cc licensed ( BY NC ND ) flickr photo shared by the rik pics
Objectives
- Interview a number of people about a question on specific topic
- Gather footage that highlights the context of the location(s)
- Edit the A Roll answers with your B Roll footage
- Experiment and explore video and audio storytelling tools
Challenge
Your challenge is to create a two to three minute video, by asking a variety of people their opinion about something specific. Think of the kind of on-the-street reporter that asks random people the same question. Develop an interesting, open-ended question and ask a number of people to respond. Make it look as authentic as possible, picking good locations, and gathering contextual footage.
Rationale
This task requires you to develop an open-ended question and ask a variety of people their opinion on the topic. Identify good shooting locations and compose shots, both A Roll and B Roll. It also provides a foundation for documentary filmmaking. It requires shooting, editing, and capturing quality audio, as well as practicing the critical thinking and reasoning skills required for shooting interviews.
Considerations
- Does the location have adequate lighting?
- Does the location allow quality audio recording?
- How can you compose your A Roll shot?
- What kinds of B Roll footage can you capture (think audio as well as video)?
Instructions
Shoot interview answers to your selected question in close-up , no more than shoulders of the body should be visible beyond faces. Try to get your respondents talking and sharing their thoughts and opinions in some detail. You can edit later. Pay attention to the environment and look for potential B Roll footage. Also, consider recording some footage during your informal chatter, as you let them know the question and prepare to capture their answer. There is a natural limit to the amount of people you can include within a video limitation of two to three minutes (approximately 3-6 people should be enough, provided they give thoughtful answers). You are encouraged to begin and end the piece with your own comments.
Tools
Use your smart phone to capture the video footage. Be sure to get close-ups, especially because it will provide you with greater audio. There are a number of video editing apps which are free, and everyone with an iPhone likely has access to iOS iMovie with a recent purchase of the phone (Pinnacle Studio is also an excellent choice). Feel free to choose the one that best suits your needs. It might be worth exploring some of the options before making a decision, and don't feel compelled to buy anything.Requirements
- Shoot all of your own video footage
Legal
This lesson has been adapted from the DS106 Assignment Bank, a component of the course begun at the University of Mary Washington by Jim Groom, Spring 2010.
