"Korea Dreambus" Pilgrimage and Documentary Film

One of the fruits of my pilgrimage in 2024 is my current situation: living in Ulsan again! I'll be shifting my blogging practice back to my main page, The View Up Here, for updates on life as an expat English teacher and other musings. Please follow me there! As things progress for Korea Dreambus: A Journey of Faith, I'll continue to post about them here. And, don't forget to follow me on Instagram ! 감사합니다  

I finished my rough assemble edit yesterday morning. It seemed like I'd relived the entire trip during the last 2.5 weeks of editing - just about the same amount of time I was on pilgrimage, in fact. As I was editing, I drew more and more from footage and photos that I hadn't sent over to my editor, so this afternoon I had to get all that into Dropbox for him to grab, as well as some re-recorded voice over track. Now Derrick, my editor, can get to work on a more complete rough cut with effects, titles, transitions, and sound work. Likewise, Terry the composer can work on the soundtrack. The film is coming in around 50 minutes, which I expect will remain the same in the fine cut because many stills are going to be layered and moved a bit, and then titles will be added at the end. That's my goal - keep it at 50 minutes. With this large piece of work behind me, I need to focus on the ESOL class I'm teaching at the local community college. Classes start... tomorrow at 9 a.m...

Two weeks from today, I'll be on my way to Korea. I just met a co-worker (one of the generous donors  for this pilgrimage film) in the hallway a few minutes ago. He asked me what my current thoughts of hope and anxiety were leading up to the trip. I replied that everything is hopeful, actually, and I don't really carry any anxiety. I guess I hadn't thought about it until he asked.  Erie Canal, Fairport, NY In these two weeks before my departure, the school year is starting, which means my three classes of high school theology will be a prime focus for me, including devising three weeks of lesson plans for my subs while I'm away. I also have early deadlines for my newspaper job since I'll be gone for production week. And I will be submitting my application to the GVCA for a grant to help make the film. It's a lot, to be honest.  But you know what? I'm not anxious. I feel grounded, capable, focused, and above all, hopeful.  This is a new experience for me. Fo...