This Past Weekend and the Gaps

So this past weekend was freaking awesome! I got to go to the Virgin Mobile FreeFest and do DIT for a company that flew in all the way from California. They were a great bunch of guys and while we didn't have a long time to chat, the little time we did have to talk was super informative and worth all the time in the world. I got to get the VIP treatment around the fest and got pampered with free food and swag as well as seeing some awesome acts from the media area. The piece de resistance of the day though was being around a Red Epic camera which was the first time I got to see it up close, it was a beauty and just an awesome rig the videographer had set up. Not only that but I got to handle all the footage coming in from the Red and it was beautiful. All around great time with a chill crew and a cool event.

Now to address the gaps in my blog, sorry each month I strive myself to post something every day but each month I find out very quickly I just can't do it. Some days are just big on a lot of down time which I don't want to write about because me talking to potential clients all day is just plain boring. Or on the other hand I get overloaded with work and I have a ton to talk about but I don't have time to because I am busy...then when I do have time to it makes for one huge blog post which I don't like to do either. I am going to try to find a middle ground soon and hopefully have a month where I blog every single day without missing any...

Random Movie Fact: In the 2008 film Hellboy II: The Golden Army, the one-eyed Troll Mr. Wink was named after Selma Blair's pet, a one-eyed dog named Wink.

Thanks for the support,
Daniel Hess

Arlington County Fair Day 3

So I got back a little while ago from the third day of photography at the Arlington County Fair. Today we got the most photos of any day and I finally nailed down the perfect strategy for taking photos, too bad it was on the last day but no fear I got about 30 different people today so plenty to choose from. It was my longest day working (12-5) and it was the day we had to break down all the tents and junk (clean up is my least favorite part). However it was my first official big gig as a photographer so I feel pretty proud of myself for turning something that was once a hobby into a fairly steady little gig.

Looking back at this week I have to say again I am extremely proud of myself. Monday I was able to take a trip to Virginia to finalize a photo contract, then come back to Maryland and finish the performance part of the Three Beers Later music video. Tuesday I was able to record foley for a ADR/Color correction project, then come back from Forest Hill, Md, go home, and like five minutes later head out to Baltimore City for a volunteer photography gig. Wednesday I picked out new glasses (so yay for that!). Thursday, I was out at Render Perfect doing some tape transfer to Final Cut Pro and learning FCP all over again for what will be either a freelance job or a part time job at that company (it is my choice, I will have to see). Then finally Friday-Sunday traveling down to Arlington from good old Edgemere to do more photography. This has to have been the busiest week ever for me and like I said before and proud of myself. To me this is the start of something great, and I am glad I am the one paving my path...I feel truly independent in the video/photo world which is amazing! I hope things keep up this way.

Random Movie Fact: In the 1986 animated film An American Tail, the opening scene of the ship's arrival in America (at Castle Garden) is based on a photograph in Christian Weekly magazine from March 28, 1874. On the barge is written, Einwanderer Beforderung, which means "Immigrant Transfer" in German.

Thanks for the support,
Daniel Hess