Video Semester Final

Video Semester Final

Projects

        This first project was our featured news story. We interviewed Brady Slavens about his baseball career. This project took my group a few weeks to do. We faced many challenges in camera and audio problems, as well as our interviewee not having time to do the interview. Along the way, I learned the importance of planning ahead. Some recommendations I received, were to raise the camera for the interview. The crunch for time didn't allow for the best video, but I think it turned out well. 

        This is the other news story project I worked on. We interviewed Maleah Boyd about the ONW dance team. This project took a couple weeks as well. Challenges were the same as previously mentioned, camera problems and issues scheduling the interview. I learned about voice overs and how to do them while making this video, though the final product didn't have very good voice overs. I was later recommended to add more voice overs. I did not like how this video turned out, due to not having voice overs. 

Class Time

        I believe I used my time in class very well. I stayed focused and worked on projects when I had one. When I thought I was done, I messed around a bit, and could have used that time to work ahead or perfect another project. Outside of class I would work on projects when needed and get footage for a project I was working on if it was needed. 

Strengths

        I believe I am goof at editing videos. I often use my free time at home to edit videos. Said videos are not always for a school project, but it helps me learn about Premier Pro. I can focus on a project I am working on and usually get it done in a decent amount of time. 

Improvement

        I think I could improve on working with other people. I have a hard time talking with group members and I feel I am getting better by trying to talk and communicate ideas whenever I can. This is something I have been working on for a while and hope to improve more in the future. 

ONW Now

        I was the editor of my groups video in ONW now. We decided to do a story about finals at ONW. I believe our video turned out well, though we didn't get to use a lot of footage due to the time frame. I learned a lot about editing videos and different ways to stabilize b-roll. I also learned about the importance of needing to stay after school to get a video done if needed, as I stayed 2 hours after school to edit extra bits and pieces. 

Summary / Final Thoughts

        My favorite part about the semester was making the ONW now at the end of the semester. While it was stressful and difficult, I enjoyed working on editing and making our video. Most of the interviews stressed me out. I often felt like I didn't know what I was doing or how to do something. I overcame these fears however and became better at making videos because of it. If I could change one thing, I would not stress about all of the work and voice overs, which worried me the most. I realized at the end of the semester that they weren't too hard to do and I was stressed over nothing. Next year I hope to get even better at video editing and learn to not stress out about everything. 

ONW Now Video

ONW Now Video

        A good news story is made by using a topic people are interested in or can relate to. One example being the news story on finals my group worked on. Students at ONW can relate to this because at the time of the story, finals were upcoming. The live recording process gives you a whole new idea of what it is like to record a news story. You see all of the hard work that goes in to each individual story. I think it is sort of exciting to be in the moment.

Strong Broadcast

         A strong news story is made by an enthusiastic news anchor, appropriate set, strong directors and good microphones. The news anchor can attract people to the story if they seem enthusiastic about the story. A set that doesn't seem to fit the rest of the setting or idea may discourage viewers. strong directors can help give every story an impact. People tend to stay away from bad audio, so good microphones will help interest people in the story.   

Featured News Story

Featured News Story

 

Process

        For this video, my group decided to interview Brady Slavens, a senior at ONW who was voted the best high school baseball player in Kansas. Our process started off by comparing ideas on what we could do a news story on. We then Tried to film the interview as well as b-roll, however we ran into many problems with the cameras. We eventually got enough footage and the interview. Then we edited the videos individually. 

Group Work

Along the way, I mostly helped with camera work and interview questions. I did not have much success with cameras due to many of the cameras we used being broken, but otherwise I learned all about how to make a news story and good ways to edit one. Previously I did not know how to edit a news story too well, but I feel I have improved a lot. I think my group was very successful in collaborating.  

Approach 

I took a much different approach on editing this time around. As previously mentioned, I did not fully understand how to edit these types of videos before now. Next time I would Like to get more clean b-roll, because much of the b-roll I had was shaky and unusable. I will definitely use this editing experience and improve the recording of b-roll for my next project. Though we had many troubles through this whole process, we got it done, and that's what counts.    

Graphic Design Performance Review

Performance Review

Behance: https://www.behance.net/alexkevans6076

Projects

        My favorite projects this semester included a raccoon and autumn icons. Each took me about 4 days to complete individually. While making the raccoon, I struggled with the mouth and lighter spots on the head, but I eventually figured out how to work with it. On the leaves, I especially struggled with the big red leaf. I still am not happy with the final product, but it looks decent. Along the way I learned all about Illustrator, which I previously did not know how to use very well. The direct selection tool was one of my favorite things to learn about. I was told I need to make some designs more smooth on some of the autumn leaves. After working on the Raccoon, I edited some of the original parts and glamorized his eyes, as well as making him a stereotypical British figure later on. 

Time in Class

        I spent my time in class working hard on projects. When finished with a project, I would work ahead if possible, or practice working with different tools in illustrator. When research was needed for the project, I made sure to get as much information as possible on the topic, even though it was eventually shortened to one or two sentences. Outside of class, I worked on a few graphics at home, such as a cartoon version of myself and a logo for our school Science Olympiad team.   

Strengths and Improvements

        I believe one of my greatest strengths is enjoying making graphics. I can commit a lot of time to making them since I enjoy making them so much. I have also become quite skilled in Illustrator and Photoshop. I could improve on communicating with other people, as my social skills are not very good. 

Summary

I enjoyed working with Illustrator this semester. At first I thought I would not like it because I had never used it before, but it turned out to be a great experience. I would like to have done more projects where you can design whatever you want. This semester has gotten me interested in graphic design, because at first I was not too sure if I would enjoy the class. Next semester I plan to work even harder and improve my designing skills even more. I really enjoy graphic design and hope it continues to be a great class.