Tuesday, December 13, 2011
Final Movie
Here is the link to the Final Movie I made. Some changes needed to be made. I color corrected the main shots (the longer lasting ones) to help counteract the lighting of the window. I also added a few transitions and adjusted some of the keynotes. I also played with the audio of the guitar playing part since it was not consistent throughout the entire project. I made adjustments to the levels, gains, and frequencies of some of the clips Overall, these changes helped to make a big different with the video. I am happy with the way this project came out.
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
Final Movie - Project Proposal, Upgraded Storyboard
This post with discuss two major things associated with my latest film project: the project proposal and the upgraded storyboard.
Project Proposal
When I was thinking of a movie idea, I wanted to do something that I haven't done before. While at a meeting for PSE (the Marketing/Sales Frat on campus), we discussed our ongoing sales project. We were selling chocolate bars; not the most extensive sale, but one that could encourage our members to explore different sales techniques. As the VP of PR, I am always thinking of new ways to brand our club on campus. As I thought about how we could advertise for this sale, the idea of making a commercial came into my head. It was something that we (as a club) haven't done before, so I was breaking new ground. The goal of this project was to explore new video editing techniques and to help sell the chocolate bars. I had the general idea, now I needed to explore the possibilities. I asked fellow club members to work with me on the commercial, but unfortunately, no one was able to help out. I was going to take a camera out of the IMM building, but it was raining outside (another disappointment ha). I didn't want to risk taking the equipment outside in the rain. To get the idea down, I decided to record the video on my personal computer. My MacBook Pro has a built in camera and I wanted to see how good the recording quality was. So, I took all of my shots with the camera in my room. I also chose to do it this way because it gave the video more of a personal touch and more like everyday life. I want PSE to be like that as well; just a group of motivated students looking to continuously improve themselves and the organization that they are a part of. Since I was by myself, I decided that my project should involve talking to myself. I think it would be interesting to have multiple shots laid on top of each other all interacting. I would sit in different positions and take a combination of shots from close up to long shots to make all of the difference. I knew that I would have fun with this project.
My target audience is TCNJ students. Chocolate is a very popular candy and homemade chocolate is even more desired. Old Monmouth Candies are relatively unknown outside of the Monmouth County area, but they are delicious. It was important for us to get the word out as much as possible to increase our sales and maximize our profit. My prior film experience helped to influence this project. The NYC video I made helped me work out layering videos and pictures in one workplace. That video allowed me to try something different and not be afraid, having confidence is half the battle with most projects. I think this is a unique project because talking to yourself is an unusual concept. Having a main me and then multiple versions of myself pop up out of no where is something out of the ordinary. Also, singing a song about chocolate is something different. I didn't originally plan on doing this, but some how I found inspiration and wrote music. I have also never recorded myself playing guitar on my computer's video camera, so that was exciting.
Overall, this project will help explore new technologies, techniques, and help sell some delicious chocolate. I was very excited to get this going.
Updated Storyboard
This is the upgraded storyboard. The last one was hand-drawn and difficult to follow. These pictures will help to show my creative process. All of the shots on the storyboard were used in the film, but additional shots were added in as I saw fit.
Project Proposal
1) Initial idea and complete proposal:
When I was thinking of a movie idea, I wanted to do something that I haven't done before. While at a meeting for PSE (the Marketing/Sales Frat on campus), we discussed our ongoing sales project. We were selling chocolate bars; not the most extensive sale, but one that could encourage our members to explore different sales techniques. As the VP of PR, I am always thinking of new ways to brand our club on campus. As I thought about how we could advertise for this sale, the idea of making a commercial came into my head. It was something that we (as a club) haven't done before, so I was breaking new ground. The goal of this project was to explore new video editing techniques and to help sell the chocolate bars. I had the general idea, now I needed to explore the possibilities. I asked fellow club members to work with me on the commercial, but unfortunately, no one was able to help out. I was going to take a camera out of the IMM building, but it was raining outside (another disappointment ha). I didn't want to risk taking the equipment outside in the rain. To get the idea down, I decided to record the video on my personal computer. My MacBook Pro has a built in camera and I wanted to see how good the recording quality was. So, I took all of my shots with the camera in my room. I also chose to do it this way because it gave the video more of a personal touch and more like everyday life. I want PSE to be like that as well; just a group of motivated students looking to continuously improve themselves and the organization that they are a part of. Since I was by myself, I decided that my project should involve talking to myself. I think it would be interesting to have multiple shots laid on top of each other all interacting. I would sit in different positions and take a combination of shots from close up to long shots to make all of the difference. I knew that I would have fun with this project.
My target audience is TCNJ students. Chocolate is a very popular candy and homemade chocolate is even more desired. Old Monmouth Candies are relatively unknown outside of the Monmouth County area, but they are delicious. It was important for us to get the word out as much as possible to increase our sales and maximize our profit. My prior film experience helped to influence this project. The NYC video I made helped me work out layering videos and pictures in one workplace. That video allowed me to try something different and not be afraid, having confidence is half the battle with most projects. I think this is a unique project because talking to yourself is an unusual concept. Having a main me and then multiple versions of myself pop up out of no where is something out of the ordinary. Also, singing a song about chocolate is something different. I didn't originally plan on doing this, but some how I found inspiration and wrote music. I have also never recorded myself playing guitar on my computer's video camera, so that was exciting.
Project plan:
My creative strategy is that I want to keep the video looking simple, but a lot going on. The MacBook camera and my dorm room as the setting will help to give it that feel. The project will look like a homemade film, but with a professional and visually appealing flair. I think that it will achieve the feel I was going for. The song will also add something that will be easily memorable. It will help to provide some more entertainment value for the video. My technical strategy is that I am going to keep it simple. I will use the MacBook to film and Final Cut Pro to do all of the editing. I will use different layering techniques to have the different videos of myself talking and interacting with each other. As for time, I wanted to have all the shots done in the same day for the sake of consistency. It's hard to have the room look the exact same during two different sessions. After that, all color correction and edits will be made when available.
My creative strategy is that I want to keep the video looking simple, but a lot going on. The MacBook camera and my dorm room as the setting will help to give it that feel. The project will look like a homemade film, but with a professional and visually appealing flair. I think that it will achieve the feel I was going for. The song will also add something that will be easily memorable. It will help to provide some more entertainment value for the video. My technical strategy is that I am going to keep it simple. I will use the MacBook to film and Final Cut Pro to do all of the editing. I will use different layering techniques to have the different videos of myself talking and interacting with each other. As for time, I wanted to have all the shots done in the same day for the sake of consistency. It's hard to have the room look the exact same during two different sessions. After that, all color correction and edits will be made when available.
Production log:
I set up the shots so that the primary shot would have me in the middle. After filming the first shot (approx. 30 seconds), I then set up the shots with myself looking at the camera in different angles and perspectives. This allowed me to look at myself at all times. I visually planned for myself to be in six potential locations, 3 on the left and 3 on the right. I then took the shots with that in mind. All different shots and speaking lines would be done from those six different perspectives and combined later while editing the video. I then took some shots of the chocolate, me eating the chocolate, dancing, guitar playing, and general excitement. The combination of these shots will make the project work well. Since I wanted to keep it simple, I filmed it from the perspective of looking at my desk, looking out into the world. The elements in my room helped to give it that feel, such as the poster and closet in the background. I wasn't overly dressed up and I was just myself, which help add to the theme of the commercial. I made my storyboard and filled all of the shots on there. I then had some time left over, so I felt the need to shoot more. These additional shots came in handy as it helped add some more content to the overall production. I used the MacBook Pro camera and Final Cut Pro to complete this project. While editing, I discovered the ability to use keynoting to change the opacity of the mini-shots. This allowed them to smoothly fade in and out. The next steps involved putting all of the pieces into place and making sure all of it lined up. After that, the video was complete.
I set up the shots so that the primary shot would have me in the middle. After filming the first shot (approx. 30 seconds), I then set up the shots with myself looking at the camera in different angles and perspectives. This allowed me to look at myself at all times. I visually planned for myself to be in six potential locations, 3 on the left and 3 on the right. I then took the shots with that in mind. All different shots and speaking lines would be done from those six different perspectives and combined later while editing the video. I then took some shots of the chocolate, me eating the chocolate, dancing, guitar playing, and general excitement. The combination of these shots will make the project work well. Since I wanted to keep it simple, I filmed it from the perspective of looking at my desk, looking out into the world. The elements in my room helped to give it that feel, such as the poster and closet in the background. I wasn't overly dressed up and I was just myself, which help add to the theme of the commercial. I made my storyboard and filled all of the shots on there. I then had some time left over, so I felt the need to shoot more. These additional shots came in handy as it helped add some more content to the overall production. I used the MacBook Pro camera and Final Cut Pro to complete this project. While editing, I discovered the ability to use keynoting to change the opacity of the mini-shots. This allowed them to smoothly fade in and out. The next steps involved putting all of the pieces into place and making sure all of it lined up. After that, the video was complete.
4) Self-evaluation:
Overall, this project was a success. The video helped with our sales and it was very well received. Many people found the video to be funny and encouraged me to continuing working on videos for the organization. I was very happy with how the project came together in Final Cut Pro. All of the pieces worked very well together and the humor of the video is well established. The video also had the feel that I was going for. I wish I could have shot it again as I shot it behind a window, which adds a weird glow behind me which could potentially distract a viewer. I also wish that I had a microphone to record the audio as it was not as clear as expected. Overall, I am excited to make more videos and commercials. It will be a very exciting career option for me. I will like to make more videos where I interact with myself.
Overall, this project was a success. The video helped with our sales and it was very well received. Many people found the video to be funny and encouraged me to continuing working on videos for the organization. I was very happy with how the project came together in Final Cut Pro. All of the pieces worked very well together and the humor of the video is well established. The video also had the feel that I was going for. I wish I could have shot it again as I shot it behind a window, which adds a weird glow behind me which could potentially distract a viewer. I also wish that I had a microphone to record the audio as it was not as clear as expected. Overall, I am excited to make more videos and commercials. It will be a very exciting career option for me. I will like to make more videos where I interact with myself.
Updated Storyboard
This is the upgraded storyboard. The last one was hand-drawn and difficult to follow. These pictures will help to show my creative process. All of the shots on the storyboard were used in the film, but additional shots were added in as I saw fit.
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