Well, we didn't get favorable reviews on our first video so Jon and I had to do a re-shoot this weekend. We were accused of talking too fast, not sounding conversational enough, and trying to fit too much in.
Once the reviews are in on our second attempt, we will work on getting it posted unless a third re-shoot is necessary.
We left up our make-shift "video shoot" area in the baby's room just in case we have to give it another go.
August 22, 2011
August 15, 2011
Lights, Camera, Action.....Take #55!
As our adoption agency rushes to compete with other adoption agencies that are using social media as a way to reach their target audience, Jon and I find ourselves constantly being tasked with projects we weren't expecting.
Last week, we were told we were going to extend our online profiles to include an additional three pictures which was very exciting as it is terrifying to think that one picture may make or break some one's perception of you. And this week, we were told that their website will now support video and we needed to create a video to go with our profile. Additionally, the video would be possibly posted on the agency's Facebook page and YouTube site.
Jon and I were fine with these assignments baring a few major issues:
After we got everything into place, Jon and I proceeded to do nearly 20 takes (that is NOT an exaggeration). Sometimes, it was as simple as I accidentally introduced myself as Jon instead of Keith. Or every now and again, Jon would let out a giggle at something I said. Or sometimes it was because neither of us realized the nervous ticks we have when under pressure. I can't sit still, itch my face uncontrollably, and gulp at awkward moments. Jon is a head darted......looking at me, then the camera, at me, then the camera, at me, then the camera every 2 seconds. So, by the time we got that all under control AND said what we needed to say in a calm and intelligent manner, we were 20 takes in. We were exhausted when all is said and done.
Once we get the approval and the video goes up on our profile, I will provide a link.
Last week, we were told we were going to extend our online profiles to include an additional three pictures which was very exciting as it is terrifying to think that one picture may make or break some one's perception of you. And this week, we were told that their website will now support video and we needed to create a video to go with our profile. Additionally, the video would be possibly posted on the agency's Facebook page and YouTube site.
Jon and I were fine with these assignments baring a few major issues:
- The technical guidelines were SO specific that our video camera did not support them. Additionally, zero cameras at Best Buy supported the guidelines either. So we were forced to go with a non-camera camera that specializes in posting videos to blogs/YouTube. We were forced to spend a whopping $212 to buy a Sony Bloggie Touch which we do not want to use as a permanent video camera, but desperate times call for desperate measures.
- Jon and I HATE HATE HATE HATE HATE the way we sound on video. I mean we literally both cringe when we hear ourselves on video. I think Jon sounds normal on video, but I sound like a purse just fell out of my mouth or that I am the Grand Marshall of the gayest gay pride parade in town.
- Video cannot be longer than 2 minutes and 15 seconds, period.
- It has to be shot shoulders up in front of a white wall
- The following questions/topics must be hit upon in the following time increments:
- Introduce Yourselves (10 Seconds Combined)
- Tell What You Admire About Each Other (1 Minute Combined)
- Tell Why Open Adoption Appeals To You (1 Minute Combined)
- And the cardinal rule which we broke BIG TIME.....don't do any retakes.
After we got everything into place, Jon and I proceeded to do nearly 20 takes (that is NOT an exaggeration). Sometimes, it was as simple as I accidentally introduced myself as Jon instead of Keith. Or every now and again, Jon would let out a giggle at something I said. Or sometimes it was because neither of us realized the nervous ticks we have when under pressure. I can't sit still, itch my face uncontrollably, and gulp at awkward moments. Jon is a head darted......looking at me, then the camera, at me, then the camera, at me, then the camera every 2 seconds. So, by the time we got that all under control AND said what we needed to say in a calm and intelligent manner, we were 20 takes in. We were exhausted when all is said and done.
Once we get the approval and the video goes up on our profile, I will provide a link.
August 10, 2011
And Then There Were Four.....
Well, we knew that it was likely that at least one of the five couples in our Seattle Adoption Seminar (held by our actual adoption agency) would get placed with a baby. Of course, we selfishly hoped it would be us first. And we received word in the last week that indeed a couple from our session was chosen and now they are the proud parents of a beautiful baby boy.
I playfully described each of the couples in our Seattle Seminar blog posting from October 24, 2010. I described this couple as "the young couple (our age) who had trouble conceiving and were just content listening to the rest of us interact."
It is a strange mixture of excitement and sadness. It is obvious that this was not supposed to be our baby as fate chose this other couple as the parents. However, it also hits way closer to home than any other birth announcement. Jon and I receive monthly updates of which couples (or individuals ) were placed with a baby, but every other time we have heard that a baby was placed with a couple, they are a faceless name. We have no connection to them besides this very, very intense and emotional journey. However, when we heard the news this time....for this particular couple, it felt much more intense, much more real, much more hopeful, and much more discouraging all in one. It comes back to the mind game where you struggle to balance positive thinking with realistic thinking. On one hand you have "wow, it is great to see progress and know that it really can happen at any moment in your life." And on the other hand you have "how much longer can I continue this torture of will it or won't it happen"?
Anyways, we continue to walk along through life hoping that at the moment when we least expect it....BAM.....our moment will arrive!!
I playfully described each of the couples in our Seattle Seminar blog posting from October 24, 2010. I described this couple as "the young couple (our age) who had trouble conceiving and were just content listening to the rest of us interact."
It is a strange mixture of excitement and sadness. It is obvious that this was not supposed to be our baby as fate chose this other couple as the parents. However, it also hits way closer to home than any other birth announcement. Jon and I receive monthly updates of which couples (or individuals ) were placed with a baby, but every other time we have heard that a baby was placed with a couple, they are a faceless name. We have no connection to them besides this very, very intense and emotional journey. However, when we heard the news this time....for this particular couple, it felt much more intense, much more real, much more hopeful, and much more discouraging all in one. It comes back to the mind game where you struggle to balance positive thinking with realistic thinking. On one hand you have "wow, it is great to see progress and know that it really can happen at any moment in your life." And on the other hand you have "how much longer can I continue this torture of will it or won't it happen"?
Anyways, we continue to walk along through life hoping that at the moment when we least expect it....BAM.....our moment will arrive!!
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