While there isn’t much to report from the Filmosity offices, I’ll give you a quick overview of what I’ve been up to.

• Part Time Vagabond has been going well. I’ve started doing video productions for the blog, and have been in talks to do some interviews and instructional videos for upcoming posts. The site is something that I’m pretty proud of, but of course, I’m always looking to do more and expand the reach of it.
• Teaching at Maine College of Art was canceled for the fall semester. After speaking with administrators, we set up the Citizen Journalism class for the Spring 2010 semester. Course information is available here.
• No news from the National Park Service on the Inside Ellis Island podcasts. If I hear any news, I’ll let you know.
• I’ve been working on making connections at several non-profits and nature conservancies to learn about the status of their public relations, marketing, and video productions needs.

And that’s all the news. I’m currently debating the next steps for Filmosity Productions. It’s not an easy time in the economy, and the need for video productions has dropped dramatically, while people attempting to enter the field has increased. My goal is to determine a path for the company that is less traveled but more likely to keep us making content. Stay tuned for more as we move forward!

Inside Ellis Island episode 2 – BSI: Board of Special Inquiry is complete. This one, shot by the National Park Service staff at Ellis Island, includes a re-enactment of a Board of Special Inquiry. BSIs were held when an immigrant had medical or legal problems that required further review beyond the initial inspection they recieved when coming through the station.

Again, I’m not sure when this episode will be available, but I’ll post all the info here as soon as I know. It looks like my contact at Ellis Island is moving to a new job soon, so I’m hoping this happens soon. Stay tuned….

I just received word today that I’ve got more footage coming for another episode of Inside Ellis Island. This one is not shot by me, but I’ll be putting some finishing touches on the edit. This is a new experience for me, as I did none of the production, and instead I’ll essentially be doing what’s called an “online edit,” where I polish up the rough cut and make the piece shine!

Episode 1 of Inside Ellis Island has been complete for awhile now, and it should be available soon through the National Park Service’s website for Ellis Island National Monument, though I have yet to receive word of a release date. As soon as I know, you’ll know too! Episode 2 is awaitng some additional archive footage, and then I can online it and send it out for approval.

Stemming from my own years-old desire to get a tattoo, I’ve begun work on a video podcast cum feature length movie. Stories in Ink will not only chronicle my journey (and it is, and has been, a journey to be sure) to get my first tattoo, but more importantly, a documentation of the stories behind the tattoos many of my friends, colleagues, and acquaintances have gotten over the years.

One of the more permanent body modifications, tattooing has very strong roots with deep meaning for many people. For some, it’s an expression of who they think they are at a given point in their lives. For others, it’s simply a work of art they can display on their bodies. And for a few, the reasons behind getting a tattoo remain a mystery no one but they will ever know. Whether spiritual, religious, artistic, or just plain stupid, the reasons for getting inked are numerous and varied. In my path toward my first tattoo, I’ll talk to people about their tattoos, gaining insight into why one would want to modify their body in such a permanent, and many times, beautiful way.