Meet Our 2020 Production Fellows
Last year, we put out a call to creatives to apply for our upcoming fellowship. We were inundated with responses from a collection of hugely talented folks, but, after much deliberation, we asked the impressive Liz Moughon and DJ Scott to join our team. In this interview, we chat with these two successful applicants and learn a little more about their backgrounds and experiences at Blue Chalk so far!
1. Tell us about your background and experience prior to working at Blue Chalk.
Liz: My background is in photojournalism, which I studied in undergrad at Ohio University. The college is situated in a small Appalachian town full of beauty and hardworking people. I lived for the escape of driving out to the surrounding communities to meet people tucked down mile-long driveways that gave way to sprawling farms. The locals taught me to document with compassion, and much of the time I spent getting to know them outside of photographing. My capstone project explored the toll that limited broadband access takes on people living in Southeastern Ohio, and it was published in the Wall Street Journal. My goal through that non-literal project was to show how it feels to live without something that most people take for granted. The simple act of researching for homework assignments or communicating with clients is significantly more complicated without broadband. During the summers, I completed three photo newspaper internships, including the Courier-Journal, San Francisco Chronicle, and Los Angeles Times. At each, I was expected to cover daily assignments, including parades, protests, portraits, food, etc., but my main focus was creating a story that I pitched. Through telling three stories about healing from loss, I began to find a niche in video.
DJ: As a self-taught editor and filmmaker, my first experience started at a non-profit called the Los Angeles Dream Center where I was creating awareness videos for human trafficking. When I moved to Portland, I stumbled into the wedding industry. After two years of shooting weddings across America and internationally, I decided to shift directions and focus on something I was more passionate about. I started developing a documentary in honor of a friend who passed away. It took two years to complete my feature doc. I wore many hats on that project being my own producer, director of photography, and editor. I premiered it in the summer of 2019. During those two years, I continued to have opportunities to work on other sets as well as edit. I’ve worked on music videos with Toro Y Moi, ParisAlexis, and Pure Bathing Culture as well as athlete Tobin Heath. I’ve been able to gaff, AC, AD, and camera operate on sets for brands, short films, and documentaries. I then started working with Lara Jean Gallagher and Aimee Lynn Barneburg as their film coordinator, helping them distribute their feature film, Clementine. In 2019 I landed an internship at Wieden & Kennedy and eventually became a full-time freelance assistant editor in Portland.
2. What made you want to apply for the fellowship at Blue Chalk?
Liz: I became interested in telling video stories near the end of college when it was too late to take additional video classes. The Blue Chalk Fellowship teaches on the job while still giving you lots of responsibility. Although I had an eye for filmmaking, I did not have enough experience for a job in it, so this fellowship will hopefully bridge that gap. Being trusted with another person’s narrative is an enormous responsibility, and I want to further develop my storytelling abilities. I’ve been looking at Blue Chalk’s work all through college and have been continually inspired by how its projects are made in a documentary style, even the ones for commercial clients. This company has maintained its integrity while being recognized for its unique vision, and it’s exciting to be a part of a production that is changing with the times.
DJ: The director of Clementine, Lara Gallagher, referred me. I was looking to build my portfolio and learn more about storytelling, shooting, and editing. After reading the overview of the fellowship, I felt this would be a great way to expand my knowledge and tailor my craft. What intrigued me most to take a pivotal shift in my career was the content Blue Chalk is putting out. The stories Blue Chalk is telling resonated with me, and I was eager to be a part of the process.
3. What’s been the biggest challenge you’ve faced so far?
Liz: I had only basic video editing experience prior to this, so using Premiere in a more in-depth way while working with 4K footage and more sophisticated audio has been a learning experience!
DJ: Closing the office down! I still struggle to find every light switch, haha.
4. What drew you to pursue a career in nonfiction storytelling?
Liz: I’ve had a camera around my shoulder since I was 12 when I began photographing my family. Over time, I became drawn to how visual stories can make people feel connected to each other. While taking film photography classes in high school, my professor instructed us to make portraits of strangers, and these interactions showed me that we all have a story worth hearing. I believe that if you can pull someone into a video by making them first feel something emotionally, they’ll likely become more invested in the underlying issue. While living in San Francisco, I met a family who had lost their son to suicide off the Golden Gate Bridge, and I documented their surviving son as he coped with life under these new circumstances. The project began with photos and grew to include video, which ultimately told the story more effectively. It’s powerful to hear the person’s voice drive the narrative. We are inspired every day by people who are champions in their own lives, and I want to share stories that show how we are more similar than different.
DJ: I have always been fascinated by other people’s journeys. I enjoy hearing about people’s personal lives, their struggles, and their triumphs. Naturally, my love for people correlates with my filming style. I love capturing raw emotion and sharing parts of life that may not be in the forefront of people’s minds. We as humans have more in common than not in common, and to be able to use film as a tool to make that connection is a powerful and moving art form.
5. Do you have any advice for future fellowship applicants?
Liz: Blue Chalk is made up of incredibly kind and talented people who are willing to share what they know. Be a team player and reach out when you want to learn something. They’ll make time for you. Speak up when you’re interested in being on a project or learning a new skill. Make time to get to know your coworkers. Continue to build on the community that has welcomed you.
DJ: As long as you are passionate and hard-working, the Blue Chalk team will continue to empower you to become the best version of yourself while supporting you through the process. I admire the culture Blue Chalk has created. It is a unique and beautiful place that I am elated to be a part of.
*You can learn more about Liz here and you can watch more of DJ’s work here.
