8.30 Assignments


ASSIGNMENT 1: Please look again at the two pitches in Section 8.22. [ www.wfsj.org/course/en/L8/StqL8ex1.html ] You can get back to the current page by pressing the "back" button on your web browser. Discuss the following questions with your tutor.
  1. Can you think of another hook?
  2. Can these pitches be re-written more concisely? Do they arouse curiosity and an urge to know more about the topic?
  3. Are the pitches clear and understandable? Could they be misunderstood?
  4. Try to put yourself in the place of the commissioning editor. Are these subjects relevant to your audience? Would you choose them for your TV station? Why or why not?
  5. Can you describe the kinds of compelling visuals and remarkable people that you hope to get to illustrate your story, and also explain the access that you need and think you can get in order to do this?
  6. Now get back to the place of pitching journalist – what would you change to enhance the chance that these stories will be accepted?
  7. Write you own pitch and review it with your tutor.
ASSIGNMENT 2: Take another look at Section 8.24 [ www.wfsj.org/course/en/L8/StqL8ex3.html ]. Then write your own treatment for a story on an animal in your country that many people know, but that most people do not know really well.

After that, please check that you have:
  1. The basic idea of the story, all facts gathered.
  2. A list of all the locations where you want to shoot.
  3. A list of all the shots you want to take.
  4. A list of all the experts you want to talk to and list of questions you want to ask.
Discuss this with your tutor.

ASSIGNMENT 3: Here is a list of things that can go wrong during a shoot:
  1. Camera fails to work.
  2. Camera works but some of the shots are blurred or otherwise destroyed.
  3. Sound is not recorded at all.
  4. Sound is recorded but at some places strange cracking noises appear.
  5. You have only about half of footage you originally planned.
  6. You forgot to take lights.
  7. You forgot to take a tripod.
  8. You forgot to take a microphone.
Add to this list and think over possible solutions. Discuss with your tutor and colleagues technical problems you have experienced in the past.

ASSIGNMENT 4: Editing in the camera
Prepare a 30-second piece on a new discovery. Imagine that you don't have access to editing room.

Then you can use a method known as “editing in camera,” which doesn't actually involve editing. Instead, each section is filmed in sequence and is not changed once it is complete, resulting in a finished piece once the last section has been filmed.

This method is sometimes used for news broadcasts, but it requires quite an experienced cameraperson who already has some skill with editing. It also requires careful planning in advance. You have to know the length of the final contribution and the exact length of sequences corresponding to individual sentences. And you need to know your final shot in advance.

Once you have discussed all this with you team you can start shooting. Begin with a long shot and continue with a variation of medium long shots and close-ups, as well as a short opinion from the scientist.

ASSIGNMENT 5:
You want to film a school class in Africa that uses laptops for the first time. You have one hour to shoot in the classroom. What are the shots you are going to take here? Please discuss this with your tutor. Please also bear in mind the ethical side of this assignment. Although children may encounter a computer for the first time and may make basic mistakes, the feature cannot depict them as foolish.

ASSIGNMENT 6:
Take another look at Section 8.28. [ www.wfsj.org/course/en/L8/StqL8ex4.html ]
  1. Make your own list of obstacles that are the most probable for your country.
  2. Make a list of your own strategies that you think can solve these problems.
Discuss them with your tutor.

ASSIGNMENT 7: Choose an editing program for your computer.
(with the help of MikolášHerskovič)

There are free video editing programs available through internet. Check Top Video Editing Programs for some of the best on the market – you can try some free video editing software (before you eventually buy). Most free editing software programs are stripped down versions of full editing programs and usually come with little or no technical support or tutorials, leaving you on your own to install it on your computer and learn how to use it.
  1. Video Edit Magic v4.26 [ www.deskshare.com/vem.aspx ]
    2. Video Edit Magic is an editing program that allows you to combine JPEG, WMV, ASF, MPEG, AVI, and other file formats all on the same timeline. The program is for Windows-based computer systems only, and can export video in NTSE or PAL format. The free version of Video Edit Magic is only a 30-day trial. Once you use it for 30 days you will have to either buy the full version for $70, or move on to another editing program. The company’s website has several flash demos and tutorials to help you understand the program and everything it can do.
  2. Windows Movie Maker [ www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/moviemaker/default.mspx ]
    3. A full version of Windows Movie Maker comes installed on most new Windows-based computers. In order to use the program, your computer has to be operating Windows XP. If you are operating XP and do not currently have Movie Maker installed on your computer, you can get it by downloading the service pack for the operating system from Microsoft's website. Movie Maker has all the basic editing tools you will need to edit your home videos, and also gives you the tools you need to upload your video to the internet or burn it to CD or DVD.
  3. Apple iMovie 6 [ www.apple.com ]
    4. iMovie comes installed on every new Apple computer or can be purchased separately within Apple's iLife software suite. iMovie offers movie themes, video effects, sound effects, and podcast support. One of the great things about iMovie is that it integrates with iTunes and iDVD making it easy to create professional looking DVDs.
  4. Jump Cut [ www.jumpcut.com ]
    5. Jump Cut’s free online video editing software allows you to cut video, and add audio, photos, effects and titles right on the web.
  5. Jahshaka [ www.jahshaka.org ]
    6. Jahshaka is a free, open source video editing software that will give you powerful editing capabilities.
  6. Zwei-Stein [ www.zs4.net ]
    7. This free editing software works with Macs, PCs and Linux systems. It’s easy to download, with a colourful, sparse interface.
ASSIGNMENT 8: (with the help of MikolášHerskovič)

Download the suitable editing program.

Before you try to edit video on your computer, make sure that you have the necessary computer, software and accessories. The following checklist sums up the experience of program users, which they shared on internet, and is designed to make your first editing experience a smooth one.
Is your computer ready?
Movie Maker or iMovie come with most new PCs and Apples. If yours already has one of the programs installed, you're all set. If your computer doesn't already have Movie Maker or iMovie installed, or if you're using a different program, you'll need to acquire the program. First, though, check that your computer will be able to run the program. Many older computers simply aren't fast enough to edit video, and you'll need to upgrade your whole system.

Make some space
Before beginning a video project, make sure there is enough space on your computer to save all of the files. One hour of full-quality DV footage, like you get from a mini-DV camcorder, takes up nearly 13 GB of hard drive space. If your computer's internal hard drive can't store all of the footage, buying an external drive is an easy solution. It's handy to create a Movies folder on your new drive for saving all of your video projects. This will keep your drive more organized and make files easier to find.

Get hooked up
You'll need several cords and wires to make sure that your computer, hard drive and camera can all connect and communicate.

Generally, you'll use FireWire or USB cables to connect your hard drive, computer and camera. Different computers and cameras accept different connectors, so check your manuals before buying anything.

You'll also need A/C adaptors for your computer and camera. Never rely on battery power when importing or editing video. These are energy-intensive activities, and if your computer or camera powers down mid-task, you could lose all of your work. Prepare your footage.

Import the footage
Before you can begin editing, you'll need some video footage to work with. iMovie and Movie Maker accept many different video formats, as long as they are digital. If you shot your video with a modern camcorder, using the mini-DV format, it should be easy to import the footage. If you want to edit analog video, such as something on a VHS tape, you'll need to convert it to a digital format before you can import it to iMovie or Movie Maker.
Useful links:
http://www.update-your-drivers.com/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_video_editing_software
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comparison_of_video_editing_software

Assignment 9:
Cooking is an activity everybody knows. It is also very close to what happens in some laboratories. Therefore, it can serve as an excellent training subject.
  1. Write a pitch in 150 words on preparing some kind of exciting speciality.
  2. Write a draft treatment, emphasising the scientific point of view. Some possible scientific aspects include:
    1. Hygiene
    2. Changes of molecular structure in the course of processing food
    3. Facts on nutrition
  3. Shoot a family member showing:
    1. Preparation (shopping, getting water, marketplace, slaughtering animal)
    2. Raw food processing (washing, chopping)
    3. Cooking (boiling, baking).
    4. For added value, show local habits in your country.
  4. Choose editing software suitable for you and create you own story.
  5. Show the story to others and be open to critiques.



Home Self-teaching Ex.1 Self-teaching Ex.2 Self-teaching Ex.3 Self-teaching Ex.4 Assignments
Answers Ex.1 Answers Ex.2 Answers Ex.3 Answers Ex.4