Introducing the Interns

Video Tips

For other interns (or people interested in learning the basics of video) here are some tips:

1. Take time to get to know your video camera and the basic
functions


2. To keep it simple, leave the video camera set on ‘Automatic’, 
don't use the manual settings- if needed you can adjust the 
shots in the editing stage


3. If there is wind, try to protect the microphone otherwise the
sound will distort- sometimes a sock or other fabric will help
minimize this issue


4. Always film a scene for at least 10 seconds to make sure that 
you have enough to work with in the editing stage


5. Try to limit how often you zoom or pan, but if you need to 
do so make slow movements


6. When filming people, keep the light in front of them, not
behind


7. B-roll related to what the interviewee is discussing will
add to viewer interest 

This list was adapted from Lunch and Lunch's "Insights into
Participatory Video" Handbook (pgs. 68-70)

Photos from the Hunt

Biking 'round Camrose

A wonderful example of cultural sustainability.

Sustainable Community Scavenger Hunt

Watch out City of Camrose! The Rural Capacity Interns will be biking around town today, taking part in a “Sustainable Community Scavenger Hunt”. A series of clues will lead us to knowledgeable Camrose citizens who will provide us with insight into what makes a community sustainable. After collecting information and visiting various locations throughout the day, we will design an ideal sustainable community.

See if you can decipher our clues:

Check out the Clock,

At the centre of the city,

The City Manager shall greet you,

Like he does many a committee

Wildlife and Greenspaces

Part of the world of conservation

Out Stoney Creek Valley

Is an ongoing inspiration

Revitalization

Of a historical place,

A building once full of glory

Has got a new face

Along the way we will are also tasked with taking a picture of something that illustrates sustainability, an area where there is potential for improvement, and a creative group shot. Our questions for the people we meet along the way are:

What is an important sustainability initiative for your community to take on?

What are your thoughts on local food initiatives and farmer's markets?

What is the biggest challenge for senior citizens living in a rural community?

What do you value about your community? What makes you stay here?

Stay tuned in to learn about the ideal sustainable community that we design after our hunt!

                                                                                                                        

Internship Goals

I had hoped to make it through life without a twitter or blog account. However, within the first two hours of my new job as a Rural Capacity Intern I have both. Apparently, they are requirements of the position. So here it goes.

Overall, the objective of the intern program is to foster positive connections between the University of Alberta, Augustana Campus and rural communities. Often the relationship between university and community has been one-sided, with the former using the latter as a source of research data. Stereotypically, the educational institution takes from communities without giving anything back. The Rural Capacity Intern Program aims to counteract the negative connotations of university/community partnerships through a critically reflective process of action and reflection. As interns, recent graduates and continuing Augustana students will spend the summer living in rural Albertan communities and working in partnership with local initiatives or organizations.

While the rest of my colleagues are working in a specific geographic location, I will be traveling between their various communities, creating podcasts about the internship program- hence the title of this blog. My task fits nicely within an area of personal interest. I am currently considering the potential of using video as a medium for community development and sustainability. This summer, my goals for the internship are to:

1. Learn about “Participatory Video”, and hopefully have the chance to work on this kind of project.
(see http://insightshare.org/resources/pv-handbook for examples)

2. Get a greater appreciation and understanding of an area of the world that I have lived in my whole life.

3. Begin to think about some of the complex issues facing rural Alberta and how these issues apply to a broader global context.

4. Reflect on what it is that I want to do with my B.A. in Global and Development Studies

5. And, by the end of the summer, have a really awesome road trip playlist in order to facilitate all the car dancing that will be necessary as part of my job.