Episode 7- Second Hand Store Shopping

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The idea to do a mommy show came to me about this time last year. I was pregnant with Avalon and on bed rest and searching for some decent mommy TV. When I couldn't what I was looking for, I turned off the TV in frustration and created a series of shows for moms in my head.

Turns out dreaming of creating a show I'd like to see was more fun than watching the limited programming available. The thoughts came quickly and easily and soon I had a long list of ideas in one of my handy dandy notebooks.

This particular episode was one of the shows I thought about that day. Fast forward one year later and I was getting frustrated because I didn't think this show was possible for me to create. I wasn't able to get permission to shoot my show where it should have been shot. As I explained in the opening scene, an internet show is a relatively new concept, especially one for moms. Especially in my area of the country.

I'm one determined lady. I wasn't going to let a location snafu stop me from bringing you this episode. I turned it into a challenge. Could I do this show from my house, and with just me on camera? Could I carry an entire show with no interviews, no voice overs, and no cutaways? Could I get my information across with no cue cards or script? This was my first show where I didn't use a script, just an outline for each segment. Could I really pull this off???

You tell me. Lucky episode #7 - Second Hand Store Shopping.

The coat in this episode is made with faux fur. You think I could afford that much fur on my budget? This IS a second hand store show!

I am now going on a break to have some Thanksgiving, some surgery, and some recovery time. New episodes about dentists and bloggers will be coming up sometime in December. See you then!

Episode 6- Mommy Hobbies

And now for something completely different. It's the first episode where I interview people on camera for the entire show. No voice overs, no cutaways.

I wanted to see how I would do with this format. I decided to try it out on my friends, who would forgive me if I royally screwed up and needed several takes. Turns out it's as easy as having a conversation with them alone. Hah. That was funny.

I learned that it's tricky to balance the listening with the having something to say if the person loses their train of thought with losing my own train of thought with making sure the interview goes in the right direction with remembering how long we've been talking with the how does my hair look is there lipstick on my teeth?

Being a one woman director/producer/talent/lighting person/camera person is tough. Balancing all the jobs in video production can distract you from what is lacking in the production, because there is so much to think about at once. That's why so many people work on one production in the video production world. One mom with three kids sure can miss the obvious!

Looking at this final product as video as a producer, I see that cutaways would have enhanced the project. As a director, I now see how guidance on the set during an interview brings out the right information during interview. Let's not even get into lighting or camera work. I have learned I dislike lighting a great deal. I just cannot figure out how to light people or the room. It's obvious in the very last shot of me. My eyes look hollowed out. A lighting director is an on camera talent's best friend. That person can make or break your look. Camera work is also not my strong point. Editing? Oh lordy.

I thought about re-shooting, but this blog is also about showing a mommy's hobby in progress. I want to show people that you can take a great idea and make it happen on your own. Yes it's easier with help, but when help is not possible, just go for it! What we have to say is more important than the production values of the project. I'm STILL having such a great time with this. I've truly found a fun hobby, here!

Speaking of mommy hobbies, I hope you enjoy this next episode. Popular mommy hobbies on Word To Your Mutha- The show.

OH, and if you are new to my shows, I encourage you to stick around after the credits roll. Bloopers!

In order of appearance:

KD- blog
Tara- blog
Tempe- blog
Angie- blog


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