NOVEMBER WEEK 5
This week we looked at elements of a video story, including material used in the video and production and editing techniques.
On Monday we looked at script writing as well as what a video story may consist of.
Vox pops are where the public – who don’t necessarily have a direct relation to the topic – are interviewed with the same question to compile their answers as one public voice.
We then looked at raw footage of people being saved from an avalanche at Hotel Rigopiano. Using the video script writing format I worked with Milly to make a script for our own interpretation of the footage to create a story
The format was :
Title of story:
Producer:
TX Date:
Reporter:
Video Desc: Voiceover:
Our idea was to open with the young boy being saved as it was the most powerful image then to explain the story during parts where not much was happening, then let the video roll when someone was saved and transitioning with natural sound.
I also noted that we should let our videos ‘breath’ and to break up the story with 10% natural sound. This is to add pace and to structure our stories.
On Tuesday we looked at editing tips. Something important to keep in mind was to think about how we want our viewer to feel and react, and how we can order and use certain pictures/ sound to do so. A clip of Alfred Hitchcock explaining how one certain sequence of pictures can change how we view said picture by breaking it up with a different shot – A man looking into the distance then smiling brought two different portrayals of him when a shot of either a woman with a child or a woman in bikini broke up the sequence; he was seen as a happy man or a perverse man.
Analysing the introduction to a series called 6 feet under, I saw the premise of the show was around the process of taking care of a body after death so the show was set around funerals or morticians. The upbeat music also suggested a lighthearted approach. Later Michael clarified the show was around people who run a funeral home with dark humour included, hence I learned audio can add context to whatever picture is shown.
We then went over tips on how to prepare and plan a project:
Organise your project
Log your footage
Make a folder for each area of the footage
Name folders meaningfully
Drop each clip into the correct folder.
Build your project
Select the best bits of your interviews (sync pull)
Assemble these in the order you want
Write and add Voice Over
RE-order if needed to get a clear structure of narrative
Check the length
Edit out anything not needed.
First Cut
Duplicate your timeline and re-name it cut 1
Review your footage
Think which images go best at each part of the story
Think sequences
Assemble Gas and other footage where appropriate
Consider the tone and pace of your story
Show it to someone
Final Cut
Duplicate your timeline and re-name it “Cut 2”
Make any changes you need on your first cut
Add transitions
Find appropriate music, sound FX or anything else
Add music and six
Fine-edit your story
Add lower thirds
Mix the sound making and check level balances
Consider the tone and pace of your story
Show it to someone
Other tips
Save frequently
Watch the final piece
Show it to someone else
If needed re-edit
Make sure you know the export format
Allow plenty of time for rendering.
We then went over types of transitions and the effect they have. Having studied media from high school to college I was aware of a lot of these. I noted that cuts control the pace of a certain sequence or the story itself, and what type of transition indicates breaks in a story.
On Wednesday we had 1to1s where I asked whether I can use some of the Facetime calls I had on my project as voxpops, where I can as I asked the same question. I just wanted to validate the direction my story was going and if it can work regarding the fact gyms are opening; and my story is about the effects of gyms closing. I decided to break my story up to show the positive effect of having the gym open again has on people.