Most Valuable Things

If I had to pick three things from this year as the most valuable things I learned, it would have to be how to set up different pieces of gear, how to create an organized file distribution, and everything about movie pre-production. By learning about different pieces of gear, I was able to use them effectively in the different projects that I completed. Without learning about things like sliders and dollys, I wouldn't have been able to make super cool looking shots like I did in my documentary.  Another very valuable thing that I learned is how to create an organized way of creating files. Without learning about this, it would've been way harder to find the proper files that I needed. The last very valuable thing I learned in this class was about pre-production. Before, I knew about the various steps, but I had never done them before. Without learning all of these things, I wouldn't have succeed in this class.

Least Useful Unit

As a very personal opinion, I think that the script writing unit was the least useful throughout the year. I think that every unit that we went over this year does have a purpose and are important, but I saw script writing as the least important one. I think it was the lease useful because of how much I write scripts. Even though I probably will write a lot more in the future, I feel like I won't be writing my own in my own time. I understand the usefulness of learning about how scripts are written and how to write them, but I don't see myself doing that any time soon.

Best Unit

I think the unit that I enjoyed the most was the documentary unit that we did last. One thing that I enjoyed was the whole culminating project, the documentary. Being able to put all of my learned skills into one project really let me understand my skills and what I was able to do. Another thing I learned about documentaries is being able to tell a story out of nothing. For example, I was able to create a small story out of things that students and teachers said about the veterinary class and persuade people to join the class. Lastly, I learned that a documentary could be about almost anything. Being able to interview anyone/anything and make something out of it really put the world of film in a perspective for me. One way I think this unit could be improved is by showing more documentaries in class. Even though the project is to make a shorter documentary, by showing longer ones it could give students a better scope of what a documentary can be. By having this unit as the last and with what it contained, it was my favorite unit from the year.

Goals Summary

The main goal that I met this semester was learning more about Premiere Pro. Now at the end of the year, people come to me if they have a problem with editing or if they need advice on their edits. I think I was able to learn about about Premiere because I was able to help people. By seeing how different people edit their videos has lead me to understand the program even better. One thing that I could've done differently this year is editing more at home. If I had more personal projects that I completed at home, I'd probably be able to learn Premiere even faster than I did in class. Without the help of other people, it would be harder for me to learn about how to make better edits.

Documentary Post Reflection

One thing that I learned from the documentary assignment is to properly schedule things with your client. Luckily, we had a client who was very willing to work with our schedule so it made things very easy. Another thing that I learned is how to properly light an interview. I learned more about key lights, fill lights, and hair lights, making the subject look good on camera. One last thing that I learned is, when shooting B-Roll, to be as invisible as possible. Even though you're waving a camera around in someone else's area, you need to be respectful of the work that they're doing and their environment. I think that this project was a good last project because it combined everything that we learned throughout the school year into one big package that shows our skills. This assignment has taught me that, even on a very tight dead line, scheduling will save the whole production if its done correctly. I think the biggest mistake that we made was not getting enough of the B-roll that we wanted to get. At the end, we wanted to record more shots of the general classroom and the teacher, but instead we filmed more animals than students. Without this project at the end of the school year, I wouldn't have been able to put everything together into one big package.

Recording Effective Interviews P.3

One thing to make sure you do before you start your interview is to use the correct microphone for your situation. Normally, a good mic set up is a lav attached to the subject and a boom mic on a boom pole. Another thing to make sure to do before starting your interview is to test the equipment you're using for the interview. Its good to run a sound and video test to make sure every piece of gear has the correct setting and looks/sounds good. By also running a test, you're able to catch things in the background that you didn't see before. The last thing to do before conducting your interview is to get to know your subject so that they can give you good answers. Its a good idea to give your subject a copy of the questions your going to ask before the interview. Without doing these things before you conduct your interview, things could become worse as you progress.

Recording Effective Interviews P.2

One thing that you can do to heighten the production value of your interview shoot is to use a second camera. By adding a second camera to the scene, it allows for more dynamic angles for the viewer to see during the interview. If placed correctly, a cut from one camera to another could feel seamless, like the viewer is sitting right with the subject. Another thing the video mentions is the 3 point lighting system. The 3 point lighting system is a basic way to light an interview consisting or a key light, a fill light, and a hair light. All 3 of these combined bring the subject out from the background and made easier to see on camera. One last thing the video says about interviews is adjust the lights and camera depending on the feel you want for the interview. If you want someone to feel small, you can angle the camera down onto them, making the viewer feel like they're above them. Without these different aspects of interviews, it would be harder to create something engaging for the viewer.