Sequence-Related Assignments

You will need to layer audio and video clips when it comes time to edit your interview and sequence assignments. If you are in MovieMaker, you can use the lower track on the timeline for the audio from your interview. Then, you can use the dominant track on top for your visual shots. Whatever is on the top track is what you're going to see when you play the video.

You can adjust the audio levels on either clip by right clicking on them in the timeline and using the volume control, or, by going to the top of your screen, hitting "clip" on your toolbar, and finding the volume adjustment option there. As you probably remember from the audio slice, it is OK to have some ambient noise from your visual clips, even when you're layering them on top of your interview track. Still, when layering visual clips on top of interview clips, the audio from the interview should dominate.

In terms of the week's workflow, I would recommend doing the sequence ID assignment first, and posting it sooner rather than later so you can free yourself up for the interview and sequence combo. For that assignment, I mentioned in class that it might help you to focus on a single subject. One example would be interviewing an athlete about the sport he or she does, shooting video of the athlete in training or competition, and combining it all together in your edit. Other single subject ideas include focusing on a musician, an artist, a chef, a barista -- these are just examples that might make it easier for you to blend material from interviews with relevant sequences of the subjects in action.

Feel free to pursue any of these ideas if you need them but do not focus on friends or roommates. I want you to keep things professional and most of the videos featuring friends and roommates tend to get sloppy.

Both the sequence ID assignment and the sequence/interview assignment are due at noon on Thursday. Both are explained in detail on the syllabus. Feel free to drop me a line if you run into questions.

I'm impressed with your in-class sequences so far. Keep up the good work.