2014 Reflection

This semester I have grown as a convergence journalism student in many ways. Transitioning to two hours of convergence journalism has been exciting and full of many new learned things. Throughout my years of e-comm I have learned how to incorporate technology, video, and social media. From software to collaborating convergence journalism has made me a better student.

Filming with a purpose

This year I learned many aspects of what it takes to make a package with storytelling and sequencing.   I started this year not really understanding the 6 shot system or how to create a sequence. I have now become a "pro" at using the 6 shot system and use it in nearly every video. Following the 6 shot system has taught me the concept of video sequencing and storytelling.

Here is an example of a video I have produced this year that follows the six shot system and other video skills I have attained this year.

Once I began incorporating different techniques such as sequencing, following the 180 degree rule,  and rule of thirds I have seen an overall better change in the way I edit and produce videos.

Interview with Mr. McRoberts following the rule of thirds

Producing ONW NOW 

One of the most exciting aspects of this class is getting to be involved with ONW NOW. This year

our set changed to an infinity wall green screen and a tri-caster which is a new system for producing the show. Before this year I did not have any clue how to use a tri-caster and now I have learned how to use it in many different ways. I have grown as a convergence journalism student by now knowing how to run a news show and learning the different areas such as anchoring, running the tri-caster, sound, and floor director.

Learning the tri-caster

The tri-caster has changed the way of production and allowing us to smoothly put together a professional news show that is exciting for students to watch. Overall I have had a great experiencing learning the tri-caster and anchoring.

Anchoring an episode of ONW NOW

Video Editing

I have been working with Final Cut Pro since my sophomore year. I did not begin to really improve my editing skills until this year. I have learned how to quickly put together packages and use all the features final cut pro has to offer. 

If I had not learned the tricks and shot cuts on Final Cut Pro then I would not have been able to grow in my video editing skills. The quick process of putting together videos to air on ONW NOW each week has taught me to become a better video editor and maker.

Goals for the future...

1. Become a better blogger and writer. This next semester as a class we will be starting more web stories and improving our blogs. I would like to start writing stories for the website and learning how to present ideas and reflections through my blog in a professional yet interesting way.

2. Better ideas for packages. Something I have struggled with this semester is finding story ideas. This next semester I would like to come up with better ideas for stories and a unique angle to present them. I think that more interesting story ideas would create a better ONW NOW that more students would like to watch, as a class we should strive for interesting packages with better angles.

Overall I have come a long way throughout my journey as an e-communication student. I have grown in many ways and hope that in the future I will continue to expand my knowledge of storytelling, video making, and blogging. I am excited to see what else I will accomplish and learn.

Documentary Proposal

Working title: Road to Fame(?)
Producers: Samantha McCue and Rachel Brookhart

My documentary is about Maryann Traxler's rise to fame. The main conflict is the outcome of her experience on American idol and what she hopes to become. Ultimately, I want the audience to feel inspired and to understand that you can become whatever you want to become and to always dream big.

Maryann Traxler is a student, daughter, friend, singer, and actress. She is an aspiring singer who tries out for American Idol this season and makes it to Hollywood. The main character is interesting because she has a dream and goes after it.

Maryann's mother has been a huge supporter throughout her endeavor. Her mother went with her to Hollywood and has been there her whole life. This character is interesting because she can share what Maryann was like as a young child and how she has grown as a singer and actress over the years.

Mrs. Williamson is Maryann's choir teacher at ONW. Williamson has been Traxler's choir teacher for the past 3 years. This character is interesting because she has seen hundreds (possibly thousands) of excellent vocalists, Williamson can express her perspective on what makes Maryann different.

The conflict of this film is the rise to fame and Maryann's aspirations and how she accomplishes her goals. Throughout the film we will show how Maryann does on American idol, the ultimate conflict is if she stays on the show or not.

Act I:  Maryann as a child, it will show her home life and her love for singing from a young age.
Act II: Her rise to fame and trying out for American Idol and where that takes her.
Act III: American Idol results and what she hopes for in the future.

This film will end by showing Maryann's outcome of her time on American Idol. It will tell what she later hopes to accomplish in life. This film will leave the viewer inspired and hopeful. Overall whatever the outcome of American Idol is it will be hopeful for more experiences and accomplishments to come in the future.

To produce this film we will begin by pre-interviewing our characters and planning locations to film. We will plan out the timeline of the story and how to incorporate all of our characters. We will shoot the documentary by following Traxler's everyday life/schedule. We will use videos and pictures from when she is younger. Once all filming is done we will begin the editing process and choosing the best footage to use in order to portray this film in a visually attractive way.

From Peru to America

Señora Walsh- A Spanish Teacher at ONW

Why Señora Walsh? Señora Walsh has been teaching at Olathe Northwest for many years. This project focused on Walsh's unique story and her teaching style. This story portrayed her move to America and how she has adapted to this change.

Preparation and Production: To begin this package Tiajah and I brainstormed different teachers that would be a good subject. After deciding on Walsh we went to ask her if she would like to do the video and when would be a good time to interview her. During pre-production we wrote out our interview questions and planned on what shots to get when shooting b-roll. During production we set up for an interview at her desk and then got b-roll during her second hour class. Creating the video we favorited interview clips to get the best answers and then put it together with the b-roll on final cut pro. We revised the final video multiple times to make sure all b-roll matched up and the video turned out the way planned.

What I learned: Along the way I learned to get different angles during the interview to make it more visually interesting. I learned that it is very beneficial to use two cameras while getting b-roll that way when some shots don't work out there is more than enough. I also learned that you must work around your subjects schedule and find times that are convenient for them.

Change or keep the same? If I was to do this video again I would compose the interviews in the same way because I think the location was good in portraying who Walsh is. I would also keep the storytelling the same because it had a beginning, middle, and ending.

Things I would change about this video is next time I would interview one of Walsh's students. I would also make sure the camera wasn't shaky when getting b-roll. 

In the future... My experience from this project has shown me how to feature a certain person with an interesting story and put it together in a video. I will enhance my next projects by continuing to use the 6-shot system, set up an interview, and revising the final project.

Overall I think this video turned out good for what we filmed. I do think that in the future this could be improved by adding more substance such as more interviews and a variety of b-roll.