Spotlight Blog #2 Rough Draft - Questionnaires only

Awesome Questionnaire

Nathalie F.

Eliza B.

Naomi M.

Nico D.

DC: What department are you in?

Nico: Programming& Traffic
Naomi: Marketing
Nathalie: Development & Hospitality
Eliza: Hospitality

DC: Position/Job Title?

Eliza:
Nico: Programming and Traffic Assistant in Charge of Archiving, Submissions Processing & Reports
Naomi: Social Media Assistant
Nathalie: Awards Coordinator
Eliza: Outreach Coordinator

DC: Did you choose your position? If not, why do you feel that you were chosen for it?

Nico: No. I began as a systems manager, but as I took on more organizational duties my job title expanded in an attempt to include those roles. My job title has more syllables than my job description. I’m still a systems manager, my only responsibility is to create and curate systems for the smooth operation of Visions4.
Naomi: I was given the position, but I also had the option of choosing between two other positions.
Nathalie: Kinda. I was chosen because I have great organizational skills as well as communication skills in order to ask for donations from businesses.
Eliza: I was given a couple of choices within the hospitality department and I chose Outreach because I felt that it would offer me the most personal growth; being that I feel socially awkward but can function well when I have to for a job.

DC: What has been your most difficult task this semester? Your favorite?

Difficult:
Nico: I have most difficulty treating the class as a class. Whether it’s something I’m asked to do or the specific way in which I’m asked to complete a task, there are several things asked of me that are neither constructive to the event nor to myself as an organizer of the event, but I have to complete these tasks for assignment grades.

“I need you to do a presentation, because, this time around, I only have one presentation grade for you.”

Naomi: Blogging. I squirm at the thought of it and I wish that it were an optional thing for this class. Its been a real struggle.
Nathalie: It has been hard not getting responses from companies as well has getting concrete nos. I keep trying to contact new businesses but at times I can’t find enough smaller businesses.
Eliza: Planning the Film Kid Mixer, just because it was my first major task, pretty immediately after I joined the class. I had never planned an “official” event before and I was really nervous that it wouldn’t be successful.

Favorite:

Nico: My favorite task this semester has been running reports and forms for the class. I know how to do it, and I can do it quickly – sometimes during class for the benefit of constructive debate.
Naomi: My favorite task? Tweeting on The Twitter. All day. Everyday.
Nathalie: When I receive a donation! It is the best cause I know that the recipient will be very pleased.
Eliza: Also planning the Film Kid Mixer. Although it was difficult and anxiety producing, the outcome was so satisfying. It made me feel very accomplished and much more comfortable with in my abilities as an event planner.

DC: What advice would you give for the next person to fill your position (individually/as a department)?

Nico: There will be times when it feels like you have to make a final call on something important: “How are we storing our files?” “How are we compiling info on our submissions?” etc. If  you have the fortitude to make those calls, all the better, but, remember, you are never alone in this, and any feedback is helpful. If you’re really concerned, tell Shannon and your AD or Director that you want to bring it to the class as a presentation for feedback.
Naomi: Listen to the higher ups! Be sassy! B.U.
Nathalie: I started off Emailing, then waited for responses to then call a couple weeks later. If I could go back I would have Emailed & Called at the same time. People trust more if they can hear your voice!
Eliza: You can never plan too much, and you can never do too much research. Also remember that it is okay to ask to for help, and you probably should.

DC: Where do you feel that your team has contributed the most to V4, so far (individually/departmentally)?

Nico: The Google drive system makes it easy to share ideas and information. The Google calendar system allows people a platform to coordinate efficiently. The group-contact files that I created both semesters saves everyone a lot of time and mental space clicking in or memorizing contact info. The Visions archive system offers fast and easy access to any past visions files. The abstract and film grading rubrics which helped to critically analyze films and abstracts, and allowed me to easily compile reports for rigorous debate in class, which I think leads to better programming.
Naomi: Definitely in getting people to come to our events and spreading the V4 gospel. 
Nathalie: Overall we have brought in a lot of money for other departments to utilize. We are in charge of making sure that the filmmakers have an enjoyable and memorable experience after leaving!
Eliza: I don’t even know. I feel like all the departments are part of this machine, and if any cog or pully doesn’t work, the whole machine will mess up. A lot of my department’s job will come the day of, but so far I think we’ve provided a great foundation for making the filmmakers and scholars feel good and at home. As far as my own contributions, I think they’ve been helpful, but it’s really not something I’ll see the fruit of until the actual event. So, I hope everyone shows up.

DC: What are you looking forward to most during V4 FF&C?

Nico: I’m looking forward to meeting our filmmakers and scholars and seeing what sorts of dialogue evolves out of having three groups of people in the same place: filmmakers, scholars, and festival producers.
Naomi: Taking everyone’s mug shot.
Nathalie: Well this isn’t fair since my film was accepted and will be starting off the film screenings, so that will definitely be something I’m looking forward to! Aside from that, handing out the awards at the end should be really fun!
Eliza: Everything! I’m not even really sure. Just seeing all of the hard work pay off, seeing everything fall into place. I’m honestly not sure I’ll have enough time the day of to reflect on what I expected, but I’m expecting it to be crazy and awesome.

DC: What part of V4 are you most proud of (individually/departmentally/VISIONS as a whole)?

Nico: The Google drive system. Without this system, everything slows down. At times the platform works well enough that some class activities almost become formalities. Also, the way in which I’ve set up the folders allows departments and individuals the flexibility to make the system work for them within the framework I designed, and gives me the chance to easily monitor how files are being stored and correct any errors caused by the misuse of the system.
Naomi: I’m absolutely amazed by how a group of students can come together and put together a functional/ freakin’ badass film festival and conference. Everyone in this class wants to see Visions grow into something that the community will be proud of, and that's what drew me into deciding to be a part of Visions; I get the chance to collaborate with a group of hard-working students who all share a love for Film.
Nathalie: I think just how we all work together as a team and have turned, what could be a class, into a full on festival that we all truly care about.
Eliza: Pulling off my mixer, getting over what we expected from the bakesale, finally figuring out programming, and (hopefully) seeing everything work out at the actual event.