Filming and producing Project 1 helped me learn so many new things about the cameras, production, and editing process that I had never known before. There were also many new things I learned through the power points during class, but three things really stuck out to me when I was out in the field. I felt that these three points were the most valuable lessons that I took with me while I was working on my story.
The most important skill that I learned in class and was able to apply through my project is to show the story, not tell it. Even though we had a premade script, it was still extremely important to get shots that could bring the viewer into the story itself and make them feel like they were there with you. Most TV segments are so short; it is critical to present a great picture and great shots, to make up for the lack of detail being shared with the viewers. As you said in class, “word centered stories fail” – so ultimately, it’s up to the pictures and videos to carry the story. In my first project, I felt like I did a decent job at presenting a variety of shots that would maintain viewer interest.
The second skill I learned and was able to validate is – avoid shaky shots, as well as panning and zooming. As we were talking about the shot differences in class, I found myself wondering why we couldn’t use those shots. I always thought that panning and zooming could add something to a story. However, once I began shooting the footage on my own and piecing it together, I was able to see why the panning and zooming is not recommended. Our eyes are not used to these motions, so it is distracting to someone watching the segment. Holding on a shot gives the viewer time to take in and appreciate the shot, and the story that goes along with it.
The third skill I learned through the process of working on Project 1 is to shoot enough footage and B-roll. After I got back to the editing lab after shooting, I found myself wishing I had gotten more shots at different times of the day. Whether I used the shots or not was one thing, but to have enough to play with would have been a huge benefit to me. I learned to always shoot multiple shots of the same location and of different locations.