the experience of making previsualization materials

Yesterday I met up with my group for our second project this semester for “Narrative Master Shot Sequence”. We made our shot list and storyboard at the same time, and it only took us about two hours to do that. I am really confident about our project. Since we have some equipment available from one of my group members, we came up with some ideas of cool shots. Hopefully, we can achieve them. However, I found out that I struggled when choosing the best camera movement or the best camera place spots. Changing one shot will influence the other context shots. We tried very hard to keep consistency when blend in special shots into normal shot/reverse shots. Also we had to give up on some creative ideas, since there was limited time and script. Overall, the shot list gave up a clear outline of what to follow, and we discovered more improvements of details while drawing the storyboard out. 

Reflection about Shooting vox pops & the Expert Interview

On 2014 Valentines Day, we went to waterfront in downtown Wilmington to shoot vox-pop footage for our beach/boardwalk short documentary.  It was a nice sunny day that provided good lighting environment; however, sound recording was a challenge. The wind was continually blowing and the noises of cars and people passing by were hard to avoid. We recorded people’s answers on both the camera and an h4n through a gunshot microphone. Since we didn't use the h4n right, the quality of the sound that came out from the camera was much better then the sound that came out from the h4n.

We did the expert interview in the restaurant on February 18^th. Since inside of the restaurant was very colorful and the windows allowed sunlight came into the room, the footage had the right color quality we wanted. The owner was very kind and cooperative and she provided helpful information for us to put in our film. Everyone in the group had been giving out their opinions and working smoothly on their own role.

Production Schedule

2/11/14             B-roll Shooting

2/13/14             B-roll Footage Due

2/14/14             Vox Pop Shooting

2/18/14             A-roll Interview

2/21/14-2/26/14     Editing

2/27/14             Final Project Due         

Documentary Interview Plan

We plan on interviewing Brenda who is the owner of Olde Salty restaurant on the Carolina Beach boardwalk. We are planning to interview her at the restaurant on Tuesday February 18. Since our documentary topic is about the deserted boardwalk during the off-season, we are trying to make the tone seem somber and deserted.

Interview Questions:

1. Why did you choose to open a business here?
2. Did you always want to open a boardwalk business?
3. How long have you been open?
4. What time of the year is the best for customers?
5. Who are your main customers?
6. Who is your clientele in the off season?
7. Who does your main source of revenue in the off season?
8. Who is your biggest competitor during the on season?
9. Who is your biggest competitor during the off season?
10. Why do you stay open during the off season when so many others close?

Vox Pop Location: Downtown Wilmington

Vos pop Questions:

1. Would you go to the beach now? Why or why not?
2. How ofter do you go to the beach?
3. Which beach do you go to?
4. Do you go to restaurants at the beach?