I spent most of January editing Caution! This Product is Flammable which premiered on February 12th. I spent the rest of February: Backing up project files Exploring media and forms of expression in solo show class with the rest of the apprentice company. Soaking up the warm sunny weather that punctuates stretches of rainy winter weather. Check out my work: Forming New Friendships is available to purchase: https://bookswithlessons.com/books Short Cuts (PPH Apprentice Company Mini-Series): https://portlandplayhouse.org/shows-events/shortcuts/ A few things I learned: Documenting as you go saves you time down the road. Taking breaks and staying hydrated is still the move.

December was brimming with overlapping projects and deadlines: I continued my work as designer and video editor for the Shortcuts short film/play series. I finished my work on Forming New Friendships, book number three in the Fruitland children’s book series by Meryl S. Brown. I was Prop Assistant and Illustrator for Molière in the Park’s production of pen/man/ship. (I contributed two illustrations—see if you can spot which ones.) I may do some breakdowns of my process on some of the work I’ve done in the future. Check out my work: pen/man/ship is available to view here until January 4: https://youtu.be/vUOqqBVp-0w https://www.moliereinthepark.org/penmanship Forming New Friendships is available to purchase: https://bookswithlessons.com/books Shortcuts (PPH Apprentice Company Mini-Series): https://portlandplayhouse.org/shows-events/shortcuts/ A few things I learned: Spreadsheets are still lifesavers when tracking progress and documenting important editing info. Taking breaks and staying hydrated is crucial to staying healthy especially during deadlines.

My younger brother, Samuel Earl Patterson III, is a Rhodes Scholar! He is a senior at University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC) and will graduate with a B.S. in Mathematics, a B.S. in Statistics, and a B.A. in Economics. I will be obnoxiously adding to this post as I find more articles, posts, and videos that feature him and his achievements! Here are some articles that feature him: https://news.umbc.edu/sam-patterson-umbcs-newest-rhodes-scholar-plans-to-transform-transportation/ https://ur.umbc.edu/prestigious-scholarships/rhodes-scholars/ https://www.reddit.com/r/UpliftingNews/comments/jzm6pb/2_students_from_metro_atlanta_named_rhodes/ https://www.wsbtv.com/news/local/atlanta/2-metro-atlanta-students-named-rhodes-scholars/C4ICTQVVOZFJHGYOAZTBJCAADM/ https://www.ajc.com/life/two-metro-atlantans-named-rhodes-scholars/YQ6HJKWSVVD67LFCGN3X5CRFOA/ https://accesswdun.com/print/2020/11/958022 https://atlantanewsandtalk.com/single/99-two-metro-atlantans-named-rhodes-scholars1?fid=75 https://apnews.com/article/georgia-slavery-marietta-maryland-atlanta-786f5e7744faef356c9f0bde25fb070b https://www.fox5atlanta.com/news/2-students-from-georgia-among-those-named-rhodes-scholars (Don't worry I'll clean up this as I add to it.)

I resumed my role of Zoom play designer-editor for GenZoom. Daughter by Ellie Conniff and Pageant Project by Max Topagna are the second and third plays, respectively, in the Shortcuts mini-series. A few things I learned: Inconsistent internet bandwidth is the enemy of online filmmaking. Free programs, archives, and public domain assets are my bread and butter design resources. Spreadsheets are lifesavers when tracking progress and documenting important editing info. Other notable activities: I finished up research with a costume designer for a new Nutcracker that will hopefully be performed in 2021. Started rehearsal for last Shortcuts play. Started work as Prop Assistant for Molière in the Park’s production of pen/man/ship by Christina Anderson.

I worked on a Zoom play as a designer and editor. Heaven is Overrated by Carmen Burbridge is the first of four short film-plays written for and performed on Zoom. The mini-series is called Shortcuts and is presented by the Portland Playhouse Season 13 Apprentice Company a.k.a. Generation Zoom. A few things I learned: How to use OBS Studio How to edit on Shotcut How to force captions on for YouTube videos (in tag section you put yt:cc=on) Other notable activities: I continued research with a costume designer for a ballet that will hopefully be performed in 2021. Started rehearsal and recording for next Zoom play: Daughter (by Ellie Conniff)

I’ve never blogged before. What you can expect from this blog? A monthly mini update in which I name a few things I’ve worked on and maybe a new skill I’ve picked up. We're keeping things short and sweet.