RSS Feed
Twitter
I think one of the big things I learned over the last three years is to begin work on segments immediately. During my shoot first shoot, I waited on calling some of my contacts until I had taken some interviews. It made things incredibly difficult to get BC Dining on camera later, so I ended up settling for a statement released by them that I read on camera and put on the screen with CG. It would have been so much better to call every contact asap, and let them know my deadlines (specifically!)
I feel I've learned from this moment a lot. For my Advanced TV package, I've lined up and gotten confirmation from almost all my interviews already, they are now just waiting to hear for the go or no go for launch. In order to get a more accurate script, I even had some mock interviews recorded so I would have an idea of what would be said in the segment.
I'm sorry that this is an incredibly short note, but I was focused on the script and have been very ill for the last two days.
Latest Videos
-
Family says son killed on flotilla was a "humanitarian", not a "thug."
Furkan Dogan was a Turkish-American who joined the flotillas to help others. His choice was fatal. -
Turkish national holiday puts children center stage
Every April 23, Turkey's children take control of their nation. -
The man they call Mevlana
Muslims and non-Muslims remember the death of Sufi mystic and poet, Mevlana Celaleddin Rumi.
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Sunday, February 8, 2009
Thursday, February 5, 2009
The Treatment - "Most important document ever."
Concept Thinking:
-We NEED to think in pictures
-Treatment is a flavor of what the program will look like
-Show 'em, don't tell 'em!
Creative Concept:
-Visual Idea based on research
-Foundation for story and visuals
-Why is it important?
Two Kinds of Formats:
-Program Format (VERY IMPORTANT-NEED TO FIGURE IT OUT SOON)
-Segment Format (Can be a little different per segment)
-Talking Heads, Narrator, dramatic reenactment
Concept Thinking (Ch. DiZazzo):
-Brainstorming visual concepts based on research
-Brainstorming yields visual ideas
-Use the CDP (Client-Design-Producer) review
-Some ideas may be dropped before final visualization
Visualization:
-Series of events and AV elements that change visual concepts into potential script scenes
What is a Good Visual Concept?
-Is it PRACTICAL. Can you do it?
-Is it CREDIBLE. Will the audience accept it?
-Is it COST EFFECTIVE?
Why Write a Treatment?
-Script would be longer and more effort; they could reject
-Give clients more opportunity for their two-cents
-Helps you FOCUS!
-Show client you'll include the right information
-Convinces your client that you'll do what's right for the job
-If you write a good treatment, you'll know where you are going for the script!
What to Include?
Descriptions of:
-The Audience
-Demographics, what they want to know
-Will tell you the visual styles you will want to work with
-Objectives
-What is the message you want to communicate?
-What is the program's purpose
-Creative Strategy
-Description of what happens in the program?
-How will you communicate the message?
How do we Visualize "Pride, Power, Progress?"
-Conte fans
-Iconic Images
-Basketball players slam dunk
-Awards
-Debaters Fulton
Distilling the overall format?
-Images, into the voice, into the segment
Distilling the stories?
Master Plan/Recession -Leahy/Surrogate
Diversity - International Students
Spiritual - R.C. tradition, to interfaith, to Eagles Wings (Kicker)
Tech - Social Networking/alumni monitoring
Alumni Mentoring - Externship meeting
Sports - Spaz/Crowley story: mentoring
Concept Thinking:
-We NEED to think in pictures
-Treatment is a flavor of what the program will look like
-Show 'em, don't tell 'em!
Creative Concept:
-Visual Idea based on research
-Foundation for story and visuals
-Why is it important?
Two Kinds of Formats:
-Program Format (VERY IMPORTANT-NEED TO FIGURE IT OUT SOON)
-Segment Format (Can be a little different per segment)
-Talking Heads, Narrator, dramatic reenactment
Concept Thinking (Ch. DiZazzo):
-Brainstorming visual concepts based on research
-Brainstorming yields visual ideas
-Use the CDP (Client-Design-Producer) review
-Some ideas may be dropped before final visualization
Visualization:
-Series of events and AV elements that change visual concepts into potential script scenes
What is a Good Visual Concept?
-Is it PRACTICAL. Can you do it?
-Is it CREDIBLE. Will the audience accept it?
-Is it COST EFFECTIVE?
Why Write a Treatment?
-Script would be longer and more effort; they could reject
-Give clients more opportunity for their two-cents
-Helps you FOCUS!
-Show client you'll include the right information
-Convinces your client that you'll do what's right for the job
-If you write a good treatment, you'll know where you are going for the script!
What to Include?
Descriptions of:
-The Audience
-Demographics, what they want to know
-Will tell you the visual styles you will want to work with
-Objectives
-What is the message you want to communicate?
-What is the program's purpose
-Creative Strategy
-Description of what happens in the program?
-How will you communicate the message?
How do we Visualize "Pride, Power, Progress?"
-Conte fans
-Iconic Images
-Basketball players slam dunk
-Awards
-Debaters Fulton
Distilling the overall format?
-Images, into the voice, into the segment
Distilling the stories?
Master Plan/Recession -Leahy/Surrogate
Diversity - International Students
Spiritual - R.C. tradition, to interfaith, to Eagles Wings (Kicker)
Tech - Social Networking/alumni monitoring
Alumni Mentoring - Externship meeting
Sports - Spaz/Crowley story: mentoring
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Beginning in January 2007 until the early spring of 2009, I worked on a documentary project about the Muslim community in Boston. The process involved interviewing over 25 different people in a variety of settings. As I moved forward, I found that each interview taught me something new. Each time when I went back to log the tapes of an interview, I learned a little bit about better lighting, how to capture better sound, or even just the basic skills in how to pull more information and better sound bytes from my subjects.
An example of what I mean is illustrated in how I conducted one of my first interviews compared to my last. One of my early interviews with the Islamic Society of Boston's Imam was in his office. There was not too much light, and I tried to do my best with the light kit I brought a long. However, I didn't take into effect a number of things:
-The brightness of LED screen and the importance of Zebra lines
-Disconnecting the phone in the office
My first problem was that I only judged my picture by the color LED screen. I did not use Zebra lines to see if the light was actually a set right. I did not White Balance correctly, (albeit I could always tell when the picture was really off by the screen). I adjusted the gain too high, when I probably would have been better checking the iris or ND filters first.
Second, at one point in the interview, the phone rang during a very bad time. I wish I had simply asked about the phone and to see if we could have disconnected it in the office for the duration of the interview.
However, by the end of the film process, rookie mistakes like these were behind me. I was in much more control of the lighting for each shot (versus the shot in the dark process it had been early on), and I was more aware of my interview surroundings.
If I had not had critical incidents like the experience in the Imams office, I would not have learned from mistakes and improved my skills as a film maker and journalist. It's good for me to remember that every mistake is an opportunity to learn. This rationale keeps me staying positive and motivated to do my best work while also be willing to take risks.
An example of what I mean is illustrated in how I conducted one of my first interviews compared to my last. One of my early interviews with the Islamic Society of Boston's Imam was in his office. There was not too much light, and I tried to do my best with the light kit I brought a long. However, I didn't take into effect a number of things:
-The brightness of LED screen and the importance of Zebra lines
-Disconnecting the phone in the office
My first problem was that I only judged my picture by the color LED screen. I did not use Zebra lines to see if the light was actually a set right. I did not White Balance correctly, (albeit I could always tell when the picture was really off by the screen). I adjusted the gain too high, when I probably would have been better checking the iris or ND filters first.
Second, at one point in the interview, the phone rang during a very bad time. I wish I had simply asked about the phone and to see if we could have disconnected it in the office for the duration of the interview.
However, by the end of the film process, rookie mistakes like these were behind me. I was in much more control of the lighting for each shot (versus the shot in the dark process it had been early on), and I was more aware of my interview surroundings.
If I had not had critical incidents like the experience in the Imams office, I would not have learned from mistakes and improved my skills as a film maker and journalist. It's good for me to remember that every mistake is an opportunity to learn. This rationale keeps me staying positive and motivated to do my best work while also be willing to take risks.
BC Spiritual Atmosphere Options
-Interview with Howard McClendon (Director of Interfaith Affairs at BC) and leaders of Student Faith groups
-Look at a Jewish student/Muslim student, why they chose BC?
-Spiritual Safari and Kraft Interfaith Initiative
Why are these important?
-I don't think we've addressed this issue fully. It's a unique topic for BC's character and tradition.
Father Leahy Interview
-What will be changing on campus?
-Light the World: Capital Campaign
Why do we need this?
-Alumni clearly want to hear directly from Fr. Leahy. We need to do a very,very good treatment of this interview, and make it a very poignent message about the future of BC.
-Interview with Howard McClendon (Director of Interfaith Affairs at BC) and leaders of Student Faith groups
-Look at a Jewish student/Muslim student, why they chose BC?
-Spiritual Safari and Kraft Interfaith Initiative
Why are these important?
-I don't think we've addressed this issue fully. It's a unique topic for BC's character and tradition.
Father Leahy Interview
-What will be changing on campus?
-Light the World: Capital Campaign
Why do we need this?
-Alumni clearly want to hear directly from Fr. Leahy. We need to do a very,very good treatment of this interview, and make it a very poignent message about the future of BC.
Client’s Imagination of the Video:
-Link of keeping alumni involved with BC
-Also find out what’s new, what’s been going on
-From Student’s view
-Wide age range of alumni
-Sports stories and Fr. Leahy (TOM WANTS)
-New football coach; niche sport
-Hockey
-Women’s Bball coach – Coach Crowley
-What are the two coaches like in life
-Financial collapse; does that effect the campaign;
-2% of each dept budget going to student financial aid
-Alumni Mentoring
-BC Connections (Mentoring program)
-Externships
-Students shadow people in New York and Boston
-Student Life
-Changing technology; social networking and jobs; across campus
-Keep the people in the story
-Diversity of school
-On Eagles wings – Spirituality Inter faith
-2000 Engaged alumni volunteers; association approaches volunteers
-SOFT SELL! Two sided conversation vs. “Hey can you help me!”
-Reconnect: Largest gathering of AHANA alumni; tease at end of show
-Capital Campaign: Increase giving from 21 to 40%; increase rankings
-150th anniversary of the college;
Production Music:
-Hosts? VO?
-Music, think about it before.
No Question to do:
-Fr. Leahy, Master Plan/Capital Campaign, Spiritual Issues
-Link of keeping alumni involved with BC
-Also find out what’s new, what’s been going on
-From Student’s view
-Wide age range of alumni
-Sports stories and Fr. Leahy (TOM WANTS)
-New football coach; niche sport
-Hockey
-Women’s Bball coach – Coach Crowley
-What are the two coaches like in life
-Financial collapse; does that effect the campaign;
-2% of each dept budget going to student financial aid
-Alumni Mentoring
-BC Connections (Mentoring program)
-Externships
-Students shadow people in New York and Boston
-Student Life
-Changing technology; social networking and jobs; across campus
-Keep the people in the story
-Diversity of school
-On Eagles wings – Spirituality Inter faith
-2000 Engaged alumni volunteers; association approaches volunteers
-SOFT SELL! Two sided conversation vs. “Hey can you help me!”
-Reconnect: Largest gathering of AHANA alumni; tease at end of show
-Capital Campaign: Increase giving from 21 to 40%; increase rankings
-150th anniversary of the college;
Production Music:
-Hosts? VO?
-Music, think about it before.
No Question to do:
-Fr. Leahy, Master Plan/Capital Campaign, Spiritual Issues
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)
