Rough draft for gentrification

Presentation and Distribution

1. Once I finished the presentation, I was very pleased with the reaction of the audience. They didn't seem to take notice in the flaws that I was very worried would effect the final product. While I am still a little upset that I couldn't get the audio to flow in some of the sections of the clips, from the talking part into the music part, the audience didn't seem to notice. I think throughout my piece were the message that I was trying to convey. I feel that the audio information was complimented nicely by the pictures and the clips of throughout the video. Some of the weaknesses I stated earlier, however something else was brought up to my attention. The background audio in the film is the background for the Sopranos. This could essentially give the audience an unintentional connotation to the film right from the get go and effect the viewing of the film. I have learned that sometimes research is needed before the video is presented. I noticed that this could give the audience a feel different from the one that I wanted to translate, without wanting to. I learned something very valuable after my presentation that I hope to use in my future videos. I learned that no matter what you think about your piece, others may sometimes have a different view of it. The only thing that you can do is to try and make it to the best of your ability and try to achieve your message and goal of the video as effectively as possible.

2. As I stated earlier, I was very pleased with my response. I also received some constructive criticism that I plan to use in my next videos. I feel that I communicated my idea clearly to my audience and thus completing my goals of the project. I have learned of a new problem in the world and i feel that people should be informed of it. I also spoke about some of things that were brought up in my work. I feel that these audio and some visual problems could be fixed in the future, with some guidance with the macs and/or using a different video organizer.

3. I do want to make this video available to a wider audience. I feel that this social issue should be made known to a wider audience because it is something that could potentially effect everyone directly or indirectly, if not already doing so. When I go home, I could send this to some new developers in the city and in other areas where this problem is noticeable. This video I feel, strongly shows the problems in the urban areas with the change, and shows the urgency in the fact that people need to make a change in their way of thinking. We should strive to protect and nurture the culture of these places not change them in to something completely new and displacing families in the process.

Gentrification

Presentation and Distribution

1. The one thing that I am happiest about with this peace is the message that I hope I am able to convey. This topic was something that I really had no idea about. I did hear people talk about it and see certain areas getting nicer but never realized what the effects were on the people to who this was occurring For this project, I not only created a video that I am extremely happy with, but I feel much more educated about a subject that I had little to no knowledge about. There is honestly nothing that I would like to change. There are some minor audio defects that I wish I could change, but because of the format massing up when I tried to fix it, I just left them alone. One of the hardest things that I had to go through was the fact that I had to delete and change some of the things that I really liked about my piece as I showed various people and asked for their opinion.

2. I feel that I will be able to communicate my ideas to my audience effectively. I followed my format that I created before putting the pieces of my video together. I feel that by following this format I will accomplish my goal.

3. I would love for this video to be available to a wider audience. I have learned so much about this topic and I feel that it is something that people from all over the country should know something about it. It is important because it effects everyone. No matter if you live in the city or in the suburbs, this effects everyone's way of life.

Post Production

1. Since the last time I wrote on my blog about the Production stage many things have happened. I decided to change my topic to the gentrification in the inner city caused by new developments and condominiums being constructed in the inner city. Gentrification is a social issue today in my opinion because it forces people out of their homes who have been living in these areas for many years. I portrayed this message throughout the video in various ways. I first interviewed my father who is an attorney and owns a condominium development company. I chose to interview him because he is the most knowledgeable person on the subject. Then I went around the city in the areas where this gentrification is occurring and I filmed various clips showing the change in these neighborhoods. I was extremely interested in learning about this topic and because of this interest, it was much easier to create the video.

2. Technically and visually I am very pleased with the outcome of my video. While there are some places in which the audio for the background music abruptly comes into the video (I couldn't change it because of how it would effect the rest of the video) I am happy with the way it flows throughout the project.

3.4. At this point, I don't feel that there is anything missing from the video. My message is clear and I hope that the audience can see that. The way I chose the footage was that I tried to follow a story/ information format. While my dad was talking I chose pictures and video footage that was relevant to what he was talking about. I first began with what gentrification is, then I showed how it is effecting the people, where it is occurring, and closing it up with a final statement and question to the audience to make their own decision.

5. 6. The elements of the video were constantly evolving throughout the production process. What really helped my throughout the way was that I was following a specific format and I was tying to stick by it. It took me about 3 or 4 times to get the final product just right.

Production

1.) For this last video, I plan on interviewing maybe two or three people. I haven't been able to get that footage because the people I am going to talk to live back at home. In order to make it an effective interview, I plan on using questions that I already have created in order for these people to articulate clearly the message I want to get across.
2.) They action shots that I hope to capture are of people in the streets of Chicago. This video will capture the everyday lives of all different types of people i.e. people from both the manual labor force and corporate America. I have begun with collecting a series of shots from the internet of some of the greatest thinkers and athletes who have ever lived. These shots are to show how people can be so happy in their everyday lives with what they do (in these cases, doing great things). However, i also plan on filming people who are so happy in their lives with so little in their lives. I want to use both perspectives in my video to show that no matter what your goals are, big or small, you can always find a way to be happy.
3.) I plan on having motivational music or sound in the background during this video to try and send a powerful message.
4.) I can see my video opening up with stirring images of famous people who have accomplished so much in their lives. Then I plan on showing people who have little to nothing in their lives and are still extremely happy. I will show throughout the video images of people being happy and having fun and also the interviewees throughout the video. I haven't thought of how the ending will be just yet. I do know it has to be powerful and has to leave a standing impression on the audience.
5.) Currently I am feeling pretty good about my video idea. I don't have much to work with currently, but by the time I return from break, I will have a great video. I think I may still have to tweak my theme of the project, but the main chunk of it is pretty set in stone.

In Class Writing 11/17/08

Editing is always a challenge for me.  For me throughout this class, I have learned to take constructive criticism and to be able to edit my videos.  As always its a struggle for me to begin the editing process because I feel that for most of the time I all of my footage is just great and doesn't need any work!!!  Obviously I know that I have a sort of attachment to my work and that I need to take the criticism constructively and that its ok to change a few things here and there.  I feel that its actually pretty cool to be able to manipulate the footage of someone's video, especially my own.  As we talked about earlier in the course, it really makes you wonder how much of the stuff that you see in the media is actually true.  Editing is different from shooting because in shooting you are just concentrating in getting as much information as possible.  In the editing phase, you are concentrating on taking the footage that you have and transforming it into something that you can communicate with your audience.  I feel that these two aspects really complement each other because if you don't have enough footage or the right footage, you essentially cant edit to the fullest extent, and consequently not be able to inform the message of your video to the audience.