Growth 2013-2014

The Beginning: 
I first started e-Comm my Sophomore year, and it was scary transitioning into a new school. And I would defiantly say that I have learned so much since then.  I started off not knowing how to use the Final Cut Pro program very well to knowing how to use it sufficiently well.

After ending Sophomore year, a very eye-opening experience I came into Junior year thinking that I knew everything and that his semester was going to be a breeze. But there are so many things I have learned about Video, Editing, Communication, Journalism, etc.

The Tricaster:
One major focus that I have learned this semester was learning how to use the tricaster. The tricaster is our production system that helps us shoot our new show ONW NOW. 

We came in the new year with a brand new studio and a brand new production system. Since it was new us, the students had to figure out how to use it ourselves. It was cool playing around with it and seeing what it could do.

The main people that contributed the most and helped gain more knowledge about how to use it was two students from our class. From that they helped me learn how to use it more. I learned how to import export videos, use transitions, switch from camera to camera, play packages,  record the show, etc.

6-shot System and Sequencing:
This year I have gained extensive knowledge to make my videos better through the 6 shot system and using sequencing.

The 6-shot system is a  is a variety of shots together to explain what a subject is doing. The shots include: Close-up of Hands, Close-up of face, Medium, Over the shoulder, Wide and Extra Wide. This system of shots will help your video be more interesting by including shots that catch the eye and have an emotional appeal.

Sequencing is another way to make your video more interesting. Sequencing is when you gather a variety from shots (usually including the 6-shot system) that are all of the same person, object, place or thing and putting them so that it diminishes time and make your video make more sense.

My video about the ELL (English Language Learning) class includes the 6-shot system and sequencing.

Storytelling:
The most important thing I have learned this year was storytelling. A key component apart of your video making process is having a story to tell, if your not telling a story what is the point of your video. Storytelling brings an emotional appeal, it brings you closer to the protagonist or antagonist. It makes you involved in to the video and help root for the character. Storytelling is what separates a good video from a bad one.

When marketing you want to appeal to the audience, a good story and characters can make or break if they may like your video or something your trying to portray.

Stories can help produce a message, stories can make your story unique, they can motivate your audience towards a goal, they can make your viewers emotionally attached, stories are least likely to be shared than resisted, and  they can shape information into something meaningful.

Goals for the Future: 

I hope in the future I can develop my video packages better by having better shots that help portray the story better as you can say get more "artsy" shots. This will help enhance my videos to be more interesting and interesting to catch the eye. 

I also hope that in the future I can learn more about using the tricaster and being able to make our show better by that skill. From that we can gain better knowledge of transition and studio sets. as well as getting better story ideas.

Maddie "Snipper" strikes again!

Why Maddie Schneider?:
With her High School Career ending,  Maddie Schneider has great experiences and stories she tells us through the perspective of her seasons.

Schneider will be attending University of Maryland in Baltimore County next Fall playing on there school volleyball team.

Schneider tells us that she was nominated for Sunflower Player of the Year, First Team All League, All Tournament Team and Player of the year. Maddie states that she is "Most proud of Player of the Year" since last year she was co-player of the year.

Production Process:
Knowing the volleyball Team has brought on great pride for the team getting 2nd in state after breaking there win last year of 4th, it was logical that a feature story about a player.

Coming in I decided to start off getting an interview from Maddie and asking her about her career. Like where she's played,  where she's going to school at, her awards... and more.



I then proceeded to get old footage of her playing from our sports informational class (SID).

Putting it all together with the footage of her playing throughout her season took a while to go through but after that the project took less time to finish.

Learning Process: 
I would definitely say using sequence is a big push in the class making sure the package makes sense would be an overall goal. Using the 6 shot system has been also a big push for the class as well.

In this package it was hard to get different shots because I was pulling in old footage.


What I Would Do Differently:
Next time I would definitely get b-roll of her in the classroom pulling in her as a student with her life as an athlete. I would also have her pull in pictures of her young and playing volleyball or previous pictures of her and her team.

Wrap It Up:
This package was overall achieved the goal I was aiming for, I wanted to incorporate Schneider's awards she has won and how it was a great honor.

I also wanted to show a girl and her pursuit to reach her goals and the handwork she's put in to get to where she is now.

Lets give props to these fantastic students

What is prop box?
Prop Box is an award to the students of Olathe Northwest who do good deeds throughout the school.
The winners include Lloyd Lantz, John Mestemacher and Mallory Newcomb.

Lantz returned money to the office when the vending machine gave him more than needed. Mestemacher gave the next couple students free donuts by letting them keep his 4 dollar change. Newcomb helped out a fellow raven by returning their visa card to the office.

Production Process:
I started off going to each student and scheduling an interview date with them. I then developed my questions for the interview.

I wanted to go for a different feel for this video by incorporating a different technique into it.  I had each three students start to tell their story then cut to all the students telling the middle of their story then finally them telling the end of their story.

Learning Process:
I have learned from this video that there are several different ways you can construct your video. You don't always have to go to the boring guidelines of listing of names, you can get more creative and think of several different ways you can make your video.

I also learning how quick you can make your video when your organized and have everything planned out.

What I Would Do Differently:
What I would have waned to go differently was some of the students to have better answers to the questions. unfortunately i cant make them say more but I can suggest it for future interviews.

I would also next time get b-roll. I probably would have to stage the b-roll so get the students out of class longer.

I would also change the interview places and set them up in a different place.


Wrap It Up:
Overall the scope of my project was a success. I completed the project getting the winners across in a more creative way. I would do this package the same again next time because it was not as boring as previous prop box videos.

5 Tips for Awesome Interviews

1. Plan for your Interview:

When you start the process of making a story a main focus of having a successful story that is completed on time,  is to plan and prepare. Plan: plan Who your going to interview and how many your going to do, plan where you are going to set up the interview and plan for it to fit the situation of your story. Plan your questions when interviewing. You don't want to go to an interview and take up their time and your own just thinking of questions to ask.

2. Prepare for your interview: 

When you are going to start your interview you don't want to be unprepared an have no equipment or anything set up. Make sure you are prepared to have your camera, SD card, battery, tripod, lights, sound...etc.

3. Have Good Lighting:
When starting your interview you want to have good lighting. When starting your interview make sure you pick a place that has good lighting. To make sure your lighting is the best use natural light. Look through the eye piece to look for true color.  Also make sure to white balance your camera.

4. Remember the Rule of Thirds:

When setting up the interview you want you make the shot is not perfectly centered. The Rule of thirds means the plane is cut up into thirds horizontally and vertically. When deciding where to the place the subject use the imaginary lines to your advantage. This will add depth to your shot and not make it so boring to watch.


5. Keep Quiet and away from Distractions: 
In the process of shooting your video keep away from a noisy or distracting place. You need to have good sound bytes in order to have that don't pick a loud place to interview. A noisy place may also distract your subject.

Prop Box Reflection:

The Scope of the project was to inform the Olathe Northwest Student Body of the October Prop Box nominees and winners and How they got to be nominated because of there acts of kindness around the school.

The Start of the production was getting a sheet of paper with a list of names of who was the October nominees and winners. Next we researched video styles to make are video like. So my partner and I decided to go up to the winners rooms and set up an interview date. Next we shot all the interviews and edited the video to be up on ONW Now.

I learned there are different ways you can edit your video story. The way we did it was we had 3 stories and we started of telling the beginning of each 3 stories then started to tell the middle of each the 3 stories and finally tell the ending of each 3 stories. I learned that you don't always have to stick to the book format you can get creative and do it a different way.

What I would do different next time would be get more sound bytes from the interviews. some didn't have good quotes or much to say so I would create more questions that articulate a longer better sounding answer. I would also set up the interview spot in a more interesting place.

What I would do same would be to do the same style. I liked the way we created a different type of video that was different in format I liked the way the video was made and how it was unique. It helped make a not so interested story, interesting to watch.

This will help me next time to make lots of questions so that you can have many answers to choose from because some may not be good. So next interview I will be prepared for that. Next interview will include a different interesting background which will enhance the story even more.

6 shot system

The 6 shot system is a variety of shots together explaining what a subject is doing through the use of sequence. Sequence is where you have b-roll of a subject doing something but cutting to shots (of the 6 shot system). This helps gain clarity and no confusing when watching your video it also helps create a nice flow. When using the 6 shot system remember to use the 180 rule. The 180 rule is when shooting, stay on one side of the subject remembering to not cross the 180 line. This decreases the amount of confusion when developing and watching your video.

Close up of Hands:
Why: To explain what the subject is doing.

Close up of Face:
Why: To gain a emotional attachment with the subject.

Over the shoulder
Why: To show the point of view.

Medium shot:
Why:

Wide Shot:
Why: Reveal the environment.

Extra Wide Shot:
Why: Establishing shot.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pEoKccYnv_4&feature=youtu.be

Web vs. TV Stories.

My favorite version of the story about Indie would be story number #2 by the New York Times. This video is my favorite because it had great shots and told a story. Not like first one, this video included interviews from her parents and her relationship with her sister. This video starts off showing her story from her childhood and how she started off in soccer. Eventually moves in to her struggles and how hard she had to practice. Indie started practicing with the boys team just so she could get even better. Finally at the end it describes whats she wants to do in the future and what school she wants to go to which is UNC (University of North Carolina). the shot at the end showing her walking off the field wraps up the story with a nice compositional shot.

All this videos obviously have the story about Indie in common, but other than that the video's include a variety of shots including wide, tight, medium, close ups', etc. The videos all have interviews from Indie herself one had her standing, while the others were sitting. All the videos have her tell the story besides the help in one from voiceovers. In all the videos some stuff in common regarding the the plot line and the making.

The videos differ for one, the first two are online stories and the last one is a TV news story. The TV news story included voiceovers and a stand up voiceover on air. This first online one was bland an was all about only her tricks, the second one included before and after; her life story, and the last one was a life story told not through her but the voiceovers. The online stories included more "artsy" shots. The first one had go pros, fish eye and birds eye view shot's, worms eye view shot's. The second one included shots focusing in/or out and also pans.

From this video could take from this to use old videos and pictures to help tell background and more sentimental story's. I can use pans, go pros and different kind of shots to create a interesting effect. I would need as well close family and friends to develop a relationship with the character. I would also have my character tell the story. Showing her/him/it starting its goal/skill, how they struggled and then what their future plans would be.  

Q & A with Marissa Neumer 

By: Anna Massey

Q: When did you realize you wanted to play volleyball?

     A: "I realized I wanted to start playing volleyball when I was in middle school and got the opportunity to play."

Q: Who/Where does your inspiration come from?

     A: "My inspiration comes from watching the volleyball Olympic games."

Q: Who helps you the most in volleyball?

     A: "My coaches help me the most when it comes to technique, and my teammates help encourage me on the court, whether its club or school."

Q: Describe your favorite memory from volleyball.

     A:  "My favorite memory would have to be meeting new people." 

Q: Whats a struggle you have been through in volleyball?

     A: "Serving for the most part, but I kept practicing until I got better, and now improving my serve even more."

Q: Whats a strength you have in volleyball?

     A: "I am pretty good at blocking in volleyball."

Q: Describe how the people around you create an impact on your playing.

     A: "The people around me create an impact on my playing by working together as a team."

Q: How might volleyball help you in other parts of your life.

     A: "Volleyball can help with working with other people, teamwork and other types of skills."

Q: What are your hopes in volleyball?

     A:  "I hope to possible play for college, I don't know what college yet but I would like to play for the school."

Q: What are your fears in volleyball?

     A: "I fear being injured and not being able to continue playing after that." 

Anna Massey

Allam 1 & 2

Convergence Journalism

9/4/2014

Video Reflection:

1. Reflect:

• The thing that went well in our video was that we had a great emotional story that could move the audience. I also thought having a different story that is not usually told with a different angle.
• From this I learned how to use sequence throughout a story also that not every story has to be factual.
• Finally what I would do different next time would be to not have to reshoot various times. To make sure we got her interview right the first time and work faster then normal.

Goal Setting

Goal Setting

By: Anna Massey

          My personal goal in the class would be to get better at time management. I always seem to come right up to very last  minute finishing my videos,  due to my OCD control of being a perfectionist or my overthinking of what story I will do for my video. To achieve this goal I am going to try to stick with a project and don't change my mind, As well as plan to shoot more footage that way I don't have to think about not having enough. I will also work harder on staying focused in class that way I can get more work done.

          For the class I would like to make ONW Now a better show. The show in previous years has been rough and don't entirely make sense, and I always got complaints from my classmates how it was uninteresting and stupid. The show needs to be better planned and flow right with great story's that will keep the audience watching. To accomplish this we will create scripts for the show as well as have better packages that are well put together and include great shots and a moving story. Making a better show will give our news station have a better rep. and give myself as well as others a sense of accomplishment and something we can be proud of.

          A goal I would like for Ecomm this year would be to create a great video for endorsement hours, It would be great to have a video to be proud of that you would want to show everyone.  To accomplish this I will put in allot of after-school work and learn more from going on on-site job opportunities with my dad. The one person I would want to impress would be my hero, my Dad. My dad does this professionally for his job and it would be great if he was impressed with what I have learned from the class and put into a film that is my own.

eComm Brochure

Our Graphic Design class has a 21st century program called eCommunication it "eComm" we decided that our program was not being portrayed well to the middle schools so our lack of students engaged in the program is low. So to boost our program up we decided to create a cool graphic brochure to convey our program and I have made one. My brochure contains a variety of shapes, patterns, and gradients to really set the effect of nice balance and soothing to the eye. The colors choose include our school colors also colors that really represent technology, which is a major part of our program. The photos I selected were taken by myself. The photos include various parts of our program included; including cameras, computer, technology but not only that a collaborative non-technological photo that shows pre-perpetration. Finally my brochure includes our programs that we offer.

Final Logo

by: Anna Massey

        In my graphic design class we were given the task to re-event our old logo. My old logo composed of the same elements my new one contains but at the same time very different. The new logo contains the same color scheme and idea of chevron, but the font and initials were not only layered out different but also a different font face including hand drawn initials. 

        Obliviously this old logo is awful in more ways than one. For one this was my first project, and the actual initials aren't bold enough. The logo unappealing to the eye doesn't attract attention.  

         My new logo consists of the colors of navy, coral, and light blue. They all represent a different side of me. navy for the shy, blue for the calm and longing for the ocean, and coral for the outgoing side.

         I started off with a mood board of the industry of video, because i would like to go into the same industry as my dad. Finally I created a business card for myself that I would like to use in the future.  

        

 eMagine is a media festival where students that are involved in media production to showcase their projects. eMagine require's for students to go and participate, and you cant you have an alternate assignment. In eMagine they give away awards for the best in show. eMagine is great because it give students a chance to win awards and be appreciated for their hard work. Emagine has different divisions you can apply and win in, such as short films, news packages, animations, graphic design posters &logos, and so much more. Everyone should attend eMagine at least once in their life because it will be a great experience.

Kerning Game:

     The kerning game is when you take letters and move them so they achieve correct spacing.When I first played this game I didn't understand what kerning was, but after the game I did. Th game was pretty easy and got four hundreds. The game really helped understand kerning.

google

     Google's logo is well known around the world. The logo is simple but has meaning behind it. Designed by Ruth Kedar the logo contains a simple clean-cut font with primary colors included. The colors even have a story behind them that includes the primary colors: Blue, Red, and Yellow. But not only that Kedar includes one secondary color, green. Some colors are repetitive; Red and Blue. While Yellow and Green are included once. The colors don't follow a pattern and as well the secondary color on green stands out not following the scheme, which shows the representation that google doesn't follow the rules.

     The logos were not always the same every time redone. The first logo had the "G" green, as well a few years later an explanation mark same as Yahoo! but eventually over time the logo grew into the clean-cut design their is now. Google Doodles were also created in 2000. They are different Google logo on special days. They included special birthdays, holidays, and even the Olympics. The logo may look simple but if you look close enough their is a story behind it.

Saul Bass Movie Poster

by: Anna Massey

              Our graphic design class created a movie poster inspired by Saul Bass's movie poster's. My movie posters were based off of Disney movies from 1970's and back. The movies I choose were Snow White and the seven dwarfs and Lady and the Tramp. These were some of my favorite movies when I was a child. and I still enjoy them today. My designs include just a simple vectored art created to look elegant. In our requirements were limited colors, one of my posters had few to none colors, while the other included more variety while still being in the limits. Snow White and the seven dwarfs includes Red, Black, and white. While on the other hand Lady and the Tramp includes Blue, hues of Orange, hues of Gray, Black, and White. The concept of Snow White and the seven dwarfs was an apple symbolizing a major aspect of the movie. The apple is black and dripping to show that is is being dipped in poison.  Lady and the Tramp's poster has more of a childlike appeal. The poster includes the snout of both the dogs which is connected by pasta from the spaghetti they ate when they were on their date. I enjoyed this project because I got to work in Illustrator making vectors.

 BY: ANNA MASSEY

HOW DO THINGS I VALUE REVEAL MY PERSONAL LIFE?

            The 10 items or “things” I choose represent me were chosen because they are things I care about the most. The things I choose include my family, my dogs, my volleyball team, my friends, Traveling, Sunsets, Books, Movies, the series mortal instruments, and Christianity. I care about all those so much because I have made a bond with them that will last a lifetime. My family means everything to me because they are always there for me and love them very much. My friends mean very much too me because they let me be myself and have a great time. My dogs mean the world to me, I love them more than everything, and they are loyal and are always there.

            My volleyball team means a lot to me because we have been together for three years and I love volleyball so much! Traveling is valuable to me because it lets me explore cultures and go places some people wont even know about. I value sunsets because they are warm and remind me of home even if I am far away.  I value books because it brings you knowledge and transports me to a world I have never been. I value movies because it brings my family together. I value the mortal instruments because I love that series so much and it makes me happy. And finally I value Christianity because It is my family’s heritage.