Sean Comber has become a vital part of shining the light on teens
Sean Comber is the man behind the lens. The 19-year-old St Pius X (Rodgers Forge) parishioner was everywhere at the Baltimore Youth Catholic Conference, taking photos and producing videos for celebrated films and galleries. Comber produced several promo films for BYCC to get teens excited about the conference in Ocean City.
The Loyola Blakefield graduate did all of this while attending Drexel University, where he is a sophomore.
Scott Miller, director of Youth and Young Adults Ministry for the Archdiocese of Baltimore, called the aspiring music producer and engineer a "photographer and videographer extraordinaire," this week in one of his blogs.
Comber answered some questions about his efforts.
Matt Palmer: The BYCC Man video was a bit hit, as were the others from BYCC. What went in to putting that together?
Sean Comber: We began talking and thinking about exactly what we needed and wanted out of the video around the time of late summer.
After that it was a matter of figuring out what to talk about and locations to work at. We ended up talking with the staff of the BYCC location hotel and worked out a day that we could go down and get access to a room to film. Through out the day we shot footage for three videos: the rules video and two promotional videos. Other footage and voiceover audio was shot and recorded at my studio in Towson.
Matt Palmer: How early did you and Nate (BYCC Man) Nockett go down to Ocean City to film? What were the biggest obstacles and what was the most fun?
Sean Comber: I along with Scott Miller, head of DYYAM, and Nate Nockett, BYCC Man took a day trip to Ocean City on 7th of September. We arrived somewhere around 9 a.m. and left around 2 p.m. Probably the most challenging aspect of the day was working around the fact that we were shooting in a foreign environment. We were not able to script out exactly what we wanted in the video. It was more a process of making a list of possible scenes that we wanted to incorporate into the videos and then figuring out how we would accomplish the shot once we were on location. That being said, probably one of the most fun parts of the day was interacting with people.
Although we were not down there at peak season, there were still a lot of people. It's not easy to walk across ocean highway and the boardwalk dressed as a superhero with a camera following you without going noticed.
Matt Palmer: Is filmmaking something you’re interested in?
Sean Comber: For me filmmaking is a hobby that I also do freelance. I enjoy making films and videos, however I do not see it as a career.
Matt Palmer: How did you start doing pictures and videos for the youth and young adult office?
Sean Comber: I received my first gig with the Archdiocese from Kristin Witte (now assistant director of campus ministry for Loyola University). We had talked at retreats such as Justice Action Week. After talking about many things we eventually landed on the subject of film and video. From there it was just a matter of time.
Matt Palmer: What other projects have you worked on for the archdiocese?
Sean Comber: I have produced Pilgrimage promos for 2010 and 2011, a Pilgrimage look back with photos that I took from the event in 2010, as well as a promotional piece for Justice Action Week in addition to my BYCC 2010 work.
Matt Palmer: What has been your favorite and why?
Sean Comber: Although BYCC was fun to film, I must say that the Justice Action Week Promo is my favorite. I got to have fun with this. We set up a sound stage at St William of York and spent a few solid days filming interviews in front of a green screen. It gave me a lot of footage in front of a changeable background that I was able to sift through to find exactly what I wanted.
Matt Palmer: Were you involved in youth ministry in high school and how did that affect you?
Sean Comber: I was very involved in youth ministry in high school. I went to all the conferences, retreats and events. Having been previously involved as a participant in the events that I have worked allows me to approach the project at an angle that appeals to the participant as well as some of the major factors of the event or retreat that I know from experience will be a major selling point.
Matt Palmer: Why do you continue to be involved in projects like this for the archdiocese?
Sean Comber: Aside from being able to work with a great group of people, it gives me a chance to revisit all the great events that I loved when I was in high school from a completely different point of view.
Matt Palmer: What would you like to try with these projects that you haven’t done yet?
Sean Comber: I am always thinking of how I can make the videos look more professional and be more appealing and engaging to the audience that it is intended for. I would very much like to incorporate more material that is from the point of view of actual participants.
Matt Palmer: What have you learned about teenagers through these projects?
Sean Comber: I have learned that the young church (middle and high school age) is as strong as ever. Every year we are getting more participants that are even more energetic than the previous year. It is inspiring and comforting.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bQti5NTw_Lw&fs=1&hl=en_US]
November 25, 2010 06:42
By Matt Palmer
I posted Molly's message earlier. Here is a Youtube clip I put together with the audio of her speech. The image comes courtesy of Sean Comber, a young adult from Pius X. Thanks, Sean!
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kJVhM69kCok&fs=1&hl=en_US]
November 21, 2010 09:55
By Matt Palmer
Father T. Austin Murphy Jr, director of vocations, delivered a homily about a surprising hero of his. It was a fitting end to this busy, but affirming weekend in Ocean City.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aZditnBcqJs&hl=en&fs=1]
November 21, 2010 12:22
By Matt Palmer
Just got word that the teens and adults here gave of themselves financially, as well as spiritually this weekend. Catholic Relief Service's Sudanese efforts will receive $1,300 as a result of donations today.
November 21, 2010 12:22
By Matt Palmer
Molly Sinnott of Crofton's St. Elizabeth Ann Seton parish is the real deal. She just talked to the BYCC crowd about her mission experiences in Guatemala and the real life heroes living there. She then shared her thoughts on being a teen hero. The five-foot-two Sinnott got people stirring with the following:
"We can't do this alone. We don't have innate superpowers, but all we have is the Eucharist, which we consume every week to get our daily, weekly injection of Jesus, and Jesus has got the superpowers we need. There is no greater power to change the world than that which comes with the Holy Spirit. Jesus is the greatest hero this world has ever known because he has saved the lives of every person who has lived and will live. So the best thing we can do if we want to be heroes, we have to live for and like Jesus. That means loving unconditionally and waking up every morning saying 'God what can I do for you and like you today?' Amen."
Click here to hear an audio of some of Molly's message
November 21, 2010 11:30
By Matt Palmer
Brad Farmer is delivering a Catholic pep talk to BYCC teens that would make a high school football coach jealous.
He's going full Uncle Ben Parker right now, talking about the responsibilty of being a Catholic teen hero. Who will become Spider-Man after this weekend?
"You know your jobs, superheroes. Become who you were created to be," Farmer said.
November 21, 2010 10:32
By Matt Palmer
The last day of BYCC is here. I can already hear teens moving about the hallways as they prepare to head downstairs for breakfast.
You haven't lived until you've seen 500 teens pray the rosary under the moonlight at the beach. Surrounded by candles, the teens took to the sand last evening (Nov. 20) in a moving display of spirituality.
It was such a serene experience.
The teens have learned quite a bit about the power of quiet in their lives. Father T. Austin Murphy Jr. led the teens in an adoration of the Blessed Sacrament in one of the ballrooms. It never ceases to amaze me how familiar young people are with adoration. As a child, I was an altar server and active in my parish, but adoration was not something that was taught to us.
It's second nature to these kids and a truly centering experience for them.
Not everything was quiet last night. The kids rocked out to Joia Farmer's versions Sweet Child O' Mine, Journey's Don't Stop Believin' and The Bangles' Hazy Shade of Winter.
These kids are spiritual and know their 80s music? Millennials FTW!
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qb2k5_4aULc&fs=1&hl=en_US]
This video doesn't have the greatest quality, but you'll see the energy on full display.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-3ppUoKDYMA
November 21, 2010 07:41
By Matt Palmer