Originality and Creativity

0:01 - Logo
When the documentary starts, the logo comes on without any music in the background. I feel like the logo should have included the 'purpose' music but the title sequence already included the music together and it was hard to separate it as the title sequence has a fixed music that follows the beat. I made this logo because our group all decided to show who we are (what group we are) in the beginning. The logo is an infinity sign with our name "K.A.L.A.B" on it because the 'kalab' represents our first initials combined together and it also sounds like the word collaboration.

0:05 - Title Sequence
The title sequence includes the start of the music 'purpose' and it shows what role we play in the video.

0:19 - Start of documentary -
When the documentary starts it plays a small clip of the "busy" Hong Kong at night, with a voice over of Lala, speaking with an iPhone microphone to record the sound. We didn't us any high tech, microphone as it was recorded in a quiet place so there wouldn't be much background noise to disturb the voiceover.

0:26 - Subtitles
I added some subtitles over the voiceover to highlight the main points so it could get the attention both, visually and audibly.

1:01 - Old Man
I added the clip of the old man rocking forward and backward while fidgeting when Lala (voiceover) started talking about how the group that particularly suffer from Poverty in Hong Kong are the cities elders.

1:10 - Animation
I had to make some animation for the video as my product technician only sent me 3 videos and I didn't want to make the documentary boring by repeating the videos over and over again.
While doing the animation, I used the application 'biteable.com' and 'powtoon.com' to make the animation. I had to make multiple adjustments from the draft as the first animation draft video didn't really match the voiceovers and most people told me to add subtitles so they could understand what the voiceover is saying. I wanted to be more of a colorful animation and more cartoony animation to get more of the younger generations attention and make them understand what poverty really is and how it affects our world. I wanted to aim for the younger generation as they aren't really aware of what's really happening and how this issue is affecting and destroying our world. Getting the younger generation aware of what's really happening maybe do something to help this issue as they get older.

1:28 - Homeless animation
The homeless paper animation of the old man was a clip found on a website that was a free template and at first, I wasn't going to use it but it really matched our topic and what we talked about and since it was free, we only took a part of the clip and not the whole.
I added it because of not only the paper animation fits really well with our topic and what we say but also how it fits with our theme and can really get the viewer (audience) attention.

1:57 - Burning money
The reason why I added the burning money clip was to emphasize the fact that we are all just spending our money constantly for things we don't really need and it's just going down the drain/ burning. I tried to make the animation slow down a bit when the money was sinking and burning to give it a more dramatic effect / look.

2:20 - Rise of population
At first, the animation was growing larger instead of shrinking and I didn't think it really worked well as the voiceover was talking about the opposite thing so I decided to reverse the animation and time it with the voiceover to make it match and not oppose to what the voiceover was talking about.

3:15 - Interview - Name
When the first interviewee started talking, I think our product technician used an iPhone camera and microphone to record to what he was saying. Whilst editing I had to use background reduce the effect and enhance the voice of the interviewee. I added a subtitle introducing who it was and what job they were.

Improve:
Next time what I would do to try and improve this video was maybe pushed my team to record more videos and interviews and use clear audio. Add subtitles to the interview as the audio wasn't clear enough and maybe recreate the old man animation.

Evaluation

Final Video:

Aim 1:
To make sure my audio fits in with the story/ documentary well

Objective:
Find a slow music that can bring the mood to a more calm and subtle story.
Find a best fitting tone that can flow with the documentary and not bore the viewer watching.

Evaluation:
Strengths:
The music I used was purpose by Justin Bieber, instrumental version(piano) . I feel like since it was popular and many people may have knew this song so it could have catch the the viewer's attention. With this music, it brings a emotionless mood with a nice calm vibe as its a instrumental piano piece. It's a pretty sad and slow song but with the piano it adds a bit of depth to the music and raises up the mood. I lowered the volume of the audio when there was quiet audios and interviews as it was a bit hard to hear what they were saying.

Weakness:
I feel like it was really repetitive and I should have used different variety of songs similar to that to keep the watchers interested.

Improve:
If I did this again, I would use different musics that are similar to this music so it wouldn't sound as repetitive and lose the viewers watching interest. By using different music could also change some of the mood to what the voice over is saying and what the interviewee is saying.

Aim 2:
Having a nice quality video and try adjusting the sound quality.

Objective:
If the audio is bad ask the production technician to re-record it.
Try to steady the video by using a video alignment tool.

Evaluation:
Strengths:
I tried really hard to reduce the background noise, I think that the audio was better than it was originally but still not as good.

Weaknesses:
I feel like the audio wasn't as good as it should be because the product technician used an iPhone and there was a lot of background noise.

Improve:
I would ask the product technician to ask the interviewee to either re-record the audio or add subtitles for the viewers watch.

Draft Video:

We had to produce a poverty video conveying a message of how does poverty affect Hong Kong and how important it . 

Pros

• Music matches the theme
• Nice animation
• Nice graphics
• Information matches
• Nice cuts and transition
• Great slides
• Smooth transition
• Animation makes it fun to watch

Cons

• For questions use different text
• Music is repetitive
• Background music a bit loud
• Maybe try adding subtitles

1. Awareness of YOUR creative decisions
2. Add visual screen shots
3. "I did ___ because"
4. Note a list or description of process or steps taken
5. Explain the decisions or reason behind the process

I added "Justin Bieber, Purpose Instrumental" for the background music because it had a soft beat and in my opinion, it gave the video a sad vibe and feeling. In the beginning I added a quick logo we decided to make just to show who we are and what are group name is. Then I added the title sequence my group member made, then it goes straight into the video.

In the video, it started off with some footage of Hong Kong at night, that my production technician took. While that was playing I added the first voiceover. I followed the script my director made while adding some titles(text), music, videos and animations to make the story flow more and make it look more appealing. In the first voice over, it wasn't very clear so I had to reduce the background noise and make the audio a bit louder. I also added some text to highlight the main points of what the person in the voice over is saying.

After using all the Hong Kong videos my production technician sent me. I didn't know what to use, as there were more voice overs left and I didn't want to repeat the videos as it can get boring so I had to make some animation. The animation I used were pretty rushed and I asked some of my friends to help me / teach me how to make them. I didn't think the animation really matched the video and voice overs so I took notes to make a whole animation from scrap after showing the first draft.

I used multiple animation tools to make the animation and I found one free animation video that really matched the whole story/ message we were trying to give. (The old man drawing video)

In the interview I used, iMovie text to make the titles and questions, but after publishing it and re-watching it multiple times I decided to redo the titles in the beginning of the interview to make it look more interesting and eye-catching. I added a text bar on the bottom left corner to explain who we were interviewing and what role he is. I cut out all the useless stuff like stuttering, long pauses and the irrelevant stuff the interviewee were talking about. I had to enhance the audio and reduce the background noise as the production technician used a phone instead of a proper microphone and camera to video it.

Objectives

Collaborative Dispositions

Social Dispositions (Green Section) - Good at

1. Active Listener
2. Translator
3. Relations Manager

Task Dispositions (Blue Section) - Important for role

1. Shaper
2. Out of the boxer
3. Evaluator

Dysfunctional Disposition (Red Section) - Happens in group situations and need to work on

1. Dead Weightier
2. Bad Mouther
3. Perfectionist

Collaborative Skills

Collaborating with empathy
How do you demonstrate the social dispositions?
Every time our group makes up an idea, I would be the one that asks most of the questions and how to develop it even further. I would usually be quiet and write down all the ideas because I always have a pen and paper handy with me. When we have some complications I would try my best and solve them because personally, I know most of them really well as close friends so when there is some misunderstanding I would try to put it in the way they understand it. Like I said I personally know most of them really well so sometimes I can tell how they feel about the idea, by their facial expressions and mood.

How do you speak up for your own rights and needs within a group?
If I ever need to speak up, I wouldn't yell at them or scream. I would try to do it peacefully by just asking them nicely if they could maybe listen to this idea I have. If they wouldn't listen, I would tell one person and ask them to pass it on around the group. (It usually works)

How do you show sensitivity to others’ feelings, needs, and cultures?
I think that our group has a good connection with each other because most of us have a lot of things in common and usually we try to be really open with each other so if one of us are offended by anything they would just speak up. When someone is in need of something I would listen to them because it could be really important and might help with our work. If we don't like an idea we would just try and compromise by adding another idea with it or combining it with something else.

How do you give sensitive feedback to others?
My group is pretty honest with each other so if there's something needed to be said we would just tell each other.

How do you react to feedback from others?
First we talk about the feedback and how we can improve. After we want to be positive so we talk about what we did well and what people enjoyed. We learn from the feedback from others instead of rejecting it and criticising their opinions.


How well do you avoid demonstrating the dysfunctional dispositions?
Sometimes we do have some dead weight but when we do we would communicate on our whatsapp group chat or mail each other talking about what we need to do and finish before our next lesson and we usually give each other a lists of things to do. We do get off track at times and talk about random things instead of doing our work but I think that doing that can help us with our bond in a way if we don't overdo it. We would always have one group member that is concentrated in the work so when we get off track that one member would talk to us and keep us back on track.

Collaborating effectively

How do you give meaningful feedback to others?
When giving feedback every group member has to contribute to the discussion so everyone would know the improvement needed to be fixed, what each of us liked about the creation and how we all can solve it.

How do you act upon feedback that you receive from others?
I would be silent and listen to what they have to say. I would rethink the feedback multiple times and try to apply it and use it to develop my work to create a better outcome.

How well do you help your group to make decisions?
I think in making decisions we are pretty indecisive so we always go on a vote or pick the one that suits us the best.

How do you demonstrate task dispositions?
Since I'm always writing down things, I would usually write down any idea that pops up in my head even though it may be unrealistic because we can develop it and change it a bit to make it a stronger and creative idea that's suitable for us.
Listen to feedback and not ignore it even though it may be harsh or even if I don't agree.
Being an editor you have to put everything together and make it flow easily and nicely even if the clips may contract each other, so sometimes you need to compromise and try to crop the clips or try to find a connection between the ideas and clips.

How do you decide when to lead, when to co-lead and when to follow?
When things are going downhill...

How do you decide when to talk and when to listen?
When someone has an idea I would support them and listen to whatever they have to say or what idea they have. I wouldn't shut them down instantly as it may be a good idea. If I treat them the way they wanted to be treated they would do the same.

How can you act as a chair?
I can act as a chair by communicating with my group on Whats-app every day or at least once every 2 days to check up on how much they have finished, what they need help on and if everyone is on the same page.

How can you ensure that your group makes clear and fair decisions?
When we make decisions we would always double check with everyone to see if they agree and if it's a good idea. To make it fair we would try our best to let everyone contribute to the idea and if someone doesn't like it we can either add something or "shape" it to try to make it suitable for everyone.

How well can you ensure that your group achieves its aim?

Same as the chair answer, seeing if everyone is on task and on the same page. When we all work together efficiently our group can achieve the aim much quicker and easier. 

Objectives

1. At least a 5 minute documentary
2. Don't overuse transitions
3. Have the music quiet but you can still hear it
4. HD Format
5. Present to Audience
6. Don't let the music overpower the voice over
7. Balance of B an A roll
8. Story Flow

Editing Interviews

Task:

In this task I had to edit multiple interviews together to make one whole interview by using the videos provided on ISLE. I also needed to add at least a 2-3 B-rolls or cutaways to show and portray the message the video is trying to make and is what relevant to what the interviewee says.

First, I downloaded some interviews with the audio separated from it. Then, I uploaded it onto imovie. I had to try and align the separate audio I downloaded to the original video. To do this, I had to align the loud clap in the beginning like how they use the clapperboard in movies. The clap or click of the board is easy for us, editors to pick out on the audio track and match to the visual of the clapper clapping on the film, syncing the moving picture with the sound. 

Next, I cut out the video where the questions has been asked and replaced them with the titles that iMovie provided so you can read the question and it's easier to understand. After that, I cut out parts where the interviewee stutters and pauses for a long time as it can be distracting and boring. Finally I added some images I found on the internet that matches what the interviewee said as it will make it more visually appealing and more interesting that just watching them talk. 

Importance of Audio

Why is Audio important?

Usually, when the sound quality is good it goes unnoticed because it matches what we expect to hear

When the sound quality is bad, it is obvious, as it may be distracting and it cheapens the quality of the video even if the visual could have been perfect and amazing.

Having voice-overs or any kind of dialogue is the easiest way to show the message as they tell the story using words. It can help develop the scenes and actors emotions.

The sound also helps you get the message across.

Eg.

When you're watching a video without audio

• You aren't as captured in the video
• It's easy to turn away
• It's easy to lose focus

Having sound effects/ audio makes the environment realistic and you feel more involved. It adds depth to the visual video, and it can make the audience to feel a certain way towards a certain character during a specific moment in the film. Sometimes it may build a connection between the audience and the character. Simple audio like people walking (footsteps) can add realism to the visual. Adding audio can also change the mood or the way you interoperate the video.

Eg.
Imagine without audio a guy standing in the forest alone looking around, now by imagining or adding a audio in the background for example like footsteps and the sound of the breeze blowing through, it can add tension, suspense and a dark scary mood to the whole scene.

Heres another one, imagine a guy or girl sitting in the train staring through the window, watching the view. If you add a light sad music in the background it conveys the girl/guy may be sad or going through a rough time so they look out the window, wanting to be alone.
If you add scary suspense music it changes the mood of the scene completely, because now it shows that something bad is going to happen or scary.
Finally, if you add happy music to the scene, it may just look like the girl/guy is just admiring the view and is happy.

Importance of Audio Test

The purpose of Transitions in Editing

Transitions

Quiz

What I learned

In editing the transition, the editing shouldn't draw attention to themselves. Their job is to subtly support the video story or message.

• Edits shouldn't pop out
• Edits should relate to topic
• It's ok to have simple cuts
• The simpler the better 

Editing is a subtle art. Telling a great story together takes more than a strong interview and dynamic b-roll. How you weave those elements together is crucial to keeping your audience engaged.

AVOID STAR WIPES AT ALL COST!!!

Types of Transitions

• Dissolve
• Light Flash
• Cut
• Cut Away
• Fade to or From Black
• Particle Wipe

THE DISSOLVE

It is an editing technique where one clip dissolves, or fade into the next clip. As the first clip is fading away/out, it gets lighter and lighter, the second clip starts fading in, becoming more and more prominent. The process usually happens so subtly and so quickly.

• Good way to maintain flow

Commonly used throughout television today

Basic definition: Visually smooth transition between one or more shorts or scenes that dissolve from one shot to the next

When to use it:

• Slow paced documentary
• If your A-roll interviewee is describing something, you could dissolve from B-roll shot to B-roll shot as he or she is describing it
• Slowly dissolving from photograph to photograph can be very effective, especially if you want to invoke nostalgia in the viewer

When working with dissolve

• Allow for handles

Handles: short sequences that will lead up to and follow the transition of a dissolve

• You need enough video to perform the dissolve correctly

CUT

The most common transition is the “cut.” This is simply one video clip changing instantly to the next shot.

Cuts are the best way to keep the action or momentum moving along at a good pace.

Used 98-99% of video transitions you see on television or film.

Frequently be placed within a single scene to determine the scene’s pace or what different shots the director wants to be seen on screen

• Its subtle and quick
• Important to know and learn cutting with a specific purpose in mind.

When to use it:

• You should use cuts when you’re in the midst of a video segment.
• Other transitions usually mark a change in the story, setting or theme
• Cuts are also great when editing to the beat of music.

Cutting on the action 

• Editor cuts from one shot to another different shot that matches the intensity of the action of the pervious shot
• 2 Shots can be completely different, but cutting on the action the two shots can show a continuity from one to another
• Simply by the correct placement

Rapid Cutting

• Sequence of rapid cuts using either a suspenseful action packed or high impact montage type of film sequence

FADE

Two key transitions are fade-up from black and fade to black. Fading in from a single color, such as black, conveys a sense of “beginning.”  And nothing says “the end” like a fade to black

Two main types of fade:

Fade In

• Marks the start or the beginning of a sequence or film

Fade Out/ Fade to Black

• Marks the end of a film or the end of a sequence of film

Fading into or out of black, the audience becomes more aware that the focus is being moved from one scene to another

Practical Editing

First Edit Sequence

Strengths: Quick cut scenes gives tension
Quick cut from driver and crash matches well

Weakness: Wasn't clear how it crashed

Improve: Add the clip where it almost runs into the crates

Second Edit Sequence

Task?

Storyboard

Video

Strengths: Lots of clear cut scenes
Stairs and lift sort of blends together and matches

Weakness: Ending a bit confusing

Improve: In the ending add the clip where the lady is watching through the window
+Already included