The official 514 site.
This main page is where you’ll find the latest news, comments, updates, and resources. Use this site to review information, get links from class sessions, and watch video editing tutorials. Please email me with any questions.
Assignment: Commercial Pre-Production
Before shooting, please:
- Complete the Project Proposal.
- Complete the Production Organization Document (POD).
- Create a storyboard. (Use one index card for each camera angle. Identify the shot type, the subject, and draw a sketch of each scene.) We did this storyboard together in class.
- Assemble any needed assets (images, logos, audio, video clips).
Remember that you “make” the movie three times: 1) when you write it; 2) when you shoot it; 3) when you edit it. The moral: prepare properly for a shoot.
Take into account concept, scene description, and approach.
While shooting:
- Ensure subjects are properly lit.
- Implement the rule of thirds.
- Use at least six different shot types.
- Shoot to edit.
After shooting:
- Upload video to computer.
- Import footage into editing software.
- Edit footage into a rough cut.
We will watch the rough cuts in class, give editing suggestions, add audio (foley, voiceover, soundtrack), and and work on the 29 second final cut in class. The rough cut is due week 6. A rough cut does not have to be perfect. However, it does need to have every scene filmed and placed in order, and should be complete enough to share with others to solicit feedback. The final commercial is due week 7.
Assignment: Steadycam
Construct a camera stabilizer for $20. Film Steadycam footage using your arms and body to create a smooth motion. An effective Steadycam operator:
- Follows action shots smoothly.
- Walks up steps smoothly.
- Keeps the subject in frame while moving.
You will be given raw footage to watch. Record additional footage using a Steadycam, ensuring that you have enough coverage for a cohesive video clip. Upload and edit all the footage in class. Present the final edited video clip, including original and Steadycam footage, to the class.
Assignment: Movie Trailer
Create a “movie trailer”, or a slideshow, to use as an anticipatory set for an upcoming lesson using only music and still images. Before beginning, complete the Movie Trailer Form.
The trailer can be an introduction to a book, thematic unit, topic, or lesson. Compose music, or use licensed music, to create an appropriate mood for the trailer. The movie trailer should be 30-90 seconds long. It must focus on an academic area and address a content standard. Present the trailer to the class as an mp4 quicktime movie.
Here is an example for a unit on the ocean.
Handbrake Tips
If Handbrake isn’t working, here are a few things to try:
- Download the 32-bit version of Handbrake.
- Download VLC player.
- Ensure VLC is placed in your root /Applications folder, not your user home folder’s ~/Applications folder.
- VLC must be launched once after being downloaded and installed, for the system to give it permission to operate. Double-click it and click “Okay” to the warning message about it being downloaded software. Once it launches, feel free to quit it.
- Download Perian to add support for additional quicktime formats.
- Read the Handbrake FAQ page.
If that still doesn’t work, read how others fixed it in this forum post and double check your steps with this tutorial.
Assignment: Instantly Usable Video (IUV)
There are three ways to acquire instantly usable video (IUV): from a DVD, online (TeacherTube, UnitedStreaming, or YouTube), or created by a teacher.
- Save a DVD clip as a quicktime movie.,
- Save an online video as a quicktime movie.
- Create a video:
- Make editing choices in-camera (shoot to edit).
- Use at least five shot types.
- Have a purpose for the video (e.g. welcome video for new student, explanation of center activity, brief tour of your school, etc.)
- Should be 15-60 seconds in length.
Present all three IUV types to the class. Additionally, submit the Instantly Usable Video pdf to complete this assignment.
Shooting to Edit
This video is an example of shooting to edit. The two main goals of shooting to edit are to
- Make editing choices as you shoot.
- Turn mistakes into edits.
As you film, focus on coverage. If you focus on recording enough material» , it will be easier to edit.
Medium Shot
Wide Shot
Establishing Shot
Closure Shot Reverse Shot
Over-the-shoulder Shot
Point-of-View Shot
Cutaway/Insert ShotPowered by Hackadelic Sliding Notes 1.6.4
Editing example, draft 1
Assignment: Nature of Attention
Watch one TV commercial, one television program, and one movie that you enjoy. Analyze why you like this type of programming. Write a 1-2 page paper that includes the following:
• List the titles of the programs you selected.
• Count how many cuts/edits there are in a 30 second clip for each style of video.
• Compare the editing pace of a commercial and a movie.
• Explain why different video styles are edited differently.
• Recommend how many cuts an attention-grabbing commercial should have. Justify your findings.
For all three genres, re-watch a 30 second clip. Categorize and list how many times each shot type is used. Email a pdf of your paper to billselak@gmail.com. Additionally, submit the Nature of Attention form.
Due Week 3.
Assignment: Rules of Composition
There are some really easy and fundamental ways you can make your work look and feel more professional. When you compose a shot, think about these types of shots:
1. Close-up……………………………CU
2. Medium Shot………………………MS
3. Wide Shot………………………….WS
4. Establishing Shot…………………EST
5. Closure Shot………………………CLO
6. Reverse Shot………………………REV
7. Over-the-shoulder Shot………..OS
8. Point-of-View Shot………………POV
9. Cutaway/Insert Shot…………….INS
Look at these photos to see examples. Take nine pictures with a digital still camera that demonstrates these nine shot types. Use one subject throughout the photo shoot. Please share these photographs in a presentation (you may use PowerPoint, Keynote, Preview, iPhoto, Picasa, Flickr, or SlideShare). On each slide, label the shot type.
Due Week 2.
