Embarking on an independent study project, I delved into the creation of "Celebrate Mansfield: Why We Love Mansfield," a collaborative effort with the Mansfield Downtown Partnership to commemorate the twentieth anniversary of the Celebrate Mansfield Festival. The primary objective was to encapsulate the unique aspects that make Mansfield a cherished community for its residents.

During the festival, we recorded diverse audio snippets from attendees expressing their love for Mansfield. This encompassed everything from specific places to distinctive local features. Beyond the festival grounds, I ventured to locations mentioned in the interviews, capturing footage at town landmarks, inside local businesses, and along scenic hiking trails. Filming with a Canon 90D, I adapted to varying lighting conditions across different environments.

Taking the reins of the final edit, I orchestrated the post-production process on Adobe Premiere, drawing upon lessons from my class to employ techniques such as continuity editing, sound mixing, color grading, and graphics/titles. Weaving together interview audio with corresponding footage, I crafted an intuitive narrative. To infuse dynamism, I incorporated additional drone footage and music, including tracks from the Celebrate Mansfield headline act, The Wolff Sisters.

Recognizing the importance of accessibility, I transcribed the entire video and integrated closed captioning. This consideration proved crucial as the visuals primarily consisted of B-Roll, with speakers never in view, precluding the option of lip reading. "Celebrate Mansfield" stands not only as a visual celebration but also as a testament to the inclusive storytelling that fosters a sense of community pride.

This piece premiered at the 2023 Mansfield Winter Festival. It was on display in the Ballard Institute Museum of Puppetry during the event.