This week’s readings focused extensively on filming techniques for different types of videos. I’ll be honest, at first I didn’t think that the readings would be very meaningful or relevant to me. I know that we’re learning about filming, but I’ve been focusing more on techniques that I can use in the classroom with my students.
Upon reflection, this is a little limiting for myself. Who’s to say that I can’t use video to teach my students as the actual filmmaker as opposed to having them filming? I mean, I love projects where my students are behind the camera and acting in the shots. However, it’s still a good idea to keep in mind that I can be in charge of video production in other ways in order to help bring a subject to life for my students. With this new perspective, here’s what stuck out to me about this week’s readings.
Listening to tips from Kate Murphy, Royan Lee, and the tutorials from Wistia, there was a lot of overlap. From all three separate sources, I felt that I learned so much that I could use in my own video recordings. I loved Wistia’s focus on the behind-the-scenes aspects. I have always wondered about audio, lighting, and backdrop. Seeing a video actually shed light, no pun intended, on these subjects was incredibly illuminating (ha! pun again) for me.
My big takeaways:
- It’s getting more frustrating than ever to be the only person in the world to have an Android device (apparently)! There are so many tips and tricks for iPhones and it’s the only time I’ve ever questioned my consistent opposition to Apple devices. I mean, it would just be so much easier if I had an iPhone right now!
- The idea of recording video seems super intimidating. I’m much more of a writer than a director. That’s why I was initially so skeptical of finding relevance in the readings this week. However, if anything the different tips I learned have made the idea of video much more approachable and plausible for me. I now feel more empowered to take on what I had considered too intimidating to touch.
- Creative Commons licensing is still as important as it has always been! I try to emphasize this with my students, but I really need to work on continuing to remember it myself. In the digital world that we live in right now, it’s so easy to steal someone else’s work without even thinking twice. Note to self, don’t forget. Creative commons.
- Everyone wants to watch videos of actual people behaving like actual people. Keep loose! (A friendly tip from my personal favorite video of the week).
Words To Teach By 