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.