K. CARLSON

PR GRADUATE STUDENT. PHOTOGRAPHER. VIDEOGRAPHER.

[kmcarlson08]

'Castle' & Social Media

I just made a new (non required for class) post on my blog. It's all about how I think the ABC Television show Castle is doing social media right. CHECK IT OUT.

It shouldn't be surprising that it's about Castle, it is ME we are talking about. Then again even if I wasn't a big fan I would still think that it's a great example on how to use social media.

I would also randomly like to point out that while I was writing this post some of my friends, who are Arts Journalist grad students, were at TIFF (on a class trip) seeing the premiere of Joss Whedon's Much Ado About Nothing AND Joss, Nathan Fillion and the rest of the awesome cast IN PERSON. It makes me wonder why I didn't go like I had planned. *sigh* 

[kmcarlson08]

Sorry I have been horrible at updating this lately. I will work on that. Anyways, during the two weeks we had off between summer session and fall semester the NY State Fair was going on. They had some amazing free concerts and I was able to make it to three of them: Tyler Hilton, Matt Nathanson, and Gary Allan. I had seen them all before and knew they would all be awesome and I was not dissapointed. I took some great photos and so here are a couple. Also I had to start a blog for one of my PR classes (and Tumblr sadly wasn't an option) so I went and started a website. There isn't much on there now but I will be adding to it and updating the blog at least once a week HERE. 

[kmcarlson08]

This last week in graphics design class we had to create a poster for a FAKE EVENT for a non profit. As a PR student we had to do it for our FAKE EVENT that we created for our media kit assignments. I am doing a national book drive sponsored by Amazon for the non profit Kids Need to Read.

Here are the posters I designed. Obviously there are things I would change if I was given more time. I also had to change things based on how they printed (for example the blue background prints out a lot darker so I had to make the saying type on the second one a color that would stand out, even though the yellow washes out a little on screen). But I still like how they turned out overall.

REMEMBER THIS IS A FAKE EVENT that I made up for the projects. NOT REAL. But if you want to donate to Kids Need to Read, feel free, it's an great organization and reading is AWESOME, kids should be inspired to read and have the resources to do so.  You can find out more at www.kidsneedtoread.org

[lightninginme08]

[kmcarlson08]

I miss it. 

So much more than I thought I would.

Less than a year then I can move back.

[kmcarlson08]

This is what happens when you sit between Carlos and I during Graphics Design lecture.

  No notebook is safe.  

[kmcarlson08]

Story of my life.

This morning as I was walking to the bus stop (all to early, 8am classes should not be allowed). I walk down a grassy hill that is part of my apartment complex, all is good. I hit even pavement I take maybe 3 steps (all the while thinking "Yay! I didn't trip down the hill!") and then BAM, face plant. Taken out by a pot hole. Skinned up my left knee really bad (and now have blood stains on my shorts) and killed my right ankle.*head desk* What is most embarrassing is that people saw it happen.

[kmcarlson08]

Firefly > Grad School

So I should be doing one of my many assignments that I have due at some point this week. Instead I am working on organizing a weekly Firefly  watching group. As there are way to many of my fellow grad students who HAVE NOT SEEN IT!!! And a few that want to watch it again. I have my priorities straight. 

[kmcarlson08]

New camera backpack

So I need a new camera bag. I also need a new backpack for grad school. I want to combine this into one purchase. I think I have narrowed it down to 4 different bags. Has anyone used any of these and have some thoughts? If I have to take out the velcro compartments to use it as a book bag I am okay with that.  Extra points if I don't.  All of these are large enough on the photo gear side...for now. 1) Kata Pro-Light Bug - 203 PL

2) Vanguard UP - Rise 46

3) Ape Case ACPRO2000

4) Tenba Discovery : Large Daypack

[kmcarlson08]

You know you're a grad student when...

Tonight we had to sit through an hour long powerpoint presentation on academic integrity. We are a bunch of grad students at the Newhouse School of PUBLIC COMMUNICATIONS at Syracuse University. A live tweet was started on twitter with the hash tag #cheaterpumpkineater.

Had to do something to help pass the time. I love my fellow students.

[kmcarlson08]

For a graphics design project that we had to do this weekend we had to look for different typefaces in our community. We had to find words and make a phrase from different ones like above.  Then we also had to find all 26 letters of the alphabet.   We were at the mall to see 'Magic Mike' so afterwards I went around and found all my letters. It was actually REALLY easy. I never really thought how many different typefaces were used...and how so many of them clash with the others around them.   

[kmcarlson08]

Patrick Dempsey or Nathan Fillion?

For one of my grad school classes we have to pick a non profit to use for a mock media kit. It's a project we will be working on all summer session. I need to make the final decision on what my non profit (along with corporate sponsor and event) is going to be today so I can type it all up for class tomorrow.  I just can't decide between Patrick Dempsey and the Dempsey Center or Nathan Fillion and Kids Need to Read.

Both are perfect because 1) I am actually interested in them and they are great non profits and 2) they have the built in celebrity factor which our prof said would be a good thing to have. With these two I don't have to pick some random celebrity and some how figure out why they would take part in the event. Good problem to have I know...LOL. 

[kmcarlson08]

Our first little project for Graphic Design class. Expressive Type. Knocked this out in about an hour in lab...1st time using InDesign. It was actually a lot of fun.

[kmcarlson08]

1 week down. 5 to go.

I have homework I SHOULD finish so I don't have to worry about it tomorrow. But I am way too tired to concentrate. Will have to finish it tomorrow after 'Magic Mike' and the clam bake. BUT I DID SURVIVE MY 1ST WEEK OF GRAD SCHOOL...so to celebrate I am going to go crawl into bed...at 10pm...on a Friday night...and possibly catch up on fanfiction (as long as I don't fall asleep at my computer like I did on Tuesday night).

[lightninginme08]

This past weekend was another NON WORKING race weekend. It was again, super weird not to be shooting but kinda fun, and great to hang out with some of my friends. The race was the 6 hours of the Glen at Watkins Glen International. Got a picture with a few of my favorite guys (Ryan is the one pictured here), and my yearly picture with Patrick when we chatted with him Friday evening. I also learned that drinking a lot and then going to the track the next morning, in the heat, is not the funnest thing…but fun times at Seneca Lodge might be worth it. I spent a good amount of the weekend sitting in a camp chair on top of my car with an awesome view of the track. I kinda felt like a crazy NASCAR fan but…so awesome, even if I got SUPER sunburnt. I have no idea when my next race will be…grad school is taking over my life…hopefully I will make it to couple more before the season is over…and maybe even work them.

[kmcarlson08]

Bring on Grad School.

I REALLY like the fellow Syracuse University Newhouse grad students I have met so far. A group of us met up on Monday and we out for bubble tea and then dinner. Tonight some of use also met up for dinner and drinks. There are some really great people. We have already made plans to go see Magic Mike next Saturday before the Clambake. We are also working on figuring out a TV night once a week so we can re-watch/convert people to Firefly, Battlestar Galatica and Castle....and other awesomeness. Also making plans for the 4th of July. As much as I LOVE my best friends back home it's great to have some people I can geek out with about certain things. And it's also been great to finally have HUMAN INTERACTION...was going slightly crazy being mostly on my own since the 1st. As for the actual grad school part, we haven't even started classes and I already have homework. That is so cheating. But I have read 2 of the 3 chapters I need read before Tuesday, so that is good. Just a few other things I need to do before then and I think I will be ready to tackle this year. 

[kmcarlson08]

All the required textbooks for my summer session. Cost wayyyyyy to much for just 5 books. And now I get to do my pre-class readings before the 2nd. Or well I gots to get them done before next Thursday because I will be at the track all weekend....

[lightninginme08]

[kmcarlson08]

So this is the movie I worked on last summer, Celeste and Jesse Forever. It was a lot of work and LONG days but so many awesome memories on that set and I learned a TON. Great cast and crew who were willing to answer stupid questions from the recent film school grad. Can’t wait to see the final product!