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School Testimonials

To Whom It May Concern:

Two months ago, the Concord High School Minutemen Concert and Jazz bands traveled to New Orleans to participate in the French Quarter Music Festival. The Band Booster organization at Concord High hired Chris Smith, of Musselman Picture, Story & Sound to accompany us as our official videographer during the seven day trip.

We asked Chris to provide us with a comprehensive trip and performance video that included the 82 students and 33 adults that were traveling together. Not only did Chris capture the events during our trip, he did preliminary research and filming of the band before we left. The end result was a creatively filmed and scripted documentary that allowed all the participants; most specifically the adults, to relax and fully enjoy their time in New Orleans. When the project was completed we held a premiere night so that the students and parents could watch the video together. It was so well received by the group that everyone was anxious to have their own copy.

Working with Chris was an enjoyable experience. We gave him our ideas and he was very flexible with timing, budgetary considerations and physical arrangements. He has a nice way of working with the students to catch their natural and candid reactions to performances and the sight seeing that took place around New Orleans.

The finished product consisted of a 3 disc DVD set that included: I) a feature documentary, 2) a full running recording of the two bands and their adjudicated performances, and 3) a student trip diary and concert medley of all the performances during their week in New Orleans. Technically, the production was of a very professional quality. We were particularly impressed with Chris' use of multiple cameras so that we were able to see a performance from different viewpoints while being precisely synchronized with the audio track. In editing the feature, Chris used humor and his own narrative to make it much more interesting and enjoyable as a complete story of our trip.

What we received was well beyond what any adult on the trip could have accomplished. The DVD set will be a favorite keepsake for parents and students alike. We look forward to using Musselman Picture, Story & Sound again in the future.

Sincerely,
Bruce and Kathy Farrell
Trip Coordinators
Concord High Band Boosters


Chris Smith of Musselman Picture Story and Sound created a documentary of the highest quality for the Concord High School Jazz Ensemble. Chris's blend of story telling through the use of personal interviews and candid moments caught on film create an immediate sense of intimacy between the subject and audience. Chris's professional demeanor and skill throughout the film shooting process allowed me to feel confident that the finished product would be great while not disturbing the experience of the live event. I give Chris my highest recommendation for his exceptional film work, editing creativity, collaborative spirit, and ability to make his subjects feel at home on camera.

David Campbell, Director
Concord HS Minuteman Bands


I met Chris Smith in December 2004 while helping out with the Merced College RN graduation ceremony. This was the first time I was able to witness the incredible work he does as he prepared a video of the graduating class with interviews with students and instructors, added great pictures of the class, and included music with it too. My first reaction was...WOW! I watched the 10-minute video, along with several other fellow classmates and the entire audience. When I looked over at my friends sitting next to me...I realized all of our eyes were full of tears as we could relate to the story being told on the screen. Chris was able to make an incredible video, but more importantly, he was able to tell a very touching story of the journey, struggles, challenges, and happy moments that the graduating class went through over their 2 years in the program. Suffice it to say...I was impressed.

So, I immediately knew that I wanted to hire him to do a video for our class too as we were going to be the next class to graduate in the spring of 2005. And, of course, he did an incredible job with our video too. Chris has a special way of taking so much information from interviews with students and instructors and putting it all together so that the audience is able to see a story unfold. He is so professional and easy to work with. All I really had to do was tell him what our class wanted to see and he was able to put it all together and seeing the end product was so worth it! The first time our class viewed our grad video, I noticed tears and smiles throughout the 10 minute video. At the graduation ceremony on May 25, 2005 an audience of about 200-250 viewed it along with us and the reaction was awesome! I can't tell you how many people came up to me telling me how much they enjoyed the video as they were able to see how close our class was to each other, how highly our instructors thought of us, the struggles that we all went through, and the good times that we had. Chris put in pictures of our class that we had taken throughout our 2 year program and interspersed them throughout the video. The music that played along with the video made it ever more touching than our class could have imagined. In fact, the next graduating class came up to me immediately and said they wanted him to do a graduation video for their class too!

I highly recommend Chris Smith of Musselman Entertainment, Story and Sound for any video/movie you may want done for any occasion. He is so easy to work with, incredibly flexible, professional, and his work is outstanding (to say the least)! He not only made a 10 minute video of our journey...he also recorded our entire graduation ceremony for us! Most importantly, he is able to tell a meaningful and memorable story for all to enjoy.

Cindy Quintana Class President RN Class of Spring 2005 Merced College, Merced CA


In March of this year, the Concord High Band Boosters helped to organize a three-day trip for the Concord High Jazz Ensemble and Stage Band to participate in the Santa Cruz Jazz Festival in Santa Cruz, California. Chris Smith, of Musselman Pictures & Sound, accompanied us on the trip to provide us with a video record of our experience during the weekend.

Chris did a very thorough job, interviewing our Music Director, students, and adult chaperones before and during the trip. During the weekend, Chris was everywhere, at the performance venues, on the bus, and all points in between. In addition, he filmed the complete performances of both of our participating bands.

Shortly after the trip, we received a fully edited, 2-DVD record of our weekend in Santa Cruz. These included a documentary of the whole trip, including performances, interviews, and sightseeing side trips. Transitions between scenes were creatively edited with music and graphics. The video images and audio soundtrack were of very high quality, well above what could have been achieved by our adult staff. The results were very well received by our group.

We were very pleased with the services we received from Musselman Pictures & Sound and will definitely consider using them again in the future.

Sincerely,
Bruce and Kathy Farrell
Trip Coordinators
Concord High Band Boosters
September 26, 2004


Every 15 Minutes

Dear Chris,

I just wanted once again to express my sincere gratitude for your outstanding work on our Every 15 Minutes Program, Concord High, April 2005.

A very key point of the success of this program is the right videographer, for the video produced has such a vital role and carries a huge impact. Therefore one of the most challenging tasks as Coordinator of the project is finding that perfect videographer. Upon speaking to you, I knew without a doubt I had found the right person for the job! You brought a fresh look into this program and with your creativity, enthusiasm, professionalism, and experience produced an outstanding representation of this powerful event.

Not only has it touched, and will continue to touch, many young drivers as well as adults, but was recognized and received a Certificate of Merit from the Drug and Alcohol Advisory Board, Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors. So thank you once again Chris and I look forward to working with you again in 2007.

Sincerely,
Cathie Jarvis
Every 15 Minute Coordinator
Concord High School – April 2005


Hi Chris,

Now that Every 15 Minutes at Concord High School is over with I just wanted to thank you very much for all your diligence. I had done one other program in the past and I don't recall even having a conversation with the videographer. I was really pleased that you sought my input.

When you taped your segment here at the police department it was obvious that you were very knowledgeable, not only with videography, but you made the role players feel very comfortable. It went very smoothly. In my line of work making arrangements and sticking to them is unpredictable at best so I was very appreciative of your flexibility. You're very easy to work with.

Seeing the final product was such a pleasure on the second day of the Every 15 Minutes program. It is a very strong and powerful documentary. It was clear that you understood the impact to be depicted. The video evoked a lot of emotion for the viewers and was the best I've seen. I intend to keep your information handy and suggest you in the future to other schools.

Thanks again Chris.

Nancy Vedder
School Resource Officer
Concord Police Department


I found Chris Smith of Musselman Picture, Story and Sound to be a creative, energetic, and well-thought out professional. While working on the video aspect on the "Every 15 Minute" program for Concord High School in 2005, he worked well with the students, as well as the adults in the planning committee. His video equipment produced sharp, articulate results. The story-line was creative and distinct, bringing home the intended message of the anti-drinking and driving program.

Sherry Watkins, RN
JMMC Injury Prevention Project Leader
Every 15 Minutes Program


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