My Music Video

I will be producing a song for "Flying on a Cloud" by the DaDa Weatherman.

I am going to add a consistancy by using the same idea of a person writing the lyrics to the chorus each time it is played, however I am going to use a different person.

After watching several youtube videos that use this same song, they all focused on nature. I want to use a lot of cloud footage that moves faster then normal. I also want to use a still shot of little girls in fairy costumes because it discusses fairy tales and poetry. I want to have some shots of the movement from the ground to the clouds because of the line "but now you lift up your eyes you're looking forward and you let your mind fly on a cloud."

My song is more on the short side so I need to make my footage clear and understood since there isn't as much time for a storyline.

Three-Point-Editing

Recently, I have had the opportunity to learn how and why people use three point editing. Unlike drag editing, three-point editing allows me to use both source clip and sequence in and out points to specify the duration of a source clip and where it should be placed in a sequence. To edit content into a sequence using three-point editing, I set edit points in my source clip and sequence, and then do the edit.

1. Stage 1: Setting Clip In and Out Points in the Viewer
   Specify which part of a source clip wanted to place in the sequence. Do this by opening it in the Viewer and setting the In and Out points.
2. Stage 2: Setting Sequence In and Out Points in the Timeline or Canvas                                       Specify where the clip is to appear in the sequence by setting In and Out points in the Timeline.
3. Stage 3: Specifying Destination Tracks
   Choose the tracks in the Timeline where the video and audio items from the source clip should appear.
4. Stage 4: Adding the Clip to the Timeline
   Edit the clip into the Timeline by dragging it to the Edit Overlay in the Canvas, clicking a Canvas edit button, or using a keyboard shortcut.

Sequence In and Out points always take precedence over source clip In and Out points. If both In and Out points in a sequence are set, the duration of the edit is determined by the In and Out points of the sequence, regardless of the In and Out points of the source clip. This allows me to restrict the portion of the sequence affected by the edit.

Writing Center Shoot

While shooting for the Writing Center, I participated in multiple ways. The first day I did the set-up and did the shoot for the first couple of speakers on camera 1, however it ended up that we didn't use camera 1 for anymore footage. I also helped set up the lighting on day 1. For day 2 of shooting I helped do all the set-up for camera 2 as well as shooting the first speaker. After the switch I moved into the booth where I just helped as a creative eye and helped make any adjustments.

The most important thing I learned throughout the Writing Center shoot was that changes can be made effectively and quickly. On day 1 our footage was decent but overall we were not happy with it. So, going into day 2 I liked that we made the decision to take advantage of our talent and have them help us as well as changing the angles. I also liked learning that you can take advantage of "practicing". On day 2 I liked that we told them to read a couple of lines for practice so there wasn't any pressure, but then we just started filming. I felt the talent looked much more comfortable and calm.

Overall, I thought the shoot went great, but with better results coming out of day 2.

Writing Center Script

Working with the writing center script was fun, but whenever I would read it I couldn't help but think of those cheesy online college commercials that you can never get out of your head once you hear them. But, I think that's the point of this script, which means it could be effective.

As soon as I heard the idea behind the script and what the clients wanted, I immediately thought about the idea of speaking with notecards, as well as the actual person's voice. Although most of the time you see this it's rather deep and emotional, I think there is a way around it to make it more fun and bubbly. I would like to see the notecards marked up a little to fix spelling or punctuation errors. Knowing that they want multiple people involved in the speaking parts, I think it would be cool to see one person, but when the notecard goes up to the camera and pulls back have a different person there ready to do the next speaking section.



Photo by: Buster Benson



Studio Experience

So far my favorite experience in Studio Production has been working with the cameras. I think because of my love for photography working with the video cameras is very simalar. My biggest downfall is trying to find that perfect shot, but when I have someone on the headset telling me the what angle they like it makes it easier for me. I take direction very well so it is not difficult for me to work the cameras.

The only thing that I struggled with is setting the white balance because I have never had the opportunity to work with these settings. I think after a few tries I will get the hang of it though.

After setting the white balance, I moved on to getting my close up and 2 or 3 person shots. From then on I just did as I was told by director on the headset.

Since I had someone there to help me learn how to set the white balance and back focus I didn't run into any issues on my own. The cameras were very user friendly and I caught on quickly.

You && I

Lady Gaga's You and I video hasbeen on of my favorites recently not only because of the actual song, but for the video because it is so creative and bizarre. The first time I watched it, I was confused by the end, however the second time I watched from more of a creative perspective and was able to catch on a LITTLE more. I think one of the reasons I am so intrigued by the video is because each time I watch it I find something I didn't notice the first time.

COMM 360 vs. Hamilton Hamish

When I first watched a show done by Hamilton Hamish in class I was blown away. I'm the person that sits at home and watches TV and doesn't pay attention to all the work and details put into a big production. So seeing, Hamish call all the shots on the Kanye West performance, and just realizing all the decisions that have to be made each second as far as camera and lighting effects, I was amazed. And also very excited to give it a shot myself.

Moving into the classroom I was very intimidated by the thought of being on camera, however the first day I was moved to camera 1, and I was all of a sudden very relaxed. Although our class is nothing like a production done by Hamish, I could understand why he gets so fired up over the experience. It is a lot of fun seeing a project come together when so many people are involved. Before this class I was a firm believer of "having too many hands in the cookie jar", but when there are so many aspects that go into a 30 minute segment, you need that many people.

Now that we've done several rounds of shows, which included me being a guest on camera, I feel very comfortable in the production process. The biggest thing for me is I've learned to ask for help because I've never been involved in anything relating to a studio like this. I've also learned how to roll electrical cords, set-up lighting, and work the video cameras! Although, we'll never be on the level of Hamilton Hamish in COMM 360, I do think he's a great person to look up to when you find yourself needing to get excited over a studio production class.



Studio Production.
Photo by:  kellencoliron