Tuesday, May 3, 2011

Video Final


Video Final Exam

1. What are the three parts of the production process?

Pre-production- This phase is all of the preparation for the production process.  This can include coming up with the concept, writing a script, and getting in contact with the people you need.  This process is the most important production process.  It is the most important because it sets up the rest of the production phase.  It gives you a strong grounding for the rest of the process.
Production- This is when the actual filming occurs
Post production- This production phase collaborates all phases and makes a final product.  It may include editing the footage and finalizing the final product.

2. What are the two new parts of the production process that we use in this class that can be found in marketing class under 2 of the 4 P's? Which part of the production process was your favorite and why? Which part of the production process was the most challenging and why? 

There are four P's in marketing and we use two of them in this class, which are: promoting and distributing. I think these two parts of production is important because they help one reach their main goal: to be successful and get your message out.  By using promotion, the product or idea will be successful and be seen by many.  More and more people will see the product making it more popular and making more people want to buy the product.  Distributing is also very important, because if you do not distribute the product to the right people, it will not be successful.  Knowing where to distribute your product is key in the production process.  My favorite part of the production process was the actual production.  I enjoyed this process, because this is the process I learned the most from.  I learn through experience and being the producer of the production was very new and fun to me.  By being a big part of the production phase, I learned a lot of new things through experience that I can use during another production.  It was also the hardest part of the production phase because I have never produced anything and I had to make sure I was doing everything correctly.  Overall, even though the production phase was challenging it was my favorite part of the production process

3. What is the most important part of the production process and why?

Preproduction is the most important part of the production process.  It is the most important because it sets up the rest of the production phase.  It gives you a strong grounding for the rest of the process.  If you do not have a plan and schedule, you will not be successful during the production and postproduction process.  Preproduction occurs all over the world.  Also Doc Chris mentioned that your show is nothing if your preproduction is nothing.  One must have an idea of which they take and create an outline.  This outline then becomes your script.  When your script is strong your outcome is strong.

4. What is the best part of your experience in this class and why? 

I really enjoyed producing a real interview with Eric D. Goodman.  I had never produced, or lead anything before, so it was a very new experience.  It also made me realize how much I like producing and video production.  Having the honor to interview such an amazing writer also enriched my experience in this class.  I was given the opportunity to meet three amazing people, of whom which our class interviewed.  Having the honor to interview and meet these people also looks very good on a resume.      

5. Explain how you like working in groups in this class, and how has your team grown. Evaluate your team. To be fair being put on trial tough; however, it literally happens every day at TV stations, ad agencies, film studios, government studios and PR agencies; do you understand why folks were put on trial rather than giving a failing grade for making mistakes and why the trials were public? Explain. Do you think that being put on trial made you more accountable to your group, this class, yourself and your professor?

I really liked working in groups in this class.  I think it was a great way to collaborate all of our unique skills into one great production.  We were all able to help each other with our own skills, learning from one another.  Our team grew tremendously.  We had many set backs, for example our first team leader dropped the class so I had to step up to the plate and take her role, the producer.  We were also the only team that did not own our own camera, so when we went to film the first day we did not know how to use the camera very well.  Doc Chris helped us out and we finally got the camera working and were able to film.  Even thought we had some set backs, we overcame the challenges.  We were the first team to produce a real interview, and our team was also the first team to finish all of our final products (our promo, our interview, and our commercial).  My team worked great together.  We used all of our ideas to make three final productions that came out amazing!  I understand why Doc Chris put us on trial, rather than giving us a failing grade.  In the real world, letters, but actions don’t grade your performance.  If you do something wrong, you do not get an F, you just get reprimanded.  This is exactly what Doc Chris did.  He would reprimand someone who did not follow directions, so that they could learn from their mistakes.  We also should be able to justify our actions and defend ourselves.
 

6. How have you grown in this course thus? Has it helped you critically think and have you applied what you have learned in other courses yet? Explain. The first part of this class a lot on the pre-production process (script writing, storyboarding, brainstorming, production planning etc and an introduction to editing) and the second part of this class as promised during your mid-term exam focused more on editing, production and post-production. 

I have grown tremendously since the first day of this course.  This course gave me an opportunity to be a producer and leader, something that I have never had the chance to be.  I have never produced anything, and this course challenged me to be the leader of my group and get everything together.  Also, by interning I was able to learn a lot about the production phase first hand.  I helped with the cameras, and different aspects of the production process.  I also learned how to edit films for the post-production process.  By being an intern at GreyComm studios, I realized that I would like to be a real member next year so I can further learn the production process. I have incorporated things that I have learnt in this class to my other classes.   I have started to use 'edutainment' in my other classes, as well as blogging.

Do you now understand and can you please explain the connection between all the pre-production planning work and the actual production and post production of videos?

Yes, I understand how all three of these production phases are connecting and how they develop a final product.  Every process is important in making a great final production.  Each process needs the process before it in order to have a strong final production.  It was amazing to see how all of our post-production work paid off when we were able to conduct an interview in one take with one live run-through as practice.   

List the most challenging part of the production process and why?
List your least favorite part of the production process and why? Do you understand why it is necessary now even though it is not your favorite part of the process?

My favorite part of the production process was the actual production.  I enjoyed this process, because this is the process I learned the most from.  I learn through experience and being the producer of the production was very new and fun to me.  By being a big part of the production phase, I learned a lot of new things through experience that I can use during another production.  It was also the hardest part of the production phase because I have never produced anything and I had to make sure I was doing everything correctly.  Overall, even though the production phase was challenging it was my favorite part of the production process


What was your favorite moment in this class?

My favorite moment in this class was definitely producing the interview with Eric D. Goodman.  It really made me realize how much I love producing and leading. 

7.  Evaluate Dr. Chris. Did he do an effective job coaching you and preparing you for the production process? Do you like the fact that social media, guest lectures, interviews with real life authors, guest lectures with Professor Jay, intern hours instead of using primarily textbooks, notebooks and handouts? Explain why or why not. Would you recommend this class with Dr. Chris to a friend or classmate? Why or why not? Do you think that other professors should utilize these methods? Did you feel like you received individual attention and support from Dr. Chris when you ran into a problem in the course? What grade would you give this class? What would you like Dr. Chris to done more of in this class? Did you feel confident with the production process now after having taken this class? Knowing what you know about this class would take it again with Dr. Chris and why?

I thought Doc Chris was a great instructor.  He is not like any professor I have ever had, and I don’t think I will ever have a professor like him either!  He did a great job in coaching us in preparation of the production process.  I think this was evident when all three of our groups had such strong interviews and final products.  By incorporating edutainment, Doc Chris made the course fun and effective.  We used social media, such as Facebook as our group page instead of blackboard.  This was a lot of fun, because we all go on Facebook everyday, so we always knew our assignments.  Actually interning at GreyComm was really effective too.  I was able to learn first-hand the production process and how it ran.  By interning, I realized how much I want to be a part of GreyComm and I am going to be a member next year!  Jay was also great.  He was very helpful in our post-production process.  He was more than willing to help us with editing and always knew what to do.  I would give this class an A.   I would have liked to use more cameras and learn more about editing.  Also, I would have liked to spend more time on the actual production phase, holding more interviews and such.  I feel very comfortable with the production process as a result of taking this course.  I would definitely take this course again with Doc Chris as the instructor.  Not only did I learn a lot, Doc Chris was the most fun teacher I have ever had.  Through his unique teaching techniques he made the course not only effective, but so much fun! Thanks Doc Chris for a great semester!

Thursday, April 28, 2011

Last Video Class Reflection

April 28th, 2011- Last Class Reflection


Today was our last video class with Doc Chris.  Today was dedicated to finishing all of our work that we have been working on all semester.  Team City Wide turned out to be a great group being the first group to have all of their projects done!  Today we finished our promo for Tracks, the interview for Tracks and our commercial for Subway sandwiches.  We also learned a lot today while we were editing because we had a lot of questions and Jay was able to help us with our work.  We finally finished all of our projects and uploaded all of them to YouTube!  After class, we went to gain intern hours by helping Doc Chris with his Sight Sound and Motion class.  We had to all wear different colors, either red, blue or green.  Then Doc Chris had each group pose for sight, sound and motion.  While we were posing the other two groups were taking pictures or videos of our group.  This was Doc Chris' Sight Sound and Motion class final.  Everyone had a great time and it was a very fun way of giving out a final!


I was very sad when our class ended, because I will miss our class very much as well as Doc Chris.  I am very happy I took this class, because it made me realize how much I like film making.  I plan on helping out a lot with GreyComm studios next year, so I know I will be seeing Doc Chris often.  Overall, I really enjoyed this course and cannot wait to use all the skills I learned later in life!


Here are some photos from the Sight Sound and Motion final project:









Film Festival Reflection- April 26th 2011

First Annual Film Festival Reflection

On April 26th, Loyola University held their first annual film festival.  I really enjoyed the festival, and saw a lot of productions that I really liked.  The festival showed a mixture of types of videos that Loyola students produced.  Since this was the first annual film festival, it featured some students that had graduated already.  It was really interesting and inspirational to see other students work.  By watching other students work I was able to think of ideas that I am interested in producing.  My favorite video was the music video for “I Love Knowledge”.  I thought it was really amazing how a Loyola student wrote the rap for it, and then produced a full music video for it.  My other favorite videos were the videos that the last person produced.  They had really cool effects and interesting plots.  Watching all the student produced films made me realize how much I want to produce my own film for fun!  In all, I really enjoyed the film festival and it was great to see my peers work!

Wednesday, April 27, 2011

An Interview with Quincy Lucas

An Interview With Quincy Lucas 



Today, I helped out another team in my class in the production of their interview with Quincy Lucas.  Quincy Lucas is the founder of Witney's Lights a non-profit organization for Domestic Violence.  Quincy Lucas is a good friend of Doc Chris, and I was very honored to meet her.  She is such an influential person and has been on almost every talk show (expect Oprah which she is working on!)  I was the switcher for this production, which means I cut from camera to camera so that the final product will not need a lot of editing.  I really enjoyed working with the other team, and learned a lot!  It was also a pleasure to meet Quincy Lucas and learn about Witney's Lights.  

Here are some photos from today!





Also here are some clips of Quincy on various talk shows!





***If you want to learn more about Witney's Lights go to http://www.witneyslights.com/ ***

   

Earning Intern Hours!

Earning Three Intern Hours!


So today I was walking to boulder to get some dinner, when I came across Doc Chris and his Sight Sound and Motion class.  He said I can earn 3 hours towards my interning hours if I observed some of the class and took a couple pictures of the class.


Here are the photos I captured!








THANKS DOC CHRIS FOR THE HOURS! 

An Interview with Eric D. Goodman

An Interview with Eric D. Goodman 




Today I got the honor to be the producer of Team City Wide as we interviewed Eric D. Goodman, Author of Tracks a Novel in Stories.  I was a little nervous to be the leader today and did not know what to expect.  I have never been a producer for an interview and was very surprised how well the interview went.  When Eric D. Goodman showed up we were all very excited to interview him and learn more about his new book Tracks.  Each member of Team City Wide had a different role in the production of this interview.  I was the producer, J-Smooth was the interviewer, Erick was the camera man, Julienne was the writer, and Shelly was the main camera man.  Also, Doc Chris and our class was in the control room watching the interview and cutting from camera to camera.  It took us two takes to get our final product.  Doc Chris was very impressed with our work and said that we did a great job.  Being the producer of this interview really opened my eyes to the possibility of my future.  After this interview, I realized that I might really enjoy working with productions such as this, and maybe even being a producer!  Eric D. Goodman was very happy with the interview and was a very nice man.  It was a pleasure having the honor to meet him and learn more about his upcoming novel.  I am staying in contact with him so I can update him on all of our progress.  In all, today was a great success and I had an amazing time!


Here are some photos from today!   







*** If you want to know more about Tracks visit www.tracksnovel.com ***

     

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Class Reflection: April 7th, 2011

Class Reflection: April 7th, 2011


When we got into class today, we did our usual logging into the computer and writing that we were here on Facebook.  After that, Doc Chris took some time to discuss with us what was expected from us in the next final weeks of class. Doc Chris explained that we needed to have our commercial done by the time Jay gets back so we can edit it.  He also mentioned the different speakers who wanted to come in for us to interview.  Our group was appointed Eric D. Goodman.  During class I emailed Eric D. Goodman to ask if he was able to come participate in an interview with our class.

After that, Doc Chris let us use the cameras and take them to shoot some footage for our commercials.  This was the first time we would be using the camera to shoot some footage for our commercial.  Our commercial is for Subway.  We got the camera and we set off to get some footage, little did we know we were going to have major camera trouble.  Our camera was not recording and there were also zebra lines throughout the film indicating that there was a lot of light exposure. We called Doc Chris and he came over to help us.  He was unable to figure it out either, so we went back to the classroom to seek more help.  Right as we entered the classroom, the video camera started working again.  Then, finally we went off to shoot some footage.  We got a lot of nice footage, but we are still not finished shooting everything.  After we were done we came back to class and dropped the camera off.



Todays class was a lot of fun.  It was nice working with the cameras and actually video taping.  It was really nice Doc Chris helped us out with the camera and got it to work so we could get some footage.  In all, i really enjoyed todays class!

Thursday, April 7, 2011

Class Reflection: March 31st

Lights Camera Action!
Class Reflection March 31st


Today class was dedicated to learning about the different lights used in video production, as well as working with the program Final Cut Pro.  Since Doc Chris was sick today, Jay took over class and was our teacher for the day.  I really enjoyed Jay's teaching style and I learned a lot from his two lessons.


For lighting Jay had us look at three different topics online before coming to class:
http://www.lowel.com/edu/foundations_of_lighting.html

http://www.lowel.com/edu/foundations_softlight.html

http://www.lowel.com/edu/foundations_softlight2.html

Jay, then took us into the GreyComm studio and allowed us to watch how lights were used.  He used a couple our classmates to help him demonstrate how to place lights on a subject.  


We learned that there were two main kinds of lights:
Key Light- Main light on the subject
Fill Light- Supports the Key light by filling in shadows that it creates on the subject
Kicker Light is also another light we learned about.


We also learned about the different ways to adjust the different lights when they are hitting a subject.
There is hard light and soft light and there are different techniques and instruments you can use to adjust them:
Umbrellas, bounce reflection cards are the two that Jay showed us.


Then after working in GreyComm studios and learning about lighting, we worked with Final Cut Pro with Jay, and we did another lesson in the lesson book.  I was really glad we worked on Final Cut Pro, because  I am now able to use the program a little with editing.  The more we practice the better we are going to get!


In all I really had a great time in class today!!







Wednesday, March 30, 2011

How To Make Duncan Hines Classic White Cupcakes

My roommate and I had some spare time and were hungry so we decided to make some delicious cupcakes!!!


First we got together all the materials we needed to bake the cupcakes.


2. We poured the cake mix into the bowl and then added egg WHITES to the cake mix.


3. Then we added 1 1/3 cups of water.


4. We added into the mix 2 Tbs of Vegetable Oil


5. Then we mixed all the ingredients together to get a smooth batter.

6. Of course then we had to sample the batter so we each took a spoon full of the cake mix and tasted it!


7. Next we filled the cupcake pan with the cupcake wrappers.


8. We poured in our batter into the cupcake tray.


9. We made sure the batter was even in each cupcake.


10. The oven was heating at 350 degrees.


11. We placed the cupcakes into the oven.


These are the cupcakes right as we put them in the oven.


These are the cupcakes right before we took them out of the oven.


12. After 17 minutes, we pulled our cupcakes out of the oven.


13. We let the cupcakes sit so they could cool off.


14. We then iced the cupcakes.



15. Lastly, we added sprinkles to the cupcakes.


Finally we were done baking the cupcakes and were ready to eat them!


Buon Appetito!!

Thursday, March 24, 2011

Class Reflection: March 24th, 2011

Class Reflection: March 24th, 2011




Today we started class the usual way and went on Facebook to write if we were present or not. Then, Doc Chris filmed a Judge Doc Chris Court and sentenced some people. Since it was St. Patrick's Day Doc Chris was a little skeptical about exactly why people missed class.  My group was one of them. Doc Chris questioned us and told us our punishment. He told us that we will be collecting cans and helping the organization Harvest for the Hungry. He said that with our help for this organization we will also get hours for interning. We need to collect canned goods and promote the organization. 



We also spoke about intern hours and clarified what we needed to do to complete our hours.
Then Doc Chris told us about two people he has contacted that would like to work with us this semester. One was part of Domestic Violence and the other was an author named Eric D. Goodman. Our group chose to work with Eric Goodman.


Then all of a sudden Jsmooth walked in late, after being on probation with a flu mask on. Doc Chris sentenced him and filmed it. He gave him a pass since he walked in with a mask and had the flu. 





Then Doc Chris started getting in touch with the different people that he wants us to interview. First he texted someone who is part of Whitney’s Lights. Then he called Chip Jenkens his friend who is an Olympic medalist. They spoke about possible times for him to come in for us to interview him.


Doc Chris then told us what he expects us to ask the people we are interviewing. Then we did a mock interview and Doc Chris showed us some tips and pointers to use during a live interview. He said that we should always research the person were interviewing so we know some background information. Then Doc Chris said it is important to ask who are you and set up what you will be talking about.


We found this link that tells a little about him.


I really enjoyed todays class, it was a lot of fun and we did a lot of helpful exercises.  Even though a lot of people missed last class, Doc Chris was able to get in all the material he needed for class today, including putting the people who missed class on trial!!

Thursday, March 3, 2011

Midterm Exam- March 3rd, 2011

Video Production Mid-Term Exam:


1. What are the three parts of the production process?

Pre-production, production, and post production.

2. What are the two new parts of the production class that we use in this class that can be found in marketing class of the 4 P's? Explain why you think it is effective?

There are four P's in marketing and we use two of them in this class which are: promoting and distributing. I think these two parts of production is important because they help one reach their main goal: to be successful and get your message out.  By using promotion, the product or idea will be successful and be seen by many.  More and more people will see the product making it more popular and making more people want to buy the product.  Distributing is also very important, because if you do not distribute the product to the right people, it will not be successful.  Knowing where to distribute your product is key in the production process.  

3. What is the most important part of the production process and why?


Preproduction is the most important part of the production process.  It is the most important because it sets up the rest of the production phase.  It gives you a strong grounding for the rest of the process.  If you do not have a plan and schedule, you will not be successful during the production and postproduction process.  Preproduction occurs all over the world.  Also Doc Chris mentioned that your show is nothing if your preproduction is nothing.  One must have an idea of which they take and create an outline.  This outline then becomes your script.  when your script is strong your outcome is strong.


4. What is the best part of your experience in this class? Why?


I really enjoy how this class is very interactive.  I enjoy how this class is not like the others in the essence that it is extremely laid back and fun.  This class is not all about lecturing and test taking like all my other classes.  This class makes us experience real life situations.  Doc Chris preforms mock interviews that let us practice our skills for the real world.  Therefore, the best part of this class is the interaction that Doc Chris provides.  It gives a sense of relaxation, making the class more comfortably and enjoyable.  


5. Explain how you like working in groups in this class and how has your team grown?  Evaluate your team.


I really enjoy working with groups in this class.  I think our group works extremely well together.  Even though we had a set back, when our initial producer dropped out, I stepped up as the new producer and I think we have been strong ever since.  When we meet we always agree and collaborate our ideas, which produces great outcomes.  Our team is very compatible with each other and we have come up with some great ideas and scripts! Overall, I think our group will be very successful and have some amazing outcomes with our commercials, interviews, and PSA's.


6.  How have you grown in this class thus far?  Has it helped you critically think and have you applied what you have learned in other courses yet?  Explain.  What do you expect to learn in the second part of this course?


I think i have grown a lot since the beginning of the semester.  First off, I am a very shy person, but this class led me to be more outgoing.  I never thought I would be the producer of a group, but I have stepped up and become the producer of Citywide.  I think that I have done a really good job with getting everyone together and having everyone help out with the scripts.  This class has helped me think critically and I have applied what I have learned in this class to other classes.  I have stepped up to be leaders in a few of my other classes and blogging has helped me keep track of my notes and what happened in class that day.  I also have started to incorporate using 'edutainment' in my other classes. I expect to learn more about the production and postproduction process when we return.  I think we will focus more on the video shooting and editing the film we have collaborated.


7.  Evaluate Doc Chris.  Is he doing an effective job coaching you and preparing you for the production and postproduction process?  Do you like the fact that social media is being used instead of textbooks, notebooks, and handouts?  Explain Why. Finally, what do you want him to work with the class on generally and you specifically? 


I think that Doc Chris is a very good instructor.  He conducts his class in a very different way than other professors at Loyola. He is very interactive with his students and makes the class extremely entertaining and interesting.  He also does a great way of using 'edutainment' to conduct this course.  I think he has done a very effective job coaching us for the production and postproduction process.  He has prepared us  so that now we can use these skills we have learned and start these two processes with our groups.  I love the fact that he uses social media instead of the normal teaching process that Loyola professors use.  I love how we use Facebook in class.  I thought it was a great idea to have a Facebook class when we were snowed out.  It allowed us to not miss any class-time.  I also like how Doc Chris makes us blog after each class.  It is a great way to look back at our notes and see what we did each day.  I think I would like Doc Chris to work more with the class about actual editing and using the cameras.  I feel like we are going to be doing more work involving this, because we are going to start focusing on the production and postproduction phases.  I would like him to work with me specifically with my interviewing skills since that is an essential for anything in the communications world.  I will need to have good skills for interviewing for jobs, internships and other opportunities. In all, I really enjoy Doc Chris and enjoy his 'edutainment'!

Class Reflection #7: March 3rd, 2011

Class Meeting Number 7: March 3rd, 2011


Doc Chris started off the class today with him talking about our groups and how we are wrapping p the first half of most of the class.  Then Doc Chris went around and asked each producer his or her status for the group.  He also recommended to us that we should get our blogs up to date and fix them up, so they are up to par.  Then Doc Chris pretended to be Charlie Sheen and had two different students from our class to help him conduct a practice interview.  One student pretended to be his publicist and informed him of what he should and shouldn’t say during the interview.  Then the other student interviewed him, to show how an interview is conducted.  Doc Chris did a great **Doc Chris spoke about interviewing and getting locations, which was today’s main topic.  We also spoke about the good and bad parts of interviewing and how to conduct a good interview.  Brian Williams is a great example of a good interviewer; he can interview anyone!  He spoke about concrete thinking and abstract thinkers and the differences in them.  Doc Chris said you are not that smart if you cannot communicate what you know to others.  Doc Chris also told us that we should start incorporating ‘edutainment’ in our other classes.  I enjoy how Doc Chris said he believes in us and how he said that is why we practice and do what we do opposed from other classes.  Even though this class is very different than others, Doc Chris explained to us how this class is similar to other classes and how we should use our skills we learn in here in our other classes.  Their is a relationship between every course and this course.  the secret to any textbook is the table of contents! To end the class Doc Chris wrote down our midterm exam.        

Rules for a Good interview:

1. Check your ego and agenda out the door

·      If you don’t nothing will get accomplished  
·      Example: Brian Williams

2.  Avoid confrontation 
3.Do your research…DUH!   
4.Be Gracious during the interview
· You do not know
·      It is nice to be important but it is more important to be nice- when someone is genuine it comes across on the screen
5.  At the end of the day we are trying to get a sales pitch
6.     Follow up
·      Finish the interview and always give the person an out
·      Let them know what they should expect
·      Now think what’s next for you?
·      Finish by thanking them


Rules for an Interview Process for a Producer
1.     Make a checklist of what you need before you go on location
·      It is your organizing tool
2.     Have a production plan and schedule
·      Make sure your schedule is flexible – you never know what will happen with the people you are interviewing
3.     Conduct a location scout- visit your location
·      Figure out how you are going to shoot at this particular location- lights, electricity, noise, etc
4.     Limit your set ups
·      Amount of location spots you have – the more you have the longer it takes
5.     Have a Crew List
·      Know what everyone is doing
6.     Simulate an interview
·      Practice, practice, practice

*What you do makes statements about who you are!*
*Get the job done!!*