Assignment #5: Moving.Subject

Duration: Three Weeks
Due: April 12
Format: Pairs

In this project, you and a team member are asked to take a real, observable phenomenon and document its history and importance. The final product will be a short documentary video on a subject of your choice—human, animal, oddity, or inanimate object. The subject may be very familiar to you, or something rather foreign, which you wish to investigate further. In either case, your piece should attempt to provide new information, or a fresh perspective on a known subject. Some possible choices:

- Family member or important/meaningful individual (historical or inspirational figure, personal mentor, etc.)
- Monument, building, or location (natural phenomenon, coulees, Waterton Peace Park, etc.)
- Object, product, or brand (everyday tool, scissors, Windex, etc.)
- Band, collective, or social group (sports team, club, etc.)
- Lifestyle, philosophy, or belief system (hippies, pagans, etc.)
- Concept, theory, word (i.s. stupidity)

The first stage involves researching your subject to obtain information and background knowledge, as well as collecting imagery and media elements to integrate into the final production. For this exercise, a large percentage of your visual materials must be derived from still images and existing sources. The remaining can be new filmed material, but the entire piece could be composed entirely from found/archival sources.

You will prepare a script, showing scenes, types of shots, dialogue, voice-overs, captions, stills and graphics. By carefully preparing a storyboard you will more efficiently use your time and reduce the size of each digital video file making your process manageable.

You are also required to have at least one interview with an individual who can provide either information, history, or an opinion on your documentary subject. Other ideas to consider:

- Animated stills and graphics
- Titling sequences and credits
- Use of audio sound-effects
- Soundtrack/background music
- Use of silence or empty screen for punctuation
- Subtitles or captions

After selecting a topic and having conducted some initial research, you will be asked to draw up a rough storyboard and outline for the project. This information will be presented to the instructor for approval and guidance. Once you have been given the “go-ahead” the remainder of the project will be self-directed. During the process of filming and editing your video, it is likely that some variation from your initial storyboard may occur.

The final film will be approximately 1-3 minutes in length, depending upon the subject and the complexity of the editing process. The format and narrative approach can follow a traditional documentary style (think of nature documentaries and PBS), or it can be much more inventive. The style can mock or lampoon documentaries in a tongue-in-cheek fashion, use humour, satire, or bias. Virtually any subject can be explored (within reason).

The final submission will be a DVD quality *.avi video, rendered at 720x480 resolution. Further formatting details will be addressed in the class sessions.

Deliverables:
- 1 Windows *.avi video file, approximately 1-3 minutes in length
- Videos must be 720x480 and rendered with Microsoft avi compression
- Provide a brief text file outlining each individuals’ contributions to the filming and editing
- Include the printed script with your submission
- Submit all digital materials on a non-returnable CD or DVD (one per team)
- Upload your video to YouTube and imbed link on your blog journal (sign up for a free account at www.youtube.com)

Evaluation will be based upon the following criteria:
- Has the team exercised creativity and risk-taking in completing this exercise?
- Do the videos follow the technical requirements outlined in the assignment specifications?
- Does the project successfully employ cinematographic techniques – edits, pans, etc.?
- Has the team used innovative or creative techniques without relying on live footage?
- Are audio tracks, effects, and transitions used effectively?
- Is there a consistency of style (when appropriate) throughout the video?
- Has the team invested an adequate level of energy and engagement to create a compelling composition?

Deadlines:
Storyboard for approval: before Tuesday, April 3
Digitizing video: Thursday April 5