The awards ceremony was a vibrant and enthusiastic celebration, with students expressing their gratitude towards teachers and peers for supporting their creative endeavors. The winners from schools like Maginness Middle School, Franklin High School, Union City High School, Rumson Fair Haven High School, and Eastern Christian High School received accolades for their achievements in various film categories such as best sound design, best visual effects, and best cinematography. The room was filled with cheers and applause as the awards were announced, highlighting the supportive community and the importance placed on creative arts within the school district.

Following the awards, the discussion transitioned to Sandy LaVine’s presentation on non-fiction filmmaking. With experiences from Rutgers University to a cable television station in Tom’s River, and eventually PBS public television, LaVine emphasized the need for experience and training to succeed in the industry. She also offered to conduct a workshop on cinematography and non-fiction filmmaking.

The speaker with a background in television production further enriched the meeting with personal stories from creating documentaries to producing feature stories. They stressed the importance of passion in storytelling and encouraged the attendees to pursue video production. The speaker’s personal journey included producing a video about their husband’s recovery from a neurological illness and a story about a “smart goose,” which was considered their favorite. They highlighted the power of video to inspire positive change and the ethical responsibility of content creators to maintain truthfulness and accuracy.

A viral video about a goose that survived being shot by a bow and arrow, which had garnered attention on YouTube and from public television, served as a case study for effective storytelling and video production techniques. The speaker shared insights into the importance of multiple shoots, pre-production preparation, and the flexibility of using smartphones for video production. Personal experiences, like diving with great white sharks, were used to demonstrate the risks and preparations involved in documentary filmmaking.

Professionalism and execution in production were also discussed, with emphasis on the necessity of sound quality and the art of writing and editing in storytelling. The speaker shared experiences of creating documentaries on diverse topics such as Superstorm Sandy and local sports. They called on the audience to seek out unique stories and step out of their comfort zones to tell them.

The chief meteorologist’s share on the significance of the number three in meteorology and content creation provided a unique perspective on organizing thoughts and presentations. The rule of three was presented as an effective method for structuring content, and examples were given on its application in storytelling, speechwriting, and creating radio commercials.

Moreover, the discussion covered career skills such as resume writing, the importance of a portfolio or demo reel, and making strong first impressions in interviews. The speaker detailed the “Three C’s” of taking a good photo and the exposure triangle, emphasizing the rule of thirds in photography. They also advised on goal-setting and the use of the “compliment sandwich” in coaching, imparting strategies that are applicable in various professional contexts.