Completing my re-edit of Altgald Gardens was a relief but it was also a great experience. The challenge was to create a piece that would be visually relevant, allow myself to apply new skill sets yet retain the story.

Challenge 1: Audio and Video

When I shot the video in 2009, I used a Sanyo Xacti Pro. However, it had limitations in low lighting conditions, and the audio proved to be an issue. Applying the Enhance option in Premiere Pro salvaged much of the audio, but it required significant tweaking, as it could take on a tinny or artificial effect depending on the speaker.

The video required substantial color correction, which was a welcome opportunity to enhance my skills in this area. Working between After Effects and Premiere Pro was the best approach to de-noise most areas and achieve balance. However, a third-party tool was still needed to effectively reduce the grain in more saturated areas.

Challenge 2: Overusing After Effects

Sometimes less is more. I was excited to create a “toxic doughnut” to visually represent Hazel Johnson’s description of living in an area surrounded by toxic producers. Although it came out relatively well, it didn’t make the final cut. I aimed to illustrate it without being gimmicky and found that using Google Earth with a simple zoom-out and animated biohazard signs could be just as powerful.

Challenge 3: Finding Effective B-Roll

My research skills proved valuable this time around, and I was able to find a gem: a 1990 WTTW town hall interview focusing on Mrs. Johnson. Granted permission to use, the footage helped bridge different parts of the story and allowed me to eliminate my voice while focusing more on Mrs. Johnson. Another significant find was drone footage of Altgeld Gardens. The intended audience—college students studying environmental issues — would benefit from a visual reference of the area beyond just a map. Scouring the internet, news, and library archives provided a valuable roadmap for assembling an extended edit. My journalism degree truly paid off!

Everything I found to be a challenge was actually a wonderful opportunity for growth and further solidifying my passion for editing.