Fall Semester Reflection

As this semester comes to an end, the three most important things I've learned are the importance of pre-production and how each document should be formatted, as well as how to transfer footage from a card onto Premiere Pro, and how to adjust a camera for best picture quality using white-balance, aperture, and focus. All these skills will ensure in the future that my projects are thoroughly planned, shot well, and transferred correctly to a software where I can start editing them. As I continue on into next semester, I hope to learn about the basics of lighting, the template of a good script, and strategies for engineering your own sound in a project. These skills are at the top of my list because I need to improve on lighting my projects with something other than natural light, as well as adding sound that enhances the visuals. I'm looking forward to the projects where we get to demonstrate these concepts because I think they will get me introduced to the realm of lighting and sound design, which is something I've always been intrigued by, but never had the chance to experience.

Skills Test Reflection

After taking my skills test for this semester, I've learned why they're a necessity in this class, and also the importance they'll have in my future career. Since the equipment we have access to is expensive and limited, it's crucial to pass the skills test before renting them out to ensure they're handled properly. With the knowledge needed to pass the test, the equipment is less likely to get damaged because you know what you're doing, as well as what you shouldn't do. In addition, the skills test give us a chance to demonstrate our knowledge of the material in a hands-on fashion, which makes it easier to learn and for the information to stick. In terms of a future career, these skills test prepare you to master certain equipment, so you can be certified in it and operate it in a future job.  

Planning Your Future Projects

I learned that before shooting with a cast and crew, it's crucial to understand the importance of time, parking, and staging gear. Time includes a call time when people should arrive, and a wrap time when people will be done, and this information must be communicated with everyone so they can schedule their day with the shooting. A general rule of thumb is the crew should arrive about an hour before talent to set up, and time must be allotted to wrap the set, so planning for these times in advance will ensure that everyone's time is respected. Another key element is parking, as most gear will be stored in vehicles that need a place to park, and this information should be communicated with them beforehand to keep things running smoothly. In addition, it's important to plan out staging of where the gear will go, because you don't want it lying around in a place where it could get in the shot, or damaged.    

Writing An Effective Video Script

An effective video script has a hook, an introduction, the body of the video, and a closing call to action. The hook is a short and interesting blurb that's used to grab the viewers attention so they're compelled to watch the rest of the video. As for an introduction, it's not necessary but it helps to give general information about the video, as well as serve as a transition that reinforces the hook. The body of your video is the most important part because it's where you share the bulk of your information, and it's generally what the viewer came to watch in the first place. In addition, it's good to end each video with a call to action because it encourages the viewer to take the next step in something you want them to do, which can be achieved with a question.

Revisiting Title Safe

It's so important to understand title safe areas even in the modern era because it helps both with keeping things from getting cropped, and making your shots look better. Safe areas were first used with older televisions as appropriate places to put titles and important action, and they're still extremely relevant today. Since you don't know how people will be watching your content, using the safe areas help guarantee that important moments in the frame aren't cut off. Also different devices have different settings which can alter your original video format, so it's important to ensure that even with harsh crops, it's not noticeable. In addition, using the title safe area helps create balance on screen and altogether prevents undesirable frames where text or images are jammed in the corner.

Chase Sequence Status

As of now, I've turned in the final cut of my chase sequence production, as well as all the pre-production that was necessary. Looking back at the shooting, a large challenge we faced was lighting, because the location we shot at was a warehouse, and it was differently lit at different times of the day. During midday, the sun was right above so it provided for an influx of more natural light, but as the day rolled on, we had access to less light and had to rely on a small gain. With that said, the location also provided benefits like rolling ladders to get high angles, and an assortment of boxes and crates to use as props. In terms of my edit, the largest problem was cutting down the introductory scenes because they were only shot with one or two angles. This made it difficult to speed them up and remain continuous, so I had to use a couple different transitions that I wasn't that keen on using.

Get It All On Paper First

It's so important to get your ideas on paper because although you might have the project in your head, other crew members can't read your mind, and need the visual document to be on board with your vision. In general, the more information you put on paper whether it be with schedules, shot lists, or storyboards, the easier it is for your team to understand your ideas, and the easier it is for them to help you plan them out and execute. Most crew members can't effectively do their jobs without a clear understanding of your vision, but once you communicate that information to them, they understand how to best contribute to the production. For example, the director of photography can't tell you what lenses to rent if they don't know the visual look you're going for, but they'll be of immense help once they can understand what you want. Also, it's important to remember that if you don't give every crew member some of the information in your head, they might interpret it as you're disrespecting their position or just unorganized altogether, which will negatively affect the production.

2-Column Script Format P. 2

When formatting an AV script, it's important to use the proper format, including font, headers, columns, and specific abbreviations for the descriptions. Since the script is supposed to represent the conversion of one page to one screen minute, it's important that the page is formatted with one inch margins, a Courier New 12 point font, and a serif to best represent the typical font on a typewriter. The header may vary from client to client, but it's generally good to include a title, the name of the client, a date, and the revision number so you can easily locate a certain script, or go back to an old one if the client changes their mind.  In terms of columns, the video and audio are separated with the video on the left and the audio on the rest, and it's crucial to align both features so that a visual description is directly in line with it's corresponding sound or music on the other column. Also, there are specific abbreviations that should be written in all caps to highlight both audio and visual descriptions, like the shorthand CU for a close-up or writing out MORPH to represent a specific visual effect.      

2-Column Script Format P. 1

A video script is a document that aligns the audio of a scene to its visuals with the aid of a table, and it is commonly used in corporate films, advertising, and documentaries. A proper 2-column script should organize video on the left side of the table, and audio on the right. It includes a slug line to detail the location, a description of each shot, and special instructions about the audio.When creating a video script, it's important to keep in mind that if it's visual information like shots or title graphics, it belongs on the left, whereas if it's anything you hear like dialogue or music, it goes on the right. Also, each script should include a title, date, page number, and draft number so you can go back to different revisions and locate them easily.

Pre-Production Wrap-Up

After completing this unit, I've learned that pre-production is one of the most overlooked but important processes because it dictates whether you're prepared to go on location and execute your idea, without any hiccups. During this process, some of the most important things to do are create an effective pitch, map out the shots beforehand with storyboards and a shot list, and schedule out the entire shooting with the location and crew members needed. When pitching an outline to a representative, there's only so few time you get, so you must only include the essentials like a summary and your inspiration being it, or it's rare that your idea will get picked up. I also learned the importance of visualizing each scene with storyboards and a shot list, because it allows for the shots and framing to be prepared, so you know what will be required come production. Finally, it's essential to create shooting schedules because if everyone's not on board with where to be and when, there will times where somebody doesn't show up and production can't continue, which wastes time and money.  

Why Pre-Production Is Important

Pre-production is so important because it serves as the foundation for your movie production, and the more hard work you put in, the better the results. During this process, it is essential to budget your film, storyboard out the shots, and create a production schedule and call sheets. As funding is crucial to a good film, it's important to estimate your costs and unanticipated expenses that might come up, as you don't want to use up all you funds before the project can get done. In terms of planning out the shots, a storyboard provides the opportunity to graphically represent each one so when you step on set, the production goes smoother and time isn't wasted trying to plan. In addition, creating a schedule for shooting with call sheets is key because there are so many different locations and crew members, that you need to make sure the correct people are in the right place at the right time, or it's a recipe for disaster and the production takes longer.

The Streaming Wars

I think the landscape of the media marketplace will continue to change from traditional cable programs into more streaming services from large media conglomerates. We've already seen this change with Disney as they've taken back their licensed content and plan to create their own streaming service, and I think other companies will follow in their footsteps. Since those services have endless movies and shows with new offerings, I believe consumers will make the switch form traditional cable and broadcast television, as it will cost them about the same. I think this new age of streaming will have a positive effect on jobs in the entertainment industry because it will create competition among the companies, and they'll want to be constantly putting out original content. This in turn will create more opportunities for people in the industry to work on those shows, and leave openings for new people who want to pursue the industry.

Building Your Career

For beginning your career in the industry, it's suggested that you make networking a priority, cultivate your talent with a solid education, and understand that it's a freelance business. Since the industry is based on connections, it's essential that you attend trade shows to meet people, as well as follow up with any new people you meet. In terms of an education, it's noted that many successful people in the industry today attribute their success to their education, and how they were able to build an effective relationship with their instructor. In addition, it's essential that someone approaches their career with a goal-oriented, business-driven mindset, as it's freelance and requires a person to market themselves, find new clients, and constantly be looking for work. This advice is very similar to what I've learned in the past because I've heard about the challenges of the industry, and how you have to distinguish yourself with the tips mentioned above.  

How a TV Show Gets Made

Television production is different than feature film production because most programs run over multiple episodes, and you need to plan out the story behind the entire show, and then break it down further to a paradigm for each separate episode. Since it's not as efficient to use a film script, television crews rely on a white schedule that prioritizes each scene with a location, time of day, and actors needed. In addition, television productions have table reads for every episode, which is when the whole cast gets together to read the script from beginning to end. I found it interesting that each episode goes through over four stages of editing from the editor's cut to the network cut, and it's passed to the director and producer for improvements. I also thought it was fascinating that some television shows are finished only hours before they air on television, because I figured they all would  be done months in advance.

Who Owns the Media

With most of the media being owned by just six companies, I believe their decisions will dictate how we stream and view media in the future. At this rate, it looks like a lot of the media conglomerates have their eyes set on streaming services, where they can mimic Netflix and put their original content on a service that viewers subscribe to. I don't foresee the major conglomerates getting any weaker, but I think they'll use their power to buy out smaller companies that are similar, to expand their grasp on the industry. Since so few own so much, it can be detrimental because innovation is stifled as the market turns more into an oligopoly, and there's less competition from companies outside the major six. However, having these incredibly powerful conglomerates also has a plus side because it provides a greater global reach for smaller and newer companies to get their content seen.