Video Production During Pandemic

Many events I would typically film have been cancelled due to COVID-19 restrictions: conferences, lectures, arts performances, and sports. I’ve redirected a bit to help clients get out their messages during this time of social distancing and remote work.

Dr. Alan Goldberg help athletes with slumps and mental blocks.

I’ve had clients film themselves, and then send me their footage to edit, add graphics, and post to social media. Alan Goldberg, the sports performance consultant mentioned in my last post, is doing that. The Smith College Museum of Art sent me some footage of an exhibit they filmed just before the museum closed for the pandemic, and I edited that for use on their website so patrons would still have a chance to see it. More to come from the museum this fall, as the campus remains closed.

Smith College Museum of Art Dust Bowl exhibit.

I filmed some parts of the Williston Northampton School’s 2020 Virtual Commencement, where a few speakers were masked and well-spaced, and I was a good distance away. I filmed the Hartsbrook School’s High School Commencement, which was held outside, with masks, generous distancing, and families watching from their cars and listening over the radio.

Hartsbrook High School’s socially-distanced graduation.

I’ve been back at Williston this month to film updates on coronavirus-related campus changes. Classrooms, dining services, and health services were all featured.

Dr. Peter Elsea updates faculty on Williston’s COVID protocols.

Not everything is COVID-centered, thankfully. I’ll be at the Children’s Advocacy Center later this week to film some promotional material on their mission and process. When filming, I follow any COVID related rules while on a client site. Otherwise, I will be following current best practices regarding masks and social distancing.

 

Filming a Conference for DVD Sales

I noted in a previous post that I had filmed a conference for the Massachusetts Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (MAMFT). The topic was “Tangled Truths: Helping Couples Recover from Sexual Trauma”. It featured presenters and panelists from across the state. Northampton-based Yana Tallon-Hicks presented on human sexual development and education, and Easthampton-based Mike Lew talked about his experience working with men who have been victims of sexual abuse.

As always when I am filming conferences, it’s like continuing education for me. I learned a lot about the valuable and heroic work being done with survivors of sexual trauma. I was most impressed by the therapists’ respect and honoring of those survivors for their bravery in dealing with their trauma.

Yana Tallon-Hicks, MSW and pleasure-positive sex educator & writer, addresses the conference.

I filmed two lectures and a panel discussion that day and created a DVD for MAMFT. They are going to make the DVDs available for purchase through their website.

From the MAMFT website: “We are the professional association for the field of marriage and family therapy in the state of Massachusetts…We represent the professional interests of 450 marriage and family therapists throughout the state of Massachusetts.“

Smith College Conference Center

This year I had the opportunity to film a conference for the Massachusetts Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (MAMFT). The conference was held at the recently renovated Smith College Conference Center. The center overlooks the campus gem, Paradise Pond, near the spillway, which makes for a very tranquil setting.

MAMFT Panel at the Conference.

Filming conferences is always personally rewarding for me, because I am always learning something new. Technically, each one presents a different challenge. For this conference, there were two individual lectures (one with a powerpoint presentation) and a panel discussion with 5 presenters, along with some projected video clips. It helps when the conference center runs smoothly and is technologically up-to-date!

From their website: “For groups from five to 300 people, the Smith College Conference Center gives its guests unparalleled customer service and value. Several rooms of varied sizes are available for your meeting, conference, lecture, retreat or special occasion. Equipped with the latest audio/visual capabilities and an on-site, professional-scale kitchen, the Conference Center offers accessible solutions for all your event needs.”