Final Video

Digital Video#4/ Blog #7

My First Movie Production Experience

This has been an interesting first move project. Initially I was extremely excited for the opportunity to create an engaging and dynamic video to entertain all. Part way thought the process my attitudes changed. My first idea was to teach my fellow iMet students how to rock climb, the passion that I enjoy greatly. I went to the rock gym, recruited my fellow rock climbers, and diligently took the footage while adding angles, danger and intrigue.  I chose to shoot this movie in a portrait format to better capture the vertical nature of rock climbing and encompass everything that was going on in the shots. After returning to my computer, it became obvious that all of my footage appeared either sideways or “squeeshed”. This was most unfortunate.  After two hours of searching the Internet for a formatting fix and countless failed downloads I had to abandon the project. With precious time to spear I altered my project to teach everyone how to open a bottle of wine. While it is true that I have posted a video, it is a sad representation of the true effort and devotion that was committed to this project. I have learned a great deal from this process, for example, I have learned to shoot in landscape format ONLY until alternative formatting options become available. Additionally, I have come to the conclusion that video is extremely difficult and managing to keep the camera still is practically impossible. I have gained a newfound respect for Ohler’s chapter on techniques as well as the film production community as a whole.

How to Open a Wine Bottle

Chapter 13

The Educator's Christmas List:

This was a very interesting chapter for a few reasons. First, I like the way he addressed the reader in a very straight forward manner. The information was in list format, which I think was appropriate in this instance. There was enough information to allow the reader to get started in the right direction and pursue the information further depending on their individual situation and needs. Second, I think it was great that he included such a wide range of options. He included everything in terms of sound equipment, from the built-in microphone on a laptop to a boom microphone for professional-grade sound.

I think it is important to give teachers some sort of idea for the future. While they may only have a very limited budget and no administrative support when they start, Ohler is showing them they can still start this kind of a program. He is also showing them that once it starts going, there are amazing places you can take the program to create some very professional material, which in turn creates an even bigger buzz for additional support. Ohler said it perfectly in his "motto"

"One eye focused on today's classroom, the other looking down the road."

Jason B. Ohler. Digital Storytelling in the Classroom: New Media Pathways to Literacy, Learning, and Creativity (p. 167). Kindle Edition.

The educational community needs more resources like the one Ohler provides; to not only recommend the software needed for different projects, but to offer advice on how to apply it to the classroom, including the "pros and cons." Thank you Ohler!

Video #2 Lisa Goes to Rome

Video #1- The Countertop!