My Project

 

For my final project, my groupmates and I decided to create a short movie based on a ficticious premise.  It involved filming on-location at three different sets in 95-degree heat.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Homeboy Valet.pps 

 

The Process

 

We began by brainstorming for a fun idea to incorporate all that we had learned.  We settled on the idea of a courthouse interview following a civil trial.  To provide some background information about the trial, we wanted to film the incidents that led to the need for a civil trial.  I created a rudimentary storyboard to illustrate what each scene would contain.  I also composed a script to help each of us understand our roles within each scene.

 

Using a Canon Optura digital video camera, tripod, one corded and one cordless microphone, we set out for the courthouse.  We chose the courthouse first, not because of its importance or sequence in the film, but because of its proximity.  We set up on the front lanai of the Lycoming County Courthouse to conduct a mock-interview with the Plaintiff (Ali Confer) and the Defendent (Brian McGonigal).  We were even fortunate enough to have a volunteer bystander participate for an opinion piece.

 

After getting changed out of our "court clothes", we drove over to the Williamsport Regional Airport.  This is where we spent most of our time, due to some technical difficulties with the microphones and some on-the-fly creativity.  We started with Ali pulling her car up to the curb of the airport, where she see's Brian, whom she believes is a valet parking attendent.  In a rush, she hands her keys off to Brian with some quick parking instructions, and he drives away as she enters the airport.  Upon arriving back at the airport (presumably from Hawaii), she quickly learns that her car was not valet-parked, but in fact, stolen.  Ali calls her OnStar service to locate her car, but they recommend that she walks to it.  And that she does- miles and miles away. 

 

Our final location is a grassy field with a dumpster, where Ali finally finds her car.  A joyous run across the field to embrace her long lost car ended our filming for the day.

 

I edited the raw footage using Windows Movie Maker, adding some personal MP3 files for effect.  We used Apple's iMovie program to include voice-overs (looping?) within the dialogues.

 

 

Using in-camera editing in the classroom

 

As a science teacher, I feel an invaluable way to incorporate in-camera editing would be to have students work in groups to demonstrate the scientific method.  The fact that the scientific method is a linear six-step process lends itself perfectly to in-camera editing.  Students can visualize and film each of the six steps in order.

 

 

Using a NLE software in the classroom

 

In the past, my students have helped create an "survival" video for next year's students.  By that I mean that towards the end of the year, a select group of students will participate in a short film that shows how to succeed in the eighth grade.  Students discuss what they learn in each class, their favorite and least favorite projects and lessons, etc.  They also discuss some keys to having a successful year, how to "fit in", and basically just how to get the most out of their eighth grade year.  I also interview the teachers to get their perspective on how their students can achieve success.  I edit the raw footage using Windows Movie Maker software.