IMAGINARY WORLDS ~ The Ingenuity of Whiskytree Creators

WRITERS/REPORTERS: Ben Auerbach, Rachel Butts, Charlie Brooks, Lauren Cheung, Kai Creedman-Ho, Christian Hee, Ethan Herron, Oscar Labovich, Jane Merkle, Lux Sparks-Pescovitz, Edna Maguire, Rachel Richman, Zoe Shulman, Kylie Sebastian, Jack Nieker, Maybell Murphy-Sylla, Jacob Taichman-Bernstein, Jack Watson, Regan Widergren, and Alaina Wehrly; from Kent Middle, Dixie School, SF Friends School, Mill Valley Middle, Mark Day, Kent Middle, San Rafael High, Marin Waldorf, Marin Academy, Urban, Mark Day, Tam High, Tam Valley, Hall Middle, and Saint Isabella Schools

In a non-descript building in downtown San Rafael, just two blocks from Fourth Street, a small company uses close collaboration and ingenuity to create vivid, imaginary worlds on a daily basis. Equipped with an arsenal of high-powered computers and cutting edge software, this company’s hardworking  staff has built structures, cities, landscapes, and majestic skylines for some of  Hollywood’s biggest motion pictures. Formed by a team of seasoned visual effects veterans in 2007, the whimsically named “Whiskytree” has carved a place for itself in the constantly evolving realm of digital animation and production. In a behind the scenes look at one of Marin’s best kept secrets, learning a thing or two about how much time and hard work go into the movie magic that millions around the world enjoy each day.

Social Media and the New Age of Journalism: A Closer Look at BuzzFeed

By C.C. Clark, Matt Geffen, Katrina Horsey, Will Ogden and Campbell Slavin; from Drew, Marin Academy, Marin School of the Arts and University High Schools

On a scalding summer afternoon in New York City, Fast Forward had the opportunity to tour BuzzFeed’s Eighth Avenue headquarters. As we approached the office, the site’s iconic red logo came into view, extending out from a sharp but otherwise ordinary grey skyscraper. As soon as we entered (greeted by the lifesaving whoosh of the AC), we were submerged in the “buzzyness” of the company’s workaday world. Spiffy millennials sport the latest styles; spotless white walls are illuminated by fluorescent lights. Nearly every employee carries a beige backpack with the BuzzFeed insignia printed in the bottom right corner, and a personalized quote is written in the remaining space in black.

Making a difference

REPORTERS: Arjun Aujula, Parker Bizjack, Becky Booth, Ryan Copeland, Ben Horsey, Liza Lachter, Logan MacKinney, Maia Manzagol, Jonathan Palfy, Julian Reiss, Lilah Richman, Kylie Sebastian, Eve Sloan, Wesley Slavin, Gisele Turchon, Owen Wright

Do you have a really powerful story that might make other people care about an issue that they’ve never heard about before? Were you personally affected by something that you feel should change? Change.org is an organization that gives the voiceless a voice, and gives people the opportunity to make a difference in the world. When people don’t believe that they can make a difference, Change.org helps empower individuals to stand up for what is important, and provides the opportunity to state their opinion and take a stand for whatever they feel strongly about.