Video Scavenger Hunt

I got this idea from an art teacher in the Minneapolis School District.

Use your camera to record...

1. A wall without many distracting lines, shapes, or colors. (Simple Background)
2. Record someone on the other side of a window.
3. An outside wall, show the entire length but keep the camera as close as possible to the wall. (Using lines to show Perspective and Depth)
4. Almost the entire length of sidewalk with the camera placed in a way that it almost touches the ground. (Ground Shot)
5. Someone sitting on the ground while you hold the camera above your head. (High Angle) Then you sit down on the ground and point the camera up to someone standing above you. (Inferior/Superior POV)
6. Someone walking away from the camera while the camera follows at waist height.
7. Someone walking over your other shoulder as you lay on the ground, the camera should not touch the ground.
8. Someone walking up to the camera but stopping 4 inches away. Pause the camera. Someone walking away from the camera starting from 4 inches away. (Through the Body)
9. Someone standing between 2 vertical lines, or someone's face between 2 vertical lines. (Framing shot)
10. Someone at the bottom of a slide, the camera at the top. (Using lines to create depth.)
11. Someone standing, the camera near the ground pointing up to the person's head and the camera twisted at about 45 degrees. (Dutch Angle)
12. Someone far away. Pause the camera. That same person then really close. (Wide Establishing Shot/Extreme Close-up)(background/foreground)
13. Someone standing, the camera moves in while you zoom out. (JAWS Shot)
14. A locker door opening from the point of view inside the locker. (POV)
15. Spin in a circle without falling down with the camera pointing at your face. (Whip shot)Then do it with the camera pointing away from you.
16. A close-up on someone's eyes and zoom out.
17. Camera moves in while 2 people walk past.
18. One person holds right hand, palm facing sky. Another person goes way behind them until it looks like that person is standing on the first person's palm. (Forced Perspective)
19. Someone's silhoette-film somebody in front of a window or use the projector's light.
20. Look for a pattern somewhere in the surroundings.


This exercise is intended to accomplish a few things at once.
A. Get you to ask questions.
B. Get you to interpret and follow directions.
C. Get you to think about different camera positions and what they are used for.
D. Get you to work with your team.
E. Get you to handle your camera carefully in unfamiliar ways.

7 Elements of a Digital Story

Resource: StoryCenter.org

1. Interesting Point of View
2. Dramatic Question (Tension, Conflict, Problem, Obstacle, Desire, Twist)
3. Emotional Content
4. Voice
5. Music and Effects
6. Economy (show just enough to communicate your intent)
7. Pacing

What is the secret to making a good movie?

If I remember correctly, Steven Spielberg was asked this question. He suggested that it was a combination or weaving together of three factors:

1. Powerful visual images.
2. Powerful story.
3. Powerful soundtrack.

Questionnaire

(class use only-don't post your responses)

1. What famous person would you want to be friends with?
2. What is your favorite game?
3. What would you do on your perfect day?
4. What is your favorite ride at an amusement park?
5. What is your favorite store?
6. If you had to buy something at a dollar store, what would you get?
7. What is your favorite snack?
8. What is your pet's name?
9. What is your favorite movie?
10. Who is your favorite actor?
11. Who is your favorite band or singer?
12. Will you try out for American Idol if you get the chance?
13. What is something that most people don't know about you?
14. Which of the following is the best way to spend time: Video Game, TV, Internet, IPod
15. Name something you would like to squash.

People with Creative Disorder Disease

(I can't remember where I got this from-please let me know who to give credit to.)

Dreamers
Writers
Actors
Cinematographers
Editors
Sound Engineers
Production Managers
Directors
Producers

Common recongizable sympton: their thinking is often characterized by crazy, wild, far-out, illogical, impractical, expensive, abstract, sometimes unspecific, and unrealistic thinking.

They also believe in Chaos Theory-that there is a pattern of order even in the midst of disorder.

Despite their disorder, these kind of people also display a tremendous amount of professionalism.

Group Dynamics Part 2

Suggestions:

Do's:

Be Positive.
Take Turns.
Agree on jobs and roles.
Ask for other opinions.
Contribute where needed.
Pitch-in.
Speak up if there is a problem.
Jump in if there needs to be action.
Be respectful.

Don'ts:

Don't be an anchor.
Don't hold others back.
Don't be a mini-Hitler.
Don't exclude anyone at anytime.
Don't demand your way.
Don't expect to be in charge.
Don't expect to let everyone else lead.
Don't expect your ideas to be worshipped and adored.

Group Dynamics (Are we having fun yet?)

There are 4 basic stages a Video Creations team will progress through.

They are:

1. Formin'

Meet-each-other stage, start getting to know each other. Not everyone acts like themselves, a lot of "nicey-nice" on the surface, but maybe some selfish or self conscious thinking on the inside. Think of the TV show The Bachelor. (-I'm not recommending the show by the way.)

2. Stormin'

Groups really get to know each other. Competition and acting out occur. Group members fight for their own ideas. Some group members try to convince others how much they know and overly defend their ideas. Other members will sometimes completely distract the group from the task at hand. Cooperation, leadership, and how decisions are made are real problems in this stage. Think of the TV show Survivor or The Apprentice.

3. Normin'

The group becomes more motivated and excited about the project. The group starts trusting and agreeing on things. Work actually gets done peacefully. Sometimes, the group agrees too quickly or too automatically in this stage. Some members will sacrifice their creative idea in order to preserve harmony even if the stormin' stage has already passed. This sometimes results in losing a creative solution or better idea. Think of the TV show Deal or No-Deal or The Amazing Race. This stage actually requires a lot of supervision. How come?

4. Performin'

The group functions as a strong unit. Even conflicting ideas are considered in an organized manner. Decisions are agreed on and everyone supports the decision when it is made. The group can get things done with a minumum of conflict and requires little supervision. Think of the TV show The Unit. (-Maybe. I haven't really watched the show that much.)

Survival Tips

1. Break problems down into smaller steps. Be a problem solver, not a complainer. (This is called being pro-active.)
2. Slow down. Concentrate on one step at a time.
3. Seek direction. Seek new ideas from others. Seek challenges. (There's a reason its called Project SEEK.)
4. If you hit a wall, roadblock, or any kind of obstacle: STOP (Stop what you are doing, Take a drink of water and Take a breather, Observe your surroundings and Observe what people are doing around you, then Proceed with what you were attempting to do.)
5. Set your priorities. Don't be too impulsive before jumping into action. STOP and think about what needs to be done first, second and third. This is what I mean by setting your priorities.
6. Tell others around you what they are doing right. (Especially if you notice your group starting to bicker.)
7. If you still can't get things moving, then start asking lots of questions. Be honest with each other. Ask if anyone else is confused. Ask if anyone has an idea. Ask for help.
8. Use your common sense. It's impossible to spell out everything you can/can't do in this class, but at this point in your life you should have an understanding of what is acceptable/unacceptable behavior in different settings.
9. Think through your decisions. Get input from as many others as time permits.
10. You are being given a lot of freedom in this class so know that freedom carries with it responsibility.

Goals for Video Creations

1. Think creatively.
2. Express yourself creatively.
3. Communicate a story through video.
4. Start considering elements of video production when making a video.
5. Start translating your ideas onto a storyboard, shot list, overhead diagram, breakdown of events.
6. To start handling equipment/software expertly.
7. Start realizing that ideas are powerful, even more powerful than your tools.

Class Pledge

Cheesy? Maybe, but I guarantee you will gain more respect and be considered for more responsibility (leadership) by following our class pledge:

"As a member of video creations I will..
respect, honor and serve others,
protect everyone's property and confidence,
humbly accept and seek direction,
and remain hopeful, even when things get difficult."

And a piece of advice: Make others on your team look good; do not just think about yourself.