Video producer seeking online memorials to Iraq war dead
North County Times – Escondido,CA,USA
They can stop by Ranson’s studio in Leucadia between this Thursday and
Saturday, March 3. Douglas said those interested in obtaining the address
to the …

SCRIPPS RANCH —- Of the many ways to honor the sacrifices of American service members who have died in Iraq, Jennifer Douglas of Scripps Ranch says a planned tribute of one-minute online videos she is promoting could be among the most moving.

Douglas, a freelance video producer from Scripps Ranch, is offering her skills to friends, family members and colleagues of those who died in Iraq in creating video memorials of their loved ones for viewing on the Internet.

“The purpose is to honor those men and women who have been killed in the war and transform the statistics into living portraits of those people,” Douglas said. “It’s an opportunity for friends and family to speak about those people, and it’s an opportunity for us to do something that honors and respects these folks.”

Ron Ranson, a professional videographer, is joining Douglas in the project, which was created by the Brave New Foundation from the Los Angeles area and several Iraq veterans groups. The Brave New Foundation Web site home page describes the organization as “championing social justice issues by using media to inspire, empower, motivate and teach civic participation that makes a difference.”

Douglas said those wishing to participate in the project can do so in one of two ways. They can stop by Ranson’s studio in Leucadia between this Thursday and Saturday, March 3. Douglas said those interested in obtaining the address to the studio should contact her by telephone or e-mail. Home visits may be possible for those unable to travel to the studio, she said.

Participants may also shoot videos on their own and, following the instructions at www.iraqmemorial.org, the project’s Web site, mail in submissions to the address specified on the Web site. Douglas said the deadline for receiving the submissions has been extended to March 5.

Douglas said she came up with the idea of recruiting the loved ones of those who have died for the memorial videos after coming upon the project Web site. Douglas said she has no direct ties to anyone serving in Iraq.

“I don’t have any personal connections, but that doesn’t mean I don’t care,” she said.

The videos are scheduled to be posted across the Internet on March 19, the fourth anniversary of the start of the Iraq war. The videos can be shown on anyone’s Web site, blog or MySpace page after filling out a form on the project Web site. The Iraq memorial Web site contains instructions on how to make an online video.

The Associated Press listed the number of American service members killed in Iraq at 3,146 Tuesday afternoon.

Contact staff writer Joe Beck at (760) 740-3516 or jbeck@nctimes.com. Comment at nctimes.com.

To contact Jennifer Douglas, call (858) 344-5490 or e-mail jenniferdouglas@yahoo.com.

To reach the Iraq memorial Web site, visit www.iraqmemorial.org.

To reach the Brave New Foundation Web site, visit www.bravenewfoundation.org.

Mail memorial videos to Iraq Veterans Memorial, c/o Brave New Foundation, 10510 Culver Blvd., Culver City, CA 90232.