Evaluation
For this assignment I had to produce and create a 30 second
video to promote Gateshead College for to help future students with choosing
the right college to attend. I had to start by generating different ideas of
how I could promote the college followed by different pre production task
before making my video.
Pre production
Before starting my Pre production work I had to think of an
idea to pitch to my other classmates. I came up with the idea of showing basic
shots from around the college of the different departments and conduct 2 – 3
interviews with different students to find out what they think of the college.
I came up with this idea because I have never used a camera or made a video
before so I thought it would be pretty basic but at the same time meet the
brief to make a promotional video.
The target audience for my video was mainly 16-18 year olds
as this is the main age range in the college but not disclosing mature students
either. I wanted to focus mainly on the
media and arts department as that is where I’m most familiar with in the
college. I wanted to show a recording studio with equipment in, the art
department and examples of students work and the library facilities along with
some shots of the ‘inspirational quotes’ around the college. I wanted to
include some students talking about their experience at Gateshead College and
what they enjoyed about it – at this point I was unsure whether I would include
them visually in my video or just have them as a voice over behind the shots. I
pitched this as my initial idea to the class and with the feedback I received I
decided to go ahead and turn it into my final video.
Before starting to film I had to undertake a number of pre
production sheets such as talent release forms for anyone who would feature in
my video – this is so you have written permission that you can use them in a
video that may be shown to people. I had to do a risk assessment sheet for the
college in case of any accidents and so that myself and anyone else around was
aware of any possible dangers and how they are avoidable. I then created a cast and crew list so I knew
where everyone was who I needed to be involved and made sure I had contact
number to get a hold of them when needed. I also made an equipment list so I
was aware that when it came to filming I knew exactly what I wanted and where I
could find it and that it was available at the times needed.
After I completed all my pre production sheets I drew up
some story boards to help me with the exact order, a guide and where I wanted
all my shots to take place. I roughly drew each frame with what I wanted to
happen, it took place over 8 small drawings I also wrote a short discription of
what the shot would entail and the duration of it. Then I needed to make myself
more familiar with a camera as I have had very little practise in the past. To
do this I took different shots around the college such as long and short shot
and tilt shots. This gave me a feel of the camera and used to the different
buttons and how I need to check the focus before every shot as well as learning
different shot types. I found this useful when it came to shooting my video
because I was more prepared and knew exactly what the set up would have to be
before each clip.
I then began the filming process I started off by filming
different areas of the art department, the hall leading to it where all the
paintings or on the walls then I filmed parts of the library and the sign
outside which has a quote on I used the zoom in and out for this shot. I also
filmed down stairs in the recording studio and showed a student using the
equipment such as the drums and keyboard. I had a quick clip of the inside of
the college for just a feel of what it looked like. I then interviewed four
students all studying different things I asked them to respond to my questions
as if I had not asked them, my questions were:
What’s your name and what do you study?
Why did you choose Gateshead College?
Do you enjoy your course and why?
Are the facilities good for you chosen subject?
What do you hope to go and do after college?
For each student I had them fill out a talent release form. Although
I filmed four students in my final video I decided to use only two as the sound
quality was poor and the voices I chose fit into my video better.
After filming and making sure I had enough shots to edit me then
had to video capture the footage before editing. I found this a bit of a hassle
as I had to find each clip and go through all the video before finding mine - this
I something that could have been much easier if id kept it all on the same tape
all together. I then edited my shots together to make my final video where I
decided to keep my interviews in visually as well as the voices. I chose the
audio track Happy by Pharrel Williams as the backing track as I think it’s an
uplifting happy song to link to the video.
I enjoyed this assignment as id never really done anything
in video before and I liked playing with the camera and getting different
footage from around the college. I found my skills were very basic and could definitely
be improved with practise! When editing I found that my sound levels on the
interview were all over the place and very quiet, in my final video it’s hard
to make out what the students are saying which is the biggest down fall of the
final piece. I think I showed a range of shots in my video and good transitions
from one to another but could have improved them with a steadier hand. I found
the editing process quiet long but that was because I got a lot more footage
then needed but only some of it was useable. I think overall it was a good first
basic video for me and was edited quiet well together with music and writing at
the beginning and end but next time I will focus on being more precise with my
shots and angles and make sure I use the right sound equipment needed.
I also handed out feedback sheets to my class mates for them
to fill out after watching my video, the questions were as follows:
Does the video show what is asked in the brief?
Are there enough aspects of the college shown?
What could be improved?
Do you think the music fits?
Any other comments?
From the feedback I got was that there was a good range of
shots from around the college and the student interviews were a good idea and
that it matched the brief given. They all found that the sound levels should
have been better and that some shots could be improved by a steadier hand and
more focus. They found that the music was a good fit and that the transitions
between the shots were also good.
Throughout this I developed skills such as how to use a
camera and how to take lots of different basic shots as well as learning to do
the white balance before starting and recording. I learned how to capture the
footage to transfer from the camera to my computer and how to use final cut to
edit my final video together.
