CSS Promotional Video

http://designbydave.net/video/

At last weeks club meeting one of the board members suggested that the club hold a contest and offer a $100 prize to whoever could make the best 3 minute video to present to the San Bernardino City Council. But with the City Council meeting only a week from the club meeting there wasn't enough time to have an actual contest. And we all know who would have won anyways ;) It was actually pretty funny. As the suggestion for a video contest was being discussed, pretty much everyone at the meeting looked over at me. They were all thinking the same thing. So I volunteered to make a video and with only a week I had to get started right away, especially because I lacked quality paragliding video.

Fellow club member John Wright really came through and drove all the way out to the LZ to deliver 4 DVDs full of his HD video (which included some PG stuff) and his HD camcorder that I have used in the past due to its mic input. Thanks John, this video would not have been possible without you! I shot video on Monday and Tuesday for the project. I needed some little mini interviews and bunch of PG footage. The weather cooperated and Dusty let me strap my HD camcorder on his ankle and was able to get some really cool stuff.

I was able to finish up the video with plenty of time and was able to learn a couple of new tricks with Premiere that will help me in future projects.

Disaster almost struck when, at the City Council meeting we were told that unless we were on the "agenda" we would not be allowed to so anything (powerpoint or video.) Alan told me that the Mayor has discretion and that it wouldn't hurt to just ask him if I could show the video. So that's what I did. When it was my turn to speak I stated my name and address and then told the council that I had prepared a video about the club but was not able to show it. I politely asked for permission and the Maybe agreed. Good on him. There were some technical difficulties getting the video going at first (I love computers) so the first 30 seconds or so were not seen, but the rest of the video was. I am pretty sure I heard a few ohhs and aaahs in the audience (especially during Mitch's loop at the end.)

The council was not, however, impressed enough to change their votes. It was a unanimous vote in favor of the development. We have lost the first of three possible battles in this struggle, but it was also probably the least likely to be successful. The city seemed pretty much in favor of this plan from the beginning and their vote shows that they hadn't changed their minds. Next we will have to go to the State (Department of Water and Power.)