Intro to Electronic Media

Class Assignment – Video Montage

 

Overview –Video montage* –Each student will produce a video montage using a camcorder from the TV Studio.
The montage must begin with the student speaking on camera using a hand-held microphone. The
remainder of the montage includes related scenes on a theme. Various shots should be used. Turn the
project in on CD-R as a H.264 file. Length of project should be 1 to 2 minutes.

 

Steps to completing the assignment:

 

1.  Once you have your idea of the subject of your montage, write down the types of shots you will need for your video montage.  These shots should be a variety of medium and close-shots of subject matter that works together as a theme or essay. Avoid overuse of the wide shot.

 

2.  Reserve a video camera at the TV studio for the day you want to shoot.  Ask for a video camcorder with batteries and a tripod.  You will need a mic cable and microphone to attach to the camera.   Change the camera settings to internal mic when shooting your montage. You will use the external mic for your introductory comment on camera. (See note at bottom.)

 

3.  Make sure you have a mini-DV tape or SDHC flash memory card to use in the camcorder on the day you plan to shoot. Ask the workstudy what type of media the camera uses when you reserve the camera.

 

4.  On the day you plan to shoot, check out the camera and tripod.  Make sure the settings for the camera are set correctly.  You may shoot in auto mode provided auto does what you want it to do. You will have two hours to use the camera.

 

5.  Make sure the camera is recording properly in the field.  You can do a check of this while still at the TV Studio. Change the camera to VCR mode and playback your last few shots.  Cue your tape up so you don’t record over your previous footage, then change camera back to camera mode and continue to finish your shots.

 

6.  Return the equipment to the TV studio. Make sure to take your tape/media out of the camcorder.  Look at your footage in an available edit suite at the TV studio. You will need to capture/transfer your video into Adobe Premiere in order to export it to CD-R later. If you recorded on SD media, then copy your files from the SD card to your folder on the Videodata drive. Then import them into Premiere. No capturing is needed in this case.

 

7.  If you like the arrangement of shots you recorded, then your project is ready for export.  To make any changes to your video, you need to reserve an edit suite and capture/transfer your footage to an editing computer.  You may use Adobe Premiere to edit your montage as needed.  This is not required unless you need to shorten your shots, remove some bad shots, or re-arrange the shots into a different order. 

 

8.  If you don’t need to edit your video shots, drag the the clip/clips down to the timeline (Video 1).  The next step is to export the timeline video as H.264.  From the menu, select File, Export, Media.  The window that opens has a drop down selection at the top – choose H.264.  Next to Preset, choose Apple TV 480p. Change the "output name" to “coem175_yourname_montage.”  Use your own name here. Save the file to your folder on one of the Videodata drives. Leave the datarate as is - but check to make sure your video is the correct aspect ratio - no letter boxing. Click on the "Output" tab to see what your video will look like. If there a black bars on the bottom or sides, change the Pixel Aspect Ratio to the proper setting to match your video. If you shot on mini-DV tape, you might have shot in letter-boxed mode. In that case, you won't be able to get rid of the black bars. Just make sure your video looks correct, if that's the case.

 

9.  Lastly, burn a CD-R data disc with your .mp4 file (H.264) on it. Put your disc in the computer drive, then drag your file to the CD-ROM drive icon. When asked if you wish to burn, say yes.   You can also use the burning software on the computer for this. Make sure it is a data disc. Bring the CD-R to class with your name written on it.  Use a felt pen, not a ballpoint pen to write on the disc.  We will watch a number of these in class on the day due.

 

10.  This assignment will be evaluated using the following criteria:

                a. Shots are properly exposed and have good color rendition.

                b. Shots are composed properly and are not shaky.

                c. Ambient audio was recorded with each shot.

                d. Shots are arranged in an order that supports a theme or message.

                e. No technical glitches are apparent.
                f. The project was completed according to instructions.

 

NOTE: The beginning of your montage should be you (medium shot) looking into the camera lens and telling us your name, where you are from, and what your montage theme is about.  Do this outside with lots of light.  Something like, "Hi, everyone, I'm Janie Doe from South Haven, Michigan. I'm a digital arts major. My montage features shots of farm animals as they go about their day."  Make sure your external microphone is working, not the camera mic. Use headphones with the camera to check this.

Remember: LATE WORK WILL HAVE A GRADE PENALTY THAT INCREASES EACH DAY IT IS LATE.