Sound Video Idea

I keep listening to Painted on the Firmament, I. Thunder Moon by Mark Volker over and over again. The piece has definately captured my attention. Whenever I listen to it though I can't help but picture a duel or some sort of struggle taking place. Right now I'm thinking of creating a piece that follows the life of a duelist. Since the music reminds me of that which would be used in star wars, maybe I'll base it on my friend and his lightsabers. It's still rough. I will either base it on a duel between himself and I, or his struggle to come to terms with his dueling and the emotional stress its put him in. I want to go with the latter and try to incorporate some flash black moments of maybe where him and I are dueling. I guess this would be done in post production to give it a correct look.
Outline:
A figure is seen in a dim room (still enough light to make out everything)
Camera zooms in on the figure and then cuts to his face (to see the desperation)
Maybe now the camera pans down to view the cause of it which is the lightsaber.
(This is where maybe a quick flash back pops up of him dueling against himself or practicing, or fighting against me)
Camera records as the figure struggles to pick up his weapon and fight again.
Ends with the figure deciding not to fight.

Link to the song.

Second Take Write Up

I'd say that the second shot went much better than the first.  For starters, after watching videos of others in class I decided to do everything on a white cloth.  This brought out the contrast a lot and made it easier to focus on the process.  Time length wasn't so much as of a problem this time and the disassembly process was much smoother.  This time while shooting, I would notice that my hand would take up the majority of the screen at times.  This was fixed by recording multiple times in a way that it wasn't so bothersome.  I tried unscrewing the screws with one hand, but in some cases it wasn't possible.  In the first video it was very shaky.  This is fixed for the most part in the second take.  Granted, there is a moment when then camera pans upwards and you can notice it.  However, for the purpose of an instructional video on taking apart this system it turned out good.  

How to Disassemble Your GameCube for Modding Write Up

The biggest problem I had here was the time length. Keeping the video under 5min was the biggest challenge. There were also a lot of moments where I was removing the screws when the screws themselves decided not to come out. However, I guess maybe that adds to the idea of an amateur shooting the video. After replaying the video it turned out fine. Some segments just need to be cut and edited together.

There was also one point in the video where the screw driver failed to work. So, we went back and re-shot it using a different one. This lead to reshooting the opening where the needed tools are shown. I don't think I had much problem with the lighting. It didn't really get in the way of any of the shots.

Video format.  Missing class results in not renting equipment.  So, not sure if regular tapes or dvd discs' video can be transferred to mini dv film, but if not, reshoot scene again.  Otherwise it was ok for my first time.

Problems and Solutions

Will Update as I run into them.

I've just run into a problem. I could set the camera up so that it's on a flat surface and doesn't move so that I am able to control my own hands, but that would mean cutting out parts where I get up to move it or turn it off. So, I'll get someone else to record to shorten the load.

Add more light or find brighter lit area to easily view screws.

Title: A number of people have questioned the purpose of taking this apart. Well I'm showing how it is to be done in case an internal mod may be done to it. Eg, installing a modchip and adjusting the dvd laser. I think one needs know how to take apart and put back together something they intend on modifying.

New title: How to Prepare a Nintendo Gamecube to be modded.

Video Outline

I plan to demonstrate how to dismantle a Nintendo Gamecube. I'm trying to find a really bright lit room, which I can more than likely easily find. I plan to shoot only the hands of the actor as he/she works on taking the system apart. I feel that focusing more on the work that the hands does will more easily help the viewer stay focused. Also, I'm going to try and do multiple angles when taking apart the system. Perhaps I'll work clockwise or counter clockwise to make the process easier too. In post production I can repeat some of the shots to reiterate the point. I would also like to edit in some text if possible to make it easier to follow along. Onscreen directions would help alot.


Outline
Title: How to take apart your Nintendo Gamecube
Show the tools needed
Show the Gamecube also
State what will be happening
State to set screws aside to make it easier to put back together.

Pre Process:
Have tools ready
Make sure cables are unplugged and that Gamecube is not on.

Process:
Begin by removing outer special screws
Remove interior exterior screws
Remove interior screws
Remove dvd drive
Remove board screws
Remove board

Putting it back together:
Go in reverse order.

Looking at How To's

Moon Walking

Out of maybe the five or so that I watched this was the once that stood out the most.  It was entertaining and also very well put together as an instructional video.  Most of the movements made by the guy doing the moon walk could completed and understood without the use of the narrator or the text.  This was a problem I found in some of the other videos.  They were good,  but had it not been for either the narrator or onscreen text, a lot of the actions would've have been hard to understand.  This was also recorded in a location where one would practice doing the dance, and there was nothing added.  The number one thing that stood out most in this and that I liked best, was the angle that the feet were being shot at.  The camera went behind the feet and above them.  Whenever the narrator would mention the left or right foot, the camera would behind it not in a mirrored position.  This is really helpful for those that might not otherwise comprehend what a mirrored image is doing.

How to Survive if You're Lost in the Woods

This was a humorous video.  It got its point across, how to survive in the woods, and entertained while doing it.  The prop teddy bear could've have been done without.  However, instructional wise, it does a great job of telling what to do and how to survive in the woods.  Maybe all of its content wasn't considered, the teddy bear for instance, but the video does instruct (in an understandable manner) how to survive in the woods.

How to Bring Home a Date When You Have a Roommate

I decided to post this video because it was funny and seemed like a plausible situation.  It was a bit over the top, but still, most of what happened in it were things that would actually take place.  

With that said, most videos that work, for me, are entertaining, have acute instructions that are easy to follow, or do both.  An instructional video should try and maintain your focus, especially if your goal is aimed at learning from a different source a procedure step by step.

Notes on Today

Temperature of light in white balance and color.

-Keep white as natural looking as possible and consistent.

*You should rewatch Traffic*

-Whitecard to adjust color of camera.  Use the light sources to get correct setting.

-Rewhite balance everytime you move.

-Using tape, must use Jill's tape stock.  $3.25

-Dont shoot in first and last minute of the tape.

-Want at least 10-15 seconds of pre-roll.  Record before anything actually happens.

*Recording after actors have stopped is interesting*

-Balance the tripod.  Don't bother to use if you don't level the tripod.

-Removing the cap, put the cap in the camera box.

-Label the tape before putting the tape into the camera.

-Don't record in green mode.  Green = Safe.  Red = No no

-Don't keep in extreme heat or cold.  Keep them in room temperature in the box.

-Make sure the camera is in 4:3 aspect ratio.  Recording at Standard Play Mode.

*Make a checklist guy...be smart, be safe.*

-Make sure there's a base plate on the tripod.

-Camera comes with two batteries.  Loses power in cold weather. 2hrs max charge 20min for quickie.

*find difference between zooming and trucking.

*three different temperature locations

White Balance

White balance is the level of light you have in your image.  It can either determine how light or dark one's image is.  This can  effect visibility of the film and an incorrect balance can result in the recording's color being offset.  Adjusting the white balance can also be used to strengthen or lessen shadows and reflections by increasing the levels at which the light is captured.  It is important because, depending on what the levels are or what you want them to be, the light  sources being used will either need to be adjusted or reconsidered.

Portrait Ideas

I'm not exactly sure what character I'm going to be creating but I know I want him to be somewhat dark and yet the same time hopeful. Perhaps the mood he gives off can represent my idea of multiple people being in the same place, or existing in the same place at different times. I'm actually thinking of going out into the woods, around dusk and recording this character using the light through the branches. I also have the idea to shoot in the evening time. There's this community center building with corners that have just the perfect amount of depth. This location, or the day I will be shooting on, will naturally have lanterns outside of it. The light from these would make a great effect and still adhere to the dogme rules and Vow of Chastity.

My last idea involves lots of blankets and the light being cast through and over them. The shadows from the light can hopefully bring to life a character of darkness that is born from light. Not too mention, this character or rather the shadows, would be dancing on the ground and walls too.

Dogme 95

So, after rewatching the "Italiensk for Begyndere" film for almost the third time, I think I finally grasp what's going on. The movie is actually pretty good, considering how it was shot. However, it seems to break a few rules of dogme 95 and The Vow of Chastity. This movie seems to fall under the genre of romance. There is also a large use of music. A few times I noted that it came from the environment or from the cameraman humming, but there were times when it could not be determined whether the source was actually in the facility. There was also a moment when I questioned when the original language instructor started to die. An ambulance was called which brought in a stretcher. This seems like it was an added prop and not one on location. The movie though does put story over effects, even if the story can be quite confusing. In the end though, it is a good piece and portrays the lifes of several people coming together very well.

As for dogme films and the Vow of Chastity, it does sound like an interesting way of shooting. Von Trier's idea of story being more important is something I agree with. Today, the story is thrown out or either ignored in an attempt to offer something visually appealing and nothing more. The rules though of the Vow of Chastity really interest me. They help to create a more geniune and believable movie. Even though it may or may not be possible, the only thing I don't agree with is the prohibiting of superficial actions. The place one is recording in could always have someone show up and randomly die. "Italiensk for Begyndere" had two people die in it.

The dogme films may offer me a slight bit of viewing troubles, but there is something compelling about them. Perhaps it is that they are story driven and the characters are what's most important.

Improvements when recording - By Any Means Necessary

Edit Audio track if there should be one.  Fade In/Fade Out Audio line to duration of the video.

Consider background light sources and possible interference with recording.

Pay attention to stillness and movemen'ts of the camera.

Consider the views offered of what's being recorded.

By Any Means Necessary - Place

My video is a recording of many recordings playing at the same time. Each video is me in a different location at a different time. In a way its also a recording of my weekend. I sought to portray how "place" can happen anywhere at any given moment and even in the same moment.

This project seemed very demanding when in actuality it wasn't. The problem I had the most trouble with was finding suitable scenes or the time of day to record a scene. Having an idea is easy for the most part, but illustrating it is a completely different experience. I'm pleased with how the final piece turned out except the audio addition could have been done better. As I have no previous experience of adding sound to a video or vice verse...well, I still enjoy how it turned out. The shaky parts of the camera also add to my idea of place happening anywhere at the same time.

Direct Download to Original: http://www.zshare.net/video/18081106bf6c2c2d/