All Right, Mr. DeMille, I'm Ready for My Close-Up

May 18, 2010

This week, I had a rather unnerving experience—I filmed a 60-second video as part of an entry for Purina’s Live from Lexington contest. Two grand prize winners will each blog as a Purina correspondent during the 2010 World Equestrian Games to be held at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington this fall. This is the first time this equine competition has been held on U.S. soil, and I want to be there!

Laure Ferlita earned major friendship points for working with me to develop my video entry for the competition. The videos are recommended but not required. I know little or nothing about videoing, so Laure spent literally hours with me, coaching, filming and helping me create a winning video. The coaching part must have been exasperating for her—because appearing on camera started pushing some emotional buttons! Fears of looking silly, or alternately, looking arrogant (instead of confident) began to careen around in my head. Laure made me repeat my spiel over and over (slave driver!) and massaged my ego by telling me, “The camera loves you.” (Snort.) She also patiently dealt with Tank’s infringements on her personal space. (We filmed the video in his paddock.) Thanks to her patience and pep talks, by the end of our filming session, I had pretty much made peace with these silly fears and the camera.


(The complete entry is not yet up on the Live from Lexington gallery, but should be there in the next day or two.)

I was willing to step outside my comfort zone and do this for one reason: I really want to win. I know I will do a fantastic job as Purina’s correspondent. I know it will be the experience of a lifetime. Besides, “outside of my comfort zone” is where all the growth and learning take place.

When I make it to the semi-finals, you’ll be the first to know (well, maybe the second—have to tell the slave driver first) because you can help me win. Semi-finalists will blog for six weeks, readers will vote for which blogger they like best, and the two with the most votes will go to Lexington. I’m counting on you—and everyone else I know or have ever said hello to even once—to vote for me. Stay tuned. Now, about that close up…

You Might Also Like

8 comments

  1. Great video Kathy! What a great person Laure is for helping you so much. Good luck!!

    ReplyDelete
  2. You ROCK! You're gonna WIN! And it was a pleasure to help out!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Thanks, Cheryl! It turned out pretty well, and eventually became fun!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Right back at ya, Laure! I couldn't have done it without you.

    ReplyDelete
  5. HOLY COW, Kathy, this is WONDERFUL!!! I loved the video, and Tank was right on cue making his own presence known whether planned or not. Good luck on winning, and how can we vote or help out? Let me know and I'll spread the word.

    And you are so lucky to have Laure's technical guidance on this. She's a gem, isn't she?

    ReplyDelete
  6. Thank you, Krista! Tank did that on his own--I could probably never get him to repeat it if I tried! I will let you know when there is a chance for you to help out! Keep your fingers crossed.

    And yes, Laure is a gem!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Bravo, Kathy! As an extremely camera-shy writer, I'm seriously impressed. Way to go for it.

    And of course I will be happy to vote for you and to spread the word. You are a really fine writer, and Purina could not find better. :)

    (I've been absent for a few days because of connection issues, but everything should be back to normal in a few more days, knock on wood.)

    ReplyDelete
  8. Thank you for your vote of confidence, Meredith! I'm not real fond of the camera, either. I like writing in my cozy little office where no one can "see" me, though I probably expose the real me just as much through my words as anything.

    I read on your blog that you were having trouble with your DSL connection; I had missed your comments, but I had assumed you were busy with your workshop challenge! Hope it's fixed soon, but it sounds like you got a ton accomplished in the meantime.

    ReplyDelete