Disqus - Latest Comments for rachelfinder

Re: Single Post

Rachel Bastarache Bogan — Thu, 29 Jun 2017 12:43:16 -0000

I LOVE this Sarah! It's so true that we caught up in what we think perfection is, realizing that true health looks different for each other. And that striving for health is so we can best be fueled and supplied for His work. :D <3

Re: How Total Burnout Led to the Most Productive Year of My Life

Rachel Bastarache Bogan — Wed, 10 Aug 2016 22:04:34 -0000

Loved this Zack! I've been in a similar journey, though not nearly as far along as you. :) But your constant encouragement on FiP on FB and everywhere has been awesome! It's reminded me of what's possible. THANK YOU!

Re: The Worst Advice I’ve Ever Gotten About Video Post Production

Rachel Bastarache Bogan — Wed, 12 Aug 2015 15:50:08 -0000

I find this ironic. I started in the business in Charlotte, NC. After my position at my first company was closed due to being "unnecessary", I tried making a living working as an independent editor and producer in the area. But the video market there is very difficult to break into (unless you want to cut for NASCAR). It always felt like producers and post-production companies played things close to the vest, and didn't want any help from anyone that could potentially become a competitor.

Not being able to find work there is what precipitated my husband's and my move to Denver, CO. Since then, I've had more opportunities in 8 months here than I had in four years in Charlotte.

Fascinating.

In terms of actually answering the question though, "what's the worst advice"? I think for me, the worst thing I heard was from one of my mentors: "I've taught you all I know." At the time, I had no one else to learn from, and didn't know where to find more. But it also made me confident that I knew everything (not true). The result was two years of cutting and drifting into a plateau where I eventually hated the cuts I was producing. It took coming to terms that I was not as good as I thought before I finally started learning again.

Re: Makoto Fujimura | Refractions #40 The Death of Jane Austen

Rachel Bastarache Bogan — Thu, 26 Feb 2015 15:34:05 -0000

I've lost many chickens to foxes over the years. There's nothing quite like finding the hen house in a shambles after such a thing. I'm sorry for your loss. :(

It amazes me the things we can learn from simple moments and creatures if we take the time to listen and see. My own hens taught me so much about giving, care, respect and in time, sacrifice and death. The day I had to "put down" a fox-mutilated bird with my own hands was the hardest day of my life. I cried and apologized as I did it. Taking a life, even so I can eat, is now never something I take lightly. The things that must sacrifice so I can live have completely different meanings for me, that of preciousness and honor.

Thank you for your poem. It was beautiful.

Re: wednesdaywalk: Makoto Fujimara’s Four Holy... | Rachel's Viewfinder

Rachel Bastarache Bogan — Mon, 30 Dec 2013 10:27:40 -0000

I'm so glad to share it with you, John! In my search for Christian artists making good art, I was floored when I somebody introduced me to Makoto's work. I'm happy you found this post, however you did! :)

Re: Download "Frieda's Luna Corsair" for Free! | Rachel's Viewfinder

Rachel Bastarache Bogan — Thu, 27 Jun 2013 15:40:39 -0000

Thank you! I appreciate your feedback. :)

Re: IllustrationFriday: Sweet When I read the topic... | Rachel's Viewfinder

Rachel Bastarache Bogan — Thu, 06 Jun 2013 09:41:53 -0000

Thank you! Glad to have the feedback. :)

Re: Innovation vs. Innovative

Rachel Bastarache Bogan — Thu, 09 May 2013 08:02:44 -0000

I think you've hit the nail on the head. Anybody can randomly do something in their life that results in innovation. But to be innovative implies the process is continual, a habit.

Re: Help Wanted | Rachel's Viewfinder

Rachel Bastarache Bogan — Sat, 27 Apr 2013 18:39:55 -0000

I'll send it in a few minutes! Thank you!

Re: IllustrationFriday: Train | Rachel's Viewfinder

Rachel Bastarache Bogan — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 08:52:14 -0000

Glen, thank you so much for feedback! I really appreciate your thoughts. :)

Re: Ideas Like Dandelions | Rachel's Viewfinder

Rachel Bastarache Bogan — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 18:00:58 -0000

Thanks Sean! I appreciate the kind thoughts. :)

Re: 30-Second animated recipe: Who knew an animated... | Rachel's Viewfinder

Rachel Bastarache Bogan — Thu, 04 Apr 2013 21:57:50 -0000

Oh! Thank you! I will check that out. :) Appreciate it!

Re: When two photographers try to do their own... | Rachel's Viewfinder

Rachel Bastarache Bogan — Tue, 11 Dec 2012 09:31:46 -0000

Hey Peter! I'm a firm believer that if you know what you want, then go for it! That said, there are definitely advantages to doing things with others' help. For one thing, it's a great time-saver. :) But I also know it's hard finding somebody who has a similar creative vision. It's one thing to take a snapshot. It's a whole other thing to take a photo that you're please with to share with others. I 'm glad to see I'm not the only one who struggles with this. :)

Happy Christmas to you too!

Re: I keep a pet Geranium for my friend @beccanorth,... | Rachel's Viewfinder

Rachel Bastarache Bogan — Tue, 04 Dec 2012 11:41:52 -0000

Thank you! I was in the middle of breakfast looking at the petals on the floor, and suddenly went, "I should write this down!" :) I'm so glad you found it encouraging.

Re: Inspiration, Innovation, and Better Ideas Through Collision - Blog - Esvee Group

Rachel Bastarache Bogan — Tue, 27 Nov 2012 16:03:10 -0000

Definitely! I can't wait to see what other things this intentional collision of thoughts will bring out. :)

Re: Inspiration, Innovation, and Better Ideas Through Collision - Blog - Esvee Group

Rachel Bastarache Bogan — Tue, 27 Nov 2012 15:32:16 -0000

Great article! I love the way how everything, our ideas of how ideas best form, complemented each other so beautifully. Thank you for gathering these thoughts together, Steve!

Re: Our Response To Art: Cause and Effect

Rachel Bastarache Bogan — Tue, 27 Nov 2012 15:16:12 -0000

Artist and Christian Makoto Fujimura explores this idea of art as a renewing force in his Refractions, on his blog. The idea of creating the world "that ought to be" is also the central theme behind his organization, the International Arts Movement. His call to creative action seeks to empower everyone to be a party of this community renewal and beautifying. Definitely check it out: www.internationalartsmoveme...

In my own life as an artist and missionary, I've seen the act of creation open doors to express the character of our unseen God. Art has the power to ask deep questions about life, spirituality and faith in ways that words cannot. In a culture increasing relying on visual representations of ideas and communication, it is imperative that we learn to embrace art not only as a force of renewal, but also as bringing to light the Lord of Hosts! :). In case it wasn't obvious, this is a passion subject of mine.

Re: Why Christians Should Care About Creativity

Rachel Bastarache Bogan — Thu, 15 Nov 2012 12:02:15 -0000

I noticed the new post after I commented. :) The IDEO link looks very interesting, and I'm planning on checking it out in more detail over my lunch break. Glad to be a part of the conversation!

Re: Why Christians Should Care About Creativity

Rachel Bastarache Bogan — Thu, 15 Nov 2012 10:52:08 -0000

Because of my particular passion, I'm inclined to equate creativity with art. But really, at it's heart, creativity is problem-solving. I love the Ken Robinson TED talk you mention. His discussion of knowledge not equaling creativity is thought-provoking.

Creativity is about life. When God created the world, He didn't just create an efficient machine that accomplished it's function. He designed unique solutions for billions of different systems. Consider the transmission of sugars to the uppermost branches of a maple tree. That tree needs high sugar content in the spring to produce a quickly forming leaf bud. And so when nights are below freezing, and the days are above, sap with a higher sugar content races to the top of the tree. That sugar in the newly formed leaf then gets broken down through photosynthesis, absorbing carbon dioxide and building the tree, and giving off the oxygen that other life breathes. The tree goes on to provide homes for birds and small rodents, raw materials for human houses and foods, as well as shade, air purification, and above it all, a beautiful creation to behold.

Science today is taking inspiration for God's original designs to come up with new solutions. For example, solar panels mimicking photosynthesis.

Creativity makes the world better. And more beautiful. God's ultimate creative solution for a sinful world was not to wipe the slate clean and start over. It was to send His son to die for a lost and dying world.

As a Christian, and more particularly as an artist, my being creative points back to being made in the image of my Creator. To create is to exemplify the Father. To foster creativity and practice creativity means being better equipped to come up with an innovative solution to a problem. Raw knowledge and wisdom are not enough. They must be supplemented by a healthy imagination.

As Lewis Carroll (author and mathematician) once said, "I sometimes believe as many as six impossible things before breakfast." Carroll made it his goal to practice creativity. Under his pseudonym of Lewis Carroll, he gave the world a mind-bending set of books as well as fantastical poetry. And as Charles Lutwidge Dodgeson, mathematician, his work laid the foundation for the Alternating Sign Matrix.

It's good to other Christians raising the standard to encourage creativity within the Church!

Re: Work Smarter (Not Harder) In After Effects

Rachel Bastarache Bogan — Tue, 13 Nov 2012 12:36:38 -0000

Great tips here! As someone newly delving into the sea that is After Effects, I appreciate the pointers. Definitely gonna look into shape layers more. :)

Re: Who Decides When the Pasta Is Done?

Rachel Bastarache Bogan — Thu, 01 Nov 2012 10:38:57 -0000

:) And that is why, as an Italian, I do not eat at Olive Garden.

Interestingly, when you look at the mission statement from Darden that Nathan posted below, and you look at the choices Olive Garden has made in reaction to customer opinion, it's no wonder that Olive Garden won't cook pasta correctly. Rather than being a purveyor of fine, authentic Italian dining, they let the demand (and hence the dollars) of the customer dictate the menu. Olive Garden is not in the business of making Italian food. They're in the business of making money. And that's their choice.

This same concept of letting the "customer"--in the church sense, the average pew-sitter--define the church experience, is everywhere. People don't like the loud drums in the music set, there's not a preschool storytime, the church doesn't have a coffee bar, the preacher always goes over time...there are a thousand different opinions on how things should be "done." A church can become obsessed with getting butts in the seats that everything becomes bendable to the will and whim of the congregation. The sad part is when the truth of Scripture is sacrificed in this battle.

But more the the point, when it comes to making an aesthetic choice over music style, use of overhead projectors, turning up or turning down the bass, implementing a trendy graphic opening for the service countdown, all of it comes down to "why." Is this "thing I want to do" going to hinder people coming closer to the Lord and knowing Him better, or will it help them do so. As a video editor, I must draw a parallel: sometimes you have one incredible shot that you're just so proud of, it took hours to complete, it's drop-dead gorgeous...and you've got no place to put it in your video. You can make the choice to jam it in there, somewhere, though you know that to do so might weaken the storyline, or it might cause confusion in the audience. But darn it all, it's an awesome shot so it MUST be used! I've seen too many videos where this happened. The alternative is to let that gorgeous shot drop to the editing room floor, crushing your pride with it. The result is a better video that accomplishes it's purpose.

I think the lesson of Olive Garden is:
1). Define where you want to go (goal, design, look and feel, etc.).
2). Decide if you will go there with or without your "customer" approval.
3). Stick to your guns. Either way. If the "customers" decide to go along with you, great! And if not, at least you didn't succumb to being swayed by the crowd.

Re: The Role of Design in Video

Rachel Bastarache Bogan — Fri, 19 Oct 2012 10:57:43 -0000

I completely agree. That is why framing, head room, zooms, pan-and-scans, title-safe, Ken Burns, etc., are all important to know how they work and why. It's not just enough to throw a Ken Burns effect on a photo and expect it to look amazing. That automatic filter is going to zoom in to whatever it pleases. Instead, choose where it should focus. Do yourself a favor and be intentional about using the tools, not letting the tools use you.

All these same concepts apply to your motion graphics as well. Where does one element come on-screen versus another? Do all your text titles line up on the same line, especially in you're animating each word or letter? Is there visual balance in your compositions?

Great people to watch and learn from are cinematographers like Robert Redford, John McTiernan and Tony Scott (framing, focal length, pull focus, selective focus, composition). For motion graphics, check out people like Nick Campbell (aka Greyscale Gorrila), and studios like MK12.

Re: Introducing the Echo 2012 DVD and the Echo DVD 5-Pack

Rachel Bastarache Bogan — Fri, 19 Oct 2012 10:43:18 -0000

Great edit! Looks like an informative and thought-provoking set.

Re: Ten Commandments for Finding and Telling Stories (Part Two)

Rachel Bastarache Bogan — Thu, 18 Oct 2012 11:33:52 -0000

Great call to action! As someone who has taught storytelling to new missionary workers, and produced many videos telling the stories of missionaries going to serve, I can't agree more that storytelling is EVERYTHING!

I recently had the opportunity to work with a band from Charlotte, NC called "Redemption's Cry" on the content for their website. The musician bios were written up by each member, and consisted of the regular, run-of-the-mill content. Over the course of an evening last week, we sat down and discussed the intended audience of the site, what effect they wanted the website to have on that audience, and then about the storytelling of the site. I ended up teaching them the same storytelling methods I've taught my missionary workers, and helping them craft bios that weren't just a list of instruments played, and favorite coffee drinks. I LOVE the moment when the lightbulb goes on in someone's head saying, "Oh! That's how that works!"

I'm glad to see this post encouraging better storytelling in the Church. The Lord knows we need it!

Re: Toward a Definition of Design

Rachel Bastarache Bogan — Tue, 16 Oct 2012 11:31:29 -0000

I'm reminded of two quotes from Charles Eames: "Recognizing the need is the primary condition for design," and "Design is a plan for arranging elements in such a way as best to accomplish a particular purpose."

In their book "Graphic Design: The New Basics," authors Lupton and Phillips share a sketch Eames created to illustrate these ideas. Shapes representing the design need, the client wishes, the designer's creative thought and the negotiation of these elements intersected to form "the finished design".