Meet Alisa from the UX team + Max, Content Producer for Rural Action: Watershed Restoration

Meet Alisa Kessler!

Alisa is working with Project C team members to make the user experience the best it can be! She is a senior in the School of Visual Communication at Ohio University.

Hometown: Oakwood (Dayton), Ohio

What is your favorite part of working on Project C?

"My peers. It's a really good group of smart, creative students that make getting along and learning from each other come easy! They've all been very supportive."

Where is your favorite place to spend an afternoon in Athens?

"I spend so much of my time in my apartment, but on nice days when I find time, I love relaxing on college green."

What is your favorite restaurant in Athens?

"Athens has great food to offer. I love getting Big Mama's Burritos, Slovaki's, and O'Betty's on late nights out. I eat a lot of Jimmy John's, too. Insomnia Cookies is banging. Casa is great and I'm going to try Salaam this weekend!"

Describe your dream job:

"I would love to design for a professional sports team, preferably the NFL or NBA."

If you could have one superpower, what would it be and why?

"I'd love to be able to jump from one spot to the next, kind of like a time warp in the sense that I can go to one place to another in the blink of an eye. That way I could be wherever I wanted and do whatever makes me happiest."

Do you prefer the toilet paper to roll from the top or the bottom?

"Oh my gosh, definitely from the top, do not get me started on how annoying it is to grab toilet paper that's rolled from the bottom, smh!"

Where was your first job?

"Working in the annex of the Dorothy Lane Market corporate office, helping the graphic designer and IT guy. It wasn't that fun for a 15 year old so I ended up moving into the actual grocery story and worked as an associate."

The most valuable advice you’ve ever received?

"Everything that happens, happens for a reason."

Do you volunteer anywhere? 

"I volunteer at Possum Creek Stables, it's a horse boarding facility. I manage annual horse shows for their boarders and other volunteers. I love doing it because of how happy it makes everyone and they turn out to be so much fun!"

When was the last time you were nervous?

"Today. I always worry myself with the smallest things, I'm capable of making myself nervous over anything."

Where in the world is Carmen Sandiego?

"In San Diego, California, duh."

If you were an Adobe Creative Suite program, which one would you be and why?

"Photoshop, because I'm working in it all the time!"

Were you named after anyone?

"My first name isn't, but my middle name, Iris was named after my mom's mother who was so excited to meet me, but unfortunately passed away from cancer shortly before I was born."

Meet Max Rodriguez! 

Max is a full-time CreMedian, but when he's working with the Project C team he is producing content featuring Rural Action: Watershed Restoration. He is finishing up his senior year at Ohio University, studying Video Production in the School of Media Arts & Studies. 

Hometown: Pittsburgh, PA

What is your favorite part about working on Project C?

"Honestly I like driving to Trimble. Its probably one of the more relaxing commutes around here and it always get me in the zone to shoot."

Favorite memory in Athens/Ohio University:

"There are too many to count. I've been in the Scott Quad lab for a good 50 percent of my college career and I miss having everyone in there that graduated in 2011 working late into the night and goofing around."

Where is your favorite place to spend an afternoon in Athens?

"The roof right outside my bedroom."

What is your favorite restaurant in Athens?

"Union Street Diner Baby!"

Do you have any hidden talents?

"I can speak like Donald Duck"

The most valuable piece of advice you’ve ever received?

"All we have to do is decide what to do with the time that is given to us."

What’s the #1 most played song on your iTunes right now?

"1986" by Big K.R.I.T.

If you were an Adobe Creative Suite program, which one would you be and why?

"I'd be Final Cut Pro because Adobe Creative Suite programs are too conformist"

Three words that describe you best:

Jedi. Ninja. Pirate.

What are your favorite things to do in your free time?

"I like to catch up on my research, AKA sit around and browse Vimeo, music videos, and listen to some new music."

More of the Project C A-Team: Meet Ryan + Natalie

Meet Ryan Young!

Ryan is a senior studying photojournalism in the School of Visual Communication at Ohio University. He is a videographer producing content for United Campus Ministry. Ryan has held internships across the midwest; this summer he is taking his talents to the District Capital, working for The Washington Times. Follow Ryan on Twitter: @RMLYphoto

Hometown: Sylvania, Ohio

Favorite memory in Athens/Ohio University: 

"I have the best group of friends in the world, so every time we hang out it's a new favorite memory. I know it sounds like a cop out, but it's true!"

What is your favorite part of working on Project C? 

"Just the fact that there is a very tangible incentive for these organizations to let us in to their lives. A lot of times in the world of documenting it feels as though all you do is take, so it's nice to know that we're helping to give back with Project C."

What is your favorite restaurant in Athens? 

"Tough call...but I'm going to have to go with Ali Baba's gyro buggy."

What do you think has been the greatest invention in the last ten years? 

"Smart phones are so incredible, but I also kind of hate them at times so I'll say smart phones are simultaneously the best and worst invention of the last 10 years."

Do you have any hidden talents? 

"An encyclopedic ability to memorize song lyrics--If you could even call that a talent."

What is the most valuable advice you’ve ever received?

"There's no sense in fixating on how problems occurred, it's better instead to focus on how to fix them…or something like that."

If you could be any fictional character, who would you choose? 

"Spiderman. I've already got the photographer aspect down. So, I've been hanging outside of Clippinger Laboratories waiting for my radioactive spider... "

What’s the #1 most played song on your iTunes right now? 

"Summer Skin" by Death Cab For Cutie

What are your favorite things to do in your free time? 

"Hang out with friends, golf with friends, make music with friends, go to the beach with friends, go to concerts with friends."

Meet Natalie Schultz!

Natalie is a senior at Ohio University studying Interactive Multimedia. She contributes her time and talents to Project C by working as lead designer for the Rural Action: Watershed Restoration content. When she's not working on Project C, Natalie works as the graphics intern at the WOUB Center for Public Media and is a member of the Ohio University Multimedia Society. 

Hometown: Dayton, OH

Favorite memory in Athens/Ohio University: 

"When everything was new. I can't think of anything better than being a freshman here at OU. I wanted to get out and see everything Athens had to offer. It's this magical place that I still can't seem to get enough of; It's beautiful here."

What is your favorite part about working on Project C?

"I really enjoy the people. These people are so passionate about this project and how they can use their talents to help others. It has been very cool to be involved with the growth of Project C that has occurred over the past year. I feel blessed to have had the opportunity to work with and be a part of such a fantastic project and group of individuals."

Where is your favorite place to spend an afternoon in Athens? 

"Strouds Run State Park is one of my favorite spots around here, getting out on the lake whilst in a canoe is preferred. My eyes can only take so much pixelated light, I need the real thing."

What is your favorite restaurant in Athens?

"This is tough, but since I'm especially partial to any kind of pizza, I'm going to have to say Jackie O's. Love that spent grain goodness."

Do you have any hidden talents?

"I can play songs on the piano by ear. I don't do it often and I haven't really played in front of many people."

If you could be any fictional character, who would you choose?

"E.T., not only do I absolutely love this movie, but I would give anything to fly around in a bike basket with Elliott and his cronies. That, and he ends up consuming quite a few M&M's."

What would I find in your refrigerator right now?

"Breakfast foods for sure. I have recently been on a cottage cheese pancake kick. It's my mom's recipe and they sound gross, but they put regular pancakes to shame. I usually don't tell people what they are before they try them."

Three words that describe you best:

Carefree. Goofy. Funky Fresh.

Meet Andrew + Callie: Content Producer + Event Planner for Project C

Meet Andrew Thomas!

Andrew is a senior studying video production in the school of Media Arts & Studies in the Scripps College of Communication. Andrew is one of the lead producers for The Gathering Place project. He has worked on a variety of videos in local markets and internationally, traveling to film in locations such as Indonesia, Germany, the Bahamas, and Brazil. 

Hometown: Syracuse, New York

Favorite memory in Athens/Ohio University: 

"Canoeing down the Hocking River on a beautiful day earlier this spring with some of my best friends."

What is your favorite part of working on Project C? 

"My favorite part is during the editing process when I see all of the elements of the story come together."

Where is your favorite place to spend an afternoon in Athens? 

"I like jump around, Athens is great because there’s a lot to see and explore."

What is your favorite restaurant in Athens? 

It would probably be Lui Lui, the salmon with curry sauce is killer. 

The most valuable piece of advice you’ve ever received?

"Don’t make the same mistake twice."

What’s the #1 most played song on your iTunes right now? 

"Awake My Soul" by Mumford and Sons 

If you were a piece of furniture, what would you be? 

A tall, skinny, lamp.

What would I find in your refrigerator right now? 

"Jelly, milk, hummus, and pitas. I don’t eat these all together, I just need to go shopping."

What are your favorite things to do in your free time? 

"Seeing live music, hiking, taking photos, playing any sport, strumming on the guitar, watching documentaries, and eating ice cream."

Meet Callie Sauter!

Callie graduated from Ohio University in June 2011 with a degree in Restaurant, Hotel and Tourism. While she is employed full-time at Ohio University, she also works with the Project C team to plan the "A Project C Premier: Celebrating Community" event on June 1.

Hometown: Middletown, Ohio

What is your favorite part of working on Project C? 

"My favorite part about working on Project C are the passionate people that have pushed so hard to raise the money and are working to get the stories made. It is great when you see a group of students who have so much else to get done and worry about, come together on their own time to make the common goal happen."

Where is your favorite place to spend an afternoon in Athens? 

"That's a tough one, if I have to pick one place in Athens to be my favorite it would have to be Donkey Coffee with some friends. I've got some great memories of my friends and I playing games and hanging out there."

What is your favorite restaurant in Athens? 

"My new favorite restaurant is Sol, their bunch is great!"

What do you think has been the greatest invention in the last ten years? 

"Probably more than 10 years ago but I would say the greatest and the worst invention has to be the cell phone. I love being able to send people a simple text message when I don't have enough to tell them over a phone call but some people also just don't call to talk on the phone anymore."

The most valuable piece of advice you’ve ever received: 

"Best advice I have received is a quote, 'Nothing is impossible because the word its self says I'm possible.'"

Three words that describe you best: 

Creative, Cheerful, and Encouraging

What are your favorite things to do in your free time? 

"In my free time I like to do a variety of crafts from scrapbooking to sewing. I'm currently working on crocheting two different blankets."

Meet the Lead Animator + One of the Project C Writers

Meet Heather Germann!

Heather is a senior studying interactive multimedia in The School of Visual Communication. Heather has worked on video documentaries in Germany, interned for Ohio University Athletics and the Kansas City Chiefs Football Club. She is the lead animator for Project C.

Hometown: Van Wert, Ohio

What is your favorite part about working on Project C?

"My favorite part is witnessing first hand how much it has grown in just one year. Anyone can think of ideas on how to improve the world, but only few actually take those ideas and turn them into actions." 

Where is your favorite place to spend an afternoon in Athens?

"I would have to say Old Man's Cave, or if you are forcing me to stay on campus, College Green never fails on a sunny afternoon."

What is your favorite restaurant in Athens?

Purple Chopstix

What's the #1 most played song on your iTunes right now?

"Jimi Thing" by Dave Matthews Band

If you could be any fictional character, who would you choose?

"Princess Auroa (Sleeping Beauty), so I can catch up on all the sleep I've lost over this Project."

If you were an Adobe Creative Suite program, which one would you be?

"After Effects, because I can take all the content everyone gives to me and I make it flyyy."

Would you rather vacation in a mountain hideaway or a beach house?

"Well, I would just go to Hawaii so I can have mountains on the left and beaches on the right, BUT if you're making me choose solely on one, I'd have to go with the mountains."

Meet Lindsay Boyle!

Lindsay is a junior in the E.W. Scripps School of Journalism. She is working with the production team on the Hocking-Athens-Perry Community Action (HAPCAP) story. She is the lead writer for the HAPCAP project.

Hometown: Garrettsville, Ohio (a bit north of Kent)

Favorite memory in Athens/Ohio University?

"I would have to say some of the best moments I've had in Athens have happened during interviews I've conducted for the InterActivist magazine and Project C. I've met so many truly benevolent and inspiring people, and their stories have pushed me to be the best I can be."

What is your favorite part of working on Project C? 

"I honestly can't pick just one favorite part of working on Project C. My top two favorites are, first, the people from the community I get to meet who all have such enlightening stories. Second, the people with which I work side-by-side. It's awesome to see so many OU students volunteering so much of their time to help out the Athens area."

Where is your favorite place to spend an afternoon in Athens? 

"On the rare occasion I have a free afternoon, you can find me at Scripps Amphitheater, on the bike path or on my neighbor's roof."

What is your favorite restaurant in Athens? 

"I can't get enough of Bagel Street Deli."

The most valuable piece of advice you’ve ever received: 

"The most valuable "piece" of advice I've received isn't necessarily one piece that occurred on one occasion, but rather some things I was instilled with throughout my youth: Help others who are in need, because you never know when it could be you in their position."

Do you volunteer anywhere? If so, what drives you to volunteer for that organization? 

"I volunteer weekly with the OU Chapter of Habitat for Humanity. It's been a passion of mine since freshman year of high school. I'm blessed not only with a shelter to call my own, but also the ability to create shelters for others, so that's what I do."

When was the last time you were nervous? 

"I don't get nervous very often. The last time was probably when I was being interviewed for an opportunity to study abroad in Zambia, Africa. I ended up going, and it was a truly amazing experience."

Where in the world is Carmen Sandiego? 

"Seek not and ye shall find."

Meet a Project C Designer + the Face Behind BTS Footage

Meet Megan Hillman!

Megan is a working as Lead Designer with the team featuring The Gathering Place. She is a senior in the School of Visual Communication, studying publication design and Infographics.

Hometown: North Olmsted, OH

What is your favorite part of working on Project C?
“Everyone on Project C is so talented—it's great to collaborate with other creative people, especially when you can learn from each persons strengths. If there's something you don't know how to do, chances are somebody does. It's just a great experience to be a part of.”

Favorite memory in Athens/Ohio University:
“Going to Nationals for Ad Club for the JCPenney NSAC ad campaign.”

Where is your favorite place to spend an afternoon in Athens? 
“Baker Ballroom Balcony”

What is your favorite restaurant in Athens?
Bagel Street Deli

What do you think has been the greatest invention in the last ten years?
My iPhone

What is the most valuable piece of advice you’ve ever received?
“Do what you love.”

If you were a piece of furniture, what would you be?
“An Ottoman”

If you were an Adobe Creative Suite program, which one would you be and why?
“Definitely InDesign. It's the one design program that's always open on my computer—you can do pretty much anything in there.”

What would I find in your refrigerator right now?
“Coffee creamer, break-n-bakes, and wine”

Three words that describe you best:
Optimist. Perfectionist. Nerd.

    

Meet Sarah Miller!

Sarah is a senior studying commercial photography in the Ohio University School of Visual Communication. She is the talent behind the camera, documenting all that happens behind-the-scenes at Project C.

Hometown: Granville, Ohio

What is your favorite part of working on Project C?
“Because I'm behind the scenes, I don't really get to work with the organizations we help. I observe how everyone else interacts with each other. I guess that's my favorite part, the observing. Witnessing the changes and improvements of the area and watching fellow students devote so much of their time, money, and energy into spreading awareness is inspiring to say the least. It's so obvious that they want to be here not for themselves but for the community.”

Where is your favorite place to spend an afternoon in Athens?
"By the Hocking River with friends.”

Do you have any hidden talents? 
"I have a knack for repairing things, whether it's with a hammer and nails, duct tape, paint, or even a needle and thread. I can make a fire better and faster than any guy I know (with a few exceptions) and I've been told I'm quite the masseuse. But my best hidden talent is that I can read my twin sister's mind and feel her pains when she busts something (again). She's definitely yelling at the screen now saying she can do those things better than me. Between you and me, aside from the sewing, she's right.”

The most valuable piece of advice you’ve ever received: 
“These four ideas have influenced my life in extraordinary ways:

1.  Love. Just love. Love everyone and everything around you as you want to be loved. And when you leave, you better leave them more beautiful than when you found them. That's the only way to be truly happy, and that's the only way you're memory in this world will last longer than some facts in a history book. 
2. 'Everyone's got to be different. You can't copy anybody and end up with anything. If you copy, it means you're working without any real feeling. And without feeling, whatever you do amounts to nothing.' -Billie Holiday
3. Take a chance, you may fail, but have faith and Just do it.
4. 'A smile is the shortest distance between two people.' -Victor Borge”

If you were a piece of furniture, what would you be?
“A couch. It's the one piece of furniture that can do almost anything. Everyone can enjoy your comfort, steal your cushions to slide down the stairs, sleep and relax on you. You become a trampoline or pummel-horse, the wall of a fort, plastic perfection, and my favorite, thrown out in the back yard for movie night with friends cuddled together.”

Meet the Co-Founders of Project C

Meet Tony Guglielmi!

Tony is one of the Co-Founders + Co-Directors of Project C, finishing up his senior year, studying Interactive Multimedia in the Ohio University School of Visual Communication.

Hometown: Pickerington, Ohio

Favorite memory in Athens/Ohio University: 

“My time spent working on Project C. Giving back to a community that has given me so much over that past 4 years.”

Tony’s favorite place to spend an afternoon in Athens: 

“Sitting out front of 7 Stewart with good friends, just enjoying the beautiful weather.”

Favorite restaurant in Athens: Casa Nueva

What do you think has been the greatest invention in the last ten years?

Better Place Battery Switch Stations

The most valuable advice you’ve ever received?

“From Babak Sarrafan: ‘Life is full of highs and lows...like a sine wave...remember when you are at the peak of excitement that you will hit a low and how you deal with your lowest of lows is just as important as how you deal with your highest of highs.’“

If you could be any fictional character, who would you be?

Sherlock Holmes

If you were an Adobe Creative Suite program, which one would you be?

“Fireworks, because it is one of the most underrated tools and I have no problem with being underrated because I will still get the job done.”

Favorite things to do in your free time:
“I love creating things that make others smile. It doesn't have to be a website or application. If I think it will make one person's life easier then I will make it.”

Meet Annette Drapac!

Annette, a senior who is also studying Interactive Multimedia, is a Co-Founder + Co-Director of Project C. 

Hometown: Middleburg Heights, OH

What is your favorite part of working on Project C? 

"My favorite part of working on Project C is that it doesn’t feel like “work.” Although it is a giant undertaking, I feel very lucky to work on a project that I love, and with people who I call my friends; some of my best. This project brings me much happiness, and that is truly priceless."

Where is your favorite place to spend an afternoon in Athens? 

"I enjoy sitting in the sun on the Soldier’s Monument on College Green, or if I have to do work, I’ll usually be on the patio at Court Street Coffee."

What is your favorite restaurant in Athens? 

"Zoe – the food is creative, local, and delicious – and I’ve had great company each time I’ve been there. Della Zona and Village Bakery are favorites as well."

When you die, what do you want to be remembered for? 

"I want to be remembered as being kind-hearted, hard working, and as a person who is open and accepting of everyone."

What is your favorite group fitness class at Ping? 

"I’m not usually a group class kind of gal – I’d much rather be on a solo run while listening to Robyn."

What do you think has been the greatest invention in the last ten years?

"Portable music of any kind. That’s been with me since I was riding the bus to school."

What’s the #1 most played song on your iTunes right now? 

"Pickerall Lake by Sufjan Stevens, one of my favorite artists of all time."

If you were an Adobe Creative Suite program, which one would you be? 

"Photoshop, because we bond."

Do you have any hidden talents? 

"I can make balloon animals of all kinds. I also love the circus."

Sneak Peek 2012 Trailer

The crunch time of the quarter has officially arrived. The launch is right around the corner and it could not be a more exciting, but stressful time. This week the animation team took on the task of creating a trailer of each of the four organizations, for a little sneak peek at just what is in store for Project C this year. I am not involved with a specific organization's production team, which made this trailer even more special to me.

Last week it all began. I gathered countless hours of footage and watched every minute of it. Although I was unable to physically be out there filming each organization, our videographers and photographers gave me a chance to see just how special each organization is from a personal point of view. The raw footage had a lot of bumps and bruises along the way, but it allowed for each individual and organization to truly come to life before my eyes. I was able to see the interaction between the teams and the stories that are unfolding.

Aside from the videographers I was able to work with Ohio University Alumni, Dan Barbera to create custom music for the piece.  Dan has a pure talent. After speaking with him he asked me to send over some examples of what I had in mind using as many descriptive words as I could. One hour passed –– just one HOUR –– and he sent me a rough clip that was exactly what I was thinking.

I have lived in Athens for four years, but one thing Project C always reminds me is, this community is special. There are so many organizations and community members who are working to better the Athens community. Without Project C and the chance to be able to view each of these stories, I don’t know if I would have left Athens knowing just how special this community truly is.  

Now, onto the part you have been waiting for!!!

Sit back, relax, and take a glimpse into Project C 2012! 

Heather Germann | Animator