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Written by Tim Musho [videographer, video editor, digital photographer]
 the
above photographs were shot by the children in the digital
photography class |
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Since September,
Fig has been helping the Edgewater community by supporting a
local youth arts program. Edgewater Community Council’s
Youth Arts Program, located in the North Lakeside Cultural Center
at 6219 N. Sheridan Rd., is a place where youth of all ages (currently
6-15) can come after school to learn about the arts. This is
important to Fig and the kids; many schools have cut arts funding
and this program is the only way many of the low-income students
could ever afford arts education. Kristin Miller-Sholl heads
the program. She took it on this past summer and has huge visions
for ECC and its recent “rebirth” as an arts-based
after-school program. Kristin is excited that Fig is helping
out. With two Fig employees leading the video documentary and
digital photography programs (Melissa and myself) and the whole
Fig team assisting during the fall session, we’ve had a
big influence on ECC’s program and its youth. Both classes
were a success and will be carried into the winter session. The
kids created a documentary and tons of photos, and displayed
them at an art show on November 28…they showcased work
from each of their ten classes for over 100 community members.
At the end of the open house, a few parents made comments like, “it’s
amazing…the difference in this program in such a short
amount of time,” and “my kids have such a great time.
They have, better ability to concentrate, their reading and writing
skills are better, and their grades have improved. I don’t
know how to thank you.” With the closing of the fall session
of workshops, I can say that I am fully satisfied with the kids
and myself. The winter session just began and Fig has team members
Brent and Tobey diving in and doing a Deejay and a Tae Kwon Do
class. We here at Fig are driving this program to the top…ECC
means a lot to me and everyone here at Fig. I live for the arts
and for sharing that passion with young minds…need I say
more? |
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Written by Melissa Martens [videographer, video editor]
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Fig
Media is currently partnering with the Sacred Heart School
in the Edgewater community to teach an after-school guerilla
filmmaking program with the school’s
7th graders. We created a rigorous agenda focusing
on development of ideas, storyboarding, final
script, and production. Our students take their ideas and integrate
them with a genre. This session we have an action short, a
variety show, a drama, a commercial, a reality show, and a
satire. We have had regular guests from our staff come share
their own work and special talents. So far our students have
had demos from prominent lighting specialists and steadi-cam
operators in the field. Fig is having a lot of fun teaching
this class and look forward to a continued relationship with
Sacred Heart. Check the fig web site after (point in time)
when the final projects are completed to view the video
clips.
click here
to see more photos |
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Written
by James Gustin [owner, deejay, videographer]
Fig
Media and Bridge are having a ton of
fun together. Bridge gets a business
partner and Fig gets an art partner.
Last
week we interviewed Joe Shanahan of
the Metro about his adventures in music
and visual art. See the December issue
of Bridge for the photos and text–don’t
forget to subscribe! I went down
to Miami with Michael Workman, publisher
of Bridge Magazine, where we saw a
lot of art, met gallerists from all
over the world, and researched show
production details to bring back to
Chicago….
Because, in April of 2006, Bridge and
Fig and all of their friends will be
producing NOVA, a cutting-edge art
show celebrating emerging artists,
their art, the galleries and the marketplace.
See www.novayoungartfair.com for
more information or just give us a
call at Fig!
find
out more about Bridge Magazine
at www.bridgemagazine.org |
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Written by Andrew Ettenhofer [sales manager, deejay]
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Through
my continual involvement and leadership with the Greater North
Michigan Avenue Association, I was selected to be a block captain
for the annual Lights Festival. I recruited a team of 12 volunteers
to help with pedestrian flow in front of the Wrigley Building.
I purposely picked this position because it’s the best
view of the fireworks after the parade. We all wore orange
security jackets (and I even got a radio!) and made sure the
crowd had a safe and enjoyable experience. I am already recruiting
for next year, so let me know if you want to be on my team!
click
here to see more photos |
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Written by Erik Friedly [music director, deejay] As the
Music Director for Fig this year, I have
compiled my top 10 albums of 2005. For future
Fig-zine's other Fig DJ's and I will be
writing reviews and giving readers recommendations
for new bands and albums. Feel free to give
me you recommendations at erik@figgy.net.
artwork
from Arcade Fire's "Funeral" |
1.
Arcade Fire - "Funeral" [Also
the best live show of the year]
2. Franz Ferdinand - "You Could Have It So Much Better"
3. Kanye West - "Late Registration"
4. Beck - "Guero"
5. Andrew Bird - "The Mysterious Production of Eggs"
6. The White Stripes - "Get Behind Me Satan"
7. Wilco - "Kicking Television: Live in Chicago"
8. The Redwalls - "De Nova"
9. My Morning Jacket - "Z" [Least favorite show this
year]
10. Common - "Be"
Honorable Mention - Outlaw Family Band - "Outlaw Family Band" |
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Written by Andrew Ettenhofer [sales manager, deejay]
Due
to
our lasting relationship with GMR Marketing,
Fig Media had the opportunity to repeat
its involvement with the LaSalle Bank
Chicago Marathon on October 9th. We
partnered with New Balance and Old
St. Patrick’s
Church to provide DJs and MCs for the
cheering zone at Mile 13 of the course.
Andrew Ettenhofer, James Gustin, Jon
Hood, and Becky Grimes of Fig Media
arrived at 6:00 AM to start working
the assembled crowd into a frenzy and
to play the best motivating music for
the runners. The highlight was playing Bon
Jovi's “Living
on a Prayer” because
of how extraordinarily appropriate
it was for the Old St. Patrick’s
cheering zone located halfway through
the course (sing the chorus and you
will get it…).
click
here to see more photos |
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Written by Megan Taylor [video production manager]
Fig
Media produced its first music video this year with the talented
musician Andrew Morgan. Fig directed, shot, and edited the
video for “Supine on the Covers” on the streets
of Chicago and on location with the band at the Hideout. The
song is from his ambitious melancholy record “Misadventures
in Radiology.”
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“Supine
on the Covers”
5:28 |
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Written by Michele Gustin [owner, videographer, art director]
NAME: Tobey
Marie Geise “There are 5 letters in each of my names if you are into
numerology”
POSITION: Director
of Operations for Fig Media Inc., aka Office Goddess, for 1 year and 11 months.
BACKGROUND: Born
in Indianapolis. In between two brothers.
SPECIAL INTERESTS: "Tae
Kwon Do, I am a first degree black belt. I've been training for 9 years.
This month I start teaching a class at the Edgewater Community Youth Arts
Program."
MARITAL STATUS: Single
and but in a committed relationship. "We already have our music list
and first dance ("Into My Arms" by Nick Cave) – or a guy
with a deep raspy male voice."
FAVORITE MOVIE: "The
Royal Tennenbaums, but I don't like having to pick just one!"
FAVORITE AUTHOR: "Tom
Robbins and David Sedaris"
FAVORITE BOOK: "Fierce
Invalids Home From Hot Climates", and "The Fountainhead"
FAVORITE THING TO DO ON A DATE: "Going
out to dinner at a nice restaurant, then seeing a movie."
IF YOU WERE AN ANIMAL WHICH ONE WOULD
YOU BE? A Tiger
WHAT DO YOU WANT YOUR GRAVE STONE TO
SAY? "Here lies Tobey Geise (or other
last name), she changed many peoples lives, (maybe a more poetic version).
She was an inspiration to many people."
WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE ROOM AND WHAT
DO YOU DO IN IT? "My dining room – I
use it most frequently to read, eat, and write. There is something about
the table that is cozy and inviting that sparks good conversation and intimacy."
Favorite food: Sushi
and chocolate, but not together.
Favorite band: Arcade
Fire
Where do you want to be and what
do you want to be doing in 10 years? Leading
a lot of people, directing a feature film, making a 6 digit salary, owning
a home somewhere as cool as Chicago, but warmer.
email: tobey@figgy.net |
Written by Andrew Ettenhofer [sales manager, deejay]
Fig
Media has been a longtime partner of the Wright Institute
supporting their various multimedia projects. On Dec. 29th,
Judith Wright (one of the founders of the Wright Institute)
will release her second book The One Decision and
it is bound to be another NY bestseller like her first one.
As a companion to the book, she is offering a special weekend
training in Chicago that allows participants to engage with
the content of the book on a deeper level. The One Decision and
its powerfully transformational concepts have inspired many
to achieve more out of their lives–including many here
at Fig! We strongly encourage everyone to buy the book, and
attend the training Feb. 17-19.
visit www.theonedecision.com for
more details |
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Judith
Wright the “One Decision”
1:35 |
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Judith
Wright in the Media
4:29
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Click on images
to view video clips |
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Got Questions?
Call 773-338-1334 or send email to info@figgy.net
To learn more
about Fig Media and the instructors
please visit
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Back
To Top |
| fig-zine: art
director: michele Gustin, Project manager: Megan
Taylor, Copy Editor: lola olateju, andrew ettenhofer,
Design and Layout: brian carey |
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