Digital Mormon

DOCSIS 3.0 is my Friend

2010-03-06T15:52:00.003-07:00

I upgraded my cable modem to the Motorola SB6120. It tripled my speed and "DOCSIS 3.0" is to thanks. Comcast recently adopted DOCSIS 3.0 which bonds multiple channels together. And this modem supports it as well. Check out the results:

New Technology Makes Fiber Optics 10 Times Faster

2009-10-30T16:00:00.001-06:00

Between mid-2008 and mid-2009, international internet traffic grew by 79 percent. That is putting even more of a strain on trans-oceanic fiber optic cables. Alcatel has discovered a way to increase the speed 10 times using the existing fiber lines (Lawson, 2009).

Alcatel is the first to achieve the blazing speed of 15.5 Terabits per second steadily over 7,000 kilometers. That is roughly the distance between Paris and Chicago. They went on to explain that “carrier networks” require speed to be maintained over long distances. The fastest network speeds are best possible over the shorter distances. Carrier networks carry an unbelievably heavy load of data because they aggregate the “traffic from entire countries and regions for transport around the world.”

The researchers for Alcatel attained these speeds by using 155 lasers that each blasted data at the rate 100 Gbps using different wave-lengths. The reason why they were able to transmit at such a speed using so many lasers was because they used digital signal processors (DSPs) in conjunction with their newly developed technology called “coherent detection” versus the current technology called “direct detection”. Coherent detection allows DSPs to “look at more properties of light” allowing them stuff more lasers on a single fiber and still be able distinguish the different wavelengths at the end of the cable.

Alcatel did not use more repeaters to attain this steady speed over 7,000 kilometers, in fact, they used 20% less repeaters. This is despite the fact that optical noise tends to increase parallel to the speed.

Trans-oceanic lines are the main benefactor of this technology because they must runs thousands of kilometers. In addition to running long distances they must aggregate massive amounts data. This upgrade in speed by a factor of 10 is quite the achievement. By reaching 15.5 Tbps over 7,000 kilometers in one fiber pipe, the health of the internet is prolonged. Research such as this is vitally important to the internet across the world. The nodes at the ends of these fiber lines must be consistently upgraded with newer technology or they cannot keep up with the exponential increase in traffic around the world. If technology isn’t upgraded then more fiber lines must be laid which is not economically feasible. This new technology couldn’t have come at a better time.

References

Lawson, Stephen, “Alcatel claims new optical network speed” On-line IT Journal, The IDG Network, 28 Sep 2009, retrieved from http://www.infoworld.com/d/networking/alcatel-claims-new-optical-network-speed-574, September 2009

BYU Marriott School of Management - Information Systems - Denied!

2009-08-01T16:41:00.001-06:00

I must once again report that I was denied -- This time from the Information Systems major. If you look back to my post where I was denied from the BYU Media Arts major you'll see my cynicism toward the decision. I felt I really deserved to get into that major. That was a year ago. My disappointment was quickly over when I discovered the Information Systems major (ISYS) at the Marriott School of Management (BYU). I fell in love with that idea and was eventually was even relieved I didn't go down that film road because now I see that would've been a disaster and definitely not the best decision for me.

I never thought I'd be one of those people who've changed majors multiple times. But sometimes you just have to bear with it. This denial from the Information Systems major was a bit different though. This time I was able to sit down and talk with one of my previous professors, Gary Hansen, and he explained to me that my GPA just isn't competitive. This was surprising to me as I have a good GPA. I like the guy and I tried to convince him that I was the right stuff for the major but he wouldn't budge. Information Technology... here I come!

Imminence of a Technological Paradigm Shift

2009-04-04T16:00:00.015-06:00

We are currently undergoing a paradigm shift. Comcast relies too heavily on the existing infrastructure of coaxial cabling. This crumbling foundation will not survive what is to come. The public knows that digital is a growing necessity and analog is out. Coaxial TV cabling is not only an aging infrastructure; it is one of the few non-digital technologies still in existence. This form of telecommunication will become a thing of the past in less than 10 years. Digital is the new wave –or rather Tsunami coming to crush any companies unprepared or unwilling to embrace the new paradigm. Instead of being crushed by this wave, why not ride it?

Some companies already do. Verizon, for example, has started “Fiber to the Home” or FTTH. As you can see in Figure 1, other countries, such as Japan, France, and Korea to name a few, have embraced this technology and are reaping the benefits. Across Western Europe, 1.4 percent of broadband users are connecting by fiber optics. In Sweden that rose to over 27 percent of its 2.5 million users (ispreview). A big reason for this expansion in other countries is the fact that their governments offer tax breaks to companies who do so (nytimes). As you can see in Figure 2, the United States Government will soon do the same. Good news for those smart enough and willing enough to invest in it.

FTTH is revolutionizing the internet as we know it. Even more, this paradigm shift is encroaching on Comcast’s territory here in the United States. Verizon has monitored what these other countries are doing and has initiated a strategic move in that direction. This means that Verizon will soon offer the United States internet speeds that are much faster and cheaper than Comcast’s. Not only that; they will offer television and telephone entirely bundled together with it. Not just regular TV and telephone: High-Definition TV and free long-distance telephone (in some cases, free international calls). Telephone lines and televisions are quickly becoming superseded by this form of communication and entertainment. Cable cannot handle the bandwidth of all of the digital content now offered. According to Verizon, the United

States now uses one one-hundredth of the bandwidth we did 10 years ago. As such, fiber will soon replace the need for a cable TV jack or Satellite Dish alike. For households, digital jacks will soon take the market. Comcast must invest in its future by embracing and exploit the current paradigm shift for future mass profits. Fiber Optic lines will turn into a cash cow for whoever is willing to put the money down now.

Based on extensive research conducted regarding the telecommunications market and the current Comcast business practices and strategies then, the existence FTTH will prove most detrimental to Comcast’s profitability and growth if nothing is done. What exactly is Comcast doing? Comcast is trying to squeeze everything little bit of speed and profitability out coaxial physically possible. It is somewhat successful.

But as you can see in Figure 3, the max speed of coaxial is hundreds of times slower than fiber. Comcast’s current coaxial can only go short distances in comparison to fiber. Also, as shown in Figure 2, there are additional drawbacks of Comcast’s current coaxial infrastructure. With internet bandwidth requirements increasing exponentially in neighborhoods, businesses are no longer the largest consumer of bandwidth. Coaxial will just not suffice for the coming years even with technology upgrades to the current coaxial infrastructure. Comcast can no longer sit on its cable lines and hope it stays afloat. For our subscribers right now, the fastest and most expensive plans offered are exceeded by even the entry-level speeds offered by fiber optic internet service providers such as Verizon and AT&T. If Comcast does nothing right now, within the next 10 years its customers will have been snatched –neighborhood for neighborhood by these companies who have been willing to invest in this new technology.

Fiber Optic lines are the gift that keeps on giving. Whereas phone lines, cable lines, and Satellite (especially satellite), have little to no room for upgrades. “Fiber to the Home” will take off. As you can see in Figure 4, Asia/Pacific has already taken off in terms of market penetration of FTTH. North America is in its very beginnings. The market penetration for North America will follow Asia/Pacific increasing exponentially. The United States is an untapped resource. Comcast must change its strategy.

Recycle the outdated cable lines and instead offer blazing internet, HDTV, and global telephone service bundled into one. Comcast has the rights and infrastructure to deliver thousands of channels already. It also has access to much of the internet’s speed that is available. With such a huge subscriber base, Comcast could pull this off. Of all the corporations out there, Comcast has the best chance of taking over the market for the long foreseeable future if they invest in FTTH. Installing it in neighborhoods will be relatively seamless for the current subscribers and they will experience dramatic improvements.

Ken Belson. 2009. Unlike U.S., Japan Pushes Fiber Over Profit. The New York Times - Breaking News, World News & Multimedia. http://query.nytimes.com/ (accessed April 12, 2009).

Brad Reed. 2009. Stimulating broadband with fiber. Network World, March 16, 12-13. http://www.proquest.com/ (accessed April 11, 2009).

"EU Tops 1m Fibre (FTTH) Broadband Connections : ISPreview UK News." ISPreview UK - Independent Internet Service Provider Information Source. http://www.ispreview.co.uk/news/EEZkZuppykQJDzGsHM.html (accessed April 11, 2009).

Verizon; Verizon's Fiber-Optic Expertise Is Key Resource at National Fiber Engineering Conference. 2009. Network Business Weekly, April 6, 80. http://www.proquest.com/ (accessed April 4, 2009).

Verizon: A New Way for Deaf or Hard-of-Hearing Customers to Reach Verizon Now Available in Three More States: Delaware, New Jersey and Pennsylvania; High-Speed Video Connection Enables Customers to Communicate Directly With Verizon Representatives Proficient in American Sign Language, and Enhances Video Conference Clarity. 2009. M2 Presswire

April 8 http://www.proquest.com/ (accessed April 4, 2009).

Loring Wirbel. 2008. Broadband gets a wakeup call. Electronic Engineering Times, February 4, 2. http://www.proquest.com/ (accessed April 4, 2009).

Cyber Warfare

2009-01-30T16:58:00.000-07:00

So I've been hearing a lot about cyber warfare lately. I was just wondering what that is...

...but I get it now.

MormonArtist Magazine by Ben Crowder

2008-09-09T00:05:00.042-06:00

A friend of mine, Ben Crowder, the editor and brains behind the exciting new MormonArtist magazine, was kind of enough to allow me in his first issue. His magazine was published just today through MagCloud.com. And he interviewed me about my experience working in TV and Film (which is relatively limited) However, the magazine focuses, in part, on emerging mormon artists. Crowder is sure to make an impression on many lives with this MormonArtist undertaking. This magazine can and will go places. He has already done an excellent job taking in there with this first issue.

You can either buy your fresh own copy or take a free look at the entire magazine. All I can say is I'm very impressed and I highly recommend getting a copy of this first ever issue! Hats off to Ben Crowder.

Link to my interview:

http://mormonartist.net/issue-1/aaron-martin/

Mormon Leadership in Online New Media

2008-05-04T16:05:00.005-06:00

“From the Printing Press to YouTube”

March 27, 2008

The Internet has given religion what no other medium has: a globalized dimension to the world. It is truly the universal source of information. We now live in a world of cyberspace: online breaking news, podcasts and RSS feeds, blogs and wikis, hand-helds and text messaging, video sharing sites such as YouTube and social networks like Facebook; all such tools and devices have been coined as ‘New Media.’ Terry Flew, Associate Professor of Media and Communication at the Queensland University of Technology, has done extensive research in this area and describes ‘New Media’ as capturing “both the development of unique forms of digital media, and the remaking of more traditional media forms to adopt and adapt to the new media technologies” (Flew, 11). Combined with ‘New Media’ or more likely, because of it, the internet has grown at unbelievable rates, multiplying in size of over 265% since 2000. In December 2007, it was estimated that 1.3 billion people use the internet. That is 20% of the human population (internetworldstats.com).

The internet and media alike has always been a two-edged sword for the LDS Church; there is much that cultivates understanding and is very informative, but there is just as much, if not more negativity. This has always stood as a barrier for Mormonism in cyberspace: misinformation. With ever increasing amounts of people accessing the internet, what is the LDS Church doing to counter this literal attack on its values, doctrines, beliefs, and standards?

In a recent discourse given by a member of The Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, the second highest governing body of the LDS Church, Elder M. Russell Ballard, at the BYU-Hawaii Graduation Ceremony, urged all his fellow saints to use “New Media” as a means of supporting the work of the LDS Church. He said that God has influenced people to invent tools that assist in spreading the gospel. He also said that “the [LDS] Church has adopted and embraced those tools, including print, broadcast media, and now the Internet.” They have their course and goals well defined. “The emergence of New Media is facilitating a world-wide conversation on almost every subject including religion, and nearly everyone can participate,” Ballard said. He also pushed for participation in this worldwide conversation:

"That word ‘conversation’ is important. There are conversations going on about the [LDS] Church constantly. Those conversations will continue whether or not we choose to participate in them. But we cannot stand on the sidelines while others, including our critics, attempt to define what the [LDS] Church teaches. While some conversations have audiences in the thousands or even millions, most are much, much smaller. But all conversations have an impact on those who participate in them. Perceptions of the [LDS] Church are established one conversation at a time.”

This comes in response to the many negative and disrespectful ‘conversations’ ensuing on the internet about the LDS Church. It couldn’t have come at a better time in its history, receiving more attention from the news media and on the Internet than it ever has before. These once unnoticed ‘conversations’ have started to define the LDS Church without much input from the Mormons themselves. Ballard’s discourse proves that the worldwide conversation of the LDS Church has reached the point where the LDS Leadership has asked its members to intervene. Or rather, they have been asked to contribute because it will continue on with or without them. Misinformation and misunderstanding are two key hindrances to any organization and the LDS Church is no exception. Ballard went on to tell them to not be afraid of sharing your experiences as Mormons and Christians and that sharing them can help “demystify the church.” This is why this discourse was intended to be more than just a simple encouragement to stick up for themselves and their beliefs; it is a groundbreaking initiative, on part of the LDS Church to bring itself out of obscurity and cultivate understanding of an often misunderstood religion. The only way of effectively achieving that is through reaching the masses. As stated, the use of New Media is the means by which the masses can be reached.

This two-edged sword called New Media is increasingly being used by the LDS Church to turn the tides. Because of their newfound interest in New Media, most especially YouTube, they are paving the way for increased acceptance and understanding. The video sharing website YouTube.com, just celebrated its third birthday in February and continues to grow at phenomenal rates. YouTube allows anyone to upload their own personal videos. The audience is the world and most importantly: it’s free. In fact, YouTube does not make any profits (Yen). This is what drives much of the New Media. In an article by PCWorld in March 2008, Brian Cusack, a YouTube sales team manager said that every day, hundreds of thousands of clips are uploaded and hundreds of millions are viewed. Every month, the site has about 68.5 million unique visitors and 3.7 billion page views. Users spend an average of 54 minutes on the site monthly. And for those that think just college students use YouTube: Cusack said that visitors are spread out fairly evenly among all age groups (PCWorld). The LDS Church is just starting to get its reigns on this media.

Directly before Ballard’s discourse, the LDS Church’s Public Affairs Department, posted eight short dissertations by Ballard, each about one minute long. They focus on simple doctrines. They are much in response to worldwide conversations that have been taking place. Each video’s subject matter is posed in the form of a question as the video title. They have the raw YouTube feel but with much more elegance than usual. The first of which, called “Are Mormons Christians?” shows Ballard sitting in a brown leather chair with a black background speaking shortly of the simple fact that Jesus Christ is the focal point of the LDS Church and that Mormons truly are Christians. This video received an amazing 33,000 views and rising. Others include, “Why Do People Say Mormonism is a Cult?”, “How Do Mormons Differ From Other Christians?”, “How Are Mormon Beliefs Simliar to Other Christians?”, “Does the Church Support Political Candidates?”, “Is There Scientific Proof Authenticating The Book of Mormon?”, “Do Mormons Worship Jesus?”, and “Are Prophets Necessary Today?”. In addition to the eight Ballard videos, six one-minute commercial segments, entitled “Truth Restored” were posted not too long after. Shot in black and white, they have a raw yet elegant feel to them as well, They are regular Mormons converts who are talk shortly about their beliefs in certain topics such as: Conversion, Family, Marriage, and Heaven. Since Ballard’s discourse, more than twenty videos were uploaded by the Public Affairs Department. In terms of length, they range from 18 seconds to 10 minutes. The longest of which, entitled “Mormon Myths and Reality” has received almost 16,000 views. The most recent video, post three days ago, called “Mormon Leader Appeals to Media, to Make Polygamy Distiction”. This has already received almost 3,000 views. There It isn’t just the Mormon Church posting informative material about itself, the members themselves have been posting videos as well. The YouTube username lds9999 has almost 200 Mormon Videos posted, one of which has almost 100,000 views. All of lds9999’s videos have received almost a half-million views. As important as that is, the more interesting thing about these videos is not the content or view count, it is the dates in which they were posted. Username lds9999 joined YouTube 3 months ago, directly after Ballard’s speech. It seems, Ballard’s message really is catching on and affecting hundreds of thousands.

The LDS Church is on track in bringing itself out of obscurity. Whether they be Mormon Parodies or discourses on its doctrines, the Mormons have proven themselves as nothing other than good human beings. So what’s next for the LDS Church and new media? That answer may best be found at MormonWebTV.com.
Ballard, M. Russell. “Using New Media to Support the Work of the Church”. Brigham Young University-Hawaii’s graduation ceremony, 15 December 2007.
Flew, Terry (2002) New Media: an Introduction, Oxford University Press, South Melbourne, pg.11
http://www.pcworld.com/article/id,143074-c,onlineentertainment/article.html
http://www.internetworldstats.com/stats.htm
Yen, Yi-Wyn. “YouTube looks for the money clip.” CNN Money.com. March 25, 2008.

This blog is getting attention?

2008-05-03T13:32:00.005-06:00

The "Mormon Times" section of the Deseret News featured a short list of interesting blogs and blog posts, including mine! I honestly didn't think anyone would care about my random blog posts! Maybe I should watch what I say now? Anyway, the article was listed as the most popular on their website last week when it came out! Here's the link: "Bloggernacle Back Bench: LDS film"

Filmmaking Made Easy

2008-05-03T13:17:00.006-06:00

Three weeks ago, I was interview by the Daily Universe for a low-budget filmmaking article for students. Here's the link: "Filmmaking Made Easy"

Changing LDS Cinema

2008-05-02T20:24:00.010-06:00

Earlier today, I was working with LDS Filmmaker, Christian Vuissa, in his basement office. We are currently in pre-pre-production of his upcoming film "Father In Israel". I say "pre-pre" because we are prepping the office for pre-production! That mainly consists of creating an ongoing organization scheme and also archiving old production stuff from Christian's last film, "The Errand of Angels" (which will soon be in theaters). Anyways, I was putting together some new shelving as Christian walked into the room. He quickly looked around the small room at the many scattered bits of wood, tools, and cardboard, and said with a smile: "You know Aaron, in this basement we are changing LDS cinema."

Bold statement? Yes! But I agree. And that whole time I thought I was just installing shelving... boy did I fail to see the big picture. Mormon independent filmmaking as we know it, is still very much in its infancy. So what are we changing? Honestly, I'm not quite sure...

At any rate, I saw the rough cut trailer for "The Errand of Angels" today and wow... it's going to make a great impression.

UPDATE: The movie title is now "One Good Man". "Father In Israel" was the working title.

BYU Film Major: Two Strikes, You're Out!

2008-04-24T16:49:00.005-06:00

Today is a historic day for me. And here's why. I just received this wonderful email:

April 24, 2008
Dear Applicant,

Thank you for your recent application for admission
as a major or minor to the Media Arts program at Brigham Young University.

We regret to inform you that you have not been accepted into the Media Arts program. Competition for the limited number of student openings is keen. Such decisions are reached after thorough and thoughtful review of the applications while considering the availability of faculty and resources.

You may apply to the program twice. The next application period is Fall 2008. The faculty generally recommends that if you choose to reapply, your new application should reflect serious consideration of the elements of the application, including five creative projects, ten most significant books and films, the film analyses, creative sample and your commentary on the creative sample. The deadline for Fall applications is Nov 10, 2008.

We appreciate your interest in the Media Arts program and wish you success in obtaining your personal and academic goals.

Sincerely,

Theatre & Media Arts Department

This marks my second rejection to BYU's Film Major. I'd go for another rejection but unfortunately two strikes and you're out. No questions asked. And don't expect any feedback because they they refuse to offer it. So where did I go wrong? I guess I'll never know. Maybe one of the faculty has something against me? Maybe there's no logic to it whatsoever? Maybe they draw names out of a hat... that would actually make a lot of sense. Whatever the case, I feel they've made a mistake. It all could have been avoided had they let ME draw from the hat.

So is this the end of the road for all my film aspirations? Of course not! First of all, I don't need a degree to make films. And second of all, I rather enjoy the drama this adds to my normal life.

Low Budget Filmmaking

2008-04-12T18:18:00.003-06:00

I just got interviewed today by Carolyn Haynie from the Daily Universe (BYU newspaper) for an article titled "How to make a low budget film". It was a pleasant talk. She wanted to know the process -geared toward students.

Personally, I've never made a low-budget film; lots of "no-budgets" but nothing with any sort of funding. However, I recently have started working with Christian Vuissa on his upcoming mormon film called "Father In Israel" currently in pre-production. So that will get me some first-hand experience in Low-Budget filmmaking!

Anyways, back to the interview: Like I said, my knowledge on the subject was very limited. Heck, even my application to Film Major was rejected! (I've applied once more... cross your fingers!). Luckily, she didn't mind too much about my lack of in-depth knowledge and/or my minimal credibility as Film Major reject.

Fortunately, I was able to get something out of the interview. As I was talking about Film-Festivals (such as the LDS Film Festival), something CLICKED. (Okay this is really rough...) Film festivals are like Single's Wards: You're on the prowl! That is, at a film festival, there's a mutual attraction between filmmakers and studios/distributors. You don't bring your film to a festival just to entertain the audience, you bring it to attract the studios and distributors. They're are searching for their next success. And you (and your film) are trying to look your best.

UPDATE: The film is now titled "One Good Man". "Father in Israel" was the working title.

Berlin

2008-03-19T13:56:00.000-06:00

For the past two weeks, I have had the opportunity to be one the camera operators for the musical, Berlin. Written by BYU Alum, Erik Orton, it explores post-war Germany. The Berlin Airlift, one the the most amazing Humanitarian Efforts in history, is the main focus of the musical. Now, because I was on the TV production side of things, I will concentrate on things from that perspective.

It is an interesting set-up, because each showing was in the LDS Motion Picture Studio and the audience was very limited -around 100 for each showing (space wouldn't allow for more). The second week of production (this week) doesn't allow for any audience. The set wasn't designed for a great viewing in terms of a live audience. Word on the street is: the only reason they had an audience for the first week was to accomodate season ticket holders who they promised tickets to! (They had originally planned on having the first week be in one of the Theatres in the HFAC on BYU Campus). At any rate, it has the feel of a Broadway Musical but was adapted to television.

During the first week of production, with an audience, there were six widescreen television cameras that were hidden for the most part in the shadows of the set. The first week was shot as if it was a live broadcast. With the audience there, they often looked at one of a few widescreen monitors provided in front of them for better viewing of what they couldn't. Some said they mostly watched the monitors even if they DID have a decent view (which happened rarely).

Now we are in the second week of production and we are shooting scene by scene, opting for a more narrative film production approach: "Quiet on the Set... Action... Cut!" It is an interesting blend of TV and Film production techniques. More on this later!

Wagon Master

2008-03-06T17:05:00.001-07:00

This film brings us to the Utah Territory in the mid 1800s. A group of Mormons are eager to establish a new settlement in the isolated San Juan River territory. They take on young two horse peddlers as wagonmaster to lead their families westward through the Utah desert.

This was distinctively a Western Film yet with a Mormon twist. That perhaps sets it apart from the typical Western. Fortunately, the Hayes Production Code had been in place for some time so the Mormon were not misrepresented as in other Films prior. A western needs a vulnerable people, love story, with the rough and tough hero to save the day. The Mormon settlers were, of course depicted as vulnerable with the Wagonmaster leading them through a series of hostile events. Interestingly enough, we see people of all different backgrounds (whether protagonist or antagonist) forced to rely on each other for survival. We also see the characteristic (and somewhat honest) portrayal of Mormons as a minority who has had troubling clashes with the mainstream. I thought this portrayal was straightforward without anything distracting for a Mormon viewer such as myself.

Trapped by the Mormons (1922)

2008-01-24T16:51:00.000-07:00

Trapped by the Mormons is one of the best glimpses into the way the general public viewed the Mormon Church during the early 20th century, proving to be one of the first ‘Mormonsploitation’ films ever made.

The film portrays a man named as Isoldi Keane as a luring enticer of the Mormon church. Keane is one of the most evil of the missionaries, and he finds himself in the town of Manchester, England to ensnare unassuming girls. He uses his mesmeric powers and hypnotic glare to lure the youthful and pleasing female secretary, Nora Prescott, into his cult of infatuation. His seductive spells convince Nora to invite her fellow female co-workers into the Mormon Church too. Isoldi wishes to kidnap them, bringing them to where the Great Salt Lake meets the Crystal Temple.

After watching this film, I realized just what ignorance existed towards the Mormon faith during that time. For people to think we have hypnotic or even mesmeric powers, is absurd nowadays, yet somehow those fears existed. People are afraid of what they are not familiar with. We have access to any and all information we want in this day and age, so it is difficult to find someone who is afraid of being kidnapped by a Mormon. It is laughable now but it was serious back then.

The Errand of Angels

2008-01-23T15:54:00.000-07:00

This film sets forth a new standard of filmmaking about Mormon missions. Not only was The Errand of Angels a stirring spiritual journey, it was the first to show a mission from the eyes of Sister Missionaries. They hit the nail right on the head. Easily the most accurate missionary film to date.

It begins when Rachel Taylor arrives in Austria to serve a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. As with most missionaries, she began with high hopes and no grip on the language. She experienced culture and personality clashes not only from the country itself but from one of her companions. It realistically depicts these situations without over dramatizing. This goes to heighten the emotions and even the humor. Through these difficulties, she discovers meaning to her purpose in sharing the gospel.

The cinematography was well done. The beautiful country of Austria was well depicted. Many shots were long without cuts in between, lending to the realistic feel of the film. It felt almost documentary-like.

I would recommend this film to anyone wanting an honest and refreshing look at missionary work from the eyes of Sister Missionaries.

My very own blog...

2008-01-17T15:21:00.001-07:00

I guess there's no hiding my thoughts now! Now they're here for the world to see... speaking of that, check out some of my new and old movies that I've posted on YouTube for the world to see.

Disclaimer: Most of these were randomly filmed without script or any planning for that matter!