Reflection on First Class: Final

Though I was sad to leave behind the audio slice section (I had no idea how interesting audio reporting could be), the first class of the video slice really got me excited for the work we will be doing.

In a way, it feels like things have come full circle. I attended the same middle school as Jonas and Lizzie and the emphasis there was on communications. The program we were in had a class called Media we took in sixth, seventh and eighth grade and we produced video work throughout. Even before then I was comfortable with iMovie and would make projects at home.During middle school, I got even more comfortable with the technology and really enjoyed it.However, when I got to high school I immersed myself in print journalism and served as the editor-in-chief of my school’s paper during my senior year. Although I still used iMovie for school projects, I definitely drifted away from the medium as a whole. The point is, I’m excited to start working with video again.

We got to know our instructor and her experience in the field. We watched some pieces she’s created and some by others. I really was impressed by how captivating the clips became and how easily I was felt like I was there, living in that moment. Truthfully, I enjoyed just watching the scene more than listening to the interview clips but the interviews obviously enhance the overall piece’s credibility and message.

The piece I loved was told in first person. As Nina noted, this is an unusual way of telling video; however, how Jim Lo Scalzo put it together came together flawlessly. The piece was educational, transformative and entertaining. I honestly did laugh and cry (or tear up at least).The blend of video and his photography was artful and awe-inspiring.

We then learned the technicalities of working with video. We learned how to properly set up a tripod and as someone said, the room looked like a forest of tripods. We went over the rule of thirds, which divides up a screen into nine sections created by two vertical lines and two horizontal lines. A subject’s eyes should be around the top line. We learned two styles of video shots: the anchor style and the interview style. The anchor style involves a straight on shot, eyes on the upper third line, and a little space above the person’s head. An interview shot requires the subject be off center and facing the person conducting the interview so they do not look directly at the camera.

I’m excited for this class and to learn more!