Video Projects

Obon: Festival Of Lanterns

The Obon is a Japanese Buddhist custom to honor the spirits of one's ancestors. This Buddhist-Confucian custom has evolved into a family reunion holiday during which people return to ancestral family places and visit and clean their ancestors' graves, and when the spirits of ancestors are supposed to revisit the household altars. It has been celebrated in Japan for more than 500 years and traditionally includes a dance, known as Bon-Odori. 

This video documents a modern celebration of Obon at the Fresno (California) Buddhist Dharma Center on July 12, 2014. It was filmed by a one-man crew (Photographer Fred Benz) utilizing a Canon 600DML DSLR and a Rode onboard mic. It was edited and graded in Final Cut Pro X.

Chanel Ad

The spec assignment: a 15-second video advertisement targeting Millennials. Created with layered Photoshop files switched on and off and set to upbeat music. Designed for high energy and solid impact for repeated viewing. Created in Final Cut Pro X.

Save Our Schools PSA

A 30-second Public Service Announcement (PSA) for Save Our Schools. Created with still images and layer compositing in Photoshop and Final Cut Pro X.

Chakra Madness

The challenge: Convey a Color - ROYGBIV. Find a way to use color to express yourself.

I decided to use all the colors of the rainbow. I started with Chakra symbols— vector art supplied by graphic designer phong. I separated the art into layers in Adobe Illustrator and imported layered files into Photoshop. Then, I imported the files into Final Cut Pro X. From there, virtually all editing was done with layers, generators and effects in Final Cut. I did use several pre-made animated backgrounds. But I didn’t use any animation programs— no Motion or After Effects, etc. I sure it would have been easier if I did.