Assignment 3: Video

LIT Promo from Clodagh Guerin on Vimeo.

Assignment 3: Director Final Report

For assignment 3, our assignment is based on a promotional video for Limerick Institute of Technology.

The main purpose of this video is attract potential students at both a national and an international level; to increase awareness of Limerick Institute of Technology especially in terms of the diversity of courses and for the diverse of social platforms such as, Twitter, Facebook and the official LIT website.

This assignment also attracts a target audience:

• Potential students, who are socially aware with people who engaged with digital media platforms.

• Director- Shannon

• Producer- Clodagh

• Camera Operator/Sound Director-Lorraine

The first thing our group did was sit down as a group and discuss our new roles. For the last assignment it was duty to be the Director.

The roles are as follows:

As I am director, I will be working close with both other people to ensure that the aims of the assignment are met. The assignment includes a scripted dialogue. This dialogue will be recorded by our producer Clodagh.

As a group we have decided we will begin recording footage on Wednesday 23rd. The equipment we recorded was a camera and a SD card. Clodagh supplied her camera and SD card to record the footage.

To begin, we sat down as a group and viewed videos of Limerick Institute of Technology and promotional video's of the college. Each of us made a list of video's we thought would be most relevant for the assignment. Then we cut down the list to the video's we actually would use. That evening I dowloaded the video's from Youtube and Vimeo and began to trim the video's to the various shots we would use. I then made a shot list of what sequence I thought was most suitable for the clips. 

The next stage was capturing our own footage. We decided we would record within the gym and the canteen. Unfortunately, this footage did not come out well as we recored during the afternoon and not many students were around the campus. As a group, we thought it was a good idea to schedule shooting. Instead, we recorded on the college's 'Christmas Day'.  This was a good day to get footage as the college had many people around the campus. On this day, Lorraine also shot footage of the Science Departments labs and the woodwork labs.

The next step was editing. This did not go to plan as the footage Lorraine recording was far too big and caused the computer to crash. As we had a lot of assignments and exams underway, the group thought it was best to leave this assignment till the end of the exams. 

On Friday last, we began editing and set out the footage that we had taken and also the videos we had chosen to use. Again, there was problem with the footage as it was too large so we were unable to bring the shots of the LIT Christmas Day into the video. 

Editing went underway using Premier Pro but again we ran into more problems as a result of corrupted filed for the SD card. As it was late in the day we organised to meet up on Monday to continue editing. In the meantime, the script was recording and background music was chosen.
The script recorded:

“LIT is among the most vibrant and connected institutions in Ireland. When you look around our 5 campuses, you will see an astonishing diversity of programmes and people exploring new ideas, pursuing new knowledge, creating new art, and filling our workshops, studios and labs with the vibrancy that comes from being an institution that is committed to discovery and creativity.

As a student in LIT, you will find yourself at the heart of this vibrancy and activity. We are a community of learning, rooted in our ethos of learning together and bringing theory and practice together.

LIT graduates have been successful in every field of endeavour, from business to the sciences, technology, public service, engineering, hospitality and tourism, fashion and the arts.

Be part of that heritage, create your own success.

Your journey could start here”

As Monday approached, we worked on the plan from above. Within the time today, we finally had the opportunity to transfer the footage from Clodaghs SD card to Lorraines external hard drive. From this, we were able to transfer the footage to the correct folder.

Fortunate for us, the footage worked and we finally could add our own footage to the video. Clodagh had a great idea to add words to the end of the video. The words 'Be part of that heritage, create your own success, your journey starts here' appears on the video. This was created using animation using a software called After Effects and imported it into Premier Pro. The last step with the video was to ensure that the voiceover fitted well with the animations. 

This went extremely well and we were finally able to render out the video. Even though overall it took us approximately 3 weeks to get the video complete, we really enjoyed the experience of working as a group to complete the project.  I really enjoyed being director and being able to give input into how the video went. 

The overall idea of the video was to promote Limerick Institute of Technology. I believe our video does that. It demonstrates the campus life, the facilities, events that take place and footage of each department to make new and potential students aware of what it's like to be an LIT student. 

Assignment 3: LIT Promotional Video

For assignment 3, our assignment is based on a promotional video for Limerick Institute of Technology.

The main purpose of this video is attract potential students at both a national and an international level; to increase awareness of Limerick Institute of Technology especially in terms of the diversity of courses and for the diverse of social platforms such as, Twitter, Facebook and the official LIT website.

This assignment also attracts a target audience:

• Potential students, who are socially aware with people who engaged with digital media platforms.

The first thing our group did was sit down as a group and discuss our new roles. For the last assignment it was duty to be the Director.

The roles are as follows:

• Director- Shannon
• Producer- Clodagh
• Camera Operator/Sound Director-Lorraine

As I am director, I will be working close with both other people to ensure that the aims of the assignment are met. The assignment includes a scripted dialogue. This dialogue will be recorded by our producer Clodagh.

As a group we have decided we will begin recording footage on Wednesday 23rd. We will use both our own footage and footage available online for this assignment.

Assignment 2: Video

NIghtmare from Clodagh Guerin on Vimeo.

Assignment 2: Report

For the second assignment as part of our Digital Video course, we had to produce a video based on moving one or more people through space. As the video is moving people through space it must include a narrative story. A narrative story must contain a

• Beginning
• Middle 
• Conclusion 

to the story.

As a group, the first thing we did when we were introduced to the assignment was a discussion of what options we could chose from for this assignment, We had two options, these options were:

1. A chase or follow sequence involving two people moving through space
2. A task sequence with the emphasis on moving your character through space

Upon discussion, we decided to go with a chase or follow sequence involving two people moving through space. A chase/follow sequence centers on a pursuit in a certain location.

Because of this options we had to focus on various aspects while shooting. These aspects included:

1. Change of scene direction
2. Music
3. Location
4. Pacing in the frame
5. Point of view of chaser or the person being chased

Once we discussed which option we were going to take, we decided on our roles for this assignment and what story we would portray.

Firstly, we decided I would be Director but due to circumstances each of us had to change role for this assignment.

Because of this our roles were:

• Director - Clodagh
• Producer/Chase Victim - Lorraine
• Camera Operator/ Sound Operator - Shannon

Once our roles were distributed we decided on our plot. Our plot included a chase of a person (Lorraine) being followed by a clown toy. With this plot in mind we began to develop storyboards for our plot. 

The storyboards produced:

Once the storyboards were complete, we scouted our location. This time,we decided to keep it simple and used the college as our chosen location. Within the college we planned on filming in 

• Room 1B20
• Stair well outside 1B20
• The street 
• Bathroom facilities

With our scouting completed, we decided we would shoot our scene's during the midterm as the college would be empty and it would be easier to shoot without people in the background.

As camera operator for this assignment I worked closely with the director, Clodagh. Clodagh and I both took turns using the camera as she has more experience with the camera and provided me with knowledge on how to achieve the best scenes.

We used our storyboards to discuss how we would capture the shots. For each scene, we captured multiple shots of the same scene from different angles to ensure we had enough footage for editing. Shooting took approximately, 4 hours. 

After shooting was complete, we sat down as a group and watched through our shots to ensure we contained continuity within the scenes.

A week later when midterm had ended, we sat down together and discussed which of the many shots we would use. 

We began editing, our producer Lorraine worked closely with the director Clodagh. As Clodagh has experience with Premier Pro, she went through the software with us again about various transitions, editing, audio and rendering.

When importing the shots into Premire Pro, we encountered problems with importing. Unlike our first assignment the shots did not go in, in the correct order so before we could put our assignment together we had to sort our shots into different bins. Bins included:

• Start shots 
• Chase shots 
• Clown shots
• End shots

Once the shots were imported correctly and were put together in Premier pro, we watch the video and listened to the background noise we gathered on the day. We decided we would keep some of the background noise and enhance the noise with audio. 

We replaced the audio for various shots including:

• Lorraine running out the door 
• The noise from the rolling dolly was too loud and interrupted the scene
• The clown sitting on the stairs 
• The sound the clown played was too loud and did not suit the scene correctly

To modify this audio, we used what is known as a wild track. A wild track is an audio recording intended to be synchronized with video but recorded separately from the shots.

Overall, the whole process of the assignment went very well from start to end. As a group we enjoyed the switch in roles in comparison to the first assignment and became more knowledgeable with how the camera works, editing software and the structure of how scenes are shot.

For this assignment as camera operator, I really enjoyed the experience of getting familiar with the camera.

Assignment 2: Editing

Editing of the video took us approximately three days. Over the last 3 days we spoke about our shots gathered and what audio we would replace and what audio we would keep from recording.

Once we decided on what audio to keep, we made decisions on what audio we would use for the other shots. Audio we had to change included when Lorraine ran out the door as the noise from the rolling dolly was too loud and interrupted the scene. We used a 'Wild Track' to modify the sound. A wild track is 'an audio recording intended to be synchronized with film or video but recorded separately from the shots'.

Another shot we had to change the audio for was the clown sitting on the stairs as the sound was too loud and did not suit the scene.

During importing of the shots into Premier Pro we had difficulty with how the shots imported. Because of this we sorted our shots into 'bins'. These bins were labelled: start shots, chase shots, clown shots and end shots.

Editing was really enjoyable for all because Clodagh thought us about different transitions, how to import audio to play alongside a shot and how to render the video our correctly.

Assignment 2: Production

Today we filmed our assignment. After changing roles I was in charge as camera operator. As camera operator it was my job to work closely with the director to ensure the shots were taken correctly that was initially set out as storyboards. While filming we took multiple shots at different angles and directions to portray the point of view of the actor.

Shots taken today included:

1. The bathrooms in college
2. The stairwell leading to 1B20
3. The computers in 1B20

Once filming ended, as a group we sat down and watched the shots we took to ensure we have all the footage we need for editing. We have over 30 shots taken at this shoot and hope to edit the video this week also.

We did not meet any problems during production and we all enjoyed the day. 

Assignment 2: Moving one or more people through space update

Due to feasibility issues we could not shoot our video today. Instead we will shoot our video during the midterm break. The reason for this is because our actors for the video are unavailable and in this case Lorraine will appear in the video instead.

As Lorraine was expected to be the camera operator, we have changed roles for this assignment. Instead, Clodagh will be the director, Lorraine will be the producer and I will be the camera operator/sound operator .

We are due to shoot the video Wednesday, November 2nd and will be begin editing once the video shooting is complete

Assignment 2: Moving one or more people through space

Assignment 2: Moving one or more people through space 

For assignment 2, our assignment is based on moving one or more people through space.This assignment involves creating a narrative story. A narrative story must have a beginning (setup), middle (development) and an end (resolution).

As a group we sat down together and discussed which option we wanted to chose for this assignment. Our two options included:

•  A task sequence with the emphasis on moving your one character through space 
• A chase or follow sequence involving two people moving through space 

Upon discussion we decided to go with a chase or follow sequence involving two people moving through space. A chase/follow sequence centers on a pursuit in a certain location.We discussed our various ideas of what we would like to see in our assignment. 

For this option we must focus on various aspects. Aspects such as:

• Pacing in the frame
• Change of scene direction
• Point of view of chaser or person being chased
• Music 
• Location

Once we decided on our idea we discussed who would be the director, producer camera operator and sound producer for this assignment.

• Director- Shannon
• Producer-Clodagh
• Camera Operator/Sound Director-Lorraine

As director my main role for this assignment is to be in charge of activity on the day and control the video's artistic and dramatic aspects while guiding the rest of the crew in the fulfillment of my vision.

When each role was distrusted we decided this time we would record our video within Limerick Institute of Technology. 

The next step in our assignment is to scout out our site location, ensure we have a chaser and a person being chased, props we may need during film, who's point of view will be captured and create storyboards of how we want our chase scene to commence and how the story will unfold and end.

Assignment 1: Video

Assignment 1 - Portrait of a Location - Animal Sanctuary from Clodagh Guerin on Vimeo.

Assignment 1: Report

Project #1

Introduction to Narrative Film Production

Project #1: Portrait of a Location

The main objective of our first assignment was to portray a location. As a group we decided on Limerick Animal Welfare. Limerick Animal Welfare is a rescue and rehoming facility for all types of animals including:

• Dogs
• Cats
• Rabbits
• Horses

The sanctuary works with a 'no-kill policy'. All animals at the sanctuary are cared for until they are found a suitable home.

Once we decided on our location, we planned what would be involved in

• Pre-production
• Production  
• Post-production

Pre-Production
Pre-production is the work carried out before full production begins. In this area of production each group member was assigned a role. Roles included:

• Director (Lorraine)
• Producer (Shannon)
• Camera operator (Clodagh)
• Sound director (Joana)

Once a role was assigned to each group member we carried out research on our chosen location. We used online sources to do this. With the use of the Limerick Animal Welfare's website and social media, we were able to have a better understanding of the area before we arrived on-site. Before we visited the location, Director Lorraine, rang Limerick Animal Welfare to confirm we could use their location and film.

After research, we decided on the project concept. The project concept was to raise awareness of the location so more people would become familiar with the area and maybe able to volunteer in the sanctuary or adopt an animal. We also discussed what type of shots we learned about and which would be more suitable to use on the day.

For this assignment, I was assigned the role of producer. With my role as producer it was my duty to ensure that all equipment was up to standards, charged and taken out from the college's help desk before production began.

The equipment need for this assignment was:

• Camera
• Tripod
• Battery
• Lenses 
• Charger
• iPhone for scouting purposes

As Clodagh owns the majority of this equipment, all that was borrowed from the help-desk was a tripod. To use the college equipment I had to sign out the tripod using my Knumber and course name and was given a date for its return. 

Production

Production is known as 'the action of processing shots to create a video or film'. On Wednesday, 28th of September, Clodagh, Lorraine and I went to visit the location. Unfortunately, Joana could not make it that day due to family reasons.

On arrival, we met the manger of the sanctuary, Maire. Maire allowed us to scope the location out before we began production of the video. During scouting we visited the dog, cat and horse areas. We viewed: 

• The kennels in which the animals are kept
• Their facilities
• Food areas
• Vet area 
• Washing area

Upon scoping these areas we met a volunteer member of Limerick Animal Welfare named Winnie. Winnie offered us a tour of the location and provided us with lots of information of the sanctuary. During this tour, it provided us with an excellent opportunity to scope every aspect of the location and allowed me as producer to capture images I thought would make excellent shots to portray the locations. 

When the tour was over, Camera Operator began to capture shots of outside area. The outside shots enclosed: 

• The location Entrance
• Limerick Animal Welfares logo
• Outside Kennels
• Various other outside areas

While we moved to the inside areas of the location, Clodagh offered us all the opportunity for each of to use the camera and capture shots. She explained to us how to:

• Use the camera
• Moving the camera using the tripod
• Panning
• Tilting
• Beginning and stopping a shot.

We spent approximately 4 hours capturing shots at Limerick Animal Welfare. Upon capturing our last shot the battery in the camera died. We were just able to capture our final shot.

Post-Production

Post-production is known as the 'making of motion pictures'. During the week of October 3rd, the group met up to discus the production phase. As Joana was unable to attend the production phase we offered her an overview of the day. We then sat down as a group and examined our shots. As director, Lorraine picked what shots she thought would be more beneficial to portray our project concept.  

On the 4th and 5th of October we began putting the shots together. To do this, we used Premiere Pro. As producer it was my responsibly to put the shots together. Each group member discussed the shot sequence and transitions. As I was not completely familiar with Premiere Pro, Clodagh offered her help as she has experience using the software. Each member of the group had the opportunity to test out the software.

Once the shots were put together with transitions, Music Director Joana chose various songs that she deemed suitable for the video. We listened to each song together and as a group voted which song enabled us to capture our location concept. Once editing was complete, we exported the file and uploaded the video to Vimeo. Overall the post-production stage took us approximately 3-4 days. 

Conclusion

During each stage of this project, I found the whole concept of the digital video module extremely interesting because I have never done anything like this before I found the idea creative in comparison to technical issue's that I am more familiar with. 

Out of the three stages I found the post-production stage my favourite as I was given the opportunity to try out new software and learn how it works. Despite each member of the team was ill during production, we managed to capture all the shots during our time limit and really enjoyed our day capturing the shots and gaining information about the location.