Vlog Series: New Year, New Vlog

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By Ben Sanchez

This year, we brought Matt Amen to take part in our vlog series for a unique perspective of life in downtown Stockton. I remember meeting Matt at Huddle x Launch Pad to talk about the direction of the vlog for the new year. We discussed the idea for a few episodes based on someone who lives in the downtown area. Matt was instantly onboard with the idea of highlighting his normal routine in downtown Stockton. Whether he rides his bike or walks to work, he allowed us to film and talk about his life experience in downtown.  

“Let’s do a walk and talk in downtown!” he says. 

Matt Amen.

I joined Matt for a “day in the life” on his travels in downtown. Along the way, we dropped by Trail Coffee Roasters for coffee, dropped off laundry at Riteway Cleaners, made an appointment with The Golden Rose Barbershop, and then visited the new popup spot, DryCleaners. I learned a lot about some of the businesses here from Matt and the amount of knowledge he shares about each one. 

He loves downtown. He loves Stockton.  

He points to different art murals, filling my brain with information on the artist and concept behind these incredible visuals seen on the side of tall buildings. We stopped at Trail, chatting about scones, cruffins, and coffee. His vibrant red shoes tap against the floor. The unique, owl mosaic art greets our feet while we wait and chat about downtown. The coffee shop now occupies the historic Owl Drug Store building on the corner of California and Main Street. With a couple of warm cups of coffee, we venture off to The Golden Rose Barbershop to get a fresh cut. (Well, Matt gets a haircut anyway!)

A tiny detour.

On our walk down Main Street, across from the Chase building, we wandered into a building undergoing renovation. The dimly lit area stretches far back with random pillars and areas of paint beaming across the walls in vibrant orange, yellow, and purple colors. A business used to be here. “I heard it was called Disco Azteca,” the construction worker explained as we walk across the space. The building had been purchased by an investor with plans to begin work throughout the year.  

Every location has a story that Matt keyed in on. His energetic smile is contagious as the worker happily shares information about the project. “It was really great talking with you two investors,” said the construction worker. With a puzzled look on our faces, we both look at each other, sip coffee, and casually head for the door. Matt laughs as we exit the space. “Don’t you love little detours like that?” he exclaimed.  

Coats and Cuts.

I compliment Matt on his wonderful, pine colored coat. I drop a pop culture dialogue reference from Frank Miller’s Sin City. As the character Marv would say, “That’s one fine lookin’ coat you are wearin’ there.” Matt smiles, telling me the story behind the coat. His Uniqo tote bag, with a DSA teal beanie inside, hangs over his right shoulder as we enter the barbershop. The vintage shop, complete with several wide mirrors stretching across the walls, capture angles of human faces as they swivel in leather barber chairs. The giant scissor art chases a rose on the display windows lined with bulbs emitting a dimly lit glow into the shop. There is over 100 years of barbering history here. Something old, something new.

The previous customer steps off the chair and spent time chatting with us momentarily about video games before the snipping of blades was heard near the barber’s chair. Matt never missed a beat. His jovial expressions are seen from the mirrors as he talks to Stephen Herder, owner of Golden Rose Barbershop. Between cuts, my intern films the experience on a quiet day in downtown Stockton.

We lucked out with the weather, which can be quite windy as we walk down San Joaquin Street. The Golden Rose Barbershop has two locations, one downtown and another space on Miracle Mile (The latter space used to be Cal-Pine Barbershop on Miracle Mile). 

Once Matt finished in the chair, he sprung up to check his hair in the mirror before we ventured off to Shop DryCleaners. Cue the teal beanie reappearing from the Uniqo bag.

Shop Local.

Just one block from the barbershop, the DryCleaners sign is propped on the corner to greet the public. DryCleaners is a vendor popup selling sustainable clothing, plants, jewelry, and vintage items (Also a mini fridge with specialty drinks from Cuco Etc.) Matt is particularly proud of this because of the collaborative efforts between Huddle x Launch Pad, Cast Iron Trading Company, and DryCleaners. Located on the first floor of the historic Belding Building, DryCleaners popped up next door at Cast Iron before moving over into a bigger space.

“This is really exciting! We are bringing some new vibes to the block,” he says. 

The first floor is filled with a variety of products and items from vendors across California. With monthly scheduled events, and local musicians stopping by to perform at Cast Iron, the positive energy on the block is a welcome vibe for downtown.

He explained the collaboration with Oliver Opus, co-owner of DryCleaners, is bringing life near his area of downtown. Matt has always been an encouraging individual, inspiring Oliver and many others to continue their entrepreneurial venture regardless of the setbacks. “Sometimes it is easy to give up. I want them to succeed… I want to assist them anyway I can,” he says.

I hope you catch a glimpse of that when you watch the new episode of the vlog. 

What’s Next.

Regarding the future of the vlog, I am happy to announce that Matt will come back for another episode to highlight the night life downtown. We had fun exploring some of the businesses he frequents in downtown Stockton. I hope everyone will enjoy the episode when it drops in March 2022. If you like our video, be sure to share it with others to see the amazing places downtown.

Sometimes it is easy to give up. I want them to succeed… I want to assist them anyway I can.

Matt Amen

Businesses

Watch previous episodes on our YouTube channel!

Subscribe and catch all new episodes from Downtown Stockton Alliance.

Vlog Series: Alternate Endings

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By Ben Sanchez

When we originally started wrapping up our fourth episode of the vlog, we wanted to have an ending with Renee and Jason. I knew this was their final vlog episode and I wanted them to address everyone with their last thoughts before moving on to other amazing things. We have all worked hard to develop something that can highlight spaces downtown, and I thought it would be fitting for them to say a personal goodbye to you. 

An alternate ending from episode 4!

While Jason was always behind the camera in each episode, this would be one of the rare times he is in front of the camera. Along with Renee, we asked Nessie from FarOut Foliage to use her space to shoot this ending. Of course, Nessie came through for us! We helped her spruce up the place before deciding to film a few takes for our ending. With lots of laughs and hugs, both did a fantastic job on this project. Check our YouTube channel for the uncut ending!

Watch the alternate ending on our YouTube channel!

Forever Falafel. 

In this episode, Renee and I wanted to feature an older restaurant establishment. According to the people in downtown, Yasoo Yani is considered one of these “hidden gem” restaurants. The space is nestled in between the Courthouse Plaza and Stockton Collegiate just kitty-corner from Cort Tower. 

During our conversation, I turned to her and asked, “Do you like Mediterranean food?” 

She instantly replied, “Yasoo Yani!” 

Part of the idea we both had for vlog food segments is to highlight a new place and an old place from downtown Stockton. We messaged Nessie to meet us for lunch and ordered the falafel. A first-time for Nessie, I always suggest falafel with the tzatziki sauce. Apparently, they also offer and serve a red sauce at Yasoo Yani (Who knew!) The Gyro is a nice, soft (no pun intended) introduction to someone who has never tried Greek food. It is also a bonus if you are vegetarian, but they have other lamb and chicken options for gyros.

After describing the falafel ingredients to Nessie and doing the initial first bite (a coordinated effort I might add), we can say it was an enjoyable experience.  

The owner, Jim Aftias, stopped by to introduce himself. He intricately described the ingredients and process of making baklava and falafel. As I peered across the table, everyone fixated to every word, as he shared stories about the Greek festival and the restaurant. The wonderful thing about small businesses is meeting the people behind them. I am always fascinated with their story, and it gave me more insight into why I enjoy Mediterranean food and appreciate Greek culture. 

Watch episode 4 on our YouTube channel!

I want to ride my bicycle.  

A portion of the episode are places I had to visit on my own. On our visit to the HUB (Helping Urban Bicyclists), I introduced our team to Deacon Steve Bentley. He does a lot for the community at Helping Urban Bicyclists.  

Fun fact, he fixed up my bike years ago when I decided to participate in a Full Moon Ride in downtown Stockton. Coincidentally, he participated in the exact same ride pulling up beside me to ask how it felt to take the old bike out for a spin. It felt good. 

I imagine this is the feeling everyone has when they leave his shop on their bicycle. Veterans. Homeless. People from all walks of life enter the shop either looking for a used bike for work or need help fixing their old ride. If you are looking to donate an old bike to his shop or in need of fixing up your current bike, ask Deacon Steve.  

Goodstock Productions. 

We scheduled some time with Amy Sieffert and her team at Goodstock Productions to find out “What’s good with Goodstock?” 

Trail Coffee Roasters is a workspace the team uses consistently. The hangout. In my freelance career as a writer, coffee shops are amazing spaces for work. Good coffee, good people, and good food (The scones are to die for at Trail!) Speaking of good, Amy and I met back at a Stockmarket event years ago and talked about Goodstock Productions. 

Their flagship event, Stockmarket, is a pop-up event for local makers and vendors looking to sell their goods to the community. The event became a platform to help them achieve that goal. The company brought awareness for these entrepreneurs looking to build something great in the city of Stockton.  

My initial introduction to Goodstock Productions was at Stockmarket, assisting vendors and helping move tables and boxes during event setup. I worked at a local nonprofit table and sold local honey. It felt like a rite of passage. As a vendor, you get curious about other vendors and the goods they brought out for the day. But what really piqued my curiosity are the people behind the event?  

Who is the team behind the curtain making the magic happen?  

In this episode, Amy tells us what they do, how they do it, and the core idea behind Goodstock Productions. I bet you have seen her in the media. She has been featured on radio and television spots promoting her brand. The event planning company is the crème de la crème in Northern California. Have you thought about hosting an event, but do not know where to start? Hire Goodstock Productions. No, seriously, contact them for a consultation. They produce elaborate, elegant events tailored to your dreams. I guarantee it will be the best investment you make to see your creative visions come true. 

Guest Appearances

  • Nessie Huffhines, owner of FarOut Foliage
  • Amy Sieffert, owner of Goodstock Productions
  • Deacon Steven Bentley, owner of The HUB
  • Jim Aftias, owner of Yasoo Yani
  • Jason Millner – University of the Pacific alumni
  • Renee Icasiano – University of the Pacific alumni
  • Ben Sanchez – University of the Pacific alumni

Vlog Series: Special Delivery

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By Ben Sanchez

Throughout our adventures in downtown Stockton, we prepare to meet entrepreneurs opening their doors on a Friday afternoon. This Friday is different from the normal Friday because it is a ‘Fired Friday.’ Fired Mobile Pizza mysteriously rolls up to the front of the Sycamore in downtown to offer an alternative lunch special to local workers and community members. 

On this particular outing, we thought it would be appropriate to give our intern some practice with the camera. We had him follow us around downtown and capture footage of our walk over to the Sycamore. 

The Sycamore is a venue space with this semi-rustic feel when you step into the building. Located on Weber Avenue, Stockton natives might remember the venue as The Plea for Peace Center that promoted all types of rock shows and community events in downtown. Today, Fired Pizza occupies the parking lot space just outside the Sycamore. Large iron gates roll away as setup begins for the lunch crowd on Friday.

Fired Mobile Pizza.

Jason and I got a message from Daniel Correa, owner of Fired Mobile Pizza, about doing some pizza delivery work. When we arrived at the parking lot, all of us ordered our own Neapolitan Artisan Style Pizza. The truck, like any great food truck in Stockton, has a loyal fan base monitoring their next popup location across the city. 

We introduced Nessie Huffhines, owner of FarOut Foliage, to the pizza spot for the vegetarian options they offer to customers. Once the fire was lit, pies were flying into boxes and prepped for delivery. 

We dropped by two specific locations for each delivery. Uniqo Salon on California Street and Plaza Perks inside Courthouse Plaza. 

None of this was scheduled to be a part of the vlog and happened about 30 minutes before we were preparing to shoot content. 

I love the spontaneity of the vlog. I think this is genuinely the best part for Jason and I because it keeps us on our toes. Creatively, it allows us to develop and showcase the experiences you see downtown in the vlog. 

UNIQO.

Patty Ayala, owner of Uniqo, knew ahead of time we were dropping by with pizza for her staff. Since Jason is a super fan at Uniqo, he dialed up Patty to give her a heads up on the delivery drop at noon.

Plaza Perks.

Plaza Perks had no clue we were dropping off pies. The staff was genuinely surprised and I think everyone that played the part, delivered in spades. I even got to say hello to the Executive Director of Parents by Choice, Tony Yadon. We caught the staff at the right time during a team meeting. I offered some fun facts about Fired Pizza before they opened the boxes to get a whiff of the amazing, specialty pizza. 

Support Local.

I think the importance of these experiences show you the people behind the counter and connect us with entrepreneurs in our community. The key element for small businesses is the people. The clients get a sense of the entrepreneurs behind the brand. You learn who they are and hopefully, you stay to listen to their story. They are trying to build lifelong relationships with you. If I feel welcome at these establishments and get a sense of belonging, I most likely will return to grab a coffee, eat a sandwich, get a haircut, and watch a musician perform in downtown Stockton (Not particularly in that order).

Overall, our experience was positive. When you support local businesses, you do more than just buy a product or service — you help build their dream. These people take risks everyday to chase the dream, develop it, and execute their lifelong plans. Most of the time, we are all along for the ride. I can tell you first hand when I started writing about students at University of the Pacific, I never thought that hands-on experience with the marketing team at Thomas J. Long school of Pharmacy would lead me to the coworking and startup culture. I was honing my craft in small increments and learned about entrepreneurship. Adding skills to the toolkit, as my professor would tell me. My writing would lead to developing small business articles in San Joaquin County. 

Thanks for sharing!

My goal was always to listen, create, and deliver the best story for each entrepreneur. I was merely the passenger working alongside these individuals to get that story to a larger platform. 

They all have stories to tell, we just need to take the time to listen. While all the compliments I received about my work from experienced writers have been positive, the best compliment is directly from the individual I interviewed for the story. The people who struggled to maintain the business. The people who, despite everyone telling them no, went ahead with their plan and did it anyway. The people who followed their passion to develop an idea and push it out into the world. Thank you for taking the time to share your stories with me. Without you, there would be no story. 

Guest Appearances

  • Nessie Huffhines, owner of FarOut Foliage
  • Daniel Correa, owner of Fired Mobile Pizza
  • Patty Ayala, owner of UNIQO
  • Plaza Perks staff
  • Jason Millner – University of the Pacific alumni, UNIQO Top Fan
  • Renee Icasiano – University of the Pacific alumni
  • Ben Sanchez – University of the Pacific alumni

Vlog Series: Sayonara

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By Ben Sanchez

As the season changes, the leaves flutter in the wind across downtown Stockton. The air surrounding us shifts as we move in a different direction this month. The last episode with our influencer, Renee Icasiano, comes to an end on the vlog. My original pitch of 7 episodes for a vlog with an influencer was successful only to a point. Renee was only going to be a part of 4 episodes before we moved in a different direction with our final 3 episodes. 

Hopefully, all of you have enjoyed what we put together over the summer. There was a lot of great talent involved creating this project. We did some fine tuning to our introduction and the flow of episodes synced up to create new content for downtown. I picked music that would be copyright friendly (Thanks Otis McDonald!), but also encompass the vibe of what we were looking for with the vlog. In each episode, not only did we highlight small businesses in downtown, we got to meet new people building something great in our city. Before we say goodbye, I want to give you some ‘behind the scenes’ and share a brief story with you about Renee.

Renee Icasiano.

Renee was always my first choice as an influencer because she lived in Stockton, built a great rapport in the community, and continues to be a positive influence with her brand. She checked a lot of the boxes I was looking for not because of her experience in Stockton, but her familiarity in front of the camera as a performer.

Renee and I initially met back in 2009 at University of the Pacific in Communication. Our mutual, late friend, Angela Karim, made the introduction, but we never did cross paths again until 2017. Renee moved on and served in the Army for 4 years right after we met in 2009.

Around 2017, I assisted my artist friend at a local event in downtown Stockton. The event promoted local artists, musicians, and small businesses. One of the performers on stage was Renee. I saw this woman in heels wearing an elegant outfit step onto the stage at Channel Brew Company to perform music. I recognized her voice during the introduction and to my surprise, she started performing hip hop.

After her performance, she purchased some art from my friend and I went to reintroduce myself. Since then, we reconnected and worked on several projects together throughout the Stockton area.

With an elegance and professionalism that is unmatched in the 209, she required little direction from me on how to approach the vlog. She understood the vision of where we wanted to take each episode. I valued her creative input when we reviewed content, and we often had great synergy on the places we wanted to visit throughout our 4 episodes together. 

I brought along a great group of people on this journey. Each of them contributed to what you see on YouTube. This was not a project developed solely by one person. There were roadblocks and challenges we met along the way, but we slowly overcame them in each episode.

Not only do we bid adieu to Renee, but we also say sayonara to Jason Millner. 

Jason Millner.

Jason was the ‘man behind the cam.’ My professor told me once in my studies that certain individuals have the eye for camera work.

You can’t teach it. You either have it or you don’t.

I can definitely tell you after working with a few skilled videographers that Jason has ‘the eye’ for it.

The shift in marketing this past Spring left Jason wondering what type of work the department would produce moving forward.

I still laugh when we had our initial conversation about pitching the vlog, developing reels, and fine tuning the Doorways to Downtown episodes. He told me he thought he would have to ‘carry the new guy’ over the summer.

With only five months of working together, I can say it was an honor to work with Jason on this project. I am not the only one that can say that either.

Several people downtown who got to know Jason and work with him can see the skill and passion he brings to each video project. Many business owners recognized his talent and hired him to help their business. Jason knew the vision of what we were trying to achieve with the vlog and loved helping small business thrive in downtown Stockton.

While he prepares for his next journey, I am excited to see where the camera will take him. He has incredible potential to hone his craft and continue visual storytelling.

Surprise.

For episode 4, I can say it was full of surprises and experiences that happened last minute. Each episode had unexpected turns and natural conversations.

I never scripted anything (Napkin notes).

I never scheduled half of those people to appear in our episodes.

When Renee asked one of the workers at the Waterfront about a new business opening in September, we had no idea the owner was available to chat with us about the business.

We got curious. 

We told the waitress about how great our food tasted at Yasoo Yani, 10 minutes later the owner drops by our table to explain the method of making baklava.

I always pitch “Be curious” to students when I do guest speaking for colleges in Stockton and Sacramento. Out of the ten fundamentals of public relations, curiosity is always my number 1. It opens up dialogue with people. If we didn’t ask those questions or inquire about something specific, how would we know? How would we hear their story? Storytelling is a key component in any form of content you create with a brand. It unfolds naturally in the vlog. I hope we were able to capture that and convey it to you in our content. 

As the director/producer, I have to coordinate schedules and dates for the places we visit. What happens along the way is magic. Who could we meet? What can we experience in that episode? 

I do a lot of improvisation. I might give a general idea of where to shoot it or what to look for, but everything just happens when it needs to. I have ideas for bits, but when we all get together some unexpected event unfolds for us. We brought along friends who felt comfortable with us. I think that is important. How can we get the best story out of you if you feel uncomfortable? We ran into a lot of people who just wanted to talk with us. I bet with all the b-roll, we probably could give you more than 7 episodes! For everyone who popped up in the first 4 episodes, thank you! This project would not be where it is now without some of you agreeing to be on camera. 

Thanks!

With that said, I also want to thank Jason and Renee. Both were a huge part in why the vlog was successful! I hope you can take these vlog experiences with you and tell people about it. Share it with those people who don’t know about Stockton and continue to create positive content in future projects. 

Vlog Series: Explore Possibilities

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By Ben Sanchez

Superior Court of California

When I initially thought about presenting the idea about a vlog for marketing, I needed to develop a style on how to highlight multiple individuals rather than have a vlog centered around one person.

Traditionally a vlog follows an individual experience through weekly content. I knew I needed to find a way to capture the human side of people downtown, but how could I accomplish that goal? 

The vlog is not a new idea. Around the mid 2000s, people were already experimenting with video content and how to deliver it to the world. I realize this project is a radical departure from previous content posted by the organization. My goal is to create relatable, authentic content to bring more awareness to the downtown area. This is a time to step into a fresh, creative space and implement different, collaborative ideas from people who are supportive of this project. By exploring downtown through video content, we can showcase a new perspective on the life and culture happening in the downtown area.

My name is Ben Sanchez, and I am an alum from University of the Pacific. My co-worker in the Marketing department, Jason Millner, also an alum from University of the Pacific, works on the vlog project. Here are my thoughts on how and why we developed this project for downtown Stockton.

Featured Photos

Check out our latest video!

Vlog Thoughts

What is a vlog?

A vlog, short for ‘video blog’ or ‘video log,’ is video content uploaded to a video platform by a group or individual on a set schedule. The content varies based on the creator, but will typically highlight aspects of their life. This “day in the life” style of documenting content is generally unscripted and natural. With a wide variety of topics from traveling, cooking, and technology, followers can subscribe and watch ‘vloggers’ discuss and experience their thoughts through a series of video content.

While vlogging follows one individual, we decided on a hybrid style of filming with multiple people in front of the camera rather than having one person consistently appear and address the viewers. We switch between phone and camera footage, blending a style utilized by several content creators on major video platforms.

What is the difference between a vlog and a blog?

The main difference is the format. A blog is informal, written content that the audience has to read in an article or story on a website. A vlog is visual content with a story told through videos on YouTube. Although not limited to just YouTube, you can distribute vlog content across several social media platforms. 

When did you develop the idea for a downtown vlog?

I watched vlogs on YouTube for the past two years and through my research, I discovered a few I really enjoy. After speaking with Jason, we bounced around some ideas, and shared YouTube channels that would inspire us to develop a vlog that would work for us. To be honest, I never intended on developing a vlog for downtown. We just tossed around the idea and how cool it would be to do it. It was interesting to hear Jason’s perspective about the idea of a vlog. He was already thinking about a vlog during his time as an intern, but he felt no one would grasp that concept. I kept hearing ideas on what other people wanted to do, but never implement them. I took all of the scribbles from our notes and ran with the idea.

I did not mind directing the audience and putting myself out there to help navigate episodes, but I needed more people involved to explore downtown. I planned for a monthly vlog of 7 episodes in 2021. I pitched the idea back in May and we started filming randomly throughout downtown.

What is the vision for the vlog?

Patty Ayala, owner of Uniqo Salon, speaking with performer and entrepreneur, Renee Icasiano.

I think my overall vision was to find a way to capture moments in downtown and create a video archive. I knew it had to highlight a little bit of everything. Architecture, business, art, and entertainment — we have to change the narrative into something positive.

If we put together a video series, we could consistently have video content for people every month.  I did not want to be overly ambitious about where I would go with the vlog. I planned for 7 episodes and only 7 for this year.

The challenge with only two people producing, directing, and creating is how often can we create an episode on top of the other responsibilities we have in our roles at Downtown Stockton Alliance. I have to balance time and resources. I wanted to bring in key influencers that bring a positive presence in front of the camera. We currently showcase entrepreneurs and business, but I want to expand on other avenues of downtown if our vlog gains momentum. Ideally, I would love to bring in more artists and musicians to showcase the work they create downtown. 

Why create a vlog about downtown?

Why not? The organization has never done anything like it. They were slowly rolling out a new video project, but Doorways is very specific on what it does. I needed content that could cover a wider spectrum of downtown. The sustainability of the vlog has the potential to cover behind the scenes on small business, events, art, venue spaces, and other aspects of downtown people might not be familiar with. Once I had an idea about who I could approach for the vlog, we started to capture places and people. People get their information from different sources on a daily basis. Is there a demand for video content? Absolutely. Could you over saturate your channel? Never. You can never have enough content. We all know the saying, ‘content is king.’ 

The YouTube platform for the organization was not active and I knew that going in when I reviewed the channel. We need something more entertaining on the channel. In order for this project to be successful, I needed to establish good working relationships with business owners who feel comfortable behind the camera. Without the people and culture of downtown, our project would not be possible.

What is your goal for the vlog?

Nessie Huffhines, owner of Farout Foliage.

I want to show the ‘humanness’ here in downtown. Let’s highlight the people who are building something here. I keep talking about authenticity. Sometimes, I feel that is a lost artform.

When you look at everything pushed out to social platforms… what feels genuine? What feels authentic? What is real?

If I can bring a real sense of awareness to one person and get them curious about a key business or venue downtown — I know our project made a connection. I read comments on our Instagram from people who want to know more about these businesses. Where are they located? What do they sell? We have to build a connection with entrepreneurs and my goal is to help establish a sense of familiarity in how we can create storytelling through video.

The first idea was always ‘behind the scenes.’ I wanted that bit to be authentic and for the audience to see another side of entrepreneurs behind the camera. We never get our other video project (Doorways to Downtown) on the first take. Not all of us are performers or are prepared to be recorded — we have anxieties in from the camera.

That particular project felt rigid and formatted in a way that just goes through the routine. Here are generalized questions covering very specific aspects of a business. For that project, I feel it works. But you will never see any outtakes. You might not see us laughing about fumbling lines or general banter about everyday life. For the vlog, I want it to feel unscripted, natural, light-hearted, and on the fly. We have to be agile and think on our feet, similar to how entrepreneurs approach their ideas. If we evoke certain emotions, and create a way to have fun, people will become comfortable with us. This is what we need to achieve and I hope you will feel that when you watch our vlog.

Do you have any past experience with vlogs?

I have no experience working on vlog projects, but Jason and I have worked on several video projects over the years. The vlog is fresh, ‘off the cuff’ improvisation in front of a camera. Jason has a passion to create and tell stories through videography. We connected on this level when we discussed ideas about the vlog. He did his own personal vlog for a short time. I developed an entrepreneur video podcast at a local nonprofit radio station several years ago. I’m familiar with being in front of the camera hosting my own show. With Jason behind the lens working his craft, we both explore spaces downtown. Our passion to chase this idea allows us to bring people along for the ride as we capture these experiences. It has been an incredible collaborative effort with everyone who appeared in the first two episodes.

What about your Instagram reels and stories? How are those being developed?

I approached it from a video game perspective (first person) in storytelling. From the eyes of the viewer, you see what I see walking downtown — pushing elevator buttons or opening doors to businesses. I want to give you the feeling that you are right there with me. Every block, every step. This is one method to tell a story and then creatively develop a reel.

During the editing process for other vlog content, there is a review process and material is cut. Some of that material will never see the light of day. I created another way to compile it and push it out into reels. 

Amazing specialty coffee drinks from Grinding Grounds truck at the Waterfront in downtown Stockton.

With the implementation of reels on our Instagram account, we found a process that works for us based on the results we receive from viewers. To date, this is the most active form of engagement we have seen with the Downtown Stockton Alliance Instagram account. What impressed us is the interactions and views we get with this content. I’m thankful people were able to make time to watch and offer feedback.