Semester Reflection-Video

Projects

Feature News Story

The objective of this project was to find a person in our class to do a feature news story on. It took around 2 weeks to finish. Some challenges I faced when doing this project is that we had to refilm the interviews because the sound didn't work. I learned a lot about editing news stories because this was the first assignment we had like that. I was told to take out B-roll that didn't make sense, and also that the sequencing was good.

News Story

For this project, we had to create a feature news story. It took around a week and a half to finish. While we were filming, we had issues with the camera. Editing was also a challenge because we did not have as much time as we usually do to edit. I learned about natural sound while doing this project. My feedback was that the video was sequenced well.

Class Time

     I have used my time in class efficiently. If I finished my project early, or if I had extra time in class, I would improve my project. I would also start the blog post if I had more time after that. Outside of class, if I needed to work, I would stay during lunch or after school to work on a project.

Strengths and Improvements

     My strengths in video are sequencing and working in a team. I try to spend time on sequencing so it stands out and makes sense. I also can work in a team well, which is important because all of our projects are in groups. I can improve on using natural sound, and using all 6 shots when filming B-roll. If I improve these things, hopefully they can make my projects even better.

ONW Now

For the ONW Now project, my role was anchor. We had to write the scripts as anchors, and then film the broadcast. My group made the Word From the Halls feature story. While doing this project, I learned a lot about the process and roles behind ONW Now, and the work that goes into it. I enjoyed doing this project because it gave us a chance to see if this is something we want to do next year.

Summary

     This semester, I liked doing the ONW Now project and the news stories. If I could do it again, I would use a variety of B-roll, and natural sound. This semester, I learned about news writing and feature stories and how to film and edit them. One goal I want to set is to improve my projects by using different B-roll shots.

Written News Story

The Project 

     I wrote this news story on my feature video about Brooke passing out at homecoming. You can write a news story by using a feature story and putting it unto words using the inverted pyramid style of writing. I created my news story using my video, and writing the story in chronological order. I used the inverted pyramid by putting the most important facts first , and then as I kept writing I got  more specific. I also used quotes from the feature story and used them to help support my story. 

Reflection

     Writing this news story was fun because it was taking the same idea of a feature story, but in a different form. I liked using quotes in the written news story. Some skills I need to work on is being more specific as the story goes on, and using quotes more efficiently. If I did this again, I would keep the inverted pyramid style of writing.

     For my next project, I will use more specific quotes. I will also keep the inverted pyramid style of writing, and make sure to put more specific details at the end of the story. I enjoyed this project, and I learned a lot about news writing while doing it. 

ONW Now

The Process

     For this project, our class created our own version of ONW Now. We were split into groups, and each group was either assigned a news story, a sports story, or a feature news story. My group was assigned a feature news story, Word From the Halls. We started by planning our rolls in the group. My role was to help with editing, and writing the trivia questions. Next, we filmed during lunch and imported the videos on to the computer. Then, we started editing. I started by cutting out each question and answer from each interview. Then, I sequenced them so that the clips of the same question were together. After that, Kensie took over editing because I was assigned to anchor. For anchoring, we write our scripts and planned what the broadcast would look like. The next step was a dress rehearsal. We went down to the studio, and everyone was assigned a role such as floor director, audio, tri-caster, teleprompter, and more. They gave us tips on how to anchor, and helped us with our mics. We ran through the broadcast a couple of times, and it allowed all of us to figure out our roles and see what we could do better. The next day, we filmed the real thing. We had to work fast because we didn't have as much time as we did the day before. We only did one run through, and we had some technical problems, but it was easily fixed on post-production.

What I Learned 

     While doing this project, I learned a lot about convergence journalism, and the process of ONW Now. Before this project, I was not sure what strand I wanted to go into next year, but this project made me want to go into convergence or SID. I enjoyed learning about the process behind ONW Now, and all of the roles that go into it. It was cool to see the show produced live, and it has lots of different aspects and all of them have to work together to produce the show. This project was really fun, and I learned a lot about ONW Now. 

Feature News Story-Yearbook

The Process

     For this project, my group chose to report on the yearbook staff. We started by choosing roles. My told was to create the questions and the story. Next, we chose 2 interview subjects and 21 questions for each of them. Our next step was to film the interviews. We had technical problems with the camera and the mic, but we kept trying new settings and we figured it out. The next day, we filmed B-roll. We made sure to use natural sound so that we could use it in our news story. After we were done filming, we started editing. I sequenced my video first, and then added B-roll, graphics, and voice overs. I made sure to leave in some natural sound in the B-roll. 

What I Learned

     While doing this project, I learned a lot of new things about news writing and natural sound. In previous projects, I did not use natural sound, but I used it in this story. I approached this project differently than last time by using natural sound and doing the project quicker than previous ones due to the deadline. It was challenging to sequence this story, but it helped me learn more about sequencing. For the next project, I will film more specific voiceovers and film more B-roll shots. 

Graphic Design Semester Review

Projects

Infographic

     For this project, we came up with an idea for an infographic, and researched it and designed our own. It has taken around 4 weeks, and I am still working on my final design as of now. I faced some challenges when I started on my graphics becauseI was not sure how to use the pen tool, but I learned how to use it as I went along. This project helped me learn how to use the pen tool, and about the process of planning and sketching.  My feedback was that my text to graphic ratio was too big, so I am working on finding a new font for my text to condense it. I made many changes from my original idea, including the Christmas tree in the center of my infographic.

Pop Art

   
     The objective of this project was to take an original picture and create a pop art from it.  It took me around 1-2 weeks to complete. When I was creating my design, I had many different ideas and it was challenging to find one I really liked. I learned a lot about Photoshop, because I got to create my own design and have creative freedom. I also became more familiar with the tools. Some of the feedback I got was that there was negative space behind the subject, but it was good negative space. My original idea was way different, and I ended up changing a lot of aspects of it, including the stripes and the background color. 

Raccoon

   
     The objective of this project was to create a raccoon using a written tutorial.  This project took me around 1-2 weeks to complete. When I was creating the raccoon, I had troubles with some of the tools and their uses, but I kept trying until I got it. We created this project in Illustrator, and it was our first project using that program, so it helped me become more comfortable with it and learn how to use the tools. Some people liked the bowtie I added, and also I was told to make the raccoon larger on the background. My original original raccoon was the same, I just added a bowtie, but I didn't change any colors of it.

Class Time

     I used my class time well this semester. I tried to work hard and use all of the time given to me in class. When I was done, I would go back to the project and make it better. I also have stayed many times in to Raven 50 this semester to keep working and finish my project. Also, if I needed it, I would work at home on my infographic sketches or a blog post. 

Strengths 

     Some of my strengths in graphic design are creativity and learning the tools quickly. I think that  my ideas are pretty original, and I can come up with new ideas pretty quickly. I also learn the tools and programs pretty fast. While doing the projects, I try to use new tools so I can learn how to use them. I also am strong in communicating with my teacher and peers.

Areas of Improvement

     I think I can improve on  my technical skills. I don't really know how to use most of the tools in Illustrator, and I think if I improve these skills, my projects could be better. Also, I think I can improve on project management. If I work faster, than I won't have to rush and finish it in time for the deadline. This also will make my projects better, because I won't have to rush and make something look sloppy. 

Summary 

     This semester, I enjoyed all of the fun projects we got to do, and how we had creative freedom to make it unique to us. My favorite projects were the pop art and the infographic. Next semester, I will change my project management skills by meeting deadlines, and improving my technical skills to give my projects more detail. This semester, I learned a lot about Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator and their tools. For next semester, my goal is to improve my technical skills. Overall, I enjoyed this semester of graphic design and I am excited to see what next semester will be like.