Orientation writing prompt numero uno: pre-anything

1. What is your vision statement for your major project?

Fender Bender is a women and queer run bicycle shop in the Cass Corridor, the heart of Detroit. The short video Id like to produce thru the DFM wrkshps will aim to inform about what/who Fender Bender is, our goals ahead and to uplift the current women, trans and queer cycling culture of Detroit. Fender Bender seeks to provide safe and nurturing spaces to learn/teach bike mechanic skills to the WTQ community of Detroit first - our video will speak to why providing accessible bike shop spaces for this community is important. I want to investigate why more people of these communities do not frequent bike shops or engae with learning the skillz needed to do repair. What are the turn-ons/offs about biking? What can be done to make cycling in Detroit more appealing, comfortable, and accessible to this community? What are our assumptions and expectations of cycling - specific to Detroit. The video will also be used as a media component in our future online fundraising strategies as well. Later with the tools/skillz learned in these classes Id like to produce a short film series on how to do basic bike repair - fix flat - adjust brakes - seat and handle bars, helpful tips and tricks, etc. These we would post to our blog and facebook so that anyone can have access online to basic bike repair.

2. What ideas do you have for your major project?

An informative and promotional video. Interview women, trans and queer folks who Fender Bender has and has not worked with in the shop. Interview folks about their cycling experience in Detroit - how can it be improved - how is it already great - tell of a moment that stands out. Record dialouge about experiences and stories. Show in the film our group rides and events that Fender Bender has host and participated in. We want to demonstrate and uplift the needs, wants and imaginations of these folks in Detroit thru their own voice - and  have those things reflect in Fender Bender as we develop our shop and programming. Get people pumped about having a bike program in Detroit that caters to and is created by the women, trans and queer culture here.

3. What are you planning to investigate and how does it support your vision of Detroit’s Future?

I want to investigate how to create a more appealing, comfortable and accessible bike shop/cycling culture for the WTQ community of Detroit - what I find out in the stories and interviews with people will directly affect FBD's program development and skill shares: Fender Bender will be a refelction of the needs, wants and imagination of this community.

4. What media skills do you need/want for to complete your major project?

How to make a video - concept development from an idea to applicable pieces and production

How to upload video from the camera to computer without deleting it

Editing!

Audio and lighting

Music - when to use it

How to make the video fun and attractive yet educational - graphic pieces and photos

Interfacing with blogs to apply videos - kickstarter and indiegogo too - fundraising methods

I want my drink back

How you expect us to come here ten am and not keep my coffee with me. Why dont computers understand  that I charge from my coffee the way they charge off an electrical socket. One day one day at a time.

Detroit Future Media getting us into the blogsophere.....

I never thought Id be so connected - thru the computer that is. If anyone had asked 5 years ago where do you see yourself I certainly wouldnt have answered behind a computer doing kick ass cool stuff that allows me to engage more dynamically with my community. Back then I thought connecting and getting involved meant I had to be out there in the physical - I would have said you were crazy to think that people can meet and become close via this glowing screen, and that really getting to know yourself and what you want needed to happen in by experiencing moments and meditating (or something like that) or by going out and taking action. And if you truely want to build and sustian community well then you'd need to get out and meet your neighbors!

Well, all this is still true but a few things have changed. I can and am building, organizing and connecting from my computer all the time now. I meet people for the first time on facebook that I wouldnt have met otherwise and become friends in the flesh too. I find an article or write about something I think is important or post about events in Detroit and people respond and deepen my understandings thru their knowledge or experience about the topics too. We establish meetings, bike rides, learning circles and chat via blogs to find solutions more quickly than the next time I could see you. In addition to all the real stuff that needs to happen beyond the digital dimension - the computer and digital media tools provide a space and methods to enrich my life as a friend, family, neighbor, community memeber (even if in community with people Ive never met in Peru blogging about fermentation) brewer, bike mechanic, dancer (thanks utube for the tap instruction cuz I have no time or money for a class right now). Ive been able to build bike blenders and find all kinds of interactive strategies of 'How To Build' almost anything. Not to mention all the amazing learning tools to help people with dyslexia and other learning disabilities to read and record and gather info - easily!

SO! on the contrary - digital media hasnt brought me further from whats real or my community - its only enhanced and expanded my opportunity to delve in deeper and build more concretely

I feel more grounded in the Detroit community than ever and by no fault of being in front the computer screen more often - infact part of my closeness and growing relationships deserve credit becuz of just that. I want to express my appreciation and gratitude to AMP - DJC - Remedia - DFY - EMEAC and all of Detroit's digital media networks for offering spaces and strategies via digital media to deepen our experience and understanding of our lives and the world/ways we want to live. If it werent for you all I wouldnt have this blog (and if it werent for Diana J Nucera I would most likely still not have an email, ha!) <3<3<3