Portfolio

Curated Veterans Programs Listing

A collection of great programs for helping Veterans transition. Assembled from news stories, non-profit listings, and Veterans Affairs information.

Done as an assignment in Journalism course, Jan 2020.

Curation is more than just finding links and dropping them in. I had to look at the best layout and flow. I thought about which entries would best pair with each other both visually AND stylistically. Which would conflict and should be further apart. Composition like this wasn’t my strong suit – or so I thought. I did pretty well. Tell me your opinion…

Veteran View Photo Essay

Fun yet serious look at the difference between a combat veteran’s view of the world and a “normal” view of the same world.

Done as an assignment in Journalism course, Jan 2020.

Here I learned to laugh at my own misguided perceptions of the world. Putting this idea on paper made gave me the opportunity to reflect on these very real thought patterns that happen. Outside of that, learning to carefully put this kind of a story together took my “powerpoint exec” skills to the next level. Critically and analytically thinking about my audience is something I know to do, but having that audience not be people I can name is something different. A photo essay ain’t no Dept Review Powerpoint Slide Deck.

IMPACT Of SOUND Audio Report

A serious interview and discussion with Vietnam Veteran (and my Father) on the progress and impact of sound in his life. The final focus on how it impacted him as from his combat experiences.

Done as assignment in Journalism course, Jan 2020.

Sometimes being brutally honest is good, sometimes it isn’t. Doing so here, I struggled with this assignment. Something about doing the interview, even with such a trusted and loved person as my own Father, had my stomache in knots. I don’t think my script and idea was as tightly developed in my head prior, and I ended up running long (it’s a four minutes, assignment was 2-3). Reflecting on where I ramble, and where I succeed at timing – is having that storyboard or script much more well defined. Audio equipment needs a little investment if I were to do this again!

EQUINE THERAPY VIDEO REPORT

A brief video intro and discussion to Equine Assisted Therapy and Veteran transition and recovery programs.

Done as assignment in Journalism course, Jan 2020.

After the near-anxiety the audio report caused me I was surprisingly comfortable doing this video report. My friends Lee and Cherise were so kind as to let me spend time with them and their horses. I had a well developed storyboard and script prior to going to the shoot. Another “equipment needs investment” as the wind shaking my smartphone-on-a-tripod video might make you motion-sick, and overall, composing, editing, and refining, refining, refining this video was a serious learning experience. But well worth it! Even my 15 year old son said I should start making Tik-Toks! (If you don’t know what a Tik-Tok is, you are more of a Boomer than even I am!).