Live Video Production Class!

Social Experiment Documentary

Script Example

http://cybercollege.com/dram_flm.htm

Short Movie Homework over break

Short Movie Treatment Due April 25^th

When you get back from break you will have two class periods (at least) to shoot a short movie for the SC/SW Film Festival. You will also need to shoot at least one day away from class.
Movies can be as short as three minutes or as long as six.
You may work with a partner or four people can create a PART 1 and PART 2 of a specific story.
Simply put, this should be the best fictional story you have created.
You will be required to edit at least once during TAP or after school.

1. What genre will you shoot? Action? Suspense? Comedy? A combination?
2. Describe at least three characters in great detail. Examples: age, hair color, personality traits, occupation, and disposition. What motivates your characters?

a.

b.

c.

4. What students (or other actors) will play these characters?

5. Describe the plot of your movie from beginning to end. Use three to four sentences to describe each section. Please describe shot locations within each section.

 
a. Intro

b. Conflict: All stories have some form of conflict. What are the characters trying to do or achieve?

c. Conflict Resolution 

 
5. Will you work with anyone in class? Who?

6. Where does the story occur? What are the specific locations where you will shoot? Will you need to shoot after school or on weekends?

7. What sound effects will you use? You will need to add sound effects throughout your video. Try to list 10-15 sound effects if possible.

8. What music or musical score will you use?

Next step: Write the script

Live Music Video

Can't see the stream on your mobile device?  Click here.

Music Video Assignment

Requirements:
Students will shoot a music video that is no longer than five minutes.
Music videos must have a concept,theme, or story (not 100% lip-syncing).
You can have class time on March 29 and 31. You of course can shoot outside of class.
Video should have at least one eight-shot sequence.
Raw Footage is due on April 4.
3 Page Storyboard.

Students must turn in a one-page typed treatment to the classes period 4 folder. Please use Text Edit to write and make sure you use the naming convention.

Most videos have an interesting concept such as a fake TV show, a backwards video, a dance video, a live performance video, or simply an interesting story. Your treatment should explain in detail your concept and how you plan to make this concept come to life. Your treatment should answer the following questions:
1. What is your story or concept in great detail? Don't forget costumes, editing and shooting style etc. Your answer should be 4-5 sentences.
2. Who are you working with on this project (inside or outside of class)?
3. When will you shoot?
4. Do you need class time to shoot?
5. What song are you using? How long is the song?


Videos must have one at least one eight-shot sequence.
Storyboards of the sequence will be required.

Videos shots must use proper technique discussed in class: good headroom, proper white-balance, leading the subject, focus, and steadiness. Grading of these shots will be more difficult than the last project.

Music Video Activity

Today I want you to watch the three music videos listed below.
I want you to answer a series of questions (in complete sentences) after you watch each video. Please use Text Edit or WORD for this assignment. Please drop your assignment into the STAFF server Period 4 at the end of the period. This is due today and late work will not be accepted.

The questions to answer for each video:

1. What is the name and artist for the video?
2. What is the concept of the video? Please use three to four sentences to explain the story and/or concept. (Dance video? Lip sync? Concert footage? Literal adaptation? etc).
3. What are three or four things that you like about the video? Be very specific.
4. What did you not like about the video?
5. What do you think the budget was? Small, medium, large? Why?
6. Is there anything in the video you would like to try in your own music video assignment?

3) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hqyc37aOqT0
6) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=otCpCn0l4Wo
10) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gLESpHrtvxs

Next, add links to two of your own videos in Text Edit and answer the same questions listed above. Include all questions and answers and turn them in as one assignment.

SCNN Commercial Assignment

SCNN Commercial Assignment 

Professional Example 1

Professional Example 2

Professional Example 3

You will make a thirty second professional style commercial for a school related group, sport, club, or after-school function etc. Your commercial should be shot and edited in a high-energy style that encourages the other students in the school to either participate in and/or support your chosen group. You will have time during class to shoot the video, or you can shoot before or after school. Each student must do their own commercial.


Commercial Assignment Requirements:

Fade In and Fade Out.
Commercial must be exactly thirty seconds
12 shot minimum-like music videos, most commercials use shots only two to five seconds in length.
Use music appropriate for the commercial and school group.
Use text in your commercial to emphasize in writing what you are trying to sell.
Create a nifty slogan or catch phrase. VERY IMPORTANT!
Use a variety of shots.
Shoot at least two complicated shots. For example, a ‘zoom in and pan’ or a ‘zoom out and truck’ etc.

Steps for assignment:

1. Answer Treatment questions below.

2. Email Treatment questions to the adviser asking permission to shoot a commercial for the club, sport, or event. Introduce yourself and ask if they would like to meet in person.

Commercial Treatment

You will write a detailed commercial treatment and send it to the coach or advisor of your club/activity/sport etc. You will ask for their permission to make a commercial and also for suggestions. You will also send me a copy (CC) of this email.

List of advisors:
http://schools.shorelineschools.org/shorecrest/asb/index.php#list
School event Calendar



Treatment questions you must answer in COMPLETE sentences.

1. What group have you selected as your subject?
2. Why did you select this group and why do you think you can make an interesting commercial for this group?
3. What is your original concept? How are you going to SELL your subject?
4. What will your tag line be? It needs to be something catchy and memorable.
5. What kind of music will you use in the background?
6. Please email the advisor or coach of your commercial subject. Schedule a time to shoot with this person. Include me on this email.

Tuesday reading in Video 1

Please have the students start the day by reading and taking notes on these chapters in Cybercollege:
http://cybercollege.com/tvp050.htm
http://cybercollege.com/tvp051.htm
http://cybercollege.com/tvp052.htm

The students should read each section, take notes, and make sure they do the quizzes at the end of each section.

Please review your notes and study hard because we have a quiz Thursday!

VIdeo 1 Sequence Assignment

Group 10-shot Sequence: A sequence is a series of shots connected together as part of a whole scene.

Example 1:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ClkYjyTh98

Example 2:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kdy8KYUdEdA

Example 3:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iXwR1J9WD50

Example 4:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M57jV001rYo

· 10 different shots

· Insert Shot

· Reaction Shot (cutaway)

Shoot a master shot of the whole sequence beginning to end

· Shoot every shot three different times from three different angles

· Raw Footage will be graded

· Edited video should include title, music, sound effects, and credits

No jump cuts

No continuity errors

Editing Requirements in Final Cut:

Fade in and fade out.
Title over black at the beginning.
Credits over black.
Music
One Filter
Fade In/Out Audio

Import your footage to Final Cut Pro with these simple steps:

• Turn on camera
• Put tape in camera
• Put camera into VCR mode
• Rewind Tape
• Cue it to Correct Spot
• Plug In Firewire to camera and computer
• Open Final Cut
• Go to File>Log and Capture
• Hit Play on Camera
• Hit Capture Now on Final Cut
• Press esc to get out of Log and Capture
• Your clips will show up in the upper left hand corner of the screen in the clip bin.
• Save Final Cut Project
• Disconnect firewire and camera
• Quit Final Cut
• Restart Final Cut

Hints For Success In This Class

1. Use your time at home with a camera wisely. Having your own camera is very helpful, but if you need to check out a camera from me make sure you plan your video shoot ahead of time.
2. Do not rely on your friends. Your friends are not receiving a grade and therefore are not as motivated as you are.
3. Do not wait until the last minute to shoot. Procrastination will hurt you in this class.
4. Shoot multiple takes of your shots from different angles so you have more to work with when you edit. It is highly recommend to shoot a wide "master shot" of the whole scene and then shoot close-ups after.
5. Make every shot count. Do not shoot random footage.

Reading For Today and Homework (Video 1)

This is reading for today and Thursday. Please take out a piece of paper to take notes on all bold faced words.
Please take the quiz at the bottom of each section. We will discuss all terms in class and you will be quizzed on the material shortly.

http://cybercollege.com/tvp001.htm
http://cybercollege.com/tvp001-2.htm
http://cybercollege.com/tvp017-2.htm
http://cybercollege.com/tvp022.htm

Randy Hatfield's Social Experiment Documentary

Documentary Treatment Questions

Documentary Peer Editing

Please answer the following questions on a piece of paper. Discuss your answers with your partner and then turn in this sheet at the end of class.

1.  Is there an introduction that explains the documentary subject? Do people explain the subject? Is it effective, why or why not?

2.  Are the interview sound bytes kept between eight and fifteen seconds in length?  Do the interviews move the story along?

3.  Is the enough B-roll in the video?  Does the B-Roll enhance the story or is it just filler?  Could adding any pictures from the Internet help the story? Does the B-Roll need transitions?

4. Is the project 2:30-5:00 minutes in length?

5. What music is used?  Is there enough variety?  Could more music be helpful?

6. Can you hear all of the interviews OK?  In other words, are there any TCP errors?

7.  Finally, what would you do to improve this video?  Give three specific examples.

8. Is there a title, fade-in, fade-out, and credits?

Video 2 Winter Break Short Movie Homework

When you get back from break you will have two class periods (at least) to shoot a short movie for the SC/SW Film Festival. You will also need to shoot at least one day away from class.
Movies can be as short as three minutes or as long at eight.
You may work with a partner or four people can create a PART 1 and PART 2 of a specific story.
You may start shooting over winter break.
Simply put, this should be the best fictional story you have created.
A mockumentary style movie is OK.
You will be required to edit at least once during TAP or after school.

Please answer the following questions in great detail. This document is due the first day back from winter break.


1. What genre will you shoot? Action? Suspense? Comedy?
2. Describe at least three characters in great detail. Examples: age, hair color, personality traits, occupation, and disposition. What motivates your characters?
3. Describe the plot of your movie from beginning to end. Use three to four sentences to describe each section. Please describe shot locations within each section.
a. Intro
b. Conflict: All stories have some form of conflict. What are the characters trying to do or achieve?
c. Conflict Resolution 

4. Will you work with anyone in class?

Documentary Outline

First, read this section on interview techniques here.

When you are done, please turn this assignment into the classes folder on the staff server using the naming convention_narration assignment. This is due today.

Intro
Write three to four sentences describing topic in great detail . Give crucial information 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 specific examples of of B-Roll you will use. Provide dates, locations, and shot type of the footage.
Will you use any footage from sources other than your own camera? If so, what will they be?

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.

Again, drop this assignment in the classes folder. Hopefully this helps you organize your documentary.

Video 1: Documentary Treatments are Due Today.

Please put them in the classes folder (period 6) on the STAFF server.

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)? Why is this subject important to you? How is it personal?
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 specific 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)?

The Social Experiment Trailers and Media

http://www.shorelinesocialexperiment.blogspot.com/

Social Experiment Documentaries/News Stories

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. Ask how and why questions.
4. Avoid bias in your story. Tell the facts and avoid taking sides.

Documentary Questions

First, read this section on interview techniques here.

1. What angle will you take on The Social Experiement? A first-person, school wide, or SC vs. SW angle?
2. Who will you interview and why? If you are doing a first person story you can interview more than just yourself.
3. Please list five questions you can ask three different people (or different types of people). 15 questions total.
4. Now list the B-Roll video that can go along with these questions.
5. What can you do to make this news story interesting for a general audience?
6. How can you become an expert on this subject? What type of statistics can you find?
7. What day or days next week would you like a camera?

Documentary Treatments are Due Today.
Please put them in the classes folder (period 4) on the STAFF server.

Today you will create a list of 30-40 documentary questions that you will ask at lest four to five people involved with your subject.

Kylee trains for the Iditarod.