481 – FINAL PROJECT

points 550

Assigned: Wednesday, September 30, 2020

This is your chance to use what we’re discussing this semester to tell a compelling story and interesting story about a person, subject, event, etc.

The overall goal is to create a compelling story y0u are proud of. Something you could use in your portfolio.

Good video stories are active. Something must happen in your video.
Good video stories are interesting. They use natural sound, interesting visuals, smart editing, to tell the story.
Good video stories have a strong story. Take us somewhere. Show us. Reveal something we didn’t know.

Your story should focus on one of the key topics for the semester: COVID-19, Protests over policing and race or the Presidential Election. But that leaves lots of room for your own interests and ideas. Think about what interests you, and what stories make you curious or passionate.

Due:

  • Tuesday, October 13,  by 10:00 pm –  Send me your proposal via Canvas.
    • (50 points. No points if you don’t have a story. I will deduct points if your story changes after this date)
    • Proposal should include specifics:
      1. A one-sentence pitch – What is the story? Is there a conflict or goal?
      2. An expanded explanation of the story/characters/narrative:
        • Who is the main character(s)
        • Who else will you need to interview
        • What visual opportunities are there
        •  Tell me your basic plan on what footage you’ll need to shoot, who you would like to interview and why someone would want to watch your documentary on this subject.
        • Briefly ‘storyboard’ the project. What do you see as the visuals you will need, and how will you get them.
        • Answer the question ‘Why should we care?’

**Please Remember this is a journalism class. Your project must be a documentary, NOT fiction. Your subjects must be actually doing what they do – we do not pose, recreate or reenact in this class**

  • Wednesday, October 14 – pitch story idea in class.  60 seconds to pitch your idea. “My story is about…and it is interesting because…”
  • 1st EDIT: Sunday, November 1st by 10:00 pm -Turn in your entire project to that point – all raw video/audio/stills along with exported rough cut in Box. First Critique. Export and show the highlights of your project – best video or audio – something you’d like feedback on. You MUST have something to show for class. No longer than two minutes! (50pts)  
  • 2nd EDIT: Sunday, November 15th by 10:00 pm – Turn in your entire project. Critique second shoot – you should have a strong sense of your story at this point with good broll and or your interview. No longer than two minutes.
    • (50 points) Turn in your entire project to that point – all raw video/audio/stills along with exported rough cut
  • 3rd EDIT: Week of November 29th – third edit – Turn in your project by 10:00 pm on the night before your one-on-one meeting.  By this date you should have a solid audio track in place – we should hear your story unfold.
    • (50 points) Turn in your entire project to that point – all raw video/audio/stills along with exported rough cut
    • Submit first draft of your text story (25pts)
  • FINAL PROJECT DUE: Wednesday, December 9th– Final project due – in Box BEFORE CLASS STARTS:
    • (300 points)
    • Entire Project on server plus:
      • Final video exported and on server (250 pts)
        • Hi-Res Vimeo 1080 and still image for your ‘poster frame’
      • Text story to accompany video – this should NOT simply repeat the video content but can add details and context that didn’t fit into the video narrative. (50pts)

video_workflow

Goal: Create a character-driven video story on a person, issue, theme, topic, etc. Using all the skills we’ve practiced and discussed this semester.

Storytelling. It’s all about how you tell the story.

There is no set length for the final project. I expect most will be in the 2-4 minute range – but storytelling and technical proficiency matter MUCH more than length.

Name your project folder:
First_Last_FINALPROJECT

Name the outputted video
First_Last_FINALPROJECT.mp4

Name your text story:
First_Last_FINALPROJECT.txt

Name your poster frame:
First_Last_FINALPROJECT.jpg

 

FINAL PROJECTS

NAME PROJECT
Amanda Kulijof BLM activists
Kaitlyn Waskowitz Election Day
Nick Guarna Rug makers
Andrew Field Nick Dawkins
Alex Accorsi Transgender student
Hailey Commons William “The Plant Man” Rebert
Autumn Dozier Pandemic’s impact on business
Allison D’orazio Penn State seniors
Yibing Pan Security Guard

 Heavy on the Heart

Fringes

 

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