#unit 31

[tomhunter97-blog]

Narrative structure

[totalrefreshment]

More Info Here xox

[throughwavesofstarlight]

evaluation of client feedback. 

the idea was to create a short , and fun idea video that grabbed people, and was interesting, and so we thought to use a few different people, to keep the entire video feeling fresh, to fulfil the brief given to us as much as possible.and after pushing to try and create the video, i realised it wasn’t as possible as i believed, and so i changed it to just a single interviewee, and then edited it down much further, giving something i felt fit the criteria.  i tried to push the boat, but ended up over-stretching, and not getting exactly what i was after.  in future, ill endeavour to keep to the ‘safe’ side of the brief, and not try to be the best i can be. 

[throughwavesofstarlight]

an evaluation

a report on the challenges presented by and during the creation of video content for the Saltscape project

while this project was one, at the outset that seemed easy, and some of the elements were definitely easily planned for and overcome. Those include such things like the filming permissions for both the interviewees, and for the permissions for filming on canal and river trust land, which needed a thorough hazard assessment, that took some research. there wasn’t a budget to work with, so there was no need for planning in that regard, but there was a taxi service made available for Saltscape filming use. when it comes to actually working on the project, there were some hiccups, i took a leadership role, but in that, i tended to take and do most of what needed doing. When i did give out tasks to be done, not much of it actually got done, so then took back most of the control. thats not to say i did everything, and if doing this again, id definitely make other people aware of what need doing and push them to do it, rather than just doing it myself when not done. through meetings with the client, we had many different ideas about the final product, and through communications with the interviewees, there were further additions made to the final product. then in the final stages I had to cut a lot back, to make the video flow better, and to keep the video to within the client given brief. there were technical limitations and problems presented throughout the project, such as the equipment viable, or the lack thereof. More forethought for the equipment would have helped the situation, but as it was, there wasn’t much of an impact made to the schedule, except for the delivery date of the final product. which was pushed back due to similar problems seen by all groups. finally, again, due to time constraints, there were small edit tasks left to do to the final video, that while not being the worst things, they were pointed out by the client, as being not demanded, but liked. i would have preferred to tick these boxes, but again time.

the roles i undertook during this work: director, camera set up, interviewer, question generation, sound, scene comp, and editor. 

[throughwavesofstarlight]

The final video project

[cvby2-media]

Video Evaluation

Link “(DISTINCTION) This group clearly understood the brief and have created a video that demonstrates this. This was one of the harder projects to create a film about as most of the projects that the interviewee was referencing have not yet happened. The group showed good creativity to think of and capture suitable cutaways to go with the interview. I think the interview audio is too low in the mix compered to the music it’s sometimes difficult to hear the interviewee. There has also been a slight issue on the export with the aspect ratios. “ - Sean @ Mako Media Overall I am happy with how the interview came out. The audio is low quality, but thanks to the music audio in place, the echo and buzz from the long-range microphone is somewhat overshadowed.  The combination of still image, interview and appropriate cutaways works well in making sure that the video suits internet audiences, and can keep their attention for the short one minute and thirty seconds that it runs. When tasked with creating the video, we were given lax guidelines, and some recommendations: We were not to make the video over anything around five minutes long, we were to use the Saltscape and Heritage Lottery Fund logos somewhere in the video, preferably at the end. Audio used was to be royalty-free, or company-owned, and we were not to use any footage without the permission of those involved. Naturally, the Saltscape images were approved simply by acknowledging the request to film, and we were sent many still images to use. Lastly, we were asked to use appropriate fonts, where necessary.

I think that some of our cutaways could have been filmed better, and in better locations, however, with the timeframe that we were given, re-shooting and readjusting clips was not necessarily an option. The still images we have used are mostly from the Saltscape website, and I think that they are a good addition to the interview, as it gives the viewers access to viewing other projects that the Saltscape team have done over the last few years. The audio would be the only thing that I would necessarily change about the video project, perhaps along with using better quality equipment, and in the editing process, easier-to-navigate software. How might your video add value to the Saltscape cause/ broader campaign? I think that it will shed light on one of the lesser known (due to the lack of past-projects as a part of the Saltscape scheme) entities of the multi-partner project that is Saltscape. It clearly explains her plans, and she touches on past projects to give the viewer a taste for what she has to offer. The cutaways show the viewer clearly what the project is highlighting, and shows the landscapes that the project is trying to preserve, both industrial and natural.

[cvby2-media]

Project Evaluation

Format Written report evaluation. Constraints Experienced Legal: During the project we had to ensure that we had legitimate permissions to film for the Saltscape project. As it was a requested project, that permission was granted. However, if we were to film in enclosed private locations we would have had to have additional permissions signed for and granted. Our interviewee gave us permission to use her words, by accepting our requests by email. Regulatory: Whilst we didn’t necessarily have to apply our video’s regulations to that of BARB or other such organisations, as it is not to be broadcast on television, we had several rules and regulations to follow which were implemented by our clients: The video had to be no more than just a few minutes long, to provide their audience with quick, and concise information. As our client meetings progressed it was clear that our client wanted to keep the audience engaged, and to do so we were asked to make sure that we had enough cutaway footage, and to have enough of them in place in the actual video to make sure that there was something relevant to look at, in accordance to what our interview was entailing.

 Financial: We may not have been given a budget, nor any financial aid out side of our taxi service, but as we chose to use a student-owned car, we had to take into consideration the fact that each and every time we had to go anywhere, whilst it was more convenient than awaiting a taxi, it would also cost money to travel. In a realistic situation we would have had to pay for cameras and equipment, as well as potentially paying locations and people for their time. However, we did not, as the camera equipment was provided by our college, and all locations were in agreement with either the college or the Saltscape Project management. Hazard Assessment: Firstly we were recording in a small photography studio scenario, with wires and hot lights surrounding our interviewer, as well as the three of our team in watch, two on camera and sound and one actually interviewing her. During this time, tripping on wires and overheating under the lamps were the main concerns, however, the interview was only short, so our interviewee was not exposed under the lights for too long. And, our interview was stationary, and with nobody else in the room upon filming, there was no risk of anyone tripping up.

Management Leadership Skills: I feel as though I showed the most leadership skills out of our group, as I found myself reminding my group-mates as to which tasks we had to complete, as well as keeping our group on-task where necessary.

Communication-wise, I was the one to originally email Nicole Morris, and in turn Sean when we had issues in getting in contact with Morris. Since then, I called Nicole Morris to arrange a time and place for our interview, and made sure that she knew exactly what questions would be asked of her in place of the interview, so that she had some time to prepare her answers pre-interview. Meeting Requirements: At the beginning of our project, we agreed with our client on a few things: That our video would only be a few minutes long, with regular and relevant cutaways to relate to what our interview entails. We also agreed to include the Saltscape and Heritage Lottery Fund logos, by request of the client.

  Working to Agreed Timescales: From each meeting, we agreed to complete certain tasks in the time before the next meeting. Each time, our group succeeded in meeting these requirements and expectations, however, with every meeting came new tasks and new requests from the client.

The only time in which we were given an agreed extension was after our final meeting, where there were small changes that could have been made with just another few hours. That extension gave us the opportunity to make some last minute, final adjustments to make the video project ideal, or as ideal as can be, for the client.

Feedback Client: In our initial client meeting http://cvby2-media.tumblr.com/post/152895652855/initial-client-meeting we were given our first look as to what our client would want from our group. With that in mind, we kept that initial agreement with us throughout the entire project. From that first feedback I created a heaven and hell table, entailing what it was that the client did want, and what he wouldn’t want as a result: http://cvby2-media.tumblr.com/post/152991747815

Following our first progress meeting, after the interview had been put together and clips had been added, we had the following to center our attention around: http://cvby2-media.tumblr.com/post/154205524735

Out of these things mentioned, there was one issue which we could not necessarily get a handle around: the audio. Because we recorded in an echo-centric room, with a low quality microphone and at a distance, it would be hard to edit out the echo without making the audio seem ‘tinny’ or altered.

The college cutaways were achieved, however, we never did take any cutaways of drama students, as we understood that they were incredibly busy, and unable to allow us their time.

From another meeting, we had the following to get through: http://cvby2-media.tumblr.com/post/154502807290/following-on-from-client-meeting  And once again, the audio proved to be the only real issue to overcome. No matter how many times I tried, the software I was using just was not up to standard, and couldn’t edit the audio to the right effect.

In the meeting photographed here http://cvby2-media.tumblr.com/post/154802335020/ewalters-client-meeting-4-took-place-at-120pm I discussed with the client, the potential for audio in the form of music to overcome our issue with echo in the voice. Using the right audio could indeed distract the audience from the poor quality audio which we had initially recorded, and following that meeting I set out in finding appropriate, royalty free, music to use.

In this meeting with Hannah and Sean, http://cvby2-media.tumblr.com/post/154802320850/ewalters-client-meeting-5th-with-media-students we showed them all that we had done in following their advice and requests along the way.

This is where they seemed mostly happy with our progress, and only had small changes that they would wish to make, which warranted an extension on time to make those changes, as opposed to leaving the project where it was.

Peers:

[throughwavesofstarlight]

Licence for filming on canal and river trust land.