As a fine art photography student at the Corcoran College of Art + Design I became interested in film. I experimented with the moving image in a conceptual, non-linear form. When I started interning at Stone Soup my eyes were opened to a whole new way of thinking and creating. I quickly realized it’s not only about making an informative video; it’s about understanding the heart of the organization and showcasing the positive affects their hard work has on the community.
When I came to Stone Soup they were working on a film for Life Pieces To Masterpieces, an arts-based after school program for boys and young men living in Northeast DC. I had the privilege of working on this film through its entirety. I can’t even count how many times we returned to Life Pieces to film interviews, b-roll and the various activities the boys were involved in, just to be sure we could show all the amazing things that go on there. I edited footage, clipped interviews and helped create the final video that we presented to the organization. I also began working on the films for Sinai House and the DC Volunteer Lawyers Project.
Working at Stone Soup was definitely not the typical intern experience. I was involved in every step of the process from day one. I gained so much knowledge that I never would have interning elsewhere. Liz is so passionate about what she does; you can’t help but get excited and want to be a part of Stone Soup Films.
Kait Whitehead
Corcoran College of Art + Design 2009
___________________________
As a Media Arts and Design student, with a Digital Video Concentration, going into my final year of undergraduate study at James Madison University, I chanced upon the opportunity to work with Stone Soup Films and am now so glad to have had the experience.
During my time with Stone Soup, I was able to work on several promotional films for non-profit organizations in Washington, DC. My work included the production and post-production of 5 short films for Bread for the City’s website and medical clinic expansion campaign, as well as for videos still in production for the non-profit organization, Life Pieces to Master Pieces.
The projects allowed me the chance to gain further experience behind the camera and with editing footage using Final Cut Pro. It was the perfect opportunity to gain valuable, professional experience while meeting and learning from mentors well established in the industry in a relaxed and creative environment.
I had, to this point, lacked any extensive exposure to non-profit organizations, so this experience really taught me a lot about an area I had known very little about. It is hard to describe the effect it has had on me, but being able to witness and capture the stories of the individuals I had met within these organizations has moved me.
As an aspiring filmmaker, I was given a unique chance to use my skills in an effort to support the work of these organizations, while contributing my own creative input in the shaping of each piece. During the processes I was given the flexibility to truly experiment and develop my skills within the craft, build upon my resume, network, and work to produce a finished professional product for our clients. It was a very valuable and fun experience for me and I feel very fortunate to have had the opportunity to be a part of Stone Soup Films.
Stephen Santayana
James Madison University School of Media Arts and Design
__________________________
I’ve worked a lot of jobs and volunteered for many organizations, but working at Stone Soup Films was one of the best experiences I’ve had. I filmed, interviewed, and edited clips to produce professional quality films for non profit organizations with another intern and Liz Norton (Director of Stone Soup). When I came into the internship, I knew how to edit clips with Final Cut Pro, but had very little experience with interviewing people and filming, especially outside of an academic setting. Luckily, Liz took care of that right away and brought us interns with her out on the field, trusting us to learn quickly, which we did.
This meant I got to learn to set up a microphone system, find appropriate interview space, interact with real people and to learn to take as much B-roll as possible. We were also granted as much responsibility as we wanted and our opinions were genuinely taken into account. Near the final stages of production, the film clips were carefully
critiqued by multiple experts from major channels until a final piece was agreed upon. Throughout all this, we maintained a great atmosphere (and great snacks!) which made the work even more enjoyable.
It was also great to know that our work would actually be useful to someone else and would serve a broader purpose than just improving our resumes.
Erin Rokey
Middlebury College ’10
_______________________
My experience as an intern at Stone Soup was incredible. Coming into the internship with a limited film background, I found Liz to be extremely helpful and very patient. Of course a beginner will make mistakes, but during my time at Stone Soup I never felt afraid to make mistakes. The environment was relaxed and perfect for learning. I was able to learn about shooting, editing, and the tedious yet magical process of how an idea turns into a film. Furthermore, the film projects are fascinating in themselves. I met so many interesting people, visited some amazing places, and was able to see a face of D.C., which I previously knew little about. I am very grateful for this internship and I know that what I learned there will be invaluable in film school.
Brett Joffe
