Project 1-Composition Video

Viewing and showing objects through different focal lengths and angles to practice composition. I went to different locations and chose subjects that I could then show from a variety of focal lengths.

I used a VJ kit to film this. This was my first time taking the VJ kit home and being able to get comfortable with it. This project was very quick and simple to make, which allowed me to focus on composing the best shots for each focal length of the subject. There was no audio included in this assignment.

Through filming this project I learned to physically move the camera in order to get different angles of the subject, as well as adjusted the focal length. The best thing about this project was easing into using professional cameras and how to make simple edits to make all your shots into one video. If I were to do this again, I would probably white balance again on some shots.

 

Project 2- PSA

This is a public service announcement to take care of your dogs. Many dogs do not get enough activity or are neglected, which goes against what the ASPCA advocates. Keep your dog active, healthy, and happy.

I used a VJ kit to film this outside my house and at the park up the street. I had a friend enter in scenes where I wanted her to be walking the dog and playing with him, but kept her face out of it so the attention would only be on the dog. There was no audio included in this video. The music I used was Instrumental by ornamento from soundcloud.

I learned that it is very hard to film with animals who are no especially well trained. Some shots were not perfect due to my dogs movements and did not turn out the way I wanted them to. In the future, I would allow myself more time to film so that I could shoot as much of the same shot I wanted until it was exactly right.

 

Project 3-Interview

This video is of Tom Obusek, a student at Duquesne University, answering questions about the various music programs offered there and how he feels about the school. He gives factual information about the school, as well as his own personal opinions.

For this project, I used a VJ Kit to film. The audio of Tom speaking was recorded with the microphone included in the VJ kit. All of the natural sound was recorded by the built in camera microphone. I filmed B-roll that went along with what he was talking about and that showed a portion of the music school at Duquesne.

I learned how to record audio with a professional microphone and also how to hook it up to the camera, as well as checking the audio levels. The best thing about this project was how easy it was to envision how I wanted the final piece with all the elements to look when I was done. If I were to do this again, I would get more shots around the school, and I would white balance better.

 

Project 4-Free Form

This video could be whatever I wanted it to be, so I chose to use stuffed animals as my vehicles to tell a tragic, and disturbing story of a secret cult. There were not many requirements, so I had free range to explore cinematic elements.

For this project, I filmed using my SONY 500 Dslr camera and a cheap tripod I bought from target that broke halfway through filming, so I improvised by using hair ties to stabilize the camera on the tripod.  I recorded the audio separate on my camera and uploaded the file into premiere and cut out the video portion so I’d be left with just the audio. I also Beethoven’s Moonlight Sonata to make the video feel creepy and somber.

I learned that when your original plan doesn’t work, sometimes you have to improvise with what you have. In this case, I lacked people, so I substituted them for stuffed animals. The best part of this video is how the intro and end are blurred and are pan shots that make it feel more eerie. If I could redo it, I would buy a new tripod so my shots would be less shaky.

 

Final Project

My final project is a two minute long video that follows a man’s obsession with the phone game, Pokemon GO. The game is taking over his life, and seemingly becomes his real life, until he realizes he had been dreaming. 

I recorded this video using a VJ kit. I did not choose to include any audio in my piece, but rather use subtitles as a silent film would. I included music by rolemusic called Omou Matsu and music by sawsquarenoise called Towel Defense Press Roll.  I felt the electronic, almost video game sounding music fit the narrative of this story well. I tried to get a variety of shots and edited them is silly ways to make the video humorous.

I learned while filming this video, to allow yourself plenty of time to shoot, and even plan multiple days for a single video if you want it to turn out exactly as envisioned. I liked the music I chose for the video, I think it really captures the essence and kind of makes the viewer feel like they are playing a game as well. If I could change something, it would be adjusting lighting levels, or choosing different locations to shoot entirely that had better lighting.