The only state to have been carved from within the borders of another, the history of West Virginia’s capitols is filled with political intrigue and drama. The capitol moved six times as the seat of government shifted between Wheeling and Charleston. It was destroyed twice by fire and rebuilt as a splendid monument in the throes of the Great Depression.

“West Virginians take a great deal of pride in our magnificent state capitol building,” said Diana Sole Walko, president of MotionMasters. “I was quite surprised no one had ever done a documentary on it. This one is rich in detail — and it was very difficult to keep it under an hour in length.”

You can also learn about the fascinating history of this landmark by visiting the website produced in conjunction with the video at http://www.movingmonument.org/.

Marshall University has given me some fantastic opportunities to work with creative teams in video and audio production. I have worked on “Up Late with Jamie LoFiego,” a student-produced late-night sketch/comedy talk show, where I operated in-studio cameras, wrote and acted in sketches, worked with post-production editing, and took part in directing.

I am also involved with the campus radio station, WMUL-FM. There I have dedicated time to the news and music staff, and have been an on-air anchor and DJ since my freshman year. I’ve also held the position of Traffic Director and am looking forward to being Music Director next semester.

My other hobbies include creative writing in all manner of shapes and forms. My work has been published in the literary magazine Et Cetera.

I’ve always identified myself as a storyteller, and sought out new and different ways to engage others in the process. I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to expand my creative horizons here at MotionMasters with an incredible group of people.

The video, “Generations” is a favorite piece.  Habitat International used segments of it at an annual event, it prompted a book about Habitat kids, and now, another follow-up story.  Read about it online,  and then view the video.

There is no doubt about how Habitat is transforming the lives of the homeowners.

Veronica Victor is a junior at Shepherd University and is majoring in Communications and Digital Media with a Digital Filmmaking concentration.  She has already produced a number of videos on her YouTube channel, http://www.youtube.com/user/zinnycat1597.

She will be assisting the staff here at MotionMasters with everything from project planning and remote location shooting to editing and digital media production.  Take it away Veronica!

 “Before attending Shepherd University to focus on communications and digital film making, I discovered my passion for making movies through creating my own film projects. To date, I have created and collaborated in over 250 video projects, 190 of which are available on my YouTube channel. I have worked on many different kinds of original projects, including music videos, skits, shorts and vlogs.

In these projects I have: directed, acted, filmed, edited, written scripts and produced as well as having worked with costumes, props and sets.

In addition to film-making, I am interested in art and photography (my minor) as well as theatre. I have worked on and off stage in my high school and college theatre troupes. I am currently a member of the Rude Mechanicals in Shepherdstown, WV. I have been a part of seven stage productions to date (four with the Rude Mechanicals) and look forward to participating in future shows.

Film-making, as well as photography, art and theatre, are outlets for me to express myself. I am very passionate about my projects and truly enjoy the creative process.”

Veronica will be joined by Bennet Siffrin, a senior Journalism and Mass Communmications student at Marshall University.  More about him next time.

The Easter Bunny posing as our marketing director, Christa Hamra, greeted some lucky MotionMasters clients today. She was handing out baskets of goodies including freshly baked chocolate chip cookies and banana nut bread from the kitchen of our own prized chef and business manager, Pat Legg. Christa delivers goodies to some of our clients… and future clients every month. Let’s get cooking on your next production!

It’s time for the snow to stop and warm weather to arrive. As the season changes don’t forget a trip to the Habitat Restore. As one of the funding initiatives for Habitat for Humanity it not only raises money but helps the environment by reducing landfill waste. We at MotionMasters have a special place in our hearts for all the good that Habitat does. In fact, one of our cherished memories is producing a video about the impact Habitat has had on several families. It was even incorporated into a Habitat International video and inspired a book! See what a profound impact home ownership has upon lives—especially the lives of children.

View the video

Learn more about Habitat and the Restore.

Happy Groundhog Day!

Tough assignment, but when Executive Producer Tad Walden asked us to shoot and edit a 20-minute video for AKC Gun Safety, we were on a plane in a flash. Some of you may remember Tad from his days as an AE at CRA, but now Tad’s work as an independent producer and entrepreneur takes him around the world—he called the other day to check on the AKC project from Prague.

The finished video is for hunters and people who put their gun dogs through field trials. The AKC does about 1600 field events each year and following a basic code of conduct ensures safety for all: handlers, owners, dogs and spectators.

We shot gunning practices specific to retrievers, pointing breeds and spaniels and everyone performed beautifully. Especially the dogs.

Videographer Wesley Poole said that one spaniel was so fast in flushing game that he couldn’t follow him with the camera. That’s the thing with dogs—when they’ve got a job to do—they do it. So do we.

YouTube is cracking down on unauthorized usage with its ContentID system. Content ID checks the audio and video in a posted production against a database of protected content. If it finds a match, you’re busted. You can be prevented from monetizing the video (if you’ve authorized ads) or even from publishing it at all.

We have an entire library of music backgrounds for your video productions that won’t get you sued by the Stones—or anyone else for that matter.

Hip, Historic, Almost Heaven- Charleston, WV.
Check it out! The new Charleston WV CVB video is hot out of the editing suite at MotionMasters and made its debut today at a press conference at Yeager Airport. Truly a hometown, home-team effort, the entire staff of MotionMasters worked with everybody at CVB (and Mayor Danny Jones) to put together 4 versions of “Hip, Historic, Almost Heaven—Charleston, WV.” Three of the versions featured specific pitches to groups the CVB is working to entice to the capital city. So far, so good—the pitch to the US Marine Corps League landed its 2014 annual conference in Charleston! Oo-rah!