Final Cut:A Diagnosis is Not a Deadline: The Jimmy Calnan Story

Here is the final cut of our project. It is a far cry from the previous cuts of the material. Although the storyline and clip content has not changed since the first cut, the special effects have undergone a radical facelift. By adding transitions, subtitles, music and title/credit pages, we have spruced and polished the presentation of our video. Personally, my favorite special effect is the title pages. I love how the "A Diagnosis, Not a Deadline" sweeps onto the screen as two parts. First, "A Diagnosis," then "Not a Deadline." For me, this effect truly captures the theme of our project. As the video narrates, Jimmy has lived his life in reverence to his diagnosis, but has never treated it as a death sentence. He is aware of his condition, takes the necessary steps to treat and contain his sickness, but he never once lets it bar him from living a full and meaningful life. The title, "A Diagnosis, Not a Deadline," commemorates how Jimmy has transformed his physical and emotional struggles into a positive inspiration for others in his community.

Cut #1

So here is the project to date. It has all the typical problems of any first cut: rough transitions, shaky audio, and fragmented images. Its one redeeming aspect, however, is the strength of the story arc. Although most of this we accredited Jimmy with for having such a compelling and engaging life story, we are proud of how we have cut, edited and arranged the clips to weave Jimmy's story. Please watch and give any feedback!!!

YouTube Report Project Idea

For our YouTube Report Project, my group and I have decided to spend a day in the life with Jimmy Calnan. As 20-year HIV and AIDS survivor, Jimmy Calnan embodies a spirit for life and a passion for community. By sharing his story, Calnan hopes to transform his physical and emotional struggles into a positive inspiration for others in his community. We plan to shadow him as he volunteers at the Mazzoni center, an AIDS treatment and awareness center. Also, he has offered to let us accompany him to one of his doctor's visits. Our only concern is how to film such sensitive material in a respectful manner.

The Ethnosphere

What is cultural diversity? Is it something as large scale as people from different, maybe far countries meeting and discussing their ethnic beliefs and traditions? Or can it exist on a smaller scale? Maybe even as small as neighbors within our on Philadelphia community meeting and discussing their differing beliefs and traditions?

Well Wade Davis believes that before we can even begin to think about cultural diversity on the small scale level, we must first be open to addressing cultural diversity on the large scale level. In a June 2002 article, "Explorer Wade Davis on Vanishing Cultures," Wade explains that "There's a tendency for those of us in the dominant Western culture to view traditional people—even when we're sympathetic to their plight—as quaint and colorful, but reduced to the sidelines of history, while the real world, which of course is our world, continues moving forward." He goes on to point out, however, that this is simply not true. "Change," however Wade explains, "is the one constant in history. All societies in all times and in all places constantly adapt to new possibilities for life."

It is this point that makes me wonder. If change is constant throughout history, crossing both temporal and cultural boundaries, then each society has at least that factor in common. I believe that to truly have a constructive and productive discussion about cultural diversity, everyone should change not only creates diversity, but it is also the common thread through each society.