Olympic Influence

I can't get over the story I just did.  It was so much fun to shoot!  First, let me start way back 16 years ago.  When I was five, I started ice skating.  I did solo competitions, and synchronized skating as well.  Figure skating is my passion, the one thing I feel like I can do when I need to get away from everything.  I don't really get to skate as much any more, because the closest ice arena is a half hour away.

The half hour drive didn't stop me from going back there three times to shoot my story this past week, though!  For my story, I looked at the influence the Olympics had, or is having, on skating of any kind.  Washington Park Ice Arena is the only one in Mid-Missouri, so I figured it would be the perfect candidate.  And it was!

I went to shoot the first time during a public skating session.  There were so many people there!  I was able to shoot some wide shots of everyone on the ice, as well as a couple tight shots of skates on the ice.  It was difficult to get people's faces, because they moved so much, and the glass and boards limited me as to how close I could get.  I was still really happy with it though.  My favorite shot came from when I took the camera off the tripod and placed it on the ground.  I just got people in their skates walking around at eye level.  I think it looks pretty good!

I also got some really good interviews.  There were about five coaches out on the ice teaching.  I happened to stop the perfect one when the practice was over.  She was so enthusiastic and said everything I could have hoped for.  She was a "sound bite machine!" I wish I could have used more of her quotes!  

The second time I went back, my goal was to talk to a skater.  I had older child in mind, like 10 years old.  I found a girl and her mother putting on skates so I asked the mom if I could talk to her daughter.  She said yes and I was so excited.  I started asking her questions though, and nothing.  Everything she said was one word.  I provoked her as much as I could to get more out of her, but she just wasn't having it!  So I moved on and interviewed a senior in high school who wasn't totally camera shy!

I was disappointed I couldn't go in and shoot hockey though.  The times never worked out because they don't practice until after nine at night.  I knew that I had to have something in there though, so I did what I could.  I called the rink 15 minutes before hockey practice started and talked to the coach via phone.  I asked him my questions and recorded his answers.  I then went back the next day, and re-shot my stand up using the information he gave me.  I know it would have been best to have video of hockey, but I had to do what I could!

I'm really happy with my story this week!  It's something that I'm very interested in, and I had such a good time shooting.  I really like the how it's  coming together!