We’re approaching mid-January, the time of year when the Following Deer Creek (FDC) Project first came into being (2017). Like the Earth circling around the Sun and the planetary water cycle, we’ve completed a journey.
I set out to tell the story of the Deer Creek watershed from its tectonic and cultural origins to the people and animals who live in it today. Working backward, I posted blog articles as I researched in preparation to compile the film.
Aerial Views & History of the Deer Creek Watershed: Journey from Headwaters to Confluence a thirty-minute fly-over film
In early January of 2021, the film was complete. Like the FDC blog posts, it’s a birds-eye view of the watershed that hints at depths.
I smile when I think back to the initial idea seed. Of course, there is no one story, there are more than can ever be told.
FDC and the Aerial Views film is a decent outline, but it also illustrates how much more remains for investigation and study.
The Multimedia Story Show at the South Pine Cafe in Grass Valley was installed on March 4th. On March 19th, California Governor Gavin Newsom issued the stay-at-home order. The physical show will remain at the Cafe through the end of May.
Until then, the show’s been virtualized!
Click on the thumbnail below to print out a PDF with Google Lens (and QR code scanning) video tutorials and pages of QR codes to scan with your smartphone. The scans take you to stories, documentaries, and artwork. The show at the cafe was designed to peruse while sitting at your table, but it will work just as well in the comfort of your own home.
It’s a display of traditional art pieces, and digital designs printed on clothing and housewares accompanied by QR codes linking to web pages for each subject.
When planning for a multimedia show, the producer must ensure visitors understand how to use technology to get the most out of it.
In this case, QR codes are posted along with each type of media on display. To read a QR code, a smartphone camera optically analyzes the black and white square shape, then directly links to the web page where additional information, along with curated documentaries await the curious.
A variety of phone apps will accomplish similar things, for example, QR Readers, and Bar Code Scanners both use the phone camera to analyze a QR (Quick Response) and bar codes. Because Google Lens performs those functions AND identifies plants and animals, translates foreign languages, serves up book information, and a variety of other services, it’s Lisa’s top choice for scanning apps.
By expanding capabilities of devices we already use on a daily basis (the phone camera), Google is soft teaching us to use artificial intelligence (machine learning) and augmented reality.
“It’s quite fun!” says Redfern. “It’s not always exact, but it’s close enough to be interesting.”
Practice Using New Technology Before the Show
As Lisa was testing the user instructions she plans to display at the show, several test subjects requested that she post tutorials on the blog so new users have time to practice before March 4th.
Bear Yuba Land Trust exists to protect and defend the working and natural lands
of the Bear and Yuba River Watersheds and to enrich the deep community connection with nature, in perpetuity.
Truckee Donner Land Trust (Tahoe/Donner Land Preservation)
To preserve and protect scenic, historic and recreational lands with high natural resource values in the Truckee Donner region
and manage recreational activities on these lands in a sustainable manner.
The Yuba Watershed Institute is a group of citizens who are concerned with the sustainable use of natural resources and the protection of
long-term biological diversity within the Yuba River watershed. The Institute also serves as an educational
resource, providing an ongoing series of talks, seminars, publications and walks on all aspects of the watershed.
Deer Creek & Nevada County Art made-to-order on clothing, housewares, or accessories.
$5 from each sale supports the FDC blog & documentary project.
Once complete, proceeds from art sales will be donated to one or more of the nonprofit organizations listed above!
While reading Eric Gardner’s book—Jennie Carter: A Black Journalist of the Early West—in the spring of 2019, Deer Creek Project Coordinator, Lisa Redfern day-dreamed about highlighting Jennie Carter in a historical video. Upon reaching Carter’s temperance segment (page 25, 1868) describing drinking water out of Deer Creek, Redfern found the connection she needed to go-for-it.
Video production took the entire summer to execute;
pieces of Carter’s writing were selected
Katrina Thompson was asked to portray and voice act for Jennie Carter’s part
filming location permission, costumes, and props were secured
scene planning was mapped and detailed
a delightful evening was spent at Randco Studios recording Jennie’s writing
filming took place on one long day (July 5th) starting early in Colfax and following the light to the Pine Grove Cemetery in Nevada City
Filming day started early in ColfaxJennie Carter’s headstone in Pine Grove Cemetery, Nevada CityCostuming from Solstice Vintage Clothing, Nevada City“Jennie” extolling the world of letters and reading
The Jennie Carter production would not have been as wonderful without them!
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Video Editing
Initially, the Jennie Carter material was envisioned as five short videos. Each segment — four minutes in length — took a full week to compile and edit.
Every square or rectangle in the video above represents an image, a sound effect, video clip, or text file.
Once the segments were proofed, it was decided that they would show better as one piece.
Director & Video Production
Lisa Redfern and Katrina Thompson on Deer Creek at the end of filming day.
