We're Off To See The Wizard

The scope of this project was a feature on Olathe Northwest's production of Wizard of Oz. This story focused on Grace Horvat and Allie Carroll who play lead roles in this years musical, this video also displays the hard work that is put into the musical and how it is coming along.

 Rachel and I wanted to promote this years musical, so we began by choosing an angle and picking who to feature, we decided on Dorothy and the Wicked Witch. We then planned out interviews and when to get b-roll. After getting interviews we then stayed after school to film a full costume dress rehearsal of the musical. The video needed to be done in just a couple days so we quickly edited and put all of the footage together.

From making this video I learned how to change the lighting in our studio to make the interviewee look their best. I also learned that putting a song/nat noise throughout the video will enhance the overall feel and tone of the video. Lastly I learned that interviews should be done in interesting places.

 If I was to do this video again I would chose a more interesting interview spot and possibly do a combined interview of both lead roles. Another change I would make is to interview each subject on a different side to add variety to the interviews.

 I would use a lot of nat noise again because it makes it more interesting, I would also get a lot of b-roll again because it makes editing go faster.

I will use my experience of the new techniques I have learned and work to improve my videos.

 Overall I was very happy with the turnout of this video on such short time of editing, the b-roll was very visual and the nat noise made this package interesting. Our interviewees also had excellent interview answers.

5 Tips to a Great Interview

1. Plan and prepare questions to get the best answer out of your subject. When planning an interview the questions must be well written in order to get a good answer out of your interviewee. Start by asking questions to warm up your subject and make them feel comfortable, then proceed to harder questions. Ask questions that need an explanation with their answer, opposed to yes or no questions. Getting good answers are crucial in an interview.

2. Set up before the interviewee arrives. Prepare where your interviewee will sit (never do a standing interview, it can be uncomfortable and awkward), make sure that all camera and audio is ready to go without any technical difficulties before the actual interview. Doing this allows for a more professional and prepared feel. Remember to use the rule of thirds so the subject is not straight on the camera but at a corner of where the imaginary lines meet.

3. Lighting can make or break the look of an interview. You always want your subject to look the best so make sure the set is well lit. Too bright and the interviewee will look washed out, too dark and it would be hard too see. An interview should never be shot looking straight into a window, ideally the light would be facing the subject. Good lighting is essential and will make the overall look of the interview polished and professional.

4. During the interview keep quiet. Allow the interviewee to completely answer the question without any interruption. Head nods and smiles are good to let your subject know you are interested and engaged in what they are saying. Speaking while they are can be tempting but causes editing to be quite difficult and unable to use certain audio clips because of the interruption. Keep your lip zipped during the interview.

5. White balance the camera. Without white balance the hue of the camera will be either a yellowish orange or blue. Press the white balance button on the camera to balance all color. While editing the color can be corrected on the computer but it can be timely, always white balance before the interview.

Unique Artist: Shannon Smith

The scope of this project was to show a unique artist at ONW and how she expresses herself. We found out what her hopes are and what she wants to be. Shannon Smith talks about why she paints her face and applying to colleges.

To start this project we began by meeting with Shannon and asking her if she would like a feature story. We then began getting b-roll in her art classes and conducting an interview. After getting all of the footage we began editing. We pulled pictures of her artwork off of her Instagram for the package. This package was unique because we filmed her painting her face with different angles. Once editing was done we exported it.

 Along the way I learned that audio can be difficult to balance but to switch it to dual mono on final cut pro. I learned how to use extreme close ups to enhance a video. As far as collaborating I learned how to work with the subject and make them feel comfortable and not intimidated by the camera, I also learned how to shoot an interview with two cameras.

If I was to do this project again I would make the second interview at more of an angle and get more b-roll of her artwork. I would also steady the camera and make sure it is focused to create better sequences.

 I would set up two cameras again for multiple interview angles, I would also do the sequencing the same.

I will use my experience of setting up interviews, getting b-roll, and using the 6-shot system to enhance my next project.

Overall I liked the turnout of this project and how the beginning was unique. Next time I will make the audio more balanced.

6 Shot System

How to: 6 Shot System 

The 6-shot system is an easy way to display someone or something doing anything in a visually interesting way. While filming the 6-shot system make sure to follow the 180 rule(only getting shots from one side/angle of the subject). 6-Shot system creates a unique sequence.

• Close up of Hands- Shows a close up of what the subject is doing.
  

• Close up of face- Shows emotion and who or what the subject is. Close up shots are often most visually interesting for a viewer.
  

• Medium shot- Allows some of the background to be seen. This shot should show the subject from waist to head.
  

• Wide shot- Subjects whole body takes up the frame. The shot should fully explain what the subject is doing.
  

• Over the shoulder shot- Shows the subjects point of view. Gives the viewer a different perspective of the situation. This shot should be done by putting the camera over the shoulder of the subject.
  

• Extra wide shot- Establishes the enviroment and what is going on. The subject should be visible but the not the focus of the shot. This could be a shot showing the entire classroom from an extra wide angle.

Web vs. TV

Web vs TV: Indie Cowie soccer freestyler

I really like the web stories, my favorite of the two was web #2 because of the composition and the video quality. The diversity and content of the shots made the package exciting.

All three videos are similar because they are done over the same story and all the interviews interview her with the same type of questions which result in similar answers for all packages.

The videos were different because in the web stories I observed better camera quality and quicker shot cuts. In the T.V. package the shots were repetitive and irrelevant. The interviews and voiceovers were awkward on the TV package. On web story #1 the shots were composed in the same setting which really took away from the package but still was better than the TV story. Web story #2 really caught my eye with all the different shots and it had a storyline with a conflict.

Overall the web stories were much more creative and diverse with better coloring. The web stories were also much more appealing and caught the viewers attention. The T.V. story was bland and full of repetitive shots.

In my own stories I can emulate the shots and how the video was composed by using a variety to keep the viewer entertained. Adding slight music in the background can set the mood and enhance a video. Using examples like how she showed different tricks can make a package interesting.

Reflection: Trunk or Treat

1. The scope of this project was to find out about the interpersonal skills class at ONW and their community service event, Trunk or Treat. Trunk or treat is an event held around halloween every year where students and children from elementary schools come out and get dressed up to get candy.



2. To start this project we talked to Mrs. Reiter about an angle to take on this package and plan when to film. We then interviewed Mrs. Reiter and students in the interpersonal skills class and got b-roll. After getting all of the footage we edited the video together to make the package.



3. Along the way I learned that the interviewee needs to be looking across the screen rather than at a corner. I also learned more on using a mic. As far as collaborating I worked with students with diabilities and learned how to work in that situation.



4. If I was to do this project again I would set up the interview differently so the subject was looking across. I would also change the color to match up. The mic was not working, if I was to get that mic again I would come back and get a different one to better the audio quality on the package.



5. I would do the sequencing the same because I thought the sequences in this package were well done.



6. I will use my experience of various 6- shot system to get b-roll, I will set up interviews according to the rule of two thirds, and record audio with better quality to enhance my next project.



7. Overall I thought this package could have been better if the audio and video quality was better and used a tripod.

Q and A with Hannah Pugh

Q: State and spell your name

A: Hannah Pugh

Q: What are you involved with here at ONW?

A: I am involved in Raven Service Club, swim team, Avid, and that's it.

Q: How long have you been involved with swimming?

A: I have been swimming for about 10 years.

Q: What made you want to swim in the first place?

A: I was diagnosed with arthritis at the age of 6, and I was playing soccer at that time, it was too hard on my joints. My neighbor who coaches for Olathe East swim team said that he had a high school student who had arthritis and she swam because it helped with joint pain. So I tried it out and ended up loving it.

Q: Where all have you swam at?

A: Olathe lightning, Cyclones, COOL, and ONW swim team.

Q: Who is a swimmer that inspires you?

A: I would probably say Missy Franklin or Natalie Caughlin because they are both strong girl swimmers. Natalie is kind of like me because she is a backstroker and ever since I was little I wanted to be like her, like a strong women figure. She has a lot of muscle, she's super pretty and she's just amazing at back stroke and how Missy is so young and how she could pull of being in the olympics and a normal high school student.

Q: What are some of the relationships you have made through swimming?

A: I have met a lot of friends through swimming from different schools that I would have never met if I wasn't swimming. It's nice, we go to practice and we all can talk like one big family, we know each other so well and we are just really close. 

Q: How has being a swimmer impacted your life?

A: It teaches me that I need to balance my time with school and swimming. It's taught me that I can really do anything I put my mind too, and also that I can do unexpected things that I never though I was able to do.

Q: Describe any struggles you have had along the way?

A: I have had struggles with my arthritis and my joint pain. Swimming is supposed to help with it but certain strokes do hurt and I have to know where my limit is and I can't push myself over that limit, there is a point where I need to stop, most kids can keep going and should, but if I keep going I may cause my joints to be in more pain, and hurt them.

Q: What do you hope to accomplish from swimming?

A: My main overall goal is to make it to the olympic trials and I will not probably make it to the olympics because that is a lot of time and training but I would just like to be able to experience the olympic trials with other top swimmers.

Q: What are some of your accomplishments so far?

A: Out of our whole swim team each year we have awards for males and females, and out of all the girls I got female of the year award, last year. I also got a "heart and soul" which is like you always put your time and effort and you love what you're doing. I also qualified for state and got 9th in the 100 backstroke. 

Q: What advice do you have to give young aspiring swimmers?

A: There may be some days where you don't want to go to practice or swimming but you should go because it's going to make your day better, it's going to make you as a person better, and a stronger swimmer. And that you should never give up even if you're getting slow and feel like you aren't getting anywhere just keep going and always give it your 100% and you'll eventually get to where you want to be in the end. 

Q: Do you plan to do something with swimming later in your life?

A: I want to swim in college and then after college I will probably be done, but maybe coach swim if that is something I feel like doing.

Q: What are your biggest hopes and fears about swimming?

A: My biggest fear is that I won't get faster, like I practice a lot but don't get to where I want to be, which is olympic trials, or that I don't love it as much as I do right now. My biggest hope is that I will qualify for olympic trial cuts and swim in college.

Q: Is there anything else you would like to add?

A: Swimming is a sport, for everyone who doesn't think it is, because we use a lot of muscle. We use our legs when kicking, we use arms for pulling, we use abs when flipping. We use every single muscle possible and it's not easy.