REIMAGINING BIRTH AT MLK
Showcasing Excellence at MLK Community Healthcare
We were thrilled when our friends at Allied Global Marketing reached out to us for a special project: capturing the remarkable work being done at MLK Community Healthcare. Over the course of two days, our team had the privilege of documenting the newly redesigned maternity ward and the vital services provided by this outstanding facility.
A Behind-the-Scenes Look
From the moment we stepped through the doors of MLK Community Healthcare’s facilities, it was clear that this was more than just a hospital; it was a community dedicated to caring for mothers and their families. Our crew worked meticulously to stage lighting and set up interviews with doctors, midwives, and patients, each sharing their unique experiences and insights. The warmth and dedication of the community were evident in every conversation we captured.
In addition to the interviews, we filmed b-roll across multiple properties, ensuring we highlighted the full scope of the hospital's state-of-the-art facilities and compassionate care. Every shot was crafted to tell the story of MLK Community Healthcare’s commitment to improving the health and well-being of the Los Angeles community.
The Heart of Healthcare
The redesigned maternity ward at MLK Community Healthcare is a beacon of hope and excellence. Through our lenses, we aimed to showcase not just the physical transformation of the space but also the profound impact it has on the families it serves. The interviews and b-roll footage come together to paint a vivid picture of a place where medical innovation meets heartfelt care.
We are proud to support and share the incredible work being done at MLK Community Healthcare. Their dedication to serving the Los Angeles area is truly inspiring, and we are honored to have played a part in bringing their story to life.
Check out the important work MLK Community Healthcare is doing in the Los Angeles area through our video and select images below:
For more information on how Dugud Lab can help you capture and share the essence of your organization’s story, contact us today. Let’s create visuals that resonate and inspire.
THE "FGLI" FOCUS
Annual FGLI Consortium Conference: A Success in Supporting Students
Each year, the FGLI Consortium organizes a pivotal conference for university and college administrators. This event is dedicated to exploring the best practices and innovative strategies for supporting first-generation, lower-income (FGLI) students.
The Dugud Lab team was honored to join this year’s conference to capture the essence of the event through professional videography and photography. Our high-quality visuals not only documented the conference but also highlighted the collaborative spirit and insightful discussions that took place.
Capturing the Heart of the Event
From the opening keynote to the interactive workshops, our team was on the ground, ensuring every important moment was immortalized. We were particularly moved by the heartfelt stories shared and the passionate commitment of the administrators working to support them. The energy in the room was palpable, and we aimed to reflect that in every shot we took.
Our goal was to create a visual narrative that not only documented the event but also conveyed the profound impact of the Consortium’s work. We believe that every conference has a unique story to tell, and it’s our job to bring that story to life through our lenses.
Why This Matters
High-quality event coverage does more than record proceedings; it amplifies the reach and impact of the message being conveyed. By capturing the right moments, we help organizations like the FGLI Consortium extend their influence and share their achievements with a broader audience. It’s about creating a lasting impression and fostering connections long after the event has ended.
We’re excited to share the recap video and a few select images from the FGLI Consortium Conference below. These visuals not only highlight the key moments but also tell the story of a community coming together to make a difference.
Check out the recap video and a few select images below:
For more information on how Dugud Lab can help you capture the magic of your next event, contact us today. Let's make your story come alive through stunning visuals!
THE EVOLUTION OF MSA
In an effort to promote their new focus group report, our partners at Northwestern University’s Office of Multicultural Student Affairs (MSA) asked us to develop a series of videos to highlight the report’s findings. We explored the evolution of MSA through animation and bright colors.
For more information on MSA, or to read the full report, visit northwestern.edu/msa.
A WILDCAT WELCOME
Masks and sanitizer aren’t the only new tools we’re using to navigate the times. The folks over at the Office of Multicultural Student Affairs at Northwestern University wanted to create a video series to help familiarize new students with their spaces, as part of their Wildcat Welcome for the incoming class.
In an effort to introduce the many services and programs MSA offers, we developed a video series that highlights the team’s role on campus, showcases each of their spaces - the Multicultural Center, the Black House, and the Gender and Sexuality Resource Center - as well as a land acknowledgment video and why it’s important to acknowledge the land we stand on.
Over the course of two shoot days, we roamed the campus exteriors to meet with eleven team members individually to capture a series we called, “Meet Us at MSA.” The cast and crew abided by strict safety and sanitization guidelines, including the use of personal protective equipment, enforcing social distancing, and ensuring the fewest number of people were on set at all times.
THE CONTENTLY FOUNDATION
Telling stories that need to be heard is at the heart of everything Dugud Lab does. While many organizations tell stories that matter, it's rare to find a group of people that believe in the inherent power of storytelling and its potential to change the world. Director & Co-Founder Zack McDowell had the pleasure of creating a mission video for The Contently Foundation. This organization sheds light on stories often overlooked by major news sources.
Through steadfast investigative journalism, this NY based 501(c)3 has partnered with Fusion, Gawker, New York Post, and the Guardian to bring these stories to the masses. You may not know that these stories can take months to investigate and countless hours from various volunteers to put together. Zack was fortunate to follow their team for a week, gain insight into all they do, and create a video that strives to capture all their great work. To learn more about The Contently Foundation, follow their journey at: Contently.org
THE COLOR OF THE MIND
Dugud Lab has partnered with Latinx feminist and mental health advocate, Dior Vargas, on an exciting new photography project. Dior has worked over the past few years speaking and leading conversations about the intersection of race and mental health. She is the creator of the People of Color and Mental Illness Photo Project and we have teamed up to expand that message into an artistic exhibit that will be released early next year and a book in the near future. Dugud Lab and Dior will be working over the next month to capture portraits and stories of 60 people of color in NYC who share stories of their health experiences.
We’ve already began conversations and capturing the beautiful lives of individuals in the Bronx and Brooklyn but are hoping to cover more territory. Currently we have a few slots open for those who want to participate in our studio shoot taking place May 27th & 28th. If you’re interested and available in joining this project, live in the NY metro area and fit any of the descriptions below - sign up online at Dior's site.
Asian or Native American
Male, trans, or gender non-conforming
Live in Queens
Couples, friends or family members also dealing with mental illness (group interview)
People with physical disabilities
***Update: the book has been completed and published. The Color of My Mind: Mental Health Narratives from People of Color is available for purchase now.
OUR TRIP TO KENYA
The fog of jetlag has lifted. We’re back in the New York office catching up on all that we’ve missed while out of the country. Over the past couple of weeks, we were in Kenya creating a series of remarkable videos for a non-profit organization, Empower Dreams, that’s working to fund a waterline project in the Rift Valley Area. This water is said to service a world-class school that is sure to radically change this region. It’s been amazing to witness all the challenges that the folks in the town of Mai Mahiu have been tirelessly working to address so they can get back to creating change for themselves and their community.
LensRentals.com was great partner in this trip. We have used them several times over the past couple of years but when we told them what we were working on they were extremely helpful in setting us up with the gear we needed. We captured footage from this trip using the Sony Fs7 and Sony A7s. The dynamic range and high frame rate made it a perfect match for all the dreamy inspirational footage we were looking to get. We also rented a Movi M10, which has surprising become a workhorse for us. Every time we rent one of these we are blown away by its capabilities. This trip we pushed its ability is by using it as stabilizer during a bike-riding scene. Looking through the footage it’s pretty impressive what it was able to handle. While some view the Movi as a toy, it has been eye opening to see how it changes the way we shoot - really causing us to get into the action from a first person perspective oppose to shooting a scene as a passive viewer.
We had a small but mighty crew this trip. Zack McDowell directed while Nick Sherman acted as the Director of Photography. He did a phenomenal job really pushing what could be visually accomplished out in rural Kenya. We had a great driver that turned out to be an aspiring gaffer. Through out the trip Victor was great set of hands and eyes while keeping out of danger. Lana Adams was sent from the Empower Dreams Marketing team. She photographed the entire trip, helped keep us inspired, and made sure we started each day with a smile. Megan Haynes was our on the ground producer which was imperative to coordinate all fluctuating details and schedules throughout the two weeks. Paul Staudacher, founder of Empower Dreams, joined us half way through the trip. He was a great client to work for as he helped build expectations then allowed room for creative freedom. With a small crew it’s important that everyone has a team spirit and has creative synergy. This crew defiantly hit both marks consecutively.
This was Zack’s third time traveling back to this area and it seems that each time he goes new relationships are formed. Mary is the principle of Cornerstone Academy, the school receiving the waterline, and she was monumental to the production of these videos. Acting as a translator and assistant director, her level of leadership and wisdom was truly motivating. We could go on for days for how much of an impact she had on uplifting our spirits for those two weeks but for now we will say that she is truly a lifetime friend of Dugud. While there, we spent sometime with a group of people that have been displaced from their homes after the 2008 Post Election Violence. Their settlement called Mwi’ Hungiri translates to “a people who fend for themselves”. Their stories while vast, all captured the triumph of the human sprit and just how far a community will go to thrive through opposition. While we didn’t have enough time to shoot a video dedicated to them they will be on our hearts for many years to come.
Currently, we are in the trenches of post but we look forward to sharing these inspirational videos mid-November. In the meantime, check out the rest of our pictures from our trip below. If you are looking to donate or get involved with what is going on in the Rift Valley head over to EmpowerDreams.org and learn more about the great work those guys are doing.
