Module Three Reflection

The process for this video seemed to be very haphazard. From the very beginning, I had no problem deciding on a topic for my video, but creating a video that was able to visually portray that argument without being too straightforward proved to be my biggest challenge. It took a great deal of time for my ideas to finally take shape. I kept notes of the various ideas that I had and for awhile they all seemed very disjointed. However, they eventually all seemed to have some coherence, and I actually ended up using almost all of the ideas together in the end.

After receiving feedback, I was extremely pleased and was appreciative for what everyone had to offer. Although I had spend a considerable amount of time making this video, there was still some uncertainty as its effectiveness. However, after receiving the feedback that was offered, I felt a great deal more confident in the choices that I had made throughout the course of this project. I didn’t receive much feedback as to ways I could’ve improved my own work, but I think that there was a great deal of helpful feedback that was given throughout the course of the screenings.

Throughout this project, I learned that hard work will eventually pay off, even if it doesn’t seem like it at the present moment. Like I mentioned previously, I felt completely lost as to what to do for awhile regarding how to visually present my argument, but by continuing to work at it I was able to somehow come up with enough ideas and actually make connections between seemingly different ideas that I had previously. Furthermore, especially considering my experience with trying to get a crew together to help with the project, both planning and perseverance are essential.

The audience of this video will mainly be my own friends, however I will leave the video public on youtube, so anyone will be able to find it. It does have a somewhat motivational message, so I hope that people in search of that kind of message can eventually come across it.

Final question: Would I ever have made a video like this on my own? No. Am I glad that this was a project for the class? Absolutely.

Module Three

Module Three Post-Production

After gathering a decent amount of footage, there are still considerable uncertainties regarding the final shape I would like my video to take. One thing I have learned is that unless you are a professional videographer with a hired cast of actors, rounding up enough able and willing people to help with a video can be a daunting task. There were several days when I tried to organize people together to complete the shots I wanted, but these plans often fell through. In my previous projects it was much easier to finish the projects since I only had to coordinate with at most one other person. Furthermore, I couldn’t even include all of the shots I wanted for this very reason. Some elements simply didn’t make it into the final product because I could not get enough people to help out. Also, I learned to always double check the microphone jack connection! I had to discard an entire interview scene due to problems with a poor connection. Lastly, I learned to double the estimated time you think it will take to complete a scene.

With respect to the footage I have, I want to make sure I use the shots I took for the introduction. Although I have yet to decide how I want to tie these in, I feel it is visually interesting and will make for a strong attention-getting opening. I also will be using all the interview footage since that has become essential to conveying my message. On the other hand, I will be discarding some of my b-roll that was meant for my personal interview because I feel that it will be distracting and does nothing to visually reinforce my message.

Up until this point I have been able to capture everything almost exactly as I have intended. The bigger question is whether I go out and film more or just to work with what I have. First, I have the option to keep the video shorter, using only the interview segments and introduction. Although brief, this may be the most powerful. Second, I could include previous footage I had from earlier in the year to suggest a slightly different message and narrative. However, upon showing this iteration to friends, I have received mixed responses, and therefore may scrap the idea. Lastly, I can include not only all the elements from my first option, but also add in my additional ideas for visually portraying my argument through exaggerated circumstances.

Depending on how I decide to organize my film, there is nothing else that I need to shoot. The only option would be to gather additional footage regarded my exaggerated circumstances.

In order to move forward, the best thing that I could do is assemble all of the footage I currently have and look for the amount of coherence it all has as a whole.

Future Advice

One piece of advice to future students of this course is to START YOUR PROJECTS EARLY. Sometimes my videos did not turn out how I had originally planned once I began making them, and this usually required additional filming after the focus for the project shifted. You want to allow enough time to get all the shots you want as well as to edit your video well. 

Film twice the amount of b-roll footage you think you actually need. It will ensure a more interesting piece as well as allow for more flexibility when putting the video together. 

Get a good idea of the shots you need before you go out and start shooting.

Module Three Critique

For my critique, I chose to watch Sarah Lim’s Module 3 piece. I thought that the video started strongly. I liked the introductory narration and thought it was timed well with the music. It provided many shots that helped support the argument she was trying to make. However, one thing that I thought was distracting was including clips with some form of music in them while layering the additional music track over it. Furthermore, although there was a great variety of clips, I felt things seemed to drag on during the middle of the video, and some things were repeated more than necessary, such as multiple shots of food. Lastly, I did like how she brought her narration back in at the end of the video to parallel the beginning and reinforce her argument.

Module Three Production Journal

As the author/creator, I plan to use a combination of approaches regarding my role within the video. I will be narrating, asking questions from behind the camera, as well as appear as a character within the video.

I don’t think the audience will necessarily need any background information in order to understand the topic. I will try to incorporate other people’s own views on my topic within the video, as well as work in my own overall views. Specific questions I may ask people will be along the lines of what they do in their spare time, what kinds of goals they set for themselves, what they do to improve the quality of their own lives, etc.

I need shots that visually portray the points that I am trying to get across. These would be shots that show people living purposefully and making use of their time. However, since each person will have their own unique take on this, I can’t say specifically what each shot will look like yet.

Anxieties and obstacles I think are certainly present already. One of my main concerns is that I want to visually portray my point without being too direct. Also, I may incorporate some acting as opposed to candid documentary-style footage, and I certainly run the risk of it being ineffective or coming across as forced. An alternative solution would be to rely more on interviews.

Group Questions

Questions I have so far regarding my video project:

Should I incorporate personal narration, including my This I Believe statement?

How effective would relying on interviews for much of the video be?

Should I include myself in the video?

Would “acting” detract from the effectiveness of the video, or should there be more candid documentation?

Would a strong piece need to include some kind of narrative, or could I just include general ideas and point of view?

What would it be like without any actual characters?

 

Fear

A negative thing can produce positive results. Example: fear. Fear is a motivator. Whenever I have to give a presentation, I put a great deal of effort into it not only because I want to do well, but also out of fear of not making a good showing, of losing credibility, or just plain making a fool of myself. In general, the media often just oozes with negativity. The media often either highlights the occurrence of negative events, or in the case of advertising, for example, plays off of the idea of being in a state of want, in a place of needed something and not already being complete and fulfilled. In addition, in any cases requiring persuasion, often fear is involved in order to stir an audience towards action

This I Believe [recording]

Project Outline

The goal of my next video project is to express my beliefs regarding the possibilities regarding making the decision to live one’s life purposefully. I hope to show not only how I acquired the belief that living purposefully is important, but also how I think I am able to do that in my own life. In addition, I will most likely compare and contrast between what I view to be living purposefully and proactively with living passively and reactively.