So clearly as problem for me is going to be the technology side of this whole project, but we already all know that. I’m excited to get some “tech” experience and I hope I can learn fast and won’t hold the group back. I feel like I can learn a lot form Jason, Shejal, and Paulomi when we get to the editing process. They are patient with me and I really appreciate that.
Time. Time is going to be the toughest thing for me. I’ve haven’t always been the best at managing my own time, but when it comes to group stuff I can usually stay on top of things. BUT this project is proven to be a little unusual I guess. There are so many different components and moving parts to this project and bringing all of the groups together in the end will be tough, but doable.
Another thing that is really REALLY annoying is the whole “Texas flag” shot thing. During the first class discussion about the video essay we threw the topic of Texas around for a little bit, but then kind of abandoned that idea in later discussions. but for me the Texas thing was a really interest point and I got it stuck in my mind that the Texas flag should try to make as many appearances as possible- too bad the freaking angle is a beeotch. Oh well- I’m just going to have to keep working with it. Just keep working….
Crafting, creating, shooting, editing, uploading all takes time. Time, which we are short on. The process of corralling twenty plus people and giving them a direction proves difficult. The newscast format of presenting an argument must be crafted in a linear process, which we don’t have time for. Therefore, sending direction to people not only becomes difficult, but nearly impossible, as a linear process requires one step to happen before the rest can be completed. Okay, this is not a completely linear process, but it sure feels like it should be one. People performing their duties outside of class induces stress because the workload feels greater than it should; however, I cant say with any accuracy at all whether the workload is more or less than what it would have been had the film project not been approved—thank goodness it was. Teaching more than purely rhetorical analysis, this film project has taught the class how to work as one, depend on one another, communicate efficiently and effectively (although we are still working on this one), and craft an argument outside the parameters of text.
The hardest part of the project One of the hardest things is trying to get everyone to effectively and efficiently work in sync in their roles. A member of the crew has to know his or her role and stick to it if the crew wants to get anything accomplished. As of late, this has been happening and it is very rewarding and progress is being made.
Instead of addressing the camera problem in class because it is very technical and somewhat boring, I will attempt to in here. The DSLR’s offered to record video will work fine and dandy if you don’t want audio, or at least editable audio because they record in mono rather than stereo which the Sony-ex 1 does (the camera Matt will get for us). Recording at 20 fps will work for a few seconds, maybe 20 or 30 max, before you notice a jump in the footage and movies are shot at least 30 fps. For filming a game or event that is fine, but an interview will be thrown off by that jump. Not having an external audio output for a mic proves to be a problem because there is no guarantee the camera will be that close to the interviewee and plus, the mic will pick up the camera noises, such as the camera auto focusing. Those are just the beginning…please do not take this as a malicious attack on any personal possessions; rather this is my reasoning for wanting a professional quality camera, or a true video camera. If you have any questions/comments/concerns I would be more than willing to listen and hopefully provide answers.
While I understand the organization of the class has been anything but spectacular, I accept responsibility, and am working on another approach; however, the small groups seem most efficient—take initiative and do what you need to get your work done. Because of the semi-linear process a film goes through, some things must wait before others can begin and this is the root of my problems.
Overall I am very please how things have turned out so far and am encouraged at the progress the crew makes each week. We are fighting something that, no matter how hard one tries, cannot be changed—time.
When first assigned the task of making the storyboard I was confused and overwhelmed. I had no idea what that even was before I went to the HRC, and I came out realizing that I was going to have fun with my part of the assignment no matter what problems or roadblocks we faced. In order to work on the Storyboard, Erica and I needed both the director’s vision, and the finished script. However, since the script and the storyboard are both due on the same day, we had to improvise and draw what we thought might happen and more general scenes for the unknown. What we have now is just the bare-backbone of what will happen. But thankfully what I thought was going to be difficult because of our lack of details actually wasn’t bad at all.
The small group discussion we had in class on Tuesday was extremely beneficial for me because I was able to discuss the shared responsibilities that I have with other groups, and also meet in a time that was convenient for everyone I needed to get together with. When I met with the writers and verbally went through the scenes with Matt it was extremely helpful and much easier to visualize the scenes than just looking at the script on the Google doc. For the first time I could imagine what the show would actually look like. I also went outside with the directors to see what kind of shot we should draw for the interviews. We tried all different angles next to the flag and I got an idea of what Sarah would like the shot to look like, with the flag in the background.
After class Erica and I got together to begin the storyboard, and for the most part it was really straightforward and simple. We are going to use Velcro to put on the back of the cards so they are interchangeable as the script changes or if there is something unscripted we need to add. Even though I know this doesn’t have too be an art masterpiece I have a hard time not trying to make it perfect. Other than that I have really enjoyed my part of the project and look forward to seeing it go from index card to YouTube screen.
The main difficulty we seemed to be having, in my opinion, was finding the camera, but since Matt came up with a solution, we are good. One less stress. Recently, a new problem has come into place. Deadlines. The script and storyboard was supposed to be done by this Thursday, but that ended up not being a reasonable time, and because of camera problems, the interviews have just recently started. Because of all of these minor (and somewhat major) problems, I have decided that I am going to step out of my producer role for a while, and help anyone else with what they need. Music, storyboard help, anything like that. I can help, so call me if anyone needs help. Besides that, this whole experience is different. That is the only word I can come up with: different. At first, I had a slightly difficult time figuring out how to communicate with everyone, because I was not getting used to the google doc, but it was a slow process, and I eventually got it. Now, I know, that instead of communicating with the class in a vague and general way, I can ask specific people what they need and how they are doing. Also, I can tell them specifically what they need to do. That helps me get my point across and answer individual questions or clear up any confusion.
Those are basically all the difficulties I was having, or am having, but I want to take up the rest of my blog space to talk more about what I am getting out of this. I never talked to most of the people in this class. Outside of class discussion, which was directed to the professor and to the general class, I barely had a conversation about the class itself to anyone in the class. This project is helping me, and I am sure a lot of other people, discuss class related topics with each other. I have learned that a lot of other people have very helpful insight, and that, even as a producer and a leader, listening to other people’s opinions will produce a better video than just having a couple leaders bossing everyone around. With that said, I have also learned that being firm with deadlines and general ideas is sometimes better than a pleasing everyone. Listening to opinions and ideas helps the project grow and become better, but the final decision has to be made without yielding to everyone’s ideas. It can’t be done. One thing I did like, though, is that most of the class agreed with most of the plans and there were not many arguments on many things.
The whole point of this class, or any class in college, is to grow as a student and as a person. So if anyone has any suggestions of what I should be doing differently as a producer or if anyone needs help or has any ideas, speak up!
All in all, I am so excited about shooting week, and especially excited about seeing the end product. Let’s call it May 6th jitters.
When the idea of this video project came to mind, I was very excited, mostly because of not having to write any more rhetorical analysis's! :) But after a week into this project, it has become overwhelming and problematic in some cases, where we have been able to overcome.
I think this video essay will have its ups and downs during its production. First, our problem was of getting a camera from a student that is majoring in RTF. This was finally overcome and we managed to find a camera. I think the problem with this will be the three day return policy. I believe majority of the interviews will be recorded during the weekend and that might be a hassle getting the camera to the interviewer and having it returned in time without having any penalties. Not all of us are techies, so this might become an issue when some of get people to interview and we don't know how to work the camera. But, I believe it was Matt, that said that the camera isn't hard to learn, therefore it shouldn't become that big of a problem. All we have to worry about is getting the footage and have the editors chop it up.
Which then leads to a problem with the editors of having the correct software to edit, which would be my job. I learned from Alan that windows won't be able to handle HD files on movie maker, but luckily, Edna has a MAC and Jason will be providing us with the software that Paulomi knows how to use. I have previous editing skills, but from a windows program, not MAC. I only started using a MAC this semester because my Spanish labs are held in a computer lab with only MAC computers.
This project requires a lot of our own time to get it done. Such as driving to schools, researching information at libraries, and finding other resources. We have less than a month left of classes and this is the peak where professors enjoy making our lives hell with ridiculous amount of classwork in other classes. I think because of this, we might fall behind in some parts of this video essay but with others filling in, we can manage to produce this video. This is all team effort that is making this video production even possible to do. With each others help and advice, I think we would be able to overcome any challenges.
To Do:
BIG PICTURE (PLEASE TELL ME IF THIS IS INCORRECT):
They Say: Textbooks need a more conservative spin, and some events in history don't need to be outlined
We Say: The textbooks shouldn't have any political spin.
Other Notes:
Equipment issues solved
Edna has joined the Editors group!
Reminders:
