MCM Call Sheet
August 2008

Dog days of summer

WOOF!

On winter nights, the Romans of ancient times looked at the stars and saw Orion the hunter with his two dogs, Canis Major and Canis Minor. The brightest star in these constellations belongs to Big Dog (Canis Major) and was called Sirius by the Romans. Sirius is also known as the Dog Star.

In summer months in the Northern Hemisphere, Sirius rises and sets with the sun. The Romans believed that the Dog Star added its heat to that of the sun, creating hot, sultry weather or caniculares dies (days of the dogs). Today we call them dog days.

(http://wilstar.com/dogdays.htm)

Dog days also refer to a period of inactivity or stagnation.

Are you experiencing VIDEO DOG DAYS?
Want to make a video but can’t quite feel it? In a creative slump?
Is it too hot to think?

Try taking the
MCM DOUBLE DOG DARE DOG DAYS VIDEO CHALLENGE!

WOOF!

What it is: Submit a short, complete, ready to air video (2 to 5 minutes).
The video must include at least one shot of a dog.
Entries must be submitted to MCM no later than September 6.
First, second, third and runner up prizes will be awarded.
All videos will air on MCM.

Prize winners will be announced Tuesday Sept. 16.

FOCUS ON: Travis Fahy and Jake Mealue

Two of MACA High School’s most promising students are Jake Mealue and Travis Fahy, who are also two of MCM’s most enthusiastic volunteers. They consented to an interview one afternoon at the studio.

Liz: What brought you to MCM?
Jake: Our counselor at MACA recommended us. We were recognized as talented videographers in our after school video club.
Travis: And we got hooked up with John’s church (First Presbyterian Church, McMinnville).

Jake and Travis both work on Listening for the Gospel, produced by Neale Povey.

Liz: Why did you choose MACA for your high school?
Travis: It was something different, a smaller school. I like the focus on technology.
Jake: I wanted to study video. And girls.

The boys, friends since 5th grade had signed up for the video program at Duniway Middle School but couldn’t get into the popular class taught by Brent Fodge. They ran the school store instead.

Liz: What did you do last year at MACA?
Jake: I did video first; wrote scripts and learned how to do a news show (which aired on Fox News).
Travis: I learned animation during the first semester and made a paper animation film.

Other video projects the boys worked on were a video PSA for YCAP, a brochure about Chernobyl, and various websites.
MACA’s focus is to prepare students for careers in media.

Liz: What have you learned through your experience at MCM?
Jake: More camerawork. We learned way more about editing.
Travis: I learned how to direct (he directs Listening for the Gospel, a multiple camera studio show)
Jake: We’re also producing shows; the car and airplane show, Turkey Rama (with fellow MACA student Dillon Goodman and MHS pal Casey)

Liz: What would you say about MCM to other students?
Travis: We have told all our close friends.
Jake: It’s a good place to come and learn. I got to fly in a plane, and ride in a cool Model A (perks of working on Povey’s airplane show) I would definitely recommend MCM because you have way more access to gear…
Travis: I definitely plan to stay involved during high school years.

Liz: Challenges for you?
Travis: Directing.
Jake: Side projects (independent projects).

Liz: Future plans?
Travis: I want to be a lead designer for a game company. I have a student version of Maya and I work on that.
Jake: I want to write, direct and act in my own films, or be a news anchor.

What is MACA? http://www.msd.k12.or.us/schools/MACA/default.htm

The Media Arts & Communications Academy is a new small high school for McMinnville School District students.
MACA is:
• students, parents, teachers, and community members coming together to do high school differently
• education tied to the community and rigorous enough to prepare students for college
• support for students to achieve their goals
• a small school where students and staff know each other
• a school where digital media are used for teaching and learning in every class

McMinnville Community Media: Educate, Participate, Communicate

Please note:
July 1st is the beginning of our new fiscal year. Activities fees for 2008-09 are due.

Individual $35
Organization $100

Thanks for your support of community media!

MCM: Local voices, local television.