Since 2010, the GW Cheney Cardiovascular Institute has sponsored a two-week medical mission to Honduras, where GW University physicians and staff run a heart failure and arrhythmia clinic providing specialized care for cardiovascular patients, including implanting pacemakers and cardioverter defibrillators. These life-saving devices are available on a very limited basis in Honduras, and even then are usually provided to patients who provide the highest cash bid. Among the dozens of medical missions to Honduras, the Institute project is the only one dedicated to assist patients with life-threatening heart rhythm problems.

DIRECTOR, PRODUCER & EDITOR:
Brandon Bray

ASSISTANT EDITOR:
Dave Baker

SOUND DESIGN:
Stephen Dorman

EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS:
Richard Katz, MD
Alejandra Ortega

GW CHENEY CARDIOVASCULAR INSTITUTE FACULTY:
Cynthia Tracy, MD
Associate Director, Division of Cardiology, GW Medical Faculty Associates; Chief of Electrophysiology, GW Hospital; and Professor of Medicine at GW School of Medicine and Health Sciences
Marco Mercader, MD
Electrophysiologist, GW Medical Faculty Associates; and Associate Professor of Medicine, GW School of Medicine and Health Sciences
Monica Mukherjee, MD
Cardiology Fellow

MEDICAL TEAM:
Mauricio Caceres, MD : Family Medicine
Katherine Antoinette Clark, DO : Family Medicine
Richard Joseph Fry, MD : Obstetrics & Gynecology
Pablo Torro, MD : Internal Medicine
Marcial Villeda, MD : Chief Surgeon; Centro Medico Comayagua Colonial Hospital
Daryoush Yeroshalmi, MD : Internal Medicine
Leana Zuniga, MD : Internal Medicine
John Naylor : Medtronic Representative
Fernando Najera : EP Technician
Paula Ann Niederbaumer NP : Nurse Practitioner
Mary Beth Rebenneck RPh : Pharmacist

SUPPORTERS/DONORS
The GW Cheney Cardiovascular Institute
Biotronix
Boston Scientific
The GW Medical Faculty Associates
The George Washington University Hospital
Larry King Cardiac Foundation
Medtronic
Private Donations
St. Jude Medical

MUSIC
(A very special thanks to these great bands for allowing us to use their music)
“Redemptron x 7 ”
By – The Champion And His Burning Flame
Album – Song and Film
thechampionandhisburningflame.bandcamp.com/
Used With Permission

“The Tracks (the fool)”
By – Margolnick
Album — Taylorsville
margolnick.bandcamp.com/album/taylorsville
Used With Permission

TRANSLATION
Alejandra Ortega
Leslie Gabriela Ortega Reichmann
Marco Mercader, MD
Fernando Najera
Pablo Torro
Chelsea Phelps
Kristin McLinn

SPECIAL THANKS:
Jorge Ramon Hernanedez-Alcerro
Ambassador, Embassy of Honduras
Pablo Mario Ordonez
Humanitarian Affairs, Embassy of Honduras

By The Holy Spirit Medical Mission Group
Ryan Breitnitz
Timothy C. Butler
Donna Ann Butler
Megan Marie Butler
Kevin Patrick Butler
Jessica Ivette Caceres
Dylan Graham
William Henry
Jonathan Keilholtz
Andrew Paul Leisring
Rhea Lobo
Erik Maloney
David Louis Mecher
Heidi Rose Stautberg

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AWARDS:
Best Picture Envision Film Festival 2012
3rd Place Narrative Video Category at the BEA Festival of Media Arts

Credits

Starring: Steve Bailey, Ronnie Willmarth, Terry Sarbinoff,
Sonja Rees, Pam Whittington and Jack Galbraith

Directed by Jamison MacKillop
Written by Brent Clouse & Jamison MacKillop
Produced by Dave Baker
Edited by Alyssa Keeling & Brent Clouse
Directors of Photography: Brent Clouse & Alyssa Keeling
Sound Design by Stephen Dorman
Music by Taylor MacKillop
Executive Producer: John Bruner

Filmed on location in historic Roann, Indiana (population 400).

Produced for MCM 440 Digital Filmmaking Spring 2011.

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In the fall, I had the privilege of producing, directing, and editing a philanthropy piece for The GW MFA House Call Program. The video will be used for philanthropy in hope of expanding the program. The highlight of this project was meeting Neely and Katarina Turner – 80-something-year-old foreign services officers who have traveled all over the world. I thoroughly enjoyed hearing their stories.

Let me know what you think…

Credits
Producer, Director, Editor, GFX: Dave Baker
Co-Producer, Cinematographer: Brandon Bray
2nd Camera: Benjamin Orsborn

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Transcribing your footage is a HUGE time saver when you start building out your timeline, but lets be honest – who likes to transcribe? The solution to this problem is to send it away and have someone else do it. Unfortunately for a lot of us, we often don’t have the budget to do this; therefore, we slave for hours pulling out our hair.

Don’t fret. I have discovered a new way of transcribing footage in Final Cut.  Here we go.

Markers – Final Cut allows you to set markers on your timeline. A marker lets you to make notes directly on your video footage.

1. To begin the transcription process, “mark” your footage. In your browser, double click the video file. It will appear in your slug window.

2. Advance the playhead to the portion you’d like to transcribe. Allow the video to play. When you want to begin transcribing – stop the playhead and press “M” twice. A window will appear with options to “mark” your footage.

3. In the name section, write your transcription and press “Ok.” You will see it appear superimposed on the footage.

4. Continue through the rest of your clips marking your transcription. You will see your marks appear in the browser as shown in the photo.

5. After you have finished marking your clips, create a new sequence, select all your clips, and add them to the sequence.

6. Next, select the entire sequence followed by File >Export >Markers List as Text > save the .txt file. The text file will look pretty messy as is.

7. The trick is to open the .txt file in excel. The information will automatically be separated into appropriate columns.

8. Reformat as desired, print, and you’re done.

This transcription process may seem pretty detailed, but after you get the hang of it you can really fly. The nice thing about this workflow is that you don’t have to manually write out the time code and clip name for each transcription. Final Cut handles that information for you.

Give it a try and let me know what you think.

Enjoy.

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What I’d like to do if offer some tips or advice from my own editing experience that might get you out of an editing rut and really help you focus your energy where it counts. That being said, I like to begin my editing process with a basic question, “What is the purpose of this video?” The purpose of your video will drive your editing decisions, and if a particular edit or cut does not advance the story forward or move you any closer to your end goal, I would reconsider the edit. Remember, the best editing goes unnoticed.

Another key part of my editing process is organization. Being organized is a huge time saver that will allow you to focus your energy on your timeline instead of sifting through your clips. A lot of times we find ourselves so excited to start piecing together our videos that we bypass this important step. We like to dive right in without sorting our footage. I’m a huge fan of organizing my project into bins… separate bins for sequences, clips, music, graphics, sound effects, etc. My clip bin is then organized by subject, location, shot, and/or any other appropriate attribution, and each clip is named accordingly. Furthermore, I like to color code each clip with a color… red = best take, green = b-roll, blue = alternate shot, etc. Establish your own system of organization and stick to it. You won’t regret it.

Recently, I helped my co-worker edit a mini-documentary shot in honduras about a medical mission – doctors putting pacemakers in people to help regulate their heartbeats (amazing story – sorry I can’t show it yet). Brandon worked tirelessly on the edit and hit multiple walls. Part of the problem was the spanish – neither of us can speak the language, and editing a translation is tough. The other part of the problem, and in my opinion the larger part of the problem, was how much time he spent on the edit before stepping away. Part of staying sane while editing means stepping back and allowing fresh eyes to gaze upon the mess of an edit. Brandon and I sat down one evening and talked through the story, the emotions we wanted to convey, what we wanted to accomplish, and the purpose. We looked at the edits (plural) he already had and went to work re-piecing the story together. A couple hours of collaborative editing did the trick. He had the story spread across 17 sequences and just could not put it together before stepping back and talking through the story.

When you hit your stride, keep going and don’t stop. What do I mean by this? I’ve discovered that I always hit a moment when I feel like everything is coming together. For me, this moment comes after a lot of frustration and is usually a release from an editing block. This moment may come early in the day or more often at 4 AM with no sleep.  I have found that some of my most creative and effective editing experiences have happened in the dead of night. You’re tired, your eyes hurt, you’re delirious, but you’re making a masterpiece. When the creativity is flowing, don’t stop it. When you find yourself hitting a creative wall, push through. There’s a light at the end of the project (hopefully taking the form of a paycheck), but remember as mentioned before… don’t forget to step back.

Finally, coffee.

Hopefully this post is helpful. Please comment and share any tips you’ve learned along the way.

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Fortunately for us, the operating room had a lot of lights build in to help surgeons perform their surgeries. These lights can be moved, focused, or faded up or down. These lights allowed us to highlight technology behind the interview subject, yet have a definite separation between subject and background. Our interviewer was lit from the font with two led flat pannel lights tuned to the temperature of the room. We were able to achieve a nice falloff that gently wraps around the subjects face.

The purpose of this piece is to showcase the cutting edge technology of the Hybrid OR – hopefully it achieved that goal.

Enjoy. Comment. Critique.

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1. Script writing: Writing hasn’t always been my strong suit, but I find it a little easier when you do enough research to understand the topic. In this case, I needed to sell an electronic health record solution to patients. Questions I asked when beginning the project include: “What are the benefits of the solution,” “Why would I want to sign up for this service” and “Who is my demographic?” As you can see in the script below, I chose a two column format allowing me to write the VO and then fill in the visuals later…

2. After writing the script, I went to the storyboard and drew out some ideas for each step in the animation. I realized my original script didn’t have enough ideas that could be represented visually, so I had to revise. Once I was comfortable with the script and storyboard, I went to Photoshop.

3. I wasn’t sure how I should approach this part of the creative process, but I knew I wanted to make this animation in full HD; therefore, I decided to create an extremely large “info graphic” approximately 9600 × 4320 pixels that could encompass each step of the animation. Overkill? Maybe. You tell me. Here is the info graphic.

4. After designing my large graphic, I cut it into separate photoshop files and imported them as layers into After Effects.

5. I had my wonderful wife record a scratch track that I could use to create the animation.

6. I put my headphones on, locked in, and animated each layer.

7. As I was nearing the end of my animation and I was sure the script would not change, I contracted a freelance voiceover artist to record the VO.

8. To finish the video, I exported it to a .mov file that could be used in Final Cut Pro and Soundtrack to do the final audio design and compression.

Here is the result:

Let me know if you have any questions about the video, and please share any suggestions you might have for the animation process in After Effects. (Especially you Bill Parker)

Thanks for reading.

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This is the first animation project that I worked on from script to screen, and it was also my first whack at After Effects. The voiceover was done by Chrissy Baker from LA. Check out her website and don’t hesitate to hire her.

In the coming days I’ll show you my process and how exactly I approached the video, but for now, let me know what you think.

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Cara Scharf’s story is one that reminds me why I love creating documentaries. I had the pleasure of working with the talented Brandon Bray on this project. He put in many late night hours pushing this out for a deadline, but I think the result is incredible. 

Pay particular attention to Brandon’s music choice and his use of sound effects throughout the piece. Its truly a work of art and a reflection of his passion for story telling.

Enjoy.

For more information about The GW Medical Faculty Associates visit http://gwdocs.com

Produced, Directed & Edited by Brandon Bray

2nd Camera & Audio by Dave Baker

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DISCLAIMER: Painfully shot on a Nikon D90 w/ off camera audio. Yes!

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One of the first client projects I produced was a corporate identity piece for Creative Dining Services - a hospitality service company that provides dining, facilities management, hotel and conference center management, and much more. My crew and I spent a considerable amount of time in kitchens all across the midwest. We were treated like kings, put up in the company’s hotels, and fed at every location… I would have gained 10 lbs had the stress not worked it off.

Here is the video…

Directed by Taylor Mackillop
Edited by Tim Kerigan
Produced by Dave Baker

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Here is an updated version for your viewing pleasure. I hope you enjoy it!

Producer: Carly Timbie
Director: Dave Baker
Editor: Nate Wilson

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In my job, I have the honor of interviewing a lot of doctors. These people are geniuses and never fail to amaze me. They are doing incredible work and making a huge impact on our society. However, they are some of the toughest people I’ve have to interview! There’s nothing like trying to get a doctor to explain a highly technical medical procedure in layman’s terms.

“Instead of ‘lower extremities’ can you say legs? (for the third time)”

The more comfortable they are and the more our interview feels like a conversation… the less jargon and better content.

Here are a few strategies I’ve picked up while interviewing people in the healthcare industry:

1. Know your audience. Is this video going to be viewed by patients or is it for other physicians. Big difference.

2. Have a handful of icebreakers available. I believe the first couple questions in an interview are the most important. These questions set the tone for the rest of the interview and help the interviewee feel comfortable.

For example (with sincere interest), “Have you gone on vacation recently?” … “Oh you have? Where did you go” … “Thats incredible, how was it?”

3. Be encouraging and affirming. I have found it important to let your interviewee know they are doing a great job regardless.

4. Push for personal stories and remind them of their audience. “Would you mind explaining in layman’s terms what “Lower Extremity Revascularization for Peripheral Artery Disease” means?” “How would you explain that to a patient?” “Do you have any stories or examples you could share with me?

5. Do your research and prepare accordingly. When interviewing someone about a complex topic, its important to have a little understanding of what is going to be discussed. Remember, if the video is going to be viewed by patients and you don’t understand the answer… they won’t either.

6. Throw them a curveball. My co-worker Brandon is the master of these questions. I don’t understand where he thinks them up, but he’s good. These questions typically roll off of something the interviewee says. They’re quick, on the spot, almost reactionary, and something the interviewee wouldn’t expect, but provokes an emotional response. I wish I had a good way to explain it or even an example, but I think its something that comes with experience and talent. I’m still trying to learn the mystery.

Remember, interviewing is an art form. There isn’t any one way of interviewing someone. Try something new, take risks, and be confident.

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Meet Adelaide – my adorable niece. I don’t get to see her often, but its always a joy to watch her run around when I do. I find it fascinating the way she studies something as simple as a block. This girl has the mind of an anthropologist and the genius of an engineer (which makes sense if you know anything about her dad).

Here is a quick video I shot of my niece. Enjoy.

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When production schedules get tight, you really have to be organized to keep up with the workloads. Unfortunately for us creative types, organization doesn’t always come naturally. In my job, my co-worker and I are responsible for video, print production, photography, and web design for over 600 physicians. Yikes. How do we keep it organized?

First, I just want to say that I’m always looking for new ways to re-engineer my workflow. What works today doesn’t always work tomorrow. Schedules are always changing and people are constantly on the move; therefore, be flexible. Second, keep your todo list and other notes separate (I can’t emphasize this enough). I have a lot of deliverables each day, and I find that by keeping a notepad dedicated to “things that must get done” and a notepad for brainstorming and scratch notes is pivotal; otherwise, important information is lost.

Here is a peak into my office and crazy organization methods. Notice the whiteboard within a whiteboard (pretty cutting edge right?). What type of organization methods do you use?

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There are only a few microbreweries around the district, but one I am particularly fond of is the new DC Brau. DC Brau is the first “brewery whose product is available in local stores and on tap outside of its site of production” since prohibition. The guys who operate the business are down to earth and love what they do. Make sure you check out their website, and next time you’re in the district, grab a DC Brau.

Here’s to breweries around DC!

DC Brau Brewery Tour

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“If you don’t like what’s being said, change the conversation” -Don Draper

Check out AMC’s Madmen Yourself here: http://www.amctv.com/madmenyourself/

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Imagine this…

Three days on set, a 17-page script, 500 dollars in the pocket, a 1903 victorian style farmhouse, a talented cast working pro bono, a fantastic crew for the same price, and an amazing host, all shooting a ghost movie. It doesn’t get any better than that.

There’s so much I could say about my experience on this film, but if there’s one thing I want to share it’s the importance of surrounding yourself with talented people who share a common mission or goal. In this case, my crew and I set out to create a short film with a strong story and fun plot line that could be deemed festival winning quality (on a 500 dollar budget and in a 2 1/2 month time span). Did I mention this was a student film?

The key to my crew’s success was putting the “right” people in the “right” positions and delegating tasks to people better suited for the jobs if my immediate crew was less than adequate. There’s a reason I didn’t get a writing credit or a sound design credit. I knew a few people who were much more qualified to take on those tasks – those were the people I wanted on my crew.

The old adage “People are your most important asset” turns out to be wrong. People are not your most important asset. The right people are. ~ Good to Great

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Erica is working tirelessly on her photography business and just picked up a job at one of DC’s premier restaurants Founding Farmers. I’m blown away every day by her photography skills and proud of her entrepreneurial passion for her business. (Shameless promotion – she’s for hire!)

This city is full of opportunities, and I can’t wait to see what’s around the next corner.

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