Production Memo

By Amanda Kenney

From the beginning to the end of my project, I experienced a rollercoaster of trials and tribulations. I started out excited, and with an optimistic view on finding sources. I found an article on my topic, the newly upgraded sexual offender e-mail system, and found many sources within the article. I was confident that I could get in touch with these sources, and it would turn out great.

Trouble came when I wasn't hearing back from my sources. My main focus was getting in touch with Laura Ahearn, who was the Executive Director of Parents for Megan's Law. I called the organization plus sent out e-mail to two different e-mails, to two different organizations that Ms. Ahearn was affiliated with. A week went by, and I still heard nothing. Finally, she had called me one afternoon. She left a message, and I called her as soon as possible. I spoke with her and was immediately put down. Ms. Ahearn was too busy to meet with me and would only be interviewed by phone. However, I was not prepared due to the fact that I was more focused on getting in touch with her first. She told me to call back when I was prepared. I never called back. The lesson learned here was to have questions prepared before you contact your sources.

After that hurdle, things started to get better. I found a Long Island mother, Fran Spencer, who had received a letter years ago that there was a sexual offender in the neighborhood. This was great because she was able to compare the letters and the e-mails.

Then, I came across a quote by Seth Murasking, who said the system was no good. Getting in touch with him was little easier. He called me back the same day I e-mailed and called his office. The trouble here was finding his office for the interview. Even with a GPS, I had problems, due to the fact that it was a new building. Nevertheless, I made it and the interview went very well.

After my interviews, all I had to do were my stand-ups. This was particularly hard. My stand ups were long, and I had a lot of trouble remembering them. I wanted to use more voice overs, but there really is no b-roll with my topic. The sun was also a struggle, I could barely keep my eyes open. Then, to top it off, the battery on the flipcam was about to die! Still, I made it through.

Editing was the most fun, and I felt the easiest. The only thing that was a problem what the length of time it took to edit and to export from a project file to a movie file.

From the many mistakes I've made through out this project, I suggest that future students always have questions ready before they contact their sources, try to capture b-roll with either photographs or video, and always have extra batteries for your flipcam. Also, make sure you set aside enough time for editing, because it may take you longer than you think.