Reflection On Rough Draft

FAST FORWARD TO 4:18 WHEN VIDEO ACTUALLY STARTS
The reflection we posted to Laura's blog did not work out well because we used the wrong sequence. We had two sequences with similar names and chose the wrong one. The one we used was from set upwhen we were trying to see where to put people, props, and how to make everything come across for our audience. A better version can be found on computer 8.

1) We are trying to portray knowing the difference between right and wrong. This is shown in the script when Rand says that he does not want to shoot Jenna, but he does it anyway. We want people to learn by example. Look what happens when you don't do the right thing.
2) We were creative, and that was our best asset. It helped us work with limited resources.
3) We need to do our final edits, but so far we know that we have a lot of great shots and sequences. Some of our greatest shots actually came from test runs that we were doing. Little did we know some of these would actually be better than our intentional filming.
4) I am interested in feedback pertaining to how we used our setting and if we used what we had to the fullest. Were we convincing? Did it just seem like a boring classroom shot?
5) Our biggest challenge as a group was working together once everyone started getting tired, stressed out, and at the end of their ropes. Again there were times when personal problems outside of this project came into the work place so to speak. Our biggest filming challenge was just trying to find somewhere to film. I think that alone took about a week away from filming. Once we found our location we had to come up with a routine and configure the room each time which took some strategy and getting used to.

College Money: Over The Shoulder Shot

Reflection:
We used one of the blocks out in the quad to help get our angles correct, because Hayley was so much taller than I am. We even made sure that I would look tall enough before we started filming each shot. If I was too short, we adjusted. What I feel is really important, is being extra careful when your subjects have a substantial height difference.
We were very close to having perfect "Rule of Thirds" shots. I I had moved a little more to the right side of the screen, it probably would have been exact, but in my opinion, the set up was very close. We also should have moved Hayley more to the left side of the screen.
Over the shoulder shots give each character a chance to take center stage and be the most important figure in the video. They also resemble a third party perspective. If you want a reaction from one person while still making it obvious that there is another person there, the over the shoulder shot is helpful as well. You get some of the less important figure, and get more from the focus.
The dialogue seems very random, because there isn't much set up behind it, you just go straight into the conversation. It is easy to film back and forth over the shoulder shots because the lines are so short, and they aren't overloaded with details. Facial expressions were the hardest thing about editing, because you don't want to make someone look crazy or spaced out.
There is a tone of comedic impatience, and sometimes ridiculousness. This came through just because of the personalities that Hayley and I have. The final product was all about how we read and interpreted the lines.
I have realized that over the shoulder shots can be maybe one of the best options for filming an ongoing conversation. They are less plain then just a two shot, because they are a way to compare and contrast words with reactions.
Trying to act the part and putting some personality into the way you read lines is really important. You can have the best shots, settings, and costumes, but if you don't have good actors or good attempts at acting then it all goes to waste.

Holiday Greeting Reflection: Final

On our video, I feel that my partner and I were best at team wwork. I know that this may not seem like it directly relates to our finished product, but I feel that our ability to work together and be on the same page made our video better. We agreed on editing, and asked eachother for suggestions and opinions how to go about making evrything better. People said that it seemed like we were really engaged in a conversation with eachother, which I would say goes back to writing the script. We tried to write it so that it seemed like a conversation we could have if we were discussing something in one of our classes on a normal day. I liked the way that Eddy and Estefania had a news element to their video, I don't think Cassie and I would have wanted to necessarily go in that direction, but it was something that I really loved. It might be a great idea to use on a future project, when the occasion is right. I typed the script, and did some of the titles and sources, as well as being in charge of editing the clips of Cassie. That is how most of the video was split up, we each did little things here and there. I was in charge of the edits for Cassie, so that it was sort of an objective third party eye. I may have seen or liked things that she didn't notice, and then I could include them. In turn, Cassie did the same for me. We really supported eachother the whole way, and when we needed help or suggestions we always asked, and I felt comfortable with the discussions we had, and they were surely productive. With a little more time, I would go back and refilm, because throughout the whole video, it was blatently obvious that I was reading off of a script in the corner. Without that little snag, I think our video could have been ten times better. Overall, I was excited about the video; especially wrking with Cassie, and including unique titles.

Season's Greetings

What I learned

I watched Cassie's groups video, and here is what I learned:

1. You need to have examples in your videos, because they make your points more convincing.
2. Creating your own music mixes is a great idea, because they make the video unique.




3. I learned that in a video, music is a great way to set the tone and bring out the correct emotions.
4. Setting up the shot, is sometimes the key to a successful video.
5. Who you interview makes a difference.

Final Reflection

I am most satisfied with the perceptions that we were able to give to the rest of the class, and the way they said it made them react.People gave us comments mainly on our sound, and we were able to change that. I was not able to be there to work on the final editing, but i know my group worked with the sound, the credits, and the formatting of the titles, in my opinion, that is all we could have changed or needed to change.I think I would give myself more time on this project, and try to add more special effects. I learned mainly how to use all of the material we have practiced in our workshops as a whole, and I learned more about using the camera. I think the filming part is actually my favorite.

Greenscreen: Cassie and Kayla

A green screen is blank slate, essentially. When filming, you set up a green screen, behind the scene that you want to film. This color works, because it is likely that none of the actors will be wearing that color. Once you have filmed, you import whatever film you have to a program like premiere pro, and commence editing out the screen and using your choice of background. When filming with a green screen you want to eliminate shadows, wrinkles in the background, and make sure none of your actors are wearing green. Sometimes you end up with shadows, o0r wrinkles in the green screen and you have to try and eliminate them without blurring, or getting rid of your subject. You can't always get it perfect and sometimes have to leave weel enough alone. Adobe after effects was easier in my opinion, because it seemed to eliminate more of the green in a quicker and more precise manner.