UNIT 5: VIDEO PROJECT: Short Video Narrative
Technical: To gain a basic understanding of filming and editing techniques and the technology and methods associated with film / video production.
Conceptual: To use motion pictures (video / film) as a narrative device to tell a story.
Overview: Your challenge is to produce an original short-film (two minute minimum) narrative, about a topic that the class will decide and vote
References:
PBS Shorts http://www.pbs.org/independentlens/insideindies/shortsfest/index.html
48 hour film fest http://www.48hourfilm.com/filmcatalogue/
Lots of online short films http://www.thesmalls.com
Lots of student films online http://www.studentfilms.com
Conceptual video artist Matthew Barney http://www.cremaster.net/
Wholphin
http://www.wholphindvd.com/
Three Transitions, Peter Campus
Vocabulary: Frame Rate, FPS, Time Code, Story Board, Sequence, Shots (Long / Wide, Medium,Close-up), Camera Angles (Birds-eye, High, Eye Level, Low, Oblique / Canted),
Camera Movements (Pan, Tilt, Truck, Dolly, Boom, Roll, Hand-held, Zoom),Transitions (Cut, Wipe, Cross Dissolve, Fade).
Materials: Computer with video editing software, video camera, media for
video camera (mini DV tape if using ASU camcorder), computer cables supplied with camera, external hard drive. Optional (but helpful): Tripod, lighting, props, costumes, friends.
Process:
1. Brainstorm and propose at least three themes for the video to the class.
2. We will vote and chose the winner/winners.
2. We will vote and chose the winner/winners.
3. Brainstorm ideas about a possible storyline for your film. Remember,
the idea here is to communicate a specific idea or tell a story. What ideas can be
better expressed though the medium of motion pictures? What ideas can only be
expressed through video / film / motion? Your story can be dramatic, comedic,
mysterious, whatever – it’s up to you.
4. Write your idea down in one or two sentences.
And example might be: A story of a man who is perpetually addicted to his computer,
the internet, and social-networking websites. One night a power failure causes him to
go mad, resulting in him running through the streets shouting his facebook status.
5. Begin to ruff out your timeline using a storyboard or scripts. They don’t
have to be pretty, but they should communicate your idea and story line effectively.
Include camera shots (long, bird’s eye, etc), movements (pan, track, etc), and
transitions (wipe, dissolve, etc). Do your chosen shots, movements, etc. help or
distract from your story?
6. Gather your materials, props, people, etc., and start shooting!
Remember to consider lighting, color balance, and consistency. Shoot lots of
footage. It’s always better to over shoot, and edit down than to have to go back and
re-shoot. Be sure to leave “space” before and after each clip for transitions / editing.
i.e. Start tape - wait 5 seconds - yell action - scene takes places - yell cut - wait 5
seconds - stop tape. Keep your shots short and to the point. A scene broken into
many small shots may be more interesting and easier to watch than one big long shot.
7. Edit you video using video editing software. Add transitions, sound
effects, and music as necessary. This “post-production” phase can make or break a
film. How slow or quick are your edits? How do you transition from one shot to
another? How do these choices affect the final overall feeling of the finished piece?
Add credits if you like, but remember the edited piece (minus credits) must be a
minimum of 2 minutes long.
8. Export your finished video as a quicktime file.
