There’s nothing quite like your first day in the field. Field production offers a crash course in collaboration, adaptability, and storytelling. In this post, our intern Lizzie shares a firsthand account of stepping onto a live production for the first time, including what she learned, what surprised her, and how the experience reshaped her understanding of the work that happens beyond the office.

Over the course of the last couple of weeks at WHCA, I feel as though my camera skills have improved while learning the importance of camera angles, focusing on subjects, and the intentions of the camera shots. Some challenges I’ve faced while shooting would be struggling with camera angles, learning which moments are the best ones to shoot, finding the best shot, and becoming confident with the camera. WHCA has also taught me the importance of microphones, camera stands, white balance, and where to point the camera. 

My day from setup to break down during my shoot with Diana K. looked something like this:

I arrived at the VFW around 6 P.M., since the Zumba class didn’t start until 6:30 P.M. I learned that it’s important to arrive at least 30 minutes before the event to set up the equipment, test everything out, and check in with the people holding the event (if necessary). I checked in with Diana K., the woman running the Zumba classes. She was incredibly friendly and made me feel comfortable. It was my first time recording an event, so I was nervous at first. I made sure to set up my equipment beforehand, then Diana and I ran through the interview together. Around 6:25, the people started rolling in, and Diana and I made sure to ask everyone if they were comfortable being filmed, and thankfully, everyone was. I recorded the class, and at first I felt a bit awkward, since it was my first time and I’ve never done anything like that before. Eventually, after a half hour or so, I started to become more equipped with the camera and the camera stand. After the class was finished, I met up with Diana to check in and say goodbye to the class. We made sure to stay in touch in case there’s other events down the road! Some interesting parts of the event were the people! They were all friendly and excited to be at the Zumba class. The energy made the whole event super exciting. What the event taught me about media production would be the importance of connecting with the host of the event and arriving early to set up equipment. It also taught me the importance of white-balance. If the white-balance is off, so is the film. The event also taught me to double-check the microphones. It was my first time using microphones, and apparently mine wasn’t hooked up properly to the Zumba instructors, thankfully it was sorted out during editing.

As WHCA works to expand our artistic involvement, we were ecstatic to open our new art gallery in our facility last November! Our first featured artist in the gallery, Paul Crimi, was an easy choice for this new expansion. He is not only a seasoned artist, but has hosted a long running production with WHCA titled “World of Art”.

This is the first of what we hope will become a regularly rotating art installation at our studio in downtown Whitman.  With our new art gallery opening, WHCA is also proud to launch our new Whitman Hanson Arts & Media (WHAM.tv) initiative.  To learn more about WHAM.tv, our new art gallery, and/or how you can participate by viewing or contributing art; reach out in reply to this email or visit WHCA.tv/Arts-Media.