2nd Semester Video Reflection

   Second Semester Video was my favorite semester in Video because it was focused on the Entertainment portion. We learned a lot of new skills in rules to follow in Pre-Production, Production, and Post-Production. Each project had it's different struggles, whether it was losing audio in some footage, or having Premiere crash on me. Although I endured these struggles, I learned how to work around them and I learned how to work quickly to meet deadlines.

Technology

   One of the biggest takeaways from the technology guarantee is that although technology can help you execute your ideas, you always need to start with solid ideas that you can pull off. I learned new skills with the software by trying to solve my issues in each project. From my Olathe Public Library video, I learned how to transition video and images as well as fading voiceovers and music. Through my class projects, we stressed tight edits, stable shots, and audio that is loud enough so that our projects turned out to the best of our ability. It's important to learn new skills and solve problems with technology because implementing the skills in projects will help enhance them and being able to solve basic problems can save time in the long run. One of the biggest challenges I faced with technology was that Premiere crashed on me quite frequently, so I developed a habit of saving my work frequently so that my work would be saved and I wouldn't have to backtrack if Premiere crashed. I'm very strong in knowing shortcuts and other methods to achieve a really good edit, but the editing process takes me longer than others because my edits are very nit-picky. I've had to come in after school to finish client work and I even came in on a Saturday morning to finish my Olathe Public Library video to meet the deadline. Next year as an Entertainment student, I will be able to enhance the skills that I learned in sophomore video for projects and I will devote more time and thought to my projects because I want to be proud of my work. 

   

 Collaboration

   One of the key factors in making videos with groups is being able to collaborate with the group members and work off of each others' ideas. Because we weren't able to choose our groups for each project, I had to learn to listen to others' ideas and thoughts for each project. I think that it is important to be able to efficiently collaborate with others because other's ideas and thoughts can help enhance my projects and the members are able to bounce ideas off of each other and a solid plan or idea can be formed from working together. One of the biggest challenges that I faced with collaboration was that I had to work with some difficult people or people that I didn't like in general, but being forced to collaborate made us get work done efficiently and the other members in the group made sure that we were staying on task and getting work don on time. This year, I was able to improve on my collaboration skills because each project dealt with groups, so no project was ever independent. Next year, I will have to work with lots of people on different projects, so my skills will come into play in every step of working on a project. The biggest project that I had to collaborate on was the music video because everyone in the group had different ideas on how we should go about making the video, so we all had to listen to our ideas to make the finished product. 

Communication

   I think that communication is the most important guarantee when it comes to video production because you have to be able to effectively reach out to group members, teachers, and clients about your ideas or any issues with the project. For example. the OPL summer reading video was a huge project that dealt with communication because we had to communicate with our client through BaseCamp with our ideas and she was able to critique our work and give us constructive criticism. Through the various projects, I was able to develop my communication skills through reaching out to all of my members through text, email, and social media. However, I still need to improve on responding quicker because it takes me a couple hours to respond to emails and texts when I am busy. Next year, it will be especially important to communicate with my group members on filming places, ideas, and other important information so that we can save time in class for more important discussions, like shots and scripts. Another project that dealt heavily with communication was our short film because we had to remind others to bring costumes on the days that we were filming and to change minor things in the script.

Project Management

   This year, I've been able to work on my time management skills because our entertainment projects required filming and editing inside and outside of class, so I've learned how to (mostly) work efficiently in class to limit the amount of times I've had to come after. It's important to manage time well because it is less stressful to come outside of class to work and getting work done on time will meet specific deadlines. One challenge I faced was that we had to spend lots of time filming and editing our Napoleon Dynamite Trailer outside of class because there were very few shots near the building. My group and I spent an entire Saturday driving around town filming different shots for our trailer just so that we could finish the project on time. 

Leadership

   Throughout all of the projects that I have done this semester, I've been able to grow as a leader in class discussions, filming, and in other processes. Before, I struggled with speaking up because I didn't want my opinions and ideas to be wrong, but I've become more comfortable with the terminology used in the class and critiquing, so I've spoken up more. I think it's important to learn how to be a leader because it helps start conversation, it makes sure that work is getting done, and it can help inspire other people to step up and take chances. One thing that I need to work on as a leader is being able to keep people on task and focused because I have issues with staying focused all the time. However, I have become better at speaking up and taking that "leadership" position.  I'll be able to continue being a leader next year because each project requires a leadership figure that can make sure that everything is getting done appropriately while still making the projects fun to work on. Overall, being able to be a leader helps contribute to the success of the project.