At the 2014 ASTE conference, I spent a fast-paced 6.5 hours with Mr. Larry Jordan learning some of the tools and tricks for Final Cut Pro X. I chose this class because I am helping two local filmmakers in Valdez (SEED Media) to edit the footage they captured with students in the spring of 2013. I set this documentary film project in motion in February 2013 when I realized that we had an amazing opportunity to film this school (built in 1965) and interview key community members before the school was torn down in June, 2013. I organized funding for this project ($10,000 from sources including the City of Valdez, Alyeska Pipeline Service Company, Copper Valley Telecom, and private donors) and helped with the logistics of six full days of filming with a small team of middle school students and SEED media filmmakers Thomas Tapp and Jorge Arcinega. Last May, I purchased my own copy of Final Cut Pro X so that I could learn how to edit and create video pieces at a higher quality than iMovie projects.
Last week, this project was highly ranked for an Alaska Humanities Forum grant, but it did not receive funding due to a high volume of quality applications for the AKHF grants. I am now searching for funding for the final editing phase of this project so that we can complete the film and have a "red carpet premier" event when the new middle school opens in early September, 2014. Using Final Cut Pro X and the lessons I learned from Mr. Larry Jordan, I am doing some preliminary editing work and "scrubbing" the footage to find the best segments and quotes for the final movie. When I am stuck, I can always refer to Mr. Jordan's extensive online collection of video tutorials about Final Cut Pro X. I hope that ASTE continues to bring Mr. Jordan to this annual conference so that other educators can overcome the "intimidation factor" about using Final Cut Pro X and use this powerful program to teach students how to create high quality films.
What a great opportunity to record history! I applaud your willingness to take advantage of the moment and exert the time and energy to enrich the record of the history of Valdez, a most gorgeous place on our earth!
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