From Hope to Expectation (2024)
Synopsis: Khrysten Sears Spencer recounts her time going to the University of Florida as an MFOS recipient with an eight-month old baby alongside her. Now, eighteen years later, her baby Allannah is attending the same university as her mother.
Role(s): Editor, Camera Operator
Year: 2024
Editing
There is nothing as lovely as someone gifting you their story and trusting you to tell it respectfully and right. Editing this piece was a treat because there were so many parts to tell, so it almost felt like a puzzle in making sure it all fit. I admittedly spent a long time in trying to find the right music track, because I genuinely cannot edit without it! And the track I ended up using fits so well (it's almost hard to believe that it was technically the first one I found). I tried out a few before going back to the original track. Always trust your gut, people!
Shooting
The Canon C70 was the predominant camera used for this project, and the Canon R5 was used for the few shots in the store and the photos. I shot the majority of the piece and had direct control of the campus b-roll and the inside of the dorm room (although, I went with a more documentary vibe in certain settings). I would be remiss to not mention that my esteemed colleague Brenton Richardson shot the Belle Glade exterior shots, as well as operated the other camera in the two interview shoots we had. He and I both worked on assembling three-point lighting for each interview, and we both got establishing shots of Lake Okeechobee (his being the time lapse in the end and mine being the opening shot). It was a real team effort!
