how their mates think they support or contradict those stereotypes, & even a segment on how some core computer techs describe themselves in the context of a steady relationship.

...there's something to that - to modern IT-centric people - having more credibility now than in the past 30 years, both professionals and hobbyists. I should address this in interviews.

I'll have access to a lot of active bloggers next week who are also computer techs -- whose spouses/mates may or may not attend ConvergeSouth with them.

So how can I take advantage of these cool techis' willingness to participate in the doc (and yet without me having access to their significant others' perspective)?

Does acquiring this footage build up or subtract from my storyline brainstorming?

The conversation goes on with Node101 & Jonny Goldstein (who summons the Katie Establishment)

2006-10-08T11:03:00.000-07:00

Thanks Carl Weaver for enlightening me on Node101's philosophy - yes!

To continue my recent post on the current, potent, cultural conversation of doing & voicing cool things, DC Media Maker Jonny Goldstein challenges-and-invites Katie Couric and CBS to this mighty conversation on ideas, on opinion, & the fervor motivating both on the blog/vlogosphere.

Jonny Goldstein challenges Katie and her network here.

Hmm. I need to watch more of Goldstein's stuff. I could learn a lot on his videocasting, style, & his just-do-it attitude.

Footage beckons

2006-10-06T19:15:00.000-07:00

The conference is next week; and most of my attention has been to prep -- print project biz cards, reach-out to some attendees pre-ConvergeSouth (& hopefully even stimulate interest in potential film interviews).

I have missed working with recent film footage & plan to cut at least a teaser trailer before Wednesday, Day of ConvergeSouth Travels...

The 'Just Do It' Conversation (& DC Media Makers)

2006-10-06T16:36:00.000-07:00

Local media collection-of-thinkers DC Media Makers has got a bright idea (the group is new as in fresh-off-press new for DC):

Carl Weaver
Andy Carvin
Jonny Goldstein

--just moved from Beantown to the District. They had good luck with Boston's version of the group & wanted to spread the good news here. The concept: if you're DIY with anything media, you can brainstorm or network or showcase one's media project or all three (& more) with like-minded professionals or just media-minded passionate folk (pod/videocasters welcome). Food will be involved some how.

I'm in!

Any metro-accessible ideas on where to convene? Email Jonny Goldstein videoblogteacher@gmail.com.

'JUST DO IT' + ADDICTION

It's addictive being around 'Just Do It' people -- who do 'their cool thing', who manifest their pet 'idea' because they just desire to make it happen. Sure, they may want to make millions in the process but from what I see lately, that's not a driving force with the 'Just Do It' attitude.

I savor that current larger-than-life conversation you hear so many contributing to: ...about cool concepts being emerged by folks who grab their bootstraps & run.

As an emerging filmmaker, there's no way to avoid learning & growing & being engaged by this modern-day conversation of which ideas are hip & worth our brain cells. As much as I want to lock myself in a room for 6 months & cut film, I even more so want to toss my project around in imperfect form if needed with people jazzed about telling stories and/or the tools that can let those stories out.

More on the influence of this hopefully unstoppable 'conversation' here by Scobleizer (includes a potent take on advertisers too & how they can miss the point).

Docs In Progress provides effective forum

2006-10-05T19:42:00.000-07:00

In my quest to learn the basics of documentary production (beyond how NOT to break equipment on a monthly basis...), I sought what looked to be the perfect event tonight in DC.

And it was. GWU's Documentary Center sponsors the Docs In Progress bi-monthly film critique. During the (3) hour event, the hosts -- founders of the program Adele Schmidt & Erica Ginsberg -- screen a few documentaries currently being produced but not in finished form. Then the projects' filmmakers are introduced to the audience & proceed to discuss the works with everyone.

--very useful & interactive. I admire the filmmakers who put their work on the chopping block & welcome live feedback.

MAIN POINTS ADDRESSED (familiar but written lists are a fine thing!):

PIVOT the documentary around a compelling story & complex characters

KNOW your audience

DON'T shy away from narrating a work; it could add needed clarity & cohesion

...AND THE GOLD-MEDAL BIT: Films are made by do-it-yourself initiative & 'verve' more so than extensive, formalized education. Documentary fan & event attendee, Amardy, underscored this & I agree with her. The fact she has a grad degree in the field made her statement that much more meaningful.

However, GWU offers an attractive, & apparently rare, program for non-fiction filmmaking -- one that I'd like to eventually, seriously look at.

ConvergeSouth, Tech Philosophy, Evil Genius

2006-10-05T10:17:00.000-07:00

The ConvergeSouth conference is next week & it's getting pretty exciting around our house. For my IT-geek Sean, he gets the house to himself. For me, I get to meet & gab with some cool, kind peeps. And if any spouses/partners of IT professionals/hobbyists happen to be there, maybe they'll get a kick out of interviewing for the project!

ConvergeSouth staff has done a great job in communicating who will attend + info on respective blogs. I'm reading-up on attendees and learned Dave Slusher at Evil Genius just changed his blog signature to "Post-modern. Pre-singularity." I'm not so plugged-in to know the meaning behind this so I asked my spouse.

...who filled me in. I'm still absorbing this but hope to pick brains more at the conference. Maybe that's a stretch since folks are so busy at these things. Maybe at least some light gabbing over beer is a more reasonable goal.

& I just can't wait.

Amy Berg's documentary "Deliver Us From Evil"

2006-10-05T07:42:00.000-07:00

It's not related to this project. It's not geeky or techi or related to IT in general.

It is however worth our time.

--more at The Documentary Blog.

Interviewing & the gender factor

2006-10-05T07:17:00.000-07:00

A friend brought up an interesting point. So far, the interview subjects e.g. computer geek spouses have been female with all computer 'geeks' being male. My friend Elisabeth suggested analyzing potential differences on how male & female computer techs (...geeks) spend their non-professional time. She wonders if the female 'geeks' invest as much recreational tech time as the males. Do female geeks marginalize their computer-tech interests to do other stuff like handling domestic chores, children, etc?

Interesting. So far, the male geeks observed by their mates spend "multiple hours" of home time online or tinking w/ computers. None of the couples so far have children living at home but most aren't parents.

I wonder how clearer data can be garnered through my interviewing without the question being a leading one. Maybe rely on the good 'ole "if any" qualification e.g 'how much time - if any - do you spend outside of work on computers, programming, etc?'

I haven't interviewed spouses/partners of female computer techs yet but hope to through DC Web Women in the next month.

--Still irked w/ myself for the whole camera shot issue for the most recent interviews. But alas, to live is to learn & that damn well applies to camera work too.

Project makes Film.com (thanks MaryAnn Johanson for your time)

2006-10-03T21:24:00.000-07:00

MaryAnn Johanson, from Flickfilosopher and her blog, started a new film-writing venture here. She's been a film critic for some time & I emailed her clips of the project -- seeking her feedback.

And holy smokes she gave some! Check out the article & the whole film site. It's a good mix of useful + playful.

Learning the lense

2006-10-03T21:12:00.000-07:00

I've started auditing footage from the most recent interviews from the weekend. I like how they address their geek-spouses' approach toward change, money matters, & self-respect.

One clear screw-up though: I set-up decent (colorful, relaxed, well lit) interview settings but asked the interviewees to look too far away from the camera toward me -- instead of across the viewed area framed by the lense. They look like they're about to fall off the edge.

...visuals forthcoming.

Vint Cerf + geek v dork v nerd + project intro

2006-10-02T04:39:00.000-07:00

VINT CERF
Kerry, spouse of ASEE's IT Manager and Saturday's project interview, said her husband just met Vint Cerf, the mastermind who helped bring the Internet to the world. Big, big brain. This was A HUGE DAY for her computer-geek spouse. --Can't wait to see that segment of footage.

I really liked Kerry's interview & the setting-up process. It was my first time interviewing outdoors. Her backyard was an apt place to find an appealing visual context for us set-up. WHAT WON OUT: a wooden chair placed in front of pink/purple/gold flowers under a draping willow tree.

GEEK v DORK v NERD + INTRO FOR PROJECT:
Side note...: I've been reading
MaryAnn Johanson; her geek/dork/nerd installments are a crack-up too (and useful in brainstorming visual transitions for the project).

A friend suggested a narration or opening segment that overviews techi-geek images of the 80s/90s to present -- possibly in three segments ranging from "Revenge of the Nerds" as GEEK 1.0 to "War Games" as GEEK 2.0 to the dot-com bubble as GEEK 3.0 to the blogosphere's influence as GEEK 4.0 (...with maybe shooting quick shots of top blogs, Rathergate, etc for the blogosphere clip & quick shots of movie mags/articles for the movie titles)...all with a voiceover/maybe images of DC dubbed over?

CRAFTING GOOD-SAVVY QUESTIONS
I've started each interview by asking what stereotypes, if any, exist for the highly tech-centric folks -- following-up with how their computer-tech spouse supports or contradicts that stereotype. Interviews proceed from there.

When interviewing spouses of core computer/tech folks, what questions would YOU want to hear (or what answers would you crave?)?

Documentary LOVERS: your own quote of the day

2006-09-29T17:38:00.000-07:00

Many of the best [ documentaries ] still fill three venerable fuctions: increasing political awareness, showing us the natural world, and capturing the best of human performance (from dance to athletics to stand-up comedy).

Thanks to Cinemarati.

Since the blogosphere and computer tech are more involved in our modern (and future) landscape than ever, this geek project fits PERFECTLY into "showing us the natural world".

...ok, maybe that's forcing it a smidge.

On the verge... of ConvergeSouth

2006-09-28T17:33:00.000-07:00

Wow. So I'm traveling near Greensboro during the ConvergeSouth conference where Maryam Scoble & her Scobleizer will lead a discussion on making awesome e.g. "killer" blogs.

I
am
going!

--registered just now.

How fun. The courses look useful (I'm quite the new blogger). And heck! ... I hope to meet some great folks and even techi types who may interview for the film. And if their spouses/partners are there and up for interviewing, all the better!

I'm learning a lot here on taking a risk and just goin' for it. Thanks to Sean for brainstorming on interviews, teaching the blogosphere, & acting on 'the thrill of the project.'

RE: INTERVIEWS FOR FILM
Kathy Baird, DC Web Women's prez, responded favorably to the documentary and invited me to a steering committee meeting + social event to better personalize the film project to members. --pumped! I interview Kerry Mounts the wife of ASEE's IT Manager this Saturday. Things are kickin' up.

Three minutes of adrenaline: great doc trailer

2006-09-27T13:28:00.000-07:00

My project doesn't reflect this level of tension or profanity (at least per the interviews thus far!); but for capturing a story arc so fervently in just 3.4 minutes --- below is a model trailer from "The Odyssey In Rome."

...the passion, the music, the strain; ah...to reveal life through film.

Most recent trailer + storyline breakthrough (dance on tables!)

2006-09-25T16:23:00.000-07:00

I LOVE THIS PROJECT and relish the chance to build all levels of production. Love it.

I've been in sales and a sales manager. Both taught about people, their motives as clients or employees, their strengths, their pitfalls -- and to navigate through all to achieve healthy, profitable relationships. I enjoyed the teamwork or management but often times, there would be components of the business that others would do so I could sell or supervise etc. That's efficient but it can limit one's sphere of development if one allows it.

With this documentary, I'm learning it ALL (or at least that which I know I don't know .. ha) -- the storyline development, the writing, editing (and the technical understanding involved).

I introduced the project to two community professionals: an officer of DC Web Women and Speerio's CEO and discussion leader for a DotNetNuke meetup (...who today, offered to provide interview referrals! I look forward to that communique unfolding).

UPDATES ON STORYLINE!
As for carving it out, I'm using 5 macro themes on which to build the structure. I may look at key mates/couples and tell THEIR personal story - with beginning, middle, & end -- WITHIN the context of those themes. hmmmm...getting warmer...five themes specifically on how the computer savvy approach: romance, play, decisions, confrontation, money.

USEFUL DOCS ON STRUCTURE:
"The Corporation" - a bit muddled but revealing and my fave, "The Fog of War". Both own a heavier hand and subject matter but their influence on structure -- offering numerical chapters as a visual e.g. 11 lessons or 7 phases -- helped define my goal here.

Trailer #2 ... w/ notes below

2006-09-22T11:57:00.000-07:00

Here's another trailer featuring Kelly that reflects a traditional 'three act' format; it seems slightly rushed but clearer regarding the role computers can have on very IT-centric people.

--Looking forward to upcoming interviews: one new interviewee (spouse of ASEE's IT Manager and a follow-up with Kelly).

Possible storyline: supporting & opposing geek stereotypes.

Trailer #1 (revised third frame)

2006-09-15T13:53:00.000-07:00

Project's first trailer / my first trailer to produce (hooray!)

2006-09-15T09:43:00.000-07:00

First interview (success + lessons learned)

2006-09-11T20:03:00.000-07:00

DONE!...interview #1 went down today. Thanks to friend Kelly B (see vlog thoughts). She gave useful tips on interview referrals, tacts to the project, definition of audience, and making the call to interview notice more accessible.

Main take-aways on how to interview in this setting: keep the questions simple vs preface-filled; take the time (10 or 15 mintues) to set up the camera and test sound in front of the subject -- it creates more casual time between interviewer and subject. Granted, being conscious of the interviewee's schedule is needed and respectful. And well before filming, discuss the project and the interviewee's role in it.

Potential storyline: a user guide to living with geeks.

Another mic may be a good investment before Sept 30, the next interview.

What's the skinny, the purpose, the STORY?

2006-09-07T06:33:00.001-07:00

Sheila Curran Bernard offers key structural observations.

I need to refine storyline. Or heck, actually defining the storyline beyond the curiosity of what it's like living with very tech-minded people would help pull focus now. Conducting interviews -- focusing on key elements of domestic partnership like descriptions/quirks of the relationship, money matters, sense of play -- comprised my approach thus far. But that leaves a lot of room for random footage (footage that may engage or inspire laughs but could offer little toward story definition). This needs more focus than how spouses perceive their geeky mates at social functions or when buying a new iMac.

What now? How about how computer geeks have fun/play specifically? Focus on select couples, gauge the tenor and dynamics of their companionship, and then learn how they play together as a couple (even how the computer geek mate plays independent from their relationship --- as observed by the non-geek mate). Conduct the bulk of the interviews with the non-geek partner with all leading toward final observations of the 'couple having fun' ... at a software conference or Trek convention or sailing or as the bedroom door closes. Whatever.

CALL FOR INTERVIEWS ... in NY, DC, VA, MD (expect interview calls in more states soon!)

2006-09-05T17:41:00.001-07:00

How you can help.

If you live with, date, or are married to someone in IT/computer technology (including everything from sys admin to web development to programming to telephony -- or even serious tech hobbyists), this documentary project needs your help.

Jill Foster, a filmmaker in Washington, DC, is producing a documentary which aims to transcend the Reagan-era stereotype of 'the geek' e.g. loner-math-guy-with-shirt-pens --- and to learn what the modern-day computer savvy or 'geek' is like (as viewed by their spouses, partners, or steady dates).

A range of online data and blogger opinion describes professional hacks as all over the personality map: either really smart (or too insulated), really focused (or distracted), predictable (or spontaneous). One online reference regarding hacker/computer-geek demographics says 60% of said people have a MBTI personality type in common - INTP.

But personal experience shared through interviews will drive this project -- not random statistics or generalized opinion. If the interviewees feel enough at ease, I hope they share how their relationship began & favorite aspects of their partnership whether it be romance, parenthood, sense of humor or even that special budget set aside for techi-geek gadgets. I'm game to listen to your 'geek' stories & favorite memories.

If you want to share your unique insight about your special IT someone, contact the film crew below:
...the film crew of one: Jill Foster, jillmfoster@gmail.com, 202/203-0255

Screaming on film

2006-09-04T16:39:00.000-07:00

QUESTION: Are making generalizations helpful or not in a creative brainstorming process?

Beware of making generalizations

2006-09-04T15:59:00.000-07:00

Documentary books (like Rosenthal's how-to piece) suggest being concisely clear on the purpose of one's documentary. So I should be careful I suppose with making generalized statements like "all computer hackers champion Open Source or drink Red Bull". Avoiding assumptions may seem obvious but in preparing a storyboard and interview questions, I realized my assumptions existed (& that would likely restrict the documentary).

Again, this will be based on interviews with computer geek spouses (...narrowing the definition of geeks to those who work with computers. They may also like sci-fi & YouTube & Linux but the core working definition for this project will stem from 'computer/IT professionals).

Producing a documentary from the ground-up

2006-09-04T15:36:00.000-07:00

Is there passion for this idea - yep! Increasingly there are online observations (and of course not online) regarding the unique if not desireable characteristics of computer geeks as mates. Robert Scoble's wife, Maryam Scoble, has a funny take. Do I have equipment? Yes - 3 ccd dvd camcorder that's smaller than my cat but somehow makes good film...

Learning the structure of a documentary: well, outside of including three acts, interviews, and hopefully some humor -- this is all starting from step one.

Living with YouTube, blogosphere, pythons

2006-09-03T06:37:00.000-07:00

It's time! After 5.8 years of marriage with a systems administrator, I've realized living with Steve Jobs, Open Source, Scobleizer, Ruby, Millennium, and Python (...coding language, not a reptile) plus acres of caffeine are realities known apparently by many geek mates. --Time to make a documentary.