This is where thoughts become things.

Hi, I'm Daniela. Welcome to my personal lair on the Internet. This is where I write about storytelling, activism, technology and pop culture. Sometimes I post videos. I update my lair when the mood strikes me. Follow me on Twitter for daily updates (@dcap).

Tag : barack-obama

A Multiplatform Life: Things I Learned In D.C. Covering The Presidential Inauguration

I spent January 17th – 21st in D.C, working with MTV News to provide coverage of the presidential inauguration. I spent my days and some evenings shooting interviews and performances for televised broadcast on MTV. I worked at the following events:

– Shepard Fairey Manifest Hope Gallery show

– Green Inaugural Ball

– Latino Inaugural Ball

Pepsi, Spike Lee and Howard University Present ‘Refresh the World’ Symposium

– Youth Inaugural Ball

In the evenings/early mornings I changed roles and handled remote digital production for MTVNews.com. This was my first time to be designated by the department as a multiplatform producer (in an official capacity) and a crash course in what that means on location.

My experience in D.C. was amazing, a lot of work and a terrific educational experience. I am very slowly cutting together a mini video diary but wanted to share some thoughts in the meantime.

Here is (some) of what I learned in D.C.

1. Gel insoles for every pair of shoes you bring saves crucial minutes used up by awkwardly swapping them out each time.

2. Gel insoles make the different between horrible back pain + feet pain or just horrible back pain.

3. Getting as much petty cash as you can from production management saves you a lot of heartache in a city without 24hr public transportation. Don’t forget receipts.

4. Using tape on camera batteries helps you to remember which ones are charged/not charged in the field (don’t forget your designation).

5.  Often internet connections at temporary production offices really suck. Have your laptop broadband card available at all times.

(more…)

Finding Obama: Inauguration Weekend Tales, Pt.1

The closest I’ve come to President-Elect Obama was last fall, when I pretended to shake this cardboard cut-out version’s hand in Union Square.

It’s incredibly surreal, being able to look forward to a progressive president who I actually care about. I have a huge grin on my face because a few hours ago I was told that in less than ten days, I’ll be in D.C. (my first time) for inauguration weekend!!! I’ll be working with my colleagues to cover many aspects of the ceremony and related events.

My role will be as an additional shooter and digital producer. It’s going to be an amazing, historic event and I am thrilled to be a part of it in any capacity. I was working through election day in November and missed out on celebrating in the streets with my friends. This more than makes up for that.

When I was in elementary school, I remember one of my teachers saying there will never be a black president. This was the same teacher who skipped over the Martin Luther King, Jr. chapter in our history book. This was the same teacher who spoke glowingly about manifest destiny and ridiculed me for daring to challenge that. This was the same teacher who made me dress up as an indian for our Thanksgiving project and wondered why I was offended. I wonder, what is she telling the students now? 🙂

It’s tiny actions that alter world views. My mother owning her own business altered my world view (based on everything I was exposed to) that Latina women were property and not supposed to be independent. Obama deciding he would ignore negativity and not give up has changed history. Obama’s candidacy inspired my long-standing Republican step dad Larry to change parties, just so he could vote for Obama. Tiny actions change the world.

I am hoping while I am in D.C. that maybe – just maybe – I’ll get the chance to shake Obama’s hand.

It may not happen, but still. Even the idea that it could be possible blows my mind.

ps: My initials are D.C.

IT’S DESTINY! 😛

Times Square Celebrates Obama Victory

It is almost midnight and Times Square is on fire. From my view on the 29th floor I can see them below like ants – there is a huge crowd (bigger than in the photo I took a few minutes ago) cheering and all the taxis are honking like crazy! I can hear the roar of the crowd, even this high up. It’s amazing.

The sounds of the crowd and the horns are growing louder and louder with each passing moment, a cacophony of joy and excitement. It’s like New Years.

When the results came in, I was in the bathroom and heard the news through the door. I was so shocked and happy I dropped my cellphone in the toilet. Since I can’t call anyone right now, I am temporarily only able to share my experience through The Lair.