Assignment:
Visual essay: the digital movie
This option gives you the chance to tell a coherent story via moving images, using either iMovie from Apple or MovieMaker from Microsoft. Essentially, you wil become the producer, editor, director, and (if need be) actor for this project. It's really easy and doesn't take a George Lucas to complete. Trust me. Here are your options:
1. Digital Storytelling
Don't know what digital storytelling is? No problem. You can go to: www.storycenter.org. To do this option, first you must come up with a story to tell. You only have 4 - 6 minutes, so you should be clear and concise in your approach. The story should have a point to it and you will need to construct a logical introduction, body and conclusion to the narrative. You shouldn't just do a video of your recent garden party because it was fun and your Aunt Ethel was a bit tipsy. This would be cute, but not much depth. However, you could tell the story of your recent garden party if it was a family reunion that gathered four generations of your family together in one place for the first time in 20 years. The story you tell should have meaning and make a valid point. Understand the difference?
Next you should develop the visuals that will support your story. Visuals can come from a variety of sources: digital images you've taken, print images scanned in, digital video that you've shot, or from a variety of other places. My concern here will be that the images and/or video you show has a relevant point to your story. Remember - the two need to complement each other when presented. Images should not be chosen merely to satisfy the requirements of this course. Rather, they should be chosen thoughtful attention to detail and storytelling.
Third, you should consider your audio. You can use music, narration, or a combination. Really, the only difference in using iMovie and MovieMaker is that M.M. only allows you to have two tracks, iMovie allows more than two. This means that you get to choose between sound or narration at one time, with iMovie you can have narration over music and images.
Examples:
- A Vision of Students Today
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2. Visual Lesson
Teachers are always looking for new ways to educate their students. With the advent of YouTube, Facebook, and MySpace, the digital realm has come alive as a teaching tool.
You don't have to be a formal teacher (K-12, college, etc.) to do this assignment. Perhaps you are a trainer, manager, or leader in a restaurant. Use the concept of "teaching" and "lesson" in the broadest way possible.
You should first choose a concept that you would like to teach your "students." Make it real, don't invent one for this assignment ("Toulmin's Model of Argumentation" versus "Astrophysics" - which one would you like to watch???). Next, you should probably map out the best way to teach this concept to the viewer. Do you need to show it, then describe it, then show it again? Do you need to lead the viewer through the process? How interactive does it need to be? Knowing your audience will make this an easy part of the creative process.
Next, should include your images, video, narratives, etc. Finally, the best way to see if your lesson works is to have someone "do it" for you. Check to see if there are any missing steps and then re-edit it accordingly.
Examples:
- Beginning Guitar Lesson on Chords
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- Using Voice to Enhance Image
- Tips for Public Speaking
- How to Write Your Book
3. Promotional Video
Let's say you have a business that wants to generate new clients. One way you might do this is to create a leave-behind piece. Traditionally, this might be a promotional kit or a few sample works, depending on what you are selling. But what if you created a promotional video for all to see? It can be done, and this is an option for your movie.
Following are a couple of examples. One is a relatively straightforward presentation and the other combines music and visuals to sell not just a place to hold a wedding, but an emotional reason for "buying."
Examples:
- Cancun Wedding Consultant
- The Future is Now: Presentation to RU Board of Governors
- Additional Requirements for Digital Movies
You should develop visuals that will support your digital movie. Visuals can come from a variety of sources: digital images you've taken, print images scanned in, digital video that you've shot, or from a variety of other places. My concern here will be that the images and/or video you show has a relevant point to your project. Remember - the two need to complement each other when presented. Images should not be chosen merely to satisfy the requirements of this course. Rather, they should be chosen thoughtful attention to detail and storytelling.
You should also consider your audio. You can use music, narration, or a combination of both (if necessary). Really, the only difference in using iMovie and MovieMaker is that M.M. only allows you to have two tracks, iMovie allows more than two. This means that you get to choose between sound or narration at one time, with iMovie you can have narration over music and images.
Once completed, you should output your video narrative into a format I can play either on a PC or Mac. Quicktime usually works well, however I can also open a variety of other file types. Check with me if you have any questions about formatting.
A 1 to 2 page document must accompany your project, outlining your vision of the video narrative, why you chose this option, the story you are wanting to tell, the rationale for the theme, color, images, copy, etc. and what impact you want it to have on viewers. In other words, reflect back on the process and product and discuss the relevance it has to the visual communication principles and concepts discussed in class.
Visual essay: using photography and perspective
This assignment allows you the opportunity to create your own visual communication using a medium that most people own: a camera. One of the unifying concepts found in visual communication is perspective. From the way in which humans view art, to the sense of perspective in designing advertisements, to that of the viewfinder found in cameras and projectors, perspective is a unifying force. As such, you will be focusing (pun intended) on the use of perspective in different locations.
4. Perspectives
First, you will need to find a usable camera. Any kind will do...35mm, point-and-shoot, APS, digital, Polaroid, or a throw away bought at Meijers for $3.99. I'm not looking for fine art quality prints, but rather, clarity in communicating your view of perspective. My focus will be on how well you use the concept of perspective as evidenced in your photographs.
Next, I would like you to find 4 different locations to photograph. Each place should be of a different type. For instance, don't shoot 4 different restaurants or 4 different classrooms. Likewise, make sure each place offers you various points-of-view (perspectives). Shoot each location from a minimum of 4 different perspectives. However you define the concept of "perspective" is up to you. The only requirement is that each image you shoot must be from a different perspective. In total, you should have 16 different images to work with.
Finally, I would like you to take each set of images and write one to two paragraphs which discusses how shooting it from different perspectives affects the viewer. What effects do you see by looking at the same location from different perspectives? What makes them different? What makes them the same? How does it impact the viewer, or perhaps, those being portrayed in the image? In other words, reflect back on the process and product and discuss the relevance it has to visual communication. Attach the photographs to the page with its respective paragraph(s) either with paperclips, tape, staples or into the document digitally. Text should have 1" margins, be double-spaced, and adhere to standards of grammar and spelling. Most importantly...have fun and be creative.
5. visual essay: photo essayCreate a journalistic photo essay on a topic of your choice, using 8 photographs carefully selected from at least 20 that you will shoot (and submit with the project). Here are some suggested topic areas:
- An event -- a festival, athletic event, news event, celebration (not a family birthday party, please)
- A profile of an interesting person -- a professional of some kind, someone with an interesting hobby, career, or story to tell (such as a veteran or older person with a history)
- A social problem or issue as reflected in a person or group of people. (a union, church group, neighborhood, etc.)
- Profile of an interesting group of people -- a church, a club, a company)
Deliverable:
- 8 photos that tell the story, with captions
- 20 photos that represent your "out-takes."
- 1-1/2 to 2 page paper that tells the full story reflected in the photos. You will be evaluated according to rules of grammar and writing style as well as the photographic content.