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Last week, I was asked to shoot video final poetry slam of the Capturing Fire Queer Spoken Word Summit & Slam. It was my first time shooting a poetry slam, as well as my first time shooting in a Busboys & Poets restaurant. Due to cost and turnaround, this was a one-camera shoot. It was really strange doing a one-camera shoot, after so many two-camera shoots. Nonetheless, the performances were short and interesting enough that I didn’t feel I needed to switch to a second camera to keep things engaging. Also, since the performances were meant to be shown straight through, so I didn’t need the second camera to help in covering any edits.

Here are the three finalists in their respective winning order from the final round. While poetry slams aren’t quite my thing, I really enjoyed Joanna Hoffman’s pieces and thought she earned the top spot.

Joanna Hoffman - "9 Reasons"

Joanna Hoffman - "9 Reasons"

Sam Sax - "After My Boyfriend's Drag Show"

Sam Sax - "After My Boyfriend's Drag Show" Sophia Walker - Move Over War"

Sophia Walker - "Move Over War" How Joanna Hoffman got first place...

"Coming Home"

Joanna Hoffman - "Coming Home" "Pride"

Joanna Hoffman - "Pride" Gallery