As anyone who works for a small non-profit can tell you, there usually isn't much money available to document your fundraisers and other big events. In these harsh economic times, there's barely enough money for non-profits to sustain the services they provide. But we all know it's important to capture "moments" at these events because they can be shared with the community and reinforce the messages that a non-profit tries to communicate.

Using crowdsourced photos and some basic video footage, I produced a short movie for the Seattle chapter of the Asian American Journalists Association (AAJA) that documented its Lunar New Year Banquet & Silent Auction. As president of the Seattle chapter, I wear many hats and happen to have some rudimentary video shooting and editing skills. I felt like this year's event was special because it marked the 25th anniversary of the chapter's existence.

I set up a Canon HV30 on a tripod in a corner and just let it run. If I had had more time to set it up, I would have adjusted the exposure and white balance. I rarely had time to go and check it. Still, I think there was enough material that was salvageable for a short video. I used Adobe After Effects and Final Cut Pro for post-production. There's certainly plenty of room for improvement. I welcome your feedback!

Hot chai for the soul

Ever since I can remember, chai tea has been a familiar companion through life's ups and downs. My father or mother would boil water, let the tea leaves steep for about 4 minutes, and add steamed milk and sugar.

At any family gathering, everyone would gather around in the afternoon for chai and a sweet or salty snack. When we visited India during my childhood, I'd hear wallahs in train stations chanting "chai chai chai" with a hypnotic cadence that sent my fingers searching pockets for loose change. In a world where nothing is permanent, hot chai soothes my body and lifts my spirits, no matter where I am. The ritual of making chai in my family hasn't changed much over the generations, so I feel connected in a small way to my ancestors when I brew chai.

Hot Chai Media is my way of carrying that positive energy over to my work in media. Here you'll find videos, mini-documentaries and other multimedia projects that I've worked on or directed, as well as updates on works in progress. Thanks for stopping by.