PROJECT BRIEF 3 REFLECTION AND VIDEO

The interview section of the video may be the most successful part of the video. I framed the shot well and I think the location where I shot it really helped convey the whole topic of the interview. The cutaway shots are the parts of the video I like the least. I was limited in terms of locations I could film the interviewee working and I feel like I wasn’t able to truly show him in action. I would have liked to film him mowing a large backyard and talking with one of his real customers but it would have meant seeking out his customers and making them sign location or personal release forms – something I was wary of doing. Not only this, it would be time consuming if the customer declined or if the customer isn’t even home at the time. The logistics made it hard to realise the vision I had with these cutaways.

Although this was a problem I wished I didn’t have, I was able to learn from it. The lesson I learned is that ‘there is always another way’. Although I may have a specific idea for certain shots, it may not work out the way I want it to. When this happens, it doesn’t mean that it’s over. You can always work with what you have in front of you. I only had my very sparse, grass-less backyard but I was able to film my interviewee pruning a tree and landscaping. The ability to work with what you have is a trait that is essential for any project I may take on. ‘Ingenuity’ is the word for this.

I followed the very standard template of an interview video where you have footage of the interview overlaid with cutaway footage. I believe that I was successful in terms of fulfilling the standard conventions of this template but I know that I could have taken a more creative, unique approach to it or taken more creative risks. Through evaluating other peers rough cuts in class, I was exposed to different and unique ways of tackling the interview. An interview is just getting information from somebody and presenting this information to other people. Therefore, the tone doesn’t have to be the same for every interview ever held. Some interviews are serious and solemn while others are whimsical and casual but at the end of the day they all fall under the ‘interview’ category. This is when my eyes were opened to the possibility of other interview methods.

Another important thing I learned during the process is that other people’s opinions are very helpful and usually needed. It’s good to have a fresh pair of eyes look at your work because they will pick up on things you have glossed over. It may be daunting to show people unfinished work but at the end of the day it could definitely help to improve your work. We’re up to Project Brief 3 now and I am still nervous when it comes to getting feedback but I understand it’s value.