JTWO's Incubator Project Brings you "In Coexistence"
In Coexistence
by Elle Chernaskey
Well, it’s finally uploaded. After many weeks of trial and error, my intern project has come to an end. Although there have been some very stressful moments, I am so grateful for all that I learned.
Some key lessons that I’m taking away from this project: really focus in pre-production to avoid being totally flustered on the day of the shoot, be cognizant of background noise that could may just ruin most of your audio (wind ugh), don’t forget to turn the mic back on (worse than the windy audio), if you suck at post-production like me — become friends with Youtube videos – they are so helpful, kill your darlings (big thanks to Ian) sometimes you just have to get rid of some stuff your clinging to, and most importantly make sure there is a story. I still feel like I did not capture a sufficient story but it was my first film from start to finish and I’m happy with where I started.
I feel good about most of my shots and I think I know where the subpar ones need improvement. Shooting was the most exciting part of this project. I woke up at 6 am the day of, got my coffee, and studied my storyboard. I felt like a lot of what I visualized came to life which is a great feeling.
Learning more about Premiere was a great experience. I feel like I now have a solid baseline knowledge of the application and can continue to learn with skills that I didn’t have before. Thanks to Maria Cantu for always answering my questions even when you were busy — you’re the coolest.
Audio was the most difficult part of the project. In some of the early morning recordings there’s a lawn mower that I didn’t even notice because I was so focused on the shots. Luckily, I was able to include other audio that surprisingly worked. I had to come back another day to record audio. I recorded in a rush (the subject needed to get to a surprise party — another lesson for me — plan ahead better) and it came out pretty poorly. I also had to use someone else’s computer since my hard drive had recently crashed. In the end, I made some adjustments to the audio that made it workable. I definitely could have spent more time fleshing out the script but time was dwindling. I got lucky with some things that I was underprepared for.
This internship so far has been wonderful. Now, I am ready to improve on my shortcomings, learn as much as I can about gear and applications, and hopefully get on set more. I am so excited for my next film and to incorporate the knowledge I have gained. Thanks to everyone at JTWO for the support!
This project was created as part of the JTWO [INC]ubator Project. A semester long internship program built from the ground up to give young filmmakers, content creators, and all around hungry for a challenge individuals a place to stretch their creative minds while preparing them for the road ahead.
JTWO Set to Produce 125 Years of Penn Relays Documentary
In 2019 our team is partnering with the University of Pennsylvania to produce a feature length documentary celebrating 125 years of Penn Relays, the longest uninterrupted collegiate track and field event in the history of sport. At the start of Penn Relays in 1895, the audience has grown from a mere 5,000 speculators to over 113,000, residing as the most watched meet in the world, aside from the Olympics and World Championship.
As the first invitational track meet to welcome all races and schools, the Penn Relays have played a monumental role in both the culture of Philadelphia and the entire country by requiring acceptance for all athletes, and encouraging institutions to reevaluate the way they handle racism. As Philadelphia natives, our team is beyond grateful for the opportunity to commemorate a world renowned event that changed the history of our beloved city.
“As I look back now, I realize that the Relays we thus created made track training and competition not only more enjoyable but more significant as well. Now four runners join for a common purpose: team victory. Individual effort is still present but it is individual effort within and for the team. If the team wins, each runner wins; if the team loses, each runner loses. This is a great idea, the very essence of our American democracy, especially since this idea always ends in action, not in mere words. This is, I believe, the great value of relay running.”
Frank Ellis, Creator of Penn Relays
JTWO Wins Battle of the Agency Bands
This year our team took home the GOLD-en guitar, by placing FIRST in the 2018 Battle of the Agency Bands, hosted by our dear friends and partners the One Club Philly.
The band was led by JTWO – Chicago’s Executive Producer Conor Hare , who kicked off the show with his own solo rendition of the 2000s bop “Hit Me Baby One More Time”. Bandmates Steven, Elliot, Twon, and Liam later joined him onstage to perform some of the greatest rock hits, including classics by The Doors and Lynyrd Skynyrd.
They’re excited to hit the stage next year and would like to warn everyone that they fully plan on taking home 1st place again!
Former Intern Wins Best Documentary in Bucks Fever Filmfest
"Barre None"
We are proud to announce that our former intern, Maria Cantu, won Best College Documentary along with Outstanding Achievement in Art Direction in the 2018 Bucks Fever Filmfest for her documentary “Barre None” created under the JTWO [INC]ubator Project.
In this documentary, Maria tells the captivating and beautiful story of a young ballerina who is able to push through the harsh realities and overbearing pressures of the dancing world, with her unconditional love for the art.
JTWO Welcomes Intern Robin Chakrabarti
by Robin Chakrabarti
Ever since I was young I loved to tell stories and create characters. As a kid I would stand in front of my bathroom mirror, talking in different voices and accents for hours on end, bringing life to characters in my head. I’m sure I had my parents worried.
Thankfully I was able to funnel my comfort in being myself to become a vessel for expression as I got older. I fell in love with acting and the thrill of captivating an audience, and went on to play eccentric characters in school plays (including the parrot from Aladdin and even writing and performing a play impersonating my real life middle school athletics coach). I was named after the Bengali poet Rabindranath Tagore, and discovered a love of writing that evolved from poetry to songwriting, and even wedding officiation speeches (I’m a recently ordained minister, so let me know if you need help getting married).
In middle and high school, when the hormones were raging and issues seemed blown out of proportion, I discovered music as a way to give meaning and begin to reclaim a life that felt out of my control. During my college years, my creative interests converged on film, when I started making music videos for my own songs. The feeling of seeing a project through from inception to unveiling makes every moment of risk and doubt more than worth it. However despite my ambition and hard work, for years I was confined by my own limiting beliefs that making art could never be a real career and could transcend just being a hobby. I spent years making music and film in my free time after coming home from classes or jobs I knew were not moving me toward my dreams.
I have hungered for an artistic community where I can share my talents and learn from others and I am deeply grateful that JTwo has come into my life now. I can’t wait to take advantage of the opportunities I have been given. Using my skills in sound design, video editing, and production, I am ready to leave my mark!
When I’m not making films, you can find me cooking up dance music, looking for sizzling vegan eats, sending ankles to the doctor in 2K, or getting fired up by life coaches on YouTube.
JTWO Produces New Addition to Janssen Storyteller Series
Following the launch of the Janssen Immunology story, Janssen challenged us to create a way to continue the next chapter by creating a series of videos highlighting the hardworking scientists dedicated to innovation for people living with and susceptible to immune diseases for the Janssen Global channel. With every project comes a new and unique story of vulnerability and strength that ultimately brings us closer to the inspiring journeys of their people.
In this year’s Storyteller Series video, you meet Shawn and Marisa, two different people with two different stories who are united in their mission to transform the lives of people living with Lupus, together.
JTWO Teams up with Visit Bucks County
This Fall our team is partnering with Visit Bucks County to bring their new Youtube series “Check In” to life. In these short videos we will take you behind the scenes of some of the most charming and coziest bed & breakfasts atop sprawling farms, off country roads, and in small-town settings of Bucks County, PA!
JTWO Welcomes Intern Elle Chernaskey
I have always been a vessel of energy ready to expend it in any possible way. For as long as I can remember, I was go, go, go, in all facets of my being. Physically, I would happily exhaust myself. Running laps around the house, challenging boys in basketball, and riding my bike until sun-down forced me to return home. Socially, I wanted to interact with everyone. I would practically trip over my feet running down my windy stairs to pick up the phone JUST for a few seconds of dialogue (no one was ever calling for me lol). Mentally, I pushed myself to my limits. In college, I often said yes to one too many commitments and found myself rushing from club meeting to a nanny job to an internship to the climbing wall. Whenever I felt my energy fading, I thought back to myself at age five.
Although five is young, I was determined, didn’t give a crap what anyone thought, and loved a challenge. Like any five year old, I took in the world around me with attentiveness and curiosity. Every new moment was different and exciting. At this age I vehemently believed with every blink, a photograph was logged in my “picture book,” that would be compiled after a lifetime of blinking. In my highschool years, I would try to channel this perspective, hoping to see the world with similarly fresh eyes.
In college I upgraded my DSLR and vowed to travel as much as possible. I wanted to answer to my creative urges which was definitely not going to happen in my backyard. I spent hours researching ways to travel on a budget. I think my face still infiltrates the financial aid dude’s nightmares. But my perseverance to see the world worked. I was lucky enough to study in Costa Rica and Italy. I moved to Alaska for a summer. I climbed pyramids in Mexico. Saw the juxtaposition of cleanliness crossing the border from the U.S. to Canada. I backpacked Europe a few times solo and then once with friends. I owe this ambition and zest for new adventure to my five year-old self. That is who reminded me to be free-spirited, to not be afraid, and just go for it.
During my times of travel I found digital photography incredibly rewarding. Not only was I able to see beautiful places, I could also capture exactly what I wanted to remember and cherish. This excitement led me to photographing solo backpacking trips to glaciers, cloud rainforests with eclectic species, and my friends drinking too much wine at biodynamic farms. Super sick experiences that I’m so grateful for. After graduating college a few months ago, I knew my traveling would come to a hiatus. I had some big decisions to make like where to work and where to live and nothing was really happening. A few months of crippling anxiety ensued and I was scared I’d end up climbing the corporate ladder. Five year old Elle would have none of that.
Through a painstaking job search and very stressful summer, I finally decided to apply to some creative internships. I felt really nervous about applying and knew I would be up against incredibly talented film students with much more talent and knowledge. But the mindset of Elle at five surfaced and I had to tell myself to not doubt so much and apply. A few days later I heard back from Jelani and was so stoked. After researching JTwo’s incredible work, I was surprised and excited to be considered and eventually get the position. Although I have the typical week-one nerves, I feel so lucky to be in this seat and I cannot wait to learn from this dynamic staff. Thus far I have felt extremely welcomed. I am ready to bust my ass and do everything I can to contribute and collaborate. Although I know I’m never getting my picture book, I hope to look back at times like these and smile.
This project was created as part of the JTWO [INC]ubator Project. A semester long internship program built from the ground up to give young filmmakers, content creators, and all around hungry for a challenge individuals a place to stretch their creative minds while preparing them for the road ahead.
JTWO Welcomes Editor Steven Layton
Introducing Steven Layton
We’re excited to announce the newest addition to our team Steven Layton. Steven is an Audio Engineer graduate of Rowan University and has been brought on as an Editor. His involvement in the creative industry dates back to his teenage years drumming for the hardcore/ metal band “Despite My Pride”.
Through his music career, Steven developed a passion for video editing while producing music videos for his band. He found that, like song writing, he was able to web an inspiring story together, only this time with picture.
Silver Lake
Silver Lake is a new ambient/alternative rock project that was created on opposite sides of the country, while Steven resided in NJ and Mitchell in LA. Composing this from opposite coasts posed some difficulty for the brothers, but ultimately helped echo the the album’s theme of loneliness. Through their coast to coast collaboration, the brothers were able to create a record that truly reflected the separate and complementary sounds of their surroundings as well as what it was like living a part from each other.
JTWO Welcomes Editor Rachael Petersen
Introducing Rachael Petersen
We’re excited to announce the newest addition to our team Rachael Petersen. A Temple Media Studies and Production graduate, Rachael comes to JTWO with a comprehensive background in the creative industry with a specific passion for documentary film. Just this year she placed first in the 2018 BEA Festival of Media Arts in the Long-Form Student Documentary category, while also winning the Award of Recognition at the Indie Fest Film Awards.
The Film
Wearing the hat for Producer, Director, and Editor Rachael ran everything from pre to post production on Monumental Change, which follows the story of Monument Cemetery, a renowned cemetery in the heart of North Philadelphia that was destroyed in the 1950s, while also highlighting Philadelphia’s history of expansion and gentrification.