Promotional Video: Final Video & Analysis

First Draft & Final Video:

*No improvements were given so my first draft will be submitted*

Client Feedback:

My Analysis/Reflection:

Contrary to my client's belief, I'm a little unsatisfied with this final video; I believe for the material I had to work with I made an aesthetically and visually interesting video, but it's not what I set out to create which I think has discouraged me. The video does arguably promote what the client is selling, and even lets a customer follow the process of making (what could be) their product. Yet, I just for some reason am not happy with it.

I think the main reason is that it doesn't suit my style of film making. I prefer to do music based, sometimes metaphorical videos whereas with a promotional video I am inclined to make something for someone else's benefit. I do think the experience was important for me as I do want to work within media, but I think this has also taught me what areas I would prefer to work within which doesn't really follow promotion work.

My client, as touched upon, was also quite difficult to keep contact with; however, I had no other options to work with unless I found someone through the college. However I wanted the independence and challenge of finding and working with my own client, much like real life. I do wish I had planned a contingency video/client in advance though, as it would have probably made working a less stressful time for me (because I had something to fall back on).

I think what I gained most from this was new editing techniques and better time management techniques. These are think are always beneficial when it comes to considering future projects, especially with the editing techniques as I prefer that side of film making. I also think the techniques I learned (like using masks) was actually some base knowledge I should have previously known; It also means I can work on these and maybe even use my previous skills with them now. I think it could be particularly interesting to use masks with videos rather than text in future projects too, but at least now I know how to at least set it up.

Promotional Video: Storyboard & Shot List

Promotional Video: Filming Process

Day 1: Unit Filming

Starting at 2PM, I arrived at the unit which was still being cleaned. I took this time to run through the client my exact intentions for that day and what I planned to film, to which we discussed how plausible it was to do it. Unfortunately, he was having issues with his 3D printer which he expressed desire using in the video; he did say he would send me his own footage of the printer later like he did with two other machines. This is good for him because it showcases more of his content, however it would provide issues for me in terms of different quality to my DSLR and filming ratio. Alas, the client as a priority insisted he wanted to include it.

Shots Taken

My filming took longer than anticipated, but as an overall I achieved and filmed what I set out to. I also was able to film additional shots not in my original plan (head sketching) which I think is beneficial. As previously mentioned too, I live close to the unit and fortunately am related to the head of the business so if I decide I need more shots I can go back soon. The only things I didn't get to shoot were the 3d Printer and laser cutters, but as said this was covered by the client (sent footage).

I also today managed to get my screen recording footage from my client with some additional screenshots of his work. This still falls under poor time management as I did ask for this footage a week or so ago. Nevertheless, he provided me with different angles, speeds and final stylises of his designs.

Screen-Shots & Recordings

Day 2: Off-Site Installation

Before arriving at the site, I actually decided to film some time lapses of travelling to the location on my phone; I chose to shoot on my phone because it has a built in stabiliser and time lapse feature, whereas setting up my camera would have proved more difficult in such a small, shaky space.

Clips from phone

As planned I carried out a quick 'Health & Safety Scope' which took less time than I expected because of the precautions done by the health & safety team at the convention hall; this was helpful because it meant I could set my time lapse on the laptop quicker and in general plan my day out better. This also meant at the end of the day I had more shots to work with.

Day 1 shooting off-site (highlighted)

One thing I underestimated was how quickly the day would go by; meaning I was unable to film much without shots becoming repetitive because the actual building side was a very slow process. Its always said to film more than less which I agree with, but I didn't want to fill my camera with the same few shots. This meant the majority of my day was sat waiting to film something new or the workers doing different set up tasks, I took this time in between to review and retake shots however which benefited the storage on my camera massively. It also meant I would be bale to get "the best shot possible" when filming.

Day 3: Off-Site Installation

Day 2 of shooting off-site was pretty much the same process as Day 1 in terms of logistics and time. This day as a general was shorter so again I took the time to set up as quickly as possible; the only problem with the day was that I was unable to film a time lapse due to the power source for the laptop being covered by the finished details on the stand. This of course was not my plan, so I instead decided to turn my notion of "not filming the same shots" on its head and film shots with little time gaps in between to show the overall building process.

Day 2 shooting off-site (highlighted)

As a general I think filming went pretty well, and I gathered a variety of shots which can be manipulated to appear as numerous clips; I filmed few long short clips rather than lots of short ones. Now reflecting it probably wasn't the best decision but it was the only choice I really had because of everyone trying to finish quickly, which I think would have been more noticeable in lots of quick clips.

Promotional Video: Editing Process

Nesting for Warp Stabiliser and Speed:

One of the initial problems I ran into whilst editing was stabilisation. My client would often mentioning speeding up clips which I did not film with a gimbal or tripod (a mistake on my behalf), and so I ran into errors as mentioned below.

This method worked successfully and I ended up nesting a few clips, then speeding, then cutting; whilst this is great to learn for future editing, I do wish I would be more prepared when it comes to filming and would rather practically have a still video than have to edit afterwards.

This method was also quite time consuming to do, and I would have to rename every nested sequence to its according clip. For the majority however, I only need to either speed up the clip or stabilise it which I am thankful for.

Text Animation:

For the majority of the text transitions and effects in my video, I mainly used premade/downloaded transitions that come with premier. I would then alter the speed using keyframes to suit the pace of the video. One technique I did learn was to mask the text to create a timed reveal.

This was a very easy technique to use and I think was visually stimulating. I also think it was important to add text transitions to make the pace of the video more fluid than having flat 2D text laying on the film; It made the text part of the moving image rather than it just appear. 

The text in my video also was used to section/chapter different elements of the video so it was important to have something that made it stand out for the 'second' it would appear for.

Promotional Video: Equipment List

Day 1:

- DSLR Camera
- Stabiliser
- Battery Charger
- 2 SD cards
- Phone (Notes for Shoot)

Day 2 & 3 (Overnight):

- DSLR Camera
- Samsung Camera
- Tripod
- Stabiliser
- Battery Chargers
- 4 SD cards
- Phone (& Charger)
- Laptop (& Charger & Adjacent cables)
- Filming Sign

Promotional Video: Release Forms

Documents were signed via email and a tablet, as client & other worker were unavailable to sign in person prior to shooting

Personal Release Form:

Talent Release Form:

Promotional Video: Location Recce & Health and Safety

Address:

Location is only a 10 minute walk from my house fortunately, which means when it comes to filming I will be able to do multiple trips for equipment (if required) and will be able to come/go with full flexibility. Besides the obvious, this is also beneficial incase I don't film enough shots because I can come/go when I need to.

Unit 1:

My client made a vivid expression that they hoped their work space looked neater, but I insisted I need to tour the work space to get a better understanding of what I have to film in. This spiraled however into that they wanted to clean the space that requires filming in, to which I asked 'how long' with no definitive reply; this was discouraging as I am already working on a tight deadline, but also because my client again was being very vague with their answers. I told them that I needed to film by the end of the following week which they agreed to.

Back to the recce however, I learned that getting the shots I envisioned would be harder than expected. Not only was the space between work surfaces quite narrow, but the machinery (for the majority) has something to cover it when it was active; this meant I would have to put more consideration into my shots like reflections and/or light glares. On the positive side, the space has a large work service, which would allow me to get some very high angle shots which would look interesting in the pre-discussed time lapses.

Unit 2:

The second unit across the road houses the larger machines which fortunately means a larger space to work in; it also means it is more hazardous however and more time will be taken into preparation than the first unit. I may even have to come after the unit is operationally closed (after work hours) to prioritise safety. I may also have to arrange certain workers to come activate the machines/use the machines to provide b-roll.

Unlike the other unit, this one is also significantly more 'sectioned' and most of the space is separated with storage; this is also good because it means my filming will be less likely to be in the way of workers on other sides of the unit. It also means if I need to bring external lighting (unlikely) I will be able to focus it on a smaller section each time. Working in a smaller space also means there will be slightly less hazards to focus on at one time, which as a general will provide a more comfortable filming surrounding.

On Location (Convention Hall):

This area I will have to recce on the day because I have no floor-plan nor rough idea of spacing between installations. Instead I think I will decide my methods of filming with the worker's health and safety in priority; I also want to be able to film them without getting in their way/distracting them from their work due to the possible hazardous materials (metal, machinery, heights etc).

I think the best case scenario of this is to film the location when they are on break so nobody is either infront of the structure (which I am filming to promote) nor distracted when working. I should also when filming use a more zoomed-in lens rather than being physically close to again not be in the way of anyone or anything, nor put myself in a hazardous situation either. This could be problematic in terms of focusing and even stability when not using a gimbal and/or tripod (though I shall try to avoid this situation entirely).