Good Morning! Today we will be recording our first footage for editing. Our goal for today is to capture student interviews on the subject of #hellohumankindness. Below are a set of questions. Although out of the ordinary, I am going to ask you to write down both the questions (and your responses) on a piece of binder paper that can be taken with you. This process should take ~20 minutes.
- What is your name? Grade? Age?
- What is kindness to you? Feel free to include an example.
- How is being kind important in our everyday lives? How can you being kind make a difference in our community?
- What qualities make you a good person at school and at home?
- Suggest a few things you (or those around you) can do (think kindness) to make your community a better place. Can't think of any - check out https://goo.gl/OI3r66
- Yesterday we spoke about #bestmedicine. Is unkindness and/or hurtfulness in our society a result of people being stressed out or is it something else? Explain (ie. The violence and lack of compassion I witness from time to time in our communities is a result of people being overworked, overtired and overcommitted)
- What can people (you) do to ensure they are in a mental state capable of being kind? Give a suggestion.
- Do you believe #hellohumankindness is important to our community and our future? Explain why.
After responding to the questions, what other questions (if any) come to mind that you feel should be addressed as part of this video. Obviously the message we are discussing is ours to send, not just mine. The questions I have posed are an example of one step you need to take before you begin any type of documentary style film. On your paper, write down the other questions you think might help send the message you want to send in your video and be prepared to share it with your team when the time comes.
Now - let's think about how to ensure this actually comes across well in a video:
- Play by the rules - Some people feel that rules restrict them too much. However, if you're trying to control the visual messages your video is sending, you need an understanding of traditional rules of composition. Then when you go about breaking the rules, you'll be able to do so with purpose and intent!
- The Rule of Thirds - When framing your subject, move the camera so that the prominent subject elements fall along one of the third lines, preferably at a point where those lines intersect. That means that centering your subject in the frame will create a less interesting composition.
- Room at the top - Too much headroom makes the person appear to be sinking. Most novice photographers and videographers will frame shots of people with too much headroom. Too little headroom places visual emphasis on the person's chin and neck. When framing shots of people, pay attention to where the eyes appear. Follow the rule of thirds and place the subject's eyes on the upper third line.
- Most of your shots will include background elements that are part of the location where you're shooting. Make sure what's in the background of your shot doesn't draw your viewer's attention from your main subject.
- Background clutter or distracting objects, like an overflowing garbage bin, can usually be avoided by repositioning your camera (moving it left or right, framing a tighter shot, changing the camera angle) or moving your subject.
And some other more general tips:
- Have the Subject Look Right at You
- Ask the Subject to Repeat the Question Before Answering
- Always Look at the Subject When They Are Talking to You
- Don’t Turn Off the Camera too Early or Start it Too Late
- Bring Your Outline and Questions with You!
