Banking on Buckeye Short Doc

It has been a wonderful experience this past month working with Julian Khan and Carlie Freeman of Neighborhood Connections to produce the mini documentary, “Banking on Buckeye: Rallying for Huntington Bank,” for Khan’s media outlet A Greater Buckeye. This is the first episode in a series of thoughtful counter-narratives of resiliency, hope, and unlikely connections realized in the Greater Buckeye neighborhood of Cleveland, OH.

We are grateful that this story about neighbors rallying together to keep a bank in their neighborhood has received attention from local community members and media organizations. Communicating efforts like these through filmmaking are incredibly important for the movement towards community resilience and sustainability, and we look forward to filming the next episode!

Director, Videographer, and Editor: Michael W. Chopra

Drone Operator: Evan Prunty

Production Assistant: Molly Marquette

Full episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FdSKOZoX874

See the story from Cleveland.com: https://www.cleveland.com/news/2024/07/residents-push-to-get-huntington-to-reopen-buckeye-shaker-branch-now-featured-in-documentary.html

Blu-Ray Deals (7-19-24)

Are you tired of movies disappearing from streaming platforms? So are we! That's why we started our own Blu-ray collection, and we're here to help you start yours too. Every week, we'll be hunting down the best Blu-ray deals for you. This week's theme is Girlhood. Here are our top picks:

1. A League of Their Own - $9.00

   • This classic film about the first female professional baseball league stars Geena Davis and Tom Hanks.

2. The Virgin Suicides (The Criterion Collection) - $24.99

   • A haunting tale about five sisters living under the strict rule of their religious parents.

3. Barbie - $14.98

   • Everyone's favorite doll comes to life in this enchanting film.

4. Spencer - $5.99

   • Kristen Stewart stars in this gripping portrayal of Princess Diana's struggles during her divorce from Prince Charles.

5. Little Women - $9.00

   • Follow the lives of Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy as they journey from childhood to adulthood in this beloved classic.

6. Priscilla - $7.50

   • Explore the life of Priscilla Presley and her transformative relationship with Elvis.

We hope these selections pique your interest! Let us know if there's a genre or theme you'd like us to explore next week. Check out the comments for links to these fantastic deals!

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Amaran Spotlight SE: Unleashing Creativity on a Budget

Step into the world of creative illumination with our latest video featuring the Amaran Spotlight SE. In this unboxing and review, we take a closer look at this budget-friendly lighting tool that promises to add a sharp and distinctive edge to your photography or videography. Let's delve into the key highlights and applications showcased in the video.

The video opens by introducing the Amaran Spotlight SE, emphasizing its affordability at around $335 (with potential discounts). Despite its budget-friendly price tag, this lighting tool boasts powerful features that make it stand out in the market. Highlighted in the unboxing is the variety of GOGOs or cookies that come with the Amaran Spotlight SE.

One of the standout features of the Amaran Spotlight SE is its focus control. Users have the ability to adjust the sharpness or softness of the light, allowing for precise control over the visual impact of their shots.

The video demonstrates how the four cutters can be used to direct light in specific ways. Whether it's top, bottom, left, or right, these cutters provide a level of precision that is essential for creative lighting setups.

The Amaran Spotlight SE proves to be a practical tool for bouncing light in tight spaces. The video showcases scenarios where this feature can be utilized effectively, offering a creative solution for photographers or videographers working in smaller environments.

A highlight of the Amaran Spotlight SE is its ability to create unique shapes and looks. The included tray for changing looks, along with the option to customize lenses, opens up a world of creative possibilities for users looking to add a distinctive touch to their visuals.

As we continue exploring innovative tools for photographers and videographers, stay tuned for more exciting content. Don't forget to like, subscribe, and share your thoughts in the comments section – your journey into creative lighting starts here!

Audio-Technica AT2040 vs Elgato Wave DX (Head to Head)

Welcome to another exciting episode of "Head to Head" on Black Valve! In this installment, we're putting two fantastic microphones up against each other: the Audio-Technica AT2040 and the Elgato Wave DX. Both of these mics come in at an MSRP of around $100, but they can often be found on sale for approximately $90, making them excellent value choices, especially for those starting their podcasting journey. The AT2040 from Audio-Technica is known for its affordability and great sound quality, and we'll take a closer look at its build, features, and performance. It's a solid option for podcasters on a budget, offering a compact design that's suitable for both audio and video podcasting.

On the other side, we have the Elgato Wave DX, which surprised us with its audio quality and build. Elgato, not typically associated with audio equipment, has crafted a winner here. It's a compelling choice, particularly for those just starting out in the podcasting world, with its impressive sound quality and plosive rejection. We also present a mystery mic challenge in this episode, where our team compares the two microphones and shares their thoughts on their performance. Which mic will come out on top?

Join us for the exciting showdown and let us know your thoughts in the comments! Don't forget to like this video if you found it informative and subscribe to Black Valve for more insightful comparisons and reviews. If you have any questions or suggestions, feel free to drop them in the comments section below. Thanks for watching, and we'll see you in the next episode of "Head to Head"!

Links to the Mics: Elgato Wave DX https://amzn.to/3rWH2RP

Audio-Technica AT2040 https://amzn.to/3ZYZIgA