Mentor Meeting and Skill Improvement

At my mentor meeting with Mr. Cass, we worked on camera skills. I have been trying to use auto focus in my filming but sometimes it messes up the shot as it refocuses due to movement or zooming. I learned that a good way to go about shooting is to start zoomed in, then fix the shot with manual focus. Then, the shot will stay focused, and create a better product. Also, we discussed the importance of slow, steading zooming and panning. I need to work on using the tripod for a steady shot and keeping the pivoting movement of the camera itself more uniform (and less jumpy). I hope to work with these methods while I'm filming later this week. I have an interview with some Ithaca College students planned.

As far as the preview piece goes, I took a one minute section from what I've been working on so far to bring in for class to show to document my progress. I have it on my external hard drive which I'm counting as my "artifact" for Wise class. I really enjoy using the external hard drive but I also appreciate having a backup folder on the digital media computer, because I can't imagine what I would do if my work was lost or didn't save correctly.

Speaking of technology, I quickly want to state the importance of keeping all of the footage together. The Adobe Premiere Pro program that I load each time I go in to edit will only work with my saved project if all of the footage clips are available to use. This is why my external hard drive is so important. Although I've been primarily been using the same computer to back up and save my work to, I have to ability to use any computer in the school with the program on it.

Here's a shot I took in a local park near South Hill (it was so nice out today!!):