Update!

I just watched the footage with the advice used from our great techs here at RRC. The audio is perfect, so the problem must have been with the camera mic. The lighting is superb! And overall, I'm happy that this footage can be used because I was sad to have lost it.

Documentary this far

Main floor, this iron stove is a supposed hot spot for paranormal activity.

I have been lagging on the production of the Manitoba Hauntings documentary. Third semester is coming to a close and with it, the endless array of assignments we had to produce kept me away from my project. However, earlier this week I started production at the third haunted Manitoba location mentioned in the film, the St. Boniface Museum.

I met with museum directer Philippe Mailhot Phd. after hours while the museum was closed to start filming and do an interview. We had decided on a great place to set up the interview, in the main entrance where the tour begins. This area is a tribute to Louis Riel and many of his artifacts are found right here at the museum including one of his coffins, this one in which was burnt.  We had decided to film in the dark and use my equipment lighting as the main source of light for this interview. In preparation, the famous Louis Riel Heritage video turned on, like it is known to do from time to time reported by museum staff.



This didn't alert me, I was for warned that this happens from time to time. We continued to film, and it was odd that the lighting as bright as they are required that I use more than one. The interview turned out perfectly, I couldn't have written the script better myself, Dr. Mailhot is a terrific speaker.

After we finished the interview, we went through the museum, filming locations reported to be active by museum staff. All of this was filmed in the dark, that is with all of the museum lights off  and using the equipment lights to add a eerily haunting hue around what I was filming. Everything was going well. We were filming in the chapel, I was focused on the Virgin Mary statues when BOOM! A light knocked over and broke. Neither I or Dr. Mailhot were near this light. We connected the disturbance to possible the cord getting knocked over somehow.

So with one light, we ventured upstairs to film the famous rocking chair. I admit that the mannequins spooked me. We then went down to the basement, where the biggest activity presence has said to have taken place. All in all I was extremely pleased with the footage as I played it back through the camera. Everything looked spectacular and creepy. However, the audio is horribly distorted as it shouldn't be. I didn't have the levels on the mic or the camera up high at all. In fact the audio levels were set the medium on the dial and this somehow has caused distortion even  through the wind and other ambient sounds that were filmed outdoors.

I had made only one attempt to film here so far, so the fact that I have to re-record an interview and ambient sound is not an issue. I have a few more interviews to shoot as well. The one thing that does disappoint me, is the fact that my tape seems to be corrupt. I watched everything on the camera, but I can't get the tape to work in an edit suite using Final Cut Pro. The tape plays a black image and keeps rewinding itself.

I can only hope, that my instructor or the techs at school can help me with this problem. That is to say, if it is a technical problem.

~Jenn

The brand of me

For an advertising assignment, we were asked to determine our own personal brand. This was one of the hardest things I have ever had to write about myself. It is more than an autobiography. You have to persuade others that you are what you say your are. I said I was a caregiver.

Here's some of my brand, including my logo.

And then, I had to write my own Brand Story, which was even harder, here goes.

 

It's snowing, time to relax

Yes, it is snowing and it makes me happy for a few reasons. Things have been super stressful as this semester is wrapping up. I can't believe it is almost over. It feels like it just started! But the lightly falling snowflakes are reminding me to keep it together, relax, enjoy what I have accomplished and decorate a Christmas tree with my family this weekend. There are only a few weeks left and it seems like the majority of our big assignments are either done or the bulk of them are. I feel like a weight has been lifted and am enjoying our smaller assignments. Most recently, we have written a PSA for Bear Your Heart, a charity for the Childrens Wish Foundation on February 7th. I really enjoyed this assignment, just about as much as I enjoyed writing a series of 15 second spots for radio advertising today. It excites me, that this is the kind of work I will be doing at CHUM radio in January. Despite everything, that has been happening at Curve 94.3, I am still pretty excited to work for them, but at the same time, a little worried. But stations need advertising right? I hope everything will work out.
For now, I am just happy knowing that this weekend, I can start my shopping, decorate my tree and bake some cookies! Oh, and try to convince my five-year old that Santa is real...
As for our next bit of assignments, I look forward to them, don't laugh. I am happy to create a ton of spots and proposals to build up my proposal. The end is almost near and our careers will soon befall us. Now isn't that exiting?

Some thoughts and venting, because we all need to let it out somehow.

I need to continuously update my blog, but I lack the motivation.
I feel how I did last year.
I feel like I'm sinking.
I spend so much time on school, that my family is suffering.
I feel like it's all for nothing.
As hard as I try, it isn't good enough.

On the plus, I am filming my first interview for my documentary on Wednesday, even though I don't have time. It's an eye witness account to a haunting at St. Andrews Anglican Church.

That is all.

~Jenn

Leo is Thirsty for More

As many of my readers know, I am a Creative Communications student in my second year. A huge part of our curriculum is our Independent Professional Project (IPP). My IPP is a documentary on three haunted places in Manitoba and I am pleased to say that this IPP is well on it's way. I have documented two out of the three sites and have done some paranormal research of my own.

The fact is, that based on my script and proposal, only one story is supposed to have an investigation. All three are filmed using different mediums. One involves a reenactment, one is an investigation and the other is filled with eye-witness accounts.

From what I have noticed, my friends both at school and out of school have been recommending that I visit sites from all over the province. I really enjoy investigating and don't need anymore locations to be researched for my IPP.

However, I have decided that as part of my marketing tool, to get this documentary placed on national television, I should continue to investigate and blog about my findings.

I have decided that a blog full of investigations would be a great piece to have when I pitch my idea for national television. Who knows, maybe if I don't find a job right after graduation, I will have a career in a television series waiting for me. One can only hope.

In the mean time I'll just keep on doing what I'm doing. Not only for my documentary, but for my overall interest in this topic. I absolutely love the rush of completely spooking myself out! And I hope you all will enjoy reading about it as well.

Thank you to all for your support and feel free to recommend haunted places, movies and books. I appreciate the interest all of you have in my project as well as the support I have received.

Ghosts Killed Them

For real?



8213 Gacy House (2010) is about a group of paranormal investigators who went to the abandoned house one night in search of paranormal activity in 2006.

John Wayne Gacy Jr. was known as a mass murderer a.k.a. Killer Clown who killed and molested on average 33 boys and young men during a seven year span in the 1970's. 26 bodies were found in the basement along with a cage housing a noose. The house is located in Chicago.

This documentary is said to be actual footage found during a police investigation. All team members were found dead and one still remains missing. The footage was turned into a documentary by a production company called The Asylum. The Asylum? Haha.

The company has said that this is actual footage changed to have a narrative.This may actually be the case. What you see from a camera's eye view is real. And the rest is acted?

However, this is by far the best paranormal activity movie I have seen to date. I recommend a look, even if it is fabricated. I still found it convincing to a degree. They put a lot of effort into making you think so.