Glass Walls

It's not in our language, but the maker commented that it's about breaking the walls of prejudice around us. Love it.

Önyargılarımız...Görünmeyen duvarlarımız from Bulent Keles on Vimeo.

Fairy Mischievous

Fairy Mischievous was my senior project for Moody. Actually, it was more for GCC than Moody. Typically, senior projects are for ministries, but this was so that I could get into ministry. I had been in conversation with Jeff Petersen and Butch Whitmire about an internship with the video team at Granger Community Church, and I panicked when they asked me to send them some work I had done. I knew that nothing I had done during my two and a half years at school would cut it. And GCC was my very best chance to learn from the very best. So, after having a minor meltdown, I sat down with a few of my friends and came up with an idea about a fairy. And that turned into an idea about a slightly hobo fairy. Which became a slightly hobo also slightly insane fairy. And then I threw in a Romanian voiceover because, let's be honest, when is that ever NOT a good idea? My friends really came to my aid, and most of them make appearances. Some of them are acting as tripods because I forgot to check one out. Or acting as my sanity when the equipment I actually did request wasn't fully put together. It's a strange little piece, but it means a lot to me because so many of them were involved. They knew it was important to me. Also, I just really like it.

And even though my professor could only exclaim, "Well, that was different," Jeff and Butch gave the thumbs up. And now I get to learn from the very best.

Baptism!

I'm so silly! Of all the videos I post, I forgot to post one that's very dear to my heart. This is a review of our baptism weekend that happened a few weeks ago. Baptism videos are almost my favorite thing in the whole world, and it is a privilege to edit them. I can't help but giggle when I think about a simple, unexpecting (yes, I made a new word) prayer I said seven years ago about a burning desire to make a video with as much purpose and power as the baptism videos shown at my church. And here I am, editing them. God, thanks for my part in your story.

Thanks to the host of volunteers and staff members that spent hours around the pools with their cameras. What a celebration of a new life of meaning only Jesus can bring.

GCC Baptism '09 from Elle White on Vimeo.

Music that makes me feel little...

I recently got into a conversation with some friends about music we grew up listening to (aka. what our parents were listening to). Today, I found myself looking up all my favorites on youtube and enjoying feeling very little again. I thought I'd share the goodness.

You'll have to close your eyes for this next one. The video's pretty pretentiously petrifying.

"From failing we learn. From success...not so much."

Meet the Robinsons was on Disney the other night.  When I first saw this scene, it struck me.  I mean, could-have-been-an-emotional-epic-like-Forrest-Gump-or-Braveheart struck me.  K, I went too far.  Not Braveheart, but you get the idea.  I am a success-aholic and didn't realize it until I watched this clip and felt my heart jump at the idea that failure might bring about some good.  I know with my brain that good can come of failure if we let God do what He does, but I need to learn that with my heart.  I love to succeed and celebrate the wins, but there's much to be gained from learning what we can from failures.  So, when I failed big time today, I apologized.  I apologized some more, and then I contemplated apologizing again.  I also watched this clip and celebrated the fact that "from failing we learn. From success...not so much."  

And I left the part with the frog in just because it makes me laugh.

I Saw What I Saw - Sara Groves

I had never really heard Sara Groves' music until she led us in worship at Moody Bible Institute's Founder's Week a few years ago. She was a breath of fresh air to us young students in a conference full of pipe organs and new school hymns that were oddly Star-Wars-ish.  Let's leave John Williams to John Williams, yes?  She showed us this video during a live performance of "I Saw What I Saw," and the images and music inspired by them are so powerful, I just had to share.

A Real Blog Post!

Today is one of those rare days when I feel like actually blogging, thanks to this photo I took yesterday.  I recently purchased a Canon 5D Mark II (with a loan from the generous bank of Dad), and one of the first people I contacted was Tommy.  We went through the video program at Moody at the same time, and we worked on many of our projects together.  Trying to learn and grow in a place that didn't really value creativity, specifically the video kind, was discouraging and gave the students permission to coast through.  Thankfully, I had Tommy to learn from, to try to impress, to teach, and to play with!  We made videos for the school's annual conference, we stood up for each other's work when peers and teachers didn't get it (actually, that was mostly just him - THANK you!), and we documented such momentous occasions as Earth Hour and the discovery of Blue Screen, Blue! Even now, out of Moody and trying to find where our talents lead next, we meet in Michigan City every so often.  I find the same refreshing encouragement all over again on those visits, and I hope he does as well.  Yesterday, we ran around Michigan City with my new camera and lens and drooled over how awesome they are.  This is one of my favorite photos, because if you look closely enough at his glasses, you can see he's also framing me as well.  It just feels like a really good representation of the encouragement and help he's given me these past few years - I'm so thankful for your friendship, Tommy!  Now, we need to get you one of these.