I recently had my film reviewed on the popular and highly respected independent film website, Short Films Matter. It was truly an honor to get such a positive review. As an artist, when you put out your work to the public and they understand the message, there is nothing more powerful. The review was extremely detailed and reading it makes me feel so respected.

You can see the full review here: The Power of Choice Review on Short Films Matter

If you'd like to book me for your next shoot email [email protected]

It's been awhile since I posted. I became an educator for four years teaching film production in South Central Los Angeles at the high school level. I learned more than I could ever imagine. I was able to use my creativity to design lesson plans and effectively teach young people how to tell stories. It was an honor. At the same time, I missed telling stories through my own films. I left teaching in the classroom for now, but I have my Arts, Media and Entertainment CTE teaching credential so I can always go back. For the past year I've been busy creating two of my own films and am working on a third soon. Not bad for my first year back!

There are several steps to create a documentary. Having a thirst for knowledge is definitely a must. Having a desire to share knowledge with others is key as well. If you don't have a team of people you are working with, it is still possible to create a film!

Below are the steps I take as a ONE PERSON TEAM with NO BUDGET!

1. COMING UP WITH AN IDEA

2. RESEARCHING THE SUBJECT, WHETHER IT'S A DOC ABOUT A PERSON OR A POLITICAL MOVEMENT, YOU SHOULD HAVE AN IDEA OF YOUR SUBJECT BEFORE YOU DIVE IN.

3. FIGURING OUT WHAT YOU WANT PEOPLE TO KNOW ABOUT THE SUBJECT BY THE END OF THE FILM.

4. DECIDING ON A DOCUMENTARY STYLE. WILL IT BE AN EXPOSITORY, OBSERVATIONAL, POETIC, PERFORMATIVE, PARTICIPATORY, REFLECTIVE DOCUMENTARY OR ANOTHER STYLE?

5. WRITING YOUR SCRIPT. I WRITE A BROADCAST STYLE SCRIPT. IT INCLUDES: TEXT ON SCREEN, IF ANY. B-ROLL IMAGES/VIDEO, VOICEOVER WITH THE WRITTEN SCRIPT AND THE TIME EACH SCENE TAKES WITH THE VOICEOVER.

6. GETTING ALL OF YOUR PRODUCTION EQUIPMENT IN PLACE. THIS INCLUDES: CAMERAS, LENSES, SOUND EQUIPMENT LIKE LAVALIER MICS.

7. GATHERING FOOTAGE, SHOOTING YOUR OWN OR STOCK

8. DOING INTERVIEWS WITH EXPERTS IF IT IS NECESSARY

9. DOING THE VOICEOVER AND FINDING MUSIC

10. EDITING IT ALL TOGETHER!

It's been awhile since I have written a blog post, I have been quite the busy bee here at Naheedence Photographic. As some of you may know I've been a full-time freelance photographer and videographer since 2006*

Now I have earned my first position as a full-time video production teacher! I am ready to share my knowledge with students. I remember my first cinema study class in high school. It really opened up my eyes, no pun intended, to the power of visual communication. After shooting my first short films I was hooked! I studied journalism and photography in college and the rest is history.

It's been quite the ride and I will share my experiences as a teacher on my blog, and my photography and videography.

I have heard teaching is like running a marathon, hopefully I will be on the winning end! (Eventually ;) I feel so lucky to have had hundreds of devoted clients through the years. I am so grateful and excited for this new adventure in my life.

Longterm I am hoping to hold photography and video workshops at my studio in the summer. I am still available for seasonal assignments, commissions and special projects. 

Cheers!

*Full-time except for when I raised my daughter for 2 years. During that time I worked part-time.