Wednesday, May 24, 2006

I am an uncle


Hi everyone. I am missing class to spend time with my new nephew Dane, who is perhaps the cutest baby of all time.

Please do the following in class today:

Delete extra files from your computer as described below.
Start your creative title sequence for your doc.
When you are done with the title sequence, please put the clips in order and start working on your narration. You can use the back room next to John Wayne to record your narration on tape. Import your narration and then separate the audio from the video in Final Cut by selecting MODIFY>Link.

When I get back next class period I will check on your progress. We will also continue with Riding Giants in Video 1.

Please email me with any questions.

Students to assist with Final Cut:
Period 2-Danny Nguyen
Period 3-Daniel Howes
Period 6-Marek seems to know it the best so far...nice work.

Video Students need to delete files

First, we need to delete excess files off the computers. Please delete anything that is not yours from both the Movies folder and the Final Cut Documents >Capture Scratch Folder (located in Documents). Next, delete all of your projects with the exception of the Quicktime files. Next, empty the trash.

Tuesday, May 16, 2006

Documentary Narration/Text/Organization

Narration Rought Draft

Narration/Organization Rough Draft Assignment

Intro
Three to four sentences describing topic . Give details and history as needed. Feel free to use documented statistics. For example, if you are doing a piece on gas prices then find out how expensive gas has been over the last twenty years. Why the change? What are the factors etc? Do cars get more or less miles per gallon?

Next, list at least five examples of of B-Roll you will use. Again, if you are doing Gas prices you might want to show people filling up at the gas station, a shot or two of gas price signs, people driving cars, and money exchanging hands etc.

Body
Narrate or use text to move from one interview to the next. If you do your interviews well, the interviews will tell the story and your narration will be minimal.
For today’s assignment, pretend you have three different examples and interviews for your topic.
What will you cover in this section? What will the audience learn? Please list the people who have interviewed or will interview and also list the B-Roll that will play underneath those interviews.

Closing
What did you conclude from your documentary (using both sides of course)? You aren't trying to prove a point here as this is more of a recap of what we saw in the body of your documentary.
What should the audience know that ties all the information together? What is next for your subject or subjects?
Your closing narration should be at least three to four sentences.

Monday, May 08, 2006

Documentary Treatment Video 1 and 2

Please answer the following questions in complete sentences on a seperate piece of paper. Print your work neatly please.

1. What is your documentary subject?
2. Why did you choose this subject? Why would this be interesting for us to watch(two-three sentences)
3. What do you think your audience can learn from your documentary? (one-two sentences)
4. What type of B-Roll will your video need (three-four examples)
5. How will you make sure you can cover all sides of this subject? Who will you interview and where will you interview them? (two-three sentences)
6. When do you need a camera? Remember, raw footage is due in two weeks.


When you are finished hand in your paper to Mr. Mitchell. Next, please read Cybercollege 63 and 64. Whatever you do not finish reading from those two chapters is homework tonight.


http://cybercollege.com/tvp063.htm
http://cybercollege.com/interviews.htm
http://cybercollege.com/tvp064.htm

Tuesday, May 02, 2006

Documentary Requirements

Documentary
Requirements:
3-6 min long
Interviews with good audio
Narration (voice over)
B-Roll video (video shown while we hear interview or narration)
No jump cuts or continuity errors
Documentary will need a full page of interview questions , project goals, and scripted narration.

All projects must use the 30 Degree Rule, rule of thirds, proper headroom, leading the subject, framing, proper white balance, steady camera work, and show strong creativity. Also, please shoot and use many close-up shots, insert shots, and reaction shots as you can.

Due Dates
May 11/12: List of 20 questions and project goals.
May 16/17: Scripted Narration
May 23/24 Raw Footage
June 8/9: Final Video Project


Mr. Mitchell’s 4 Hints to create better documentaries
1. Keep the camera rolling, capture as much footage as possible
2. Research your topic…become an expert
3. Come prepared at interviews with a list of questions
4. Avoid bias in your story. Tell the facts and avoid taking sides.

Exporting From Final Cut to Quicktime

File>Export>Quicktime Movie>
Save the video as "your name_Subject_ commercial" and save it in the movies folder.

Next, control-click on the file in your movies folder and select g'et info'. Please make sure that everything under details and ownerships and permissions is set to 'read-write'.