Madison Vale

Reading and Writing

Chapter 7

Chapter 7 focuses on the fundamentals of lighting and emphasizes its role in shaping the mood, tone, and clarity of a scene. This chapter goes over the three-point lighting setup (which we will need for our mini-docs), which includes key light, fill light, and backlight. The chapter discusses how different lighting angles, intensities, and colors can dramatically impact a scene. Practical tips include the importance of controlling exposure, avoiding over or under lighting, and using tools like reflectors, diffusers, and flags to manipulate light effectively. Lighting is not just a technical piece of video but can also be a creative tool used to evoke emotions.

Chapter 9

Chapter 9 provides a guide to the process of creating from start to finish. Emphasizing the importance of preparation and careful organization, including creating shot lists, rehearsing, and scouting locations to avoid surprises come production time. Key filming tips include checking equipment beforehand, paying attention to continuity, and maintaining consistent lighting and sound quality. The chapter also notes that flexibility and problem-solving is key as challenges are bound to arise. The chapter concludes by reminding creators that filmmaking is both a technical craft and a creative process that requires patience, collaboration, and determination.

Research to Inform

Eight Counts – Stories from the Sport of Dance

This episode of the Eight Count Series focuses on Kally Hilton, a senior member of the University of Minnesota Dance Team who was unable to compete last season due to an injury. While this is a very short video, I think it does an incredible job at highlighting Kally’s journey and mindset through her injury through the balance of interview and action clips and has given me inspiration on how I want to set up my project with Alexa.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HVqgWFM1FNU

Taylor Swift and Team USA declare ‘Baby let the Games begin’ | Paris Olympics | NBC Sports

I think this is such a fun and inspiring video that captures the excitement of athletes getting to go to the Paris Olympics. By utilizing strategic L and J cuts between each video keeps a sense of continuity and flow. These cuts are especially cool as they weave together various sport/action videos in spots that make them flow, while athlete interviews cut in and out of the foreground. All while Taylor Swift’s iconic “…Ready For It?” plays.

No Place Like Home

I really like this video and the goal behind it but what throw me off the most about it is the audio levels. I feel like the music is too loud and in attempts to combat that, the voiceover is also loud. Just making it loud all together and as a viewer and listener, it made it harder to follow. This goes to show that importance of not only your video but audio quality. One can hold the other back.

Create

The bulk of my project is going to be completed for the next week. But so far, Alexa and I have been talking about what parts of her story we are going to focus on. We have our official interview set up for Wednesday afternoon and in the meantime, are collecting footage at games and practice to be used to support her interview and as B-Roll. But with this foundation ready to go, I am set up for success.