FINAL REFLECTION

If you had to pick three things that you found the most valuable from this class experience, what would they be? What do you feel overall that this course has helped you prepare for?

  The leadership this class can teach you is really good if you plan on going into this industry. Also, you're taught a lot of the practical things. The most valuable parts of this class were the moments where we accomplished our vision. This class can really give you experience and prepare you for the film and video production world.


   

End of the Year Reflection p.4

What is one unit this year that you felt was the least useful? Why? How could it be improved? If there was one unit in the entire year that I could strike from the schedule, which would you suggest? Why?

I feel like the Video Scriptwriting Keynote was the least interesting to me because it felt rushed/short and surprisingly irrelevant. Most of the keynote was very useful but compared to the rest of them it felt like the least helpful. You could maybe improve it by having the students make more AV scripts during that unit. I don think any unit should be cancelled, however you could cut down a little the sound unit.

END OF YEAR REFLECTION P. 3

What unit did you enjoy the most? Why? What are three things that you learned from the unit? What are two things that you'd like to know more about? How could this unit be improved? Please give detailed input.

   I would say that I enjoyed the storytelling unit the most. Learning each component of the storytelling process and breaking down what makes a story was very interesting and significant. Learning The Hero's Journey was great and inspecting films for the Hero's Journey archetypes was also fun. I would've liked to have seen a coupe more video's about the significance of character's development, emotions, and power. Other than that the unit felt very solid.

END OF YEAR REFLECTION P. 2

Now that we are completing the Spring semester, reflect back upon your work. What video are you the most proud of? Why? If there are none, why? What are 3 ways that you could improve your work in the future?

   I am very proud of my montage, silent film, and documentary. The montage, I knew would turn out good due to the appropriate song, good pictures, and strong message I was trying to get across. My silent film came out better than I expected. There was some doubt in my ind that it wouldn't end up that great. And lastly, my documentary was a lot more funner than I thought it would be. A lot of the components of it sounded really boring but it was actually very interesting.

DOCUMENTARY FILM REFLECTION

Now that you are almost finished with your documentary, reflect on what you have learned. Answer the following questions in a well thought out paragraph.

1. What have you learned in the documentary assignment? List three different things that you have learned and what you learned.
  This documentary taught me how to interview a person and make them feel comfortable in front of the camera. It also showed me how one would communicate with their client about the project, and how to capture a real life event or thing on camera and make it slightly cinematic.

2. What has this assignment taught you about video production?
  It taught me how to light up a person for an interview and record a variety of shots for my B-Roll. Also, how one proceeds to make a documentary.

3. Was this assignment a good final project of the year? Why or why not? What did it teach you to improve you production skills?
  I believe this was good idea for our final. Many people don't realize how difficult it can be to make a simple documentary. It requires a lot of work and concentration, things that are needed in this industry. But I also wouldn't be against having an option to choose between a documentary or a narrative.

4. What mistakes did you make on the project? How could you avoid them next time?
  A mistake I made was to get some B-Roll before I got my A-Roll. I of course got more B-Roll afterwards, but it would've been a better idea to do it the other way.

THE DOGIST MINI DOC

Why is this documentary different? What are 3 techniques that it uses that you learned about in the keynote? How does the documentary use them effectively? Are there any techniques it uses that weren't in the keynote?

  This mini doc is about the world of the dogist. A young photographer for the beautiful animals known as dogs. He walks around, everyday, through the streets of New York and goes up to people and asks if he can take pictures of their dogs. There was a lot of B-Roll for this mini doc. Plenty to show the dog community in New York and how he goes about. There were countless numbers of close ups of these dogs. They also inserted pictures that he took in a short montage showing the personality of the dog in correlation with the owner.

INOCENTE, OSCAR WINNING MINI DOC

What makes this such an impactful documentary? What are 2 ways that the filmmakers effectively communicate the participants struggle to the audience? What are 3 techniques that it uses that you learned about in the keynote? How does the documentary use them effectively?

   The oscar winning mini doc, "Inocente", is very impactful because it exposes the struggles this young teenager goes through. They made sure to show all the shelters she has stayed at and random street/park locations she has slept in. It's even more emotional to see a teenager going through this. Also, to know how embarrassed she is of being homeless and how she hasn't told any of her friends is heartbreaking. I believe the true power of the film came from its B-Roll. Showing a day in her life is what'll grab the viewers attention more.

THEO JANSEN'S STRANDBEESTS

Why is this documentary different? What are 3 techniques that it uses that you learned about in the keynote? How does the documentary use them effectively? Are there any techniques it uses that weren't in the keynote?

   This documentary was quite interesting regarding the subject. It was really remarkable to see how this artist's creations come to life. In terms of shots this documentary consisted of full shots, close ups, medium shots and many more basic shots. There wasn't a need for being creative in the way you shot this because it could've been a distraction from the art piece Theo had created. All you really needed to do was sit back and watch nature blow life into these strandbeests.

REINVENTION OF NORMAL MINI DOC

Why is this documentary different? What are 3 techniques that it uses that you learned about in the keynote? How does the documentary use them effectively? Are there any techniques it uses that weren't in the keynote?

   This story was really small. The purpose of it was to get inside the mind of this creator. To see how he sees the world. The documentary would constantly be interrupted by cartoon sketches of what i think were ideas of his that are impossible to actually do. Like the building moving up & down for the elevator. They got a variety of shots of him in multiple places. Also, had multiple interviews.

THE OFF SEASON MINI DOC

What are the ways that this doc is different from other documentaries that you've seen? Why is this documentary different? What techniques does it use to tell its story that you've learned from the keynote?

   This documentary uses archive footage. Also, it has many montages about his childhood and how football has been with him his whole life. It ends with a montage showing his future career as an NFL player.

ELGIN PARK MINI DOC

What are 3 techniques that it uses that you learned about in the keynote? How does the documentary use them effectively? Are there any techniques it uses that weren't in the keynote?

   This documentary uses a lot of B-Roll. More B-Roll than A-Roll I believe. It also uses many close up and the lighting of the B-Roll really sets the mood of the documentary. It seems appropriate due to the topics that he talks about.

IF I DIE ON MARS

What are 3 techniques that it uses that you learned about in the keynote? How does the documentary use them effectively? Are there any techniques it uses that weren't in the keynote?

  One technique they used were close ups in most of the interviews. We were up close and it was much easier to see their POV and mindsets on their choice. Also, they had montages showing Mars and them on Earth. That comparisons they made, and the way they did it, was really significant and effective for their documentary. I believe it's effective because they will be looking at and exploring Mars the way they did on Earth.

BULL RIDER

What are 3 techniques that it uses that you learned about in the keynote? How does the documentary use them effectively? Are there any techniques it uses that weren't in the keynote?

One technique they used was making the image blurry to give it a dream like effect. It's convenient that they used that effect when he was talking about himself imagining seeing himself riding that bull like he did. Also, a lot of effective composition when when walking alone by the ranch. A lot of the shots really looked well-composed and like they took time to get it the right way. 

YOUR B-ROLL IS YOUR A-ROLL

What is Anthony's take on B-roll? How is it different from others? What is his secret tip for "bedroom B-roll?"

  He says that B-Roll should not be considered as secondary footage. He talks about how its basically everything in your documentary, all the actions. It also helps break up your interviews in case they get boring or long and hard to watch. The "bedroom B-roll" is basically shots that don't give away much information. This way the shot gives an "appropriate visual reference" to the footage.

B-ROLL

What is B-Roll? Why is it important for a project? What are 3 things to keep in mind when you're shooting B-roll?

B-Roll is the coverage needed to sub in when a reporter is talking. Typically used in documentaries and news, B-Roll is just as, or even more, important as your A-Roll. Making sure that most of your shots are not just steady or static shots is very important when capturing B-Roll. You must try get get as many variety shots as possible.

5 DOCUMENTARY MISTAKES

In your own words, which of these three are the most important? Why? If there were one more mistake that could be added to this list, what do you think it would be?

  I think some of the most important ones are numbers 1, 3, and 5. One talks about the importance of giving the documentary a purpose. What is the thriving question you have and what are you trying to say by this documentary. Number three mentions the techniques some filmmakers try use but end up failing at. For example, the recreation of events. They never capture the actual drama or tension. Finally, this concludes with number five, talking about the "vision". You must have a strong vision and everyone must be on the same page. This way the final project can come out as great as possible.