Nick Ortiz shows his interviewing skills On Native Ground!

Nick's veteran reporter status shows through on camera. The 5' 10'' seventeen year old displays such a strong sense of ease and poise that he makes the 'on camera' reporter's job look easy. I can tell you that after watching Nick develop his reporting and camera operating skills throughout the last three years, it just doesn't surprise me that he can make an interview so interesting.

The interview w/Chaske @Sundance Film Festival On Native Ground!

Rachel, 17, of the

Concow Maidu Tribe interviews Chaske Spencer today.

Spencer is the "Sam Uley" character in New Moon (2009) and Eclipse (2010).



Not even 20 degree weather will stop a dedicated On Native Ground reporter from bringing visibility to her fellow Native American role model.


Preparing the questions is always the task. A very important one!
How does a young reporter prepare?

RACHEL IN HER OWN WORDS
"First, you watch the movies. That's the fun part. Then you think outside the box to come up with the questions that could help people like my little cousin, Cheyenne (12).

This is my second time at Sundance and I'm pretty sure that I'm coming back next year, too! This is the place to come to see the movies made by independent filmmakers. And, even more importantly, it is the place to come and support my fellow Native American filmmakers, actors, writers and people like me."

The day is moving fast and interviews unfolding. Assignments. Deadlines. Running wild and playing hard!

ONG Youth Reporter Dru II (11) is given the ONG Reporter's most coveted assignment today: The Camera Operator

The Camera Operator is key to maintaining on screen composition. DRU II is learning the skills of choreographing and framing the selected scene(s). In this case the scene is the interview with Sundance Film Institute Programmer, N. BIRD RUNNINGWATER. The interview is conducted by Mooretown Rancheria's Rachel Arnold, (17).

DRU II, IN HIS OWN WORDS

"I like being behind the camera because I like the feeling of shooting film, and I like the feeling I get when I get a really good shot. Sundance is a great way for me to watch the movies and see the different shots in the movies so I can become better at filming. I'm learning a little more about filming and the camera from every day. This is my third year w/On Native Ground! at the Sundance Film Festival."