Final Project Take One

Photo by Horia Varlan

I decided to create a video as my final project. We have not historically used video in my department, but would like to. The final project for this class seemed like the perfect reason to take the plunge into video. I have to say there was a lot more pre-work needed than I initially considered. It seems pretty easy - hit record on the video camera, clean up the clips, and you are good to go. But there are a few important steps that need to take place before you hit record. For example: who can I find that is willing to be an actor in the video, what are they going to say, and what is the overall design/story of the video.

I found that not many people want to be videotaped and those that are willing to be on camera definitely want a lot of direction and a script to follow.  So, I have been working on the design of the activity I am filming, the scripts, what everyone is going to do, and finding people to participant. I finally found all the players needed, met with them a couple times before the big taping and thought we were set. I scheduled the taping on Friday afternoon, which I thought was a good time since most people are more willing to set aside time to help with something like this than they would be during the week; I was wrong. Everyone thought it sounded like a great idea, but as it got closer a few decided it was not going to work out for them. The first person that could not attend, no problem, her portion of the video was just her we can reschedule and tape her on her own. The second person that could not attend, who told me 30 minutes before the taping, that was a bigger problem. We needed all the other actors in her scene, so I had to find a replacement with little to no notice and little to no prep time for them. I am not sure how, but I found someone and he did a great job.

So - I was able to get 4 of the 5 scenes recorded yesterday and am starting the editing process today.

I will keep you posted on how that goes.