Video Semester Final

Video Class Semester Final 

Music Video 

The music video project took my group and I around three to four weeks to complete. The whole process took around one week for pre production, one week for filming, and one week for editing. Now my group did things a little differently than planned, because we took so long for pre production (around two and a half weeks) we had 2 days to film and one day to edit. Some challenges I faced with this project was getting everyone able to film. However, I the mastermind behind the project of course made it happen. Another challenge I faced was battling the copyright claims that I ended up loosing. Along the way of doing this project I learned a lot of things. One big thing I learned was communication and how important it was. My group could have easily taken the L on this project as we were way behind schedule but instead we powered through and created the best music video in the class by a long shot. Another important lesson I learned from this project is all of Kanye West's music is unavailable for use  regardless of what one is using it for. The only constructive feedback I was given came from a fellow classmate named Olivia Markey who stated "the video had no plot" this just happen to be the only negative feedback I got because the rest of the class was blown away with how phenomenal the video was. Furthermore, my group and I believed she was just jealous because her video was no where near as good as mine and she was just trying to bring me (the king) down from the top. Some positive feedback I received was fantastic video, best one in the class, great works, looks lime Kanye's actual video, and nice shots. After receiving feedback I did not change anything as my video was perfect and nothing needed to be changed. Overall, this was by far my favorite project of the year and it is a shame I can no longer show anyone. The reason it was my favorite was it allowed me to show my creativity and use one of my favorite songs. 

High School Trailer

This video project my high school movie trailer. The scope of the project was to recreate a high school movie railer frame for frame. This project was designed to take four to five weeks with pre production taking one week, filming two weeks, and editing two weeks. My group (the same group who created the fantastic remake of "Runaway" music video, however, did not follow these guidelines and instead spent three weeks on pre production, one day filming, and one day editing. The challenges I faced while creating this video was not even eCommnication related but instead personal life related. I and my partners had baseball tryouts this week that the video was suppose to be produced. This meant we could not devote our time to completing the video, which explains why the video is trash. What I learned and am going to take away from this experience is don't let anything be more important than school. While I did make the baseball team and considered taking the hit on this movie trailer as a good thing I shouldn't of let something come between me and school. When it came to receiving feedback I didn't receive any negative feedback because the whole class knew this video was absolute garbage and they didn't want to continue beating a dead horse. However, I did receive some positive feedback regardless of how trash the video was. The good feedback was the voiceover was funny, and the video in general made me laugh. I could not change anything about this video because it did not fit into our class schedule. My overall opinion of this project is it is straight garbage, and I could have done so much better. I am embarrassed to say I even created this abomination.

Short Film 

This is the last project we did this semester and it was a short film. The scope was to create a five to seven minute short films that had a beginning, middle, end. This project alone took around one  and a half months to complete as it had multiple steps. The first step was researching short films, followed by writing log lines, then creating a treatment, then creating a script, then finally choosing a script out of our groups to make into a short film. Next step was pre production that took a solid one to two weeks of storyboarding and script altercations. another week was taken for filming followed by one week of editing the film. The challenges I faced with this video was group cooperation. None of the group could film on the same days as we all had different schedules meaning people were left out of the process of creating the film. What I learned along the way of creating a short film is how much pre production is put into to making one and how dedicated one has to be in order to complete a short film. The class really didn't give any feedback for this video as when we watched it it was a fun day and I don't think anyone wanted to give feedback. What I would change about this video is the acting. While the female role was great the male role was below average and we could have used a better actor, which would have made the film stronger. Overall, this project was very fun to make and I enjoyed really creating the project with my group.

How did I use my Class Time

I used my class time efficiently some times and other days not so much. It was really a toss up in terms of when I came in on how I was going to be. I stayed productive in this class when I finished early/ when I thought I was done by collaboration with students about their projects and how I could make it better.  To enhance my work when I was done I would watch a lot of great films and get ideas on new shots, and ideas for films. Outside of class to make my skills better I did some clinet work and would help film sports games to improve my camera work.

Strengths as a Video  Production Student

My strengths as a video production student is I work hard. Other than that I really have no strengths. I maximized my strengths by working hard and turning everything in on time. 

Areas of Improvement 

I personally think I need to work on everything as I am weak in all areas of this class. To improve these areas I will watch more movies and learn more about filming itself.  

Summary

What I loved most about this class is the teacher and my classmates. What I would change about this semester is my high school movie trailer. I would completely redo the whole video. Overall i am going to take away that I need to work harder to become better. The one goal I have for next year is to become a better student than I am now and a better person. My final thoughts is I loved this class and had a blast being in it. 

Music Video Reflection

Music Video

Scope of the Project

This assignment was to create a remake of on of your favorite music videos. My group chose to remake Kanye West's music video "Runaway". The scope of the project was to teach new angles that could be used, to teach the pre filing process, and to teach one how to edit a music video. All this is different than what the class is use to as we are use to not having to do mush pre work nor getting a lot of shots. Another scope of this project was to lead us into the entertainment side of video class. 

The Process 

For this project and along with the rest of the assignments that the class is about to do requires plenty of pre production. Some pre production assignments that my group had to complete was gathering the following copyright information, lyrics sheet, cast and production sheet, beat sheet, multiple story boards, a professional review of another music video, gathering the cast, creating a schedule, and approval from our teacher. For production (actual creation of the video) I had to gather all the dancers in the video, assign a film day, make sure all the dancers wore the same outfit, gather all the correct outfits, and film. Production was by far the best part of creating this music video as it was great fun. From getting all the dancers to participate to filming each scene was a pleasure to see it all see together and I could not have been more proud to see it all come before my eyes. In post-production (editing process) that was also a lot of fun. To edit my group used Adobe Premiere to create this video. Watching all the clips was the best part of editing as we got to see what we visioned in our eyes come to life. The most tedious part of creating the music video was matching everything to the lyrics, having to cut the sound down, and cutting down each clip. Once this was done the rest of the editing process was easy and fun to create. 

What I Learned 

Along the way I didn't learn anything technically with the editing process as I have been using Adobe premiere editing software for awhile now and I don't really think that there is anymore for me to learn with the editing process. One thing I learned technically about the camera and film making is using more shots than the typical six shot system. Professionally I learned a lot. I learned how to organize a large group of people and communicate with them to get everything the way I wanted.

What I Would do Differently

After watching the video multiple times and presenting it to my classmates there is only one minor change that I would like to make. The one change I would like to make is ado more close ups of the dancers. Adding more close ups add more emotion and feeling to the video. I feel that this is something he video lacked which was a person for the audience to connect to. In one of Kanye's other music videos he provides a lot of close ups which makes the audience feel more connected to him. 

What I Would do the Same

I would do everything the same. If I could go back in time I would change nothing as I am very proud of this video and think nothing is wrong with it. 

Experiences 

Some experiences I had when creating this video is how important communication is. A big part of this video coming together was my ability to be able to communicate with all our dancers and making this happen.

Conclusion

Overall, this was a fun project to create and I hope the class has more like this in the future. 

Professional Video Review

Professional Video Review of Only One 

Summary of Project

For this project I will be analyzing the music video by Kanye West "Only One". In this blog I will analyze what the song is about, types of shots, mood, and other important factors that made this music video iconic. 

Story and How it's Told

The story of this music video is from the perspective of Kanye West mom speaking to North west from beyond the grave. The reasoning for this is for the song to be seen as a lullaby to North west. The song explains how even though Kanye's mom never got to meet North that she is blessed with two great parents, and a very loving and blessed family. The mom also explains how God has great plans for her and the blessings she has. The story of this video is explained by one using powerful lyrics. Another way the story is told is through some artistic and deep shots of Kanye and his daughter North. These shots really show the connections between Kanye and his daughter and show the love that the lyrics are trying to convey to the audience. 

Elements that I would Apply 

One element from this music video that really struck me and that I would love to apply is all the shots have a purpose. Every single shot in this music video is in place with the lyrics. All of the shots convey the message that the lyrics are trying to convey by showing love between Kanye and his Daughter North.

Elements that are Applied that I Knew

One element that is applied in Kanye's music video "Only One" is the six shot system. The production crew behind this music did a really good job of using every single shot. I feel by using this technique it made the music video more powerful and demonstrates the message the lyrics are trying to get across about love and God. 

What the Creator Did Well

 What Kanye West and Paul McCartney the creators really did well in this music video was tell the story behind the lyrics. They did this well by using a perfect setting by filming out in an abandon field and filming and a cloudy day. This setting helped plan out the whole video by giving off a dark moody and a sad tone which the song is singing about. 

How the Creator Could Have Done Better

The creators in my opinion truly did nothing wrong but if I had to nit pick it would be the video quality and the audio error in the middle of the song. First, I am going to start off discussing the video quality. The backstory behind this music video is that it was filmed with an iPhone 6 by one of Kanye's friend and was just an impromptu idea. The song was originally never suppose to have a music video.  However, if Kanye did put maximum effort into filming the video it would of had cleaner shots and more variety than the standard 6 shot system. Secondly is the audio mishap in the video of the song. As one can clearly hear their seems to be a problem in the recording where the autotune is not completely blocking out Kanye's real voice. I know this isn't the creators fault as it's the editors. I do feel though Kanye or Paul could have paid more attention to this and corrected the error before the video went public. 

General Thoughts and Conclusion

Overall I think this is a great video and in my opinion one of the best low budget music videos out there. This is a true inspiration. One reason why this video is huge inspiration is because for my music video project we do not have a huge budget and two the song is inspirational and speaks to everyone. That is what I'm after choosing and creating a music video that everyone can make a connection to.