Bits 'n' Pieces: Lights, camera, action for La Centerl teen Joselyn Dykgraaf

Joselyn Dykgraaf, then a senior at La Center High School, was one of 11 teenagers from around the Pacific Northwest chosen to make a movie for the Samsung Mobile Fresh Films teen film competition.

Dykgraaf, 19, joined the crew for a week in July, assisting with casting, planning, filming and editing.

The 10-minute action film followed two teenagers who needed rescuing on Mount Hood.

Dykgraaf enjoyed the pre- and post-production elements of filmmaking. “You got to use your imagination and try to think of artistic ways to do things,” she said. The experience was the culmination of a lifelong love of film.

“I’ve always been interested in film, ever since I was 6, and I’ve never really had the opportunity to work with real video cameras and to make a real movie,” she said.

Dykgraaf’s film exploits will continue this month. She was one of 16 teens to win a nationwide competition, which will send her to Iowa to film a documentary about the National Guard.

Viewers can see Dykgraaf’s film at fresh-films.com.

Helping Clark County connect

When John Barber tried out to host “Clark County Connects” for FVTV, his audition appeared on live television. The Vancouver resident interviewed the director of the Northwest Marriage Institute and the vice president of Second Chance Companions, and facilitated an open microphone segment, in a show that aired Sept. 10.

“It was trial by fire,” said Barber, co-director of the Digital Technology and Culture program at Washington State University Vancouver.

Despite a few technical glitches and differing opinions on how probing the host’s questions should be, Barber was invited back on an ongoing basis. He’ll host one episode a month, alternating with a second host yet to be selected. His next scheduled appearance is from 7 to 8 p.m. Oct. 8 on Comcast Channel 11. Andrea Kropp of Ridgefield, vice chairwoman of the FVTV board, will help with hosting duties until another volunteer is selected.

Barber, 57, majored in broadcasting and film in college, and has radio and television experience. Being a part of the show was “a thrill,” he said. He likes how FVTV and “Clark County Connects” give the community a forum for sharing ideas.

“This is about people having a media voice,” he said.

Bits ’n’ Pieces appears Mondays and Fridays. If you have a story you’d like to share, call Features Editor Elisa Williams, 360-735-4561, or e-mail elisa.williams@columbian.com.