I am so glad that I took Broadcast Tech. I liked the challenges and the amount of freedom we got. Each project, we got to make our own decisions, as long as it followed the guidelines. I found this fun because I could have a good time planning what I was going to do and then actually do it. I didn't like some of the restrictions. I like guidelines but sometimes, the guidelines made it so I couldn't completely do my idea. For example, the six-word story and interviews had time limits. They made sense, they were just restricting. My favorite project was definitely the six-word story. I thought it was the most fun and I got a chance to be as creative as I wanted to. Also, I was really happy with how it turned out. I would like to have had more projects. Obviously, we couldn't have with our limited time frame but I think the more projects the better! I am very interested in taking Broadcast Tech 2, I think it would be very fun and I am so excited for next year. I think that editing videos could possibly go somewhere. Taking the second class could only help improve my skills and I am excited about that. Overall I am so glad I took this class. At first, I only chose it because I knew how to edit so I thought it would be an easy and fun class. However, I was definitely challenged and got to do things I never thought I would be able to.
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While I may have thought that getting the B-roll would be the hard part, it was actually the easy part. The only difficult part was actually editing the footage. We finally got the footage in seminar. I assumed that the footage would be staged and not quality but I was wrong. She gave our class a lecture about how we need to stress less and not only was it the perfect speech, it went perfectly with our interview. I decided to start filming and I am proud of the footage. Meg Kaupp was the perfect star! The final step is editing, we got into the studio on the last day and began to edit our final product. I'm not going to lie, this was definitely the biggest challenge of the semester. The B-roll I filmed was not in sequence and it didn't make sense the order I put it in. When I showed Mr. Goble the order he told me it didn't make sense and I needed to find sequences. Eventually, I found what I hope were good sequences. Next time, I realize that you can't just shoot random shots and have to film in sequences. Overall, I made this project a lot harder for myself then it needed to be.
For our interview, Adam and I knew we wanted to interview someone interesting that could share a different perspective or story. What better person to do this than Meg Kaupp. She is our seminar teacher but she is much more important than that. Every seminar she continues to inspire us to be our best selves and stress less. She constantly reminds us that we don't have to obsess over grades and be perfect for college. I've never really heard this vocalized before but it was definitely important to hear. I think this is where our interview idea came from. We want to send out this message to stressed students and what better time than the week before our first final of the year. Once we finally got the interview, we were not disappointed. The audio was amazing and put off such a positive and happy message. However, as we were getting ready to edit we noticed that we messed up and the shot was framed completely wrong. We then had to schedule another interview and it was shorter but stated the same point. I think that this taught us to be more aware of our shot at the setting and check it before leaving. Also, I liked learning about tell me statements. I didn't even realize how valuable the information you get is when you ask better questions. I enjoyed learning how to interview because I feel like this could help me later in life even if I don't pursue a career in journalism.
The six-word story project was very fun! I enjoyed all the creative freedom it gave us and I enjoyed brainstorming a variety of ideas before deciding on mine. My six-word story was, "Life's a blur, take it in." Originally my idea was something with a spinning scene. While Mr. Goble was introducing the project I was thinking of doing a shot spinning around me. I thought the shot would look cool but I didn't know what I could do with that so I put that idea to the side. Then I thought of other things I like, such as McDonald's or something about family/friends. Then once I had those ideas, I thought of my six words and after a lot of tweaking, I finally decided on my six words. However, my original idea was completely different shots. The story of that was to be off your phone to observe nature. I thought that could carry a valuable message and I was excited. However as soon as I prepared to edit the next day, I stopped liking my ideas and I realized my friends were right. I then brainstormed more and decided to make it about the stages of life. The goal was to show a child growing up. I combined some of my friend's suggestions and added some of my own twists. Then I got to filming. When Mr. Goble was telling us about the thought each shot needed I didn't know how I could think of that much detail. Then, as I was filming I realized how essential every detail was. Each detail was so important, I had to refilm half of my clips before the second day of editing. The most important detail I focused on was my outfit. In the second shot, I used my little sister. She has blonde hair and I have brown hair so I had to make sure none of her hair showed because it wouldn't make sense for my hair to change colors. In the third shot, I originally filmed it with my Stanford shirt before realizing that this was representing teenage me. Since Stanford and teenage years were far apart, both required different outfits, because it wouldn't be realistic otherwise. Then in my fifth shot, I was wearing my Stanford sweatshirt to go with the rain, since it would probably be cold with rain. Also, that represented the journey to Stanford. Lastly, in my final shot, I wore my short-sleeve Stanford shirt. I wore it for two reasons, first to represent that I was away at college. Second, since it is short-sleeve it represents the warm weather at the beginning of the year. My first shot was a medium shot. I picked this because it shows a closer angle of my mom and the baby, while still allowing a full view. My second shot was a close-up, over the shoulder. I chose this for two reasons. First, it hid Sophia's blonde hair. Also, it showed the action of her building the tower. My third shot was a low medium shot. I chose this to show anger while I slammed the door. My fourth shot was a close-up, point of view. I chose this to show my perspective of opening an acceptance letter. The close up shows the school I will be attending. The fifth shot is an extra wide shot. I chose this to show the full view and to create a sense of me being far away and leaving. The final shot is an eve level close up. This shows the sadness and gives a good view of the FaceTime. For future students, I advise that you get as much done as quick as possible. Although it is not hard, it is nice to have extra time in case you realize you made any mistakes as I did.
Six words is a very small amount to tell a whole story. However, with purpose and thought these stories can be very impressive and meaningful. This "trend" or six-word stories began with Ernest Hemingway. He created the famous story at a lunch. Whoever wrote the best story didn't have to pay and Hemingway won. After that, many people began to write their own six-word stories. At one point, it was even a trend on Twitter. These stories can be about anything. It could be funny, sad, meaningful, a pun, a random mixture of words or anything else an author can think of. The only important part is to be creative! One website I found in my research was http://www.sixwordstories.net/category/subject/funny/page/5/ I recommend you check it out, you won't regret it!
This week, we learned about how to operate the cameras and use our editing software called Final Cut Pro X. For both editing and camera use, the best way to describe them is more complicated versions of what I'm used to. Overall, I liked that. The more complicated, the more impressive the final product is. The wide, medium and tight shots were difficult for me. Since there is no exact science, it is hard to be able to tell if you are doing the right distance for it to be the right shot. Also, the rule of thirds was kind of hard too. Often, I would forget or my subjects would move. After filming, we began editing the next day. Editing felt like a more complicated version of iMovie. I struggled a little bit trying to figure out all the little things but overall I enjoyed it. I like how much cooler and professional my videos can now look. Also, I feel like I will eventually memorize all the little editing techniques and it will be even simpler. Editing the Circus Wagon was easier than editing the Six Shots for two reasons. First, with the Circus Wagon, we were told what to do as we went so it was easy to follow. Also, it wasn't supposed to look good so it was less stressful because I didn't feel like it needed to be perfect. Six Shots was going well until halfway through I realized that none of my clips were cropped so I had to restart. However, it was fine because it made my video better.
I learned a lot throughout our time in the studio. Eventually, I figured out that all the jobs are a lot less challenging then I expected. For example, the soundboard. It looks like a lot of complicated buttons but once I got there it was much more simple. Although it was one of the more complicated jobs, it is basic enough to learn. Another job that seems a lot more difficult then it is was the AJA. The big TV with many different squares and board with many buttons looked very stressful. However, it was not that complicated. My two favorite jobs were director/floor director and talent. I enjoyed presenting and throughout the many times I got to be the talent, I practiced projecting my voice, not stuttering and reading slowly. Overall, I think I improved from the first time I did it. The director is in charge of the whole show which can be stressful. I liked being in charge and being able to input my opinion. Same thing with the floor director, I liked being on the floor where the action happens but also being able to give my opinions. Throughout the TV studio time, I enjoyed the many jobs I did.
To start off my TV studio career, I was the talent. Being the talent was very fun. However, while it may look simple, there are many rules involved. First, you have to look presentable. This is not only achieved by dressing nicely but by looking intelligent. First you have to sit up straight and have good posture. Then you have to make sure your elbows aren't on the table but you can have your hands on the table. Also, it is essential to have a printed out script in case something happens to the teleprompter. My next job was the director. I enjoyed being director because I got to input my opinion. Basically, the director gives their opinion on the shot and gives out the written down commands. Overall, I enjoyed being the talent better because I enjoyed being on camera.
Doing this project gave me a chance to look back into my camera roll. This gave me the chance to re-live some of my favorite memories. While choosing pictures, it was kind of difficult. In the different categories, I had many pictures I wanted to use. The hardest part for me was condensing the pictures I had chosen. At first, the structure was difficult because I wanted to change certain aspects but I couldn't. By the end, I had learned how to work with it and I created something I am proud of. Overall, I think it was a fun assignment and it helps quickly tell people a little more about you. Make sure to check out iAM Lauren!
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AuthorI am Lauren Pesce. I am a sophmore at Ladue. I love spending time with friends and family. Archives
December 2018
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