The Outspoken Oppa Videos
By Ethan Kim
Videos are the best way to get a message across. While still photos can reinforce emotions, videos allow the observer to experience a new realm of perspectives. Video journalism allows us to explore and spread multiple viewpoints even if we disagree with them. It provides an inside look into various discoveries or important aspects within our society.
From interviewing the lead JPL engineer of the Mare Perseverance Rover's Landing System to interviewing the LCF mayor, we have been able to inform audiences on impactful occurrences that affected numerous people. During a local school board election, we were able to tell our audiences the specific policies of each candidate to encourage an informed vote within our community. With those interviews, we were also able to make a conclusive endorsement in that election.
In a sense, videos provide a unique look into current events from everything from the miniscule to the monumental. It is a tool to touch the minds of millions and spark greater creativity in those who are passionate in cinematography. Our videos section, run by our director of cinematography, showcases a library of our past interviews.
As an enthusiast of the great outdoors, Dr. Kopp loves all things nature, including the natural process of making maple syrup. For years, it has been a tradition for Dr. Kopp to wipe the dust off his boiler, take it out of the garage and start turning sap into maple syrup. Whether it be for his friends and family or the Kimball Union community, every spring, Dr. Kopp is always there chopping logs and grabbing glass bottles ready for the opportunity to make some homemade maple syrup.
Avid ski racer and athlete Jordan Silveira has a fast-paced life and constantly forgets to slow down and take a deep breath. As a way to let off steam, Jordan reads in her free time. Although she has had a troubled past with reading, Jordan enjoys going through books as it makes her feel as if she has left the planet, isolated in her world.
Wildlife and astrophotographer Aiden Daive explores the outdoors by taking photos of his surroundings. He shared his passion for nature and the great outdoors with friends and family from a young age. In 7th grade, he finally picked up a camera to start capturing amazing birds and animals. From the first time he ever picked up a camera, Aidan continues to fuel his passion for nature and wildlife through photography.
On February 26, 2021, The Outspoken Oppa interviewed Andrew Johnson, who is a principal robotics systems engineer at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory. He was also the lead for the Lander Vision System technology on the recent JPL Mars rover called Perseverance. Directed by Luke Kim and photographed by Noah Chun and Andrew Kang, the interview showcased an in-depth look into the Mars Perseverance Rover.
In a nearly fifteen-minute interview, Dr. Johnson discussed the development process of the Lander Vision System, the collaboration with other teams to implement the software into Perseverance’s hardware, the tension of the seven minutes before the Mars rover successfully landed, and the new possibilities this rover landing brings to space exploration.
On February 3, 2021, The Outspoken Oppa Media Team interviewed La Cañada Flintridge Mayor Michael Davitt. Directed by Luke Kim and photographed by Mason Pirkey and Luke Manion, the interview took place at the La Cañada City Hall at 2:00 P.M.
In a nearly thirty-minute interview, the mayor discussed how COVID-19 impacted La Cañada and the City Council's response to that impact. He also discussed the local government's response and coordination to the closure of La Cañada schools, including addressing the mental health of La Cañada students. Additionally, the mayor talked about furthering efforts to communicate with La Cañada students and discussed the quality of education during distance learning.
On October 15, 2020, The Outspoken Oppa team interviewed Caroline Anderson, a candidate for the LCUSD School Board. According to her website, for six years, Ms. Anderson served as Director of the La Cañada Flintridge Educational Foundation, including one year as President. She is currently serving as the Executive Vice President on the Executive Board of the La Cañada Council PTA and is the PTA President at Palm Crest Elementary School.
In a nearly six-minute interview, Ms. Anderson explored why she is running for school board, top three objectives if elected to the school board, ways she has been in service to the La Cañada community, perspective on the efficiency of the distance learning embraced by the LCUSD, view on DEI proposals, and campaign endorsements.
The interview was directed by Luke Kim and edited by Zuzu Farrington. The interview was conducted by Ethan Kim. Special thanks to Caroline Anderson for her time and effort.
On October 10, 2020, The Outspoken Oppa team interviewed Belinda Randolph, a candidate for the LCUSD School Board. According to her website, Ms. Randolph is a JPL Engineer working on OCO-2 Mission Operations and Mars 2020 Surface Operations, PCY school site council president, a parent of two LCUSD graduates, a 17-year resident of LCF, and has a BS in Mechanical Engineering from UC Berkeley, MS in Aerospace Engineering from Stanford.
She ended the interview with a message to the students entering a new school system during a pandemic. The interview was directed by Luke Kim and edited by Royce Xiao. The interview was conducted by Ethan Kim. Special thanks to Belinda Randolph for her effort and time.
On October 4th, 2020, The Outspoken Oppa team interviewed Josh Epstein, a candidate for the LCUSD Board. According to the Valley Sun, Epstein is the former President of La Cañada Flintridge Educational Foundation, Co-chair of the Committee for La Cañada Schools, theatrical lighting designer, on the faculty at the University of Southern California School of Dramatic Arts, and the winner of the 2020 Golden Apple Award for “outstanding community leaders throughout the state.”
In a ten minute interview, Epstein explored why he is running for School Board, his three objectives if elected to the school board, how he will provide a quality education for a diverse student population, his campaign endorsements, and what he would say to students entering a school system affected by the global pandemic.
The interview was directed by Luke Kim and edited by Zuzu Farrington. The interview was conducted by Ethan Kim. Special thanks to Josh Epstein for his time and effort.
Peter Kalmus is a data scientist at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory and an Associate Project Scientist at UCLA’s Joint Institute for Regional Earth System Science & Engineering. Before his career, he studied at Harvard University and received a Ph.D. in physics from Columbia University. He is well known for acting as a lead organizer for Fridays for Future, writing his book titled Being the Change: Live Well and Spark a Climate Revolution, co-founding an app called Earth Hero, and his passionate activism on climate breakdown.
Within the interview, we discussed climate breakdown and it’s relevance in modern society. Mr. Kalmus then elaborated on the detrimental effect climate breakdown has on surrounding ecosystems and humanity. He explained the necessary steps to address climate change and what the proper political response looks like.
He then talked about Fridays for Future, an international movement of students who leave class to protest in favor of proper action against climate breakdown. He concluded with how students can be involved in the fight against climate change and what the future looks like if we do not do anything.
In a single minute, the trailer for our interview with Peter Kalmus displays the major points from our thirty-minute full interview. Edited by Ashley Olson, the fast paced events of the video and thrilling background music emphasizes the urgency of climate breakdown.
The full interview will release in July 2020.
Directed and Edited by Luke Kim, this documentary dives into the various aspects of the local dam. Kim interviews multiple key people such as Superintendent Wendy Sinnette.
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