Capture the Fall!

            A few weeks ago Mr. Mayo gave us the "Capture the Fall" video assignment. I thought that this sounded like a fun project, and I was excited to see what I might do with it. After receiving the assignment, I slowly started filming for it. I got a few shots here and there on the weekends, including a few of me riding my bike and helping my dad rake leaves. I liked my shots, but I couldn't really think of a common theme. Yes they all represent fall, but nothing more than that.
             So, when my mom told me today that we were going to go walk among the memorials in downtown DC, I decided to bring along my phone and film our walk. I was really happy with my different shots, so I got rid of all my other ones and decided to make my video about the fall in Washington. Here's the video:

                Here's a quick description of each of the shots:
-Trees we drove by on our way there
-A pan of the Teddy Roosevelt memorial
-My family walking by yellow trees
-The Tidal Basin
-My sister blowing a dandelion
-A waterfall at the Roosevelt memorial
-The sun
-Walking by the changing leaves against the water
-The sun and a branch on the water
-An airplane flying over the Jefferson memorial

           I edited my video using Wevideo, which was relatively simple. For my 5x5, I edited on youtube editor, and wevideo was a bit different. There were a few more tools and option than on youtube editor, which made me happy. I liked using the transitions to make each shot flow smoothly. I also found the music right there on wevideo in public use. I thought that the music went well with the video, and makes it better.
        My personal favorite shot is the last one, where there is an airplane flying over the Jefferson, creating a silhouette against the colorful sky. I think my video captures the great weather that is present during the fall, and the changing leaves, which are what most people think of in the fall. Overall I'm happy with my video and I think it came out well.

Election 2012

         The election is just two days away and I couldn't be more excited... or nervous. It can be argued that the Bush-Gore election was one of the closest elections in recent history. It can also be argued that this election may be just as close. Which, to some of us, is really worrisome.
         That is why I dedicated most of my day today to help GOTV (get out the vote). My dad and I drove out to Loudoun County and went door to door, gathering support but mostly making sure that people remember to vote on Tuesday, and know their correct polling place.

               Barack Obama will most definitely win Maryland. It is a blue state. In my entire neighborhood I have only seen one Romney sign, and it is in front of a house of a woman who is very outspoken and has radical opinions on almost any issue.
              Virginia is a swing state and a key state in this election. In the neighborhood where we were canvassing, there was a very clear division of support. We were in an area where there was clearly a majority of more well off white residents. There were many houses with large or multiple Romney signs in the yard. There were also, however, a fair amount of Obama signs as well. My dad and I were assigned to go to houses that were known to house Obama supporters. We were not surprised to find that every time, except once, that someone opened the door, they were a minority. The one other person was a woman. It is well known that white men are the most likely demographic to be conservative, but it was still very interesting for me to see this in real life.
              I have been very active in this election because I am interested in politics and I know that whoever the people choose on Tuesday to be our president for the next four years will have a large impact on my life. I hope everyone comes out to vote and that voter turnouts are higher than they have been before (although sadly I don't think this will happen). Wednesday, although it could be much longer depending on close this election is, will be a very interesting, exciting, and apprehensive day, no matter the outcome.