INTRODUCTION
TO VIDEO PRODUCTION
Spring 2009 [
Rutgers-Newark # 21-965-204: 02 ]
PROJECT #3 A VIDEO PORTRAIT
Pick a
person you know well. Create a 1- 2 minute portrait of this person. You have
maximum 2 minutes to find a creative and unique way to explore a subject, what
they do, who they are, or what they represent.
The piece
should present your subject in a way that captures the person's identity/being.
But because you cannot capture a whole personÕs identity in two minutes, you
will have to choose very carefully one aspect of that person to focus on. This
characteristic should be something is pretty central to the subjectÕs
uniqueness and self-identity.
This
exercise is also about exploring your role as a videographer in forming a
portrait/image/representation of a unique individual living a unique life.
Ideally, it should be a piece about someone whose life matters somehow because
he/she speaks to some universal theme.
When
shooting, do not rely on audio,. Be visual. Let the visuals describe the
individual.
You should
have at least 2 full shots, 2 medium shots, 2 close ups, and 2 extreme Close
ups.
The piece
will be edited in FCP, but you should capture no more than 7 minutes of
footage.
On a separate
track, record up to 1 minute of audio of your subject speaking about
him/herself. Specifically, you should have your subject address the one key
characteristic you chose to focus on.
You should
also be sure to record two minutes of room tone. You will edit this audio into
the piece using FCP.
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As with
every production, this project requires quite a bit of preparation.
ONE
WEEK BEFORE SHOOTING, SUBMIT a 2 page treatment answering the following
1. WHO IS
YOUR SUBJECT AND WHAT IS UNIQUE ABOUT HIM/HER THAT YOU WANT TO SHARE WITH THE
VIEWERS?
2. WHAT IS
YOUR APPROACH? Describe what kind of approach you're taking towards this
subject.
a. Will you capture your subject doing an action from
beginning to end (which shows his/her personality)? Or will you show the world
something special about this person? Or will you share with us what it feels
like to be with this person for a few minutes?
b. Will the camera admire, indict, hate, love, mock, play
with...your subject? How does your
approach reflect the personality of the subject? How does your approach reflect
your relationship with him/her?
c. What kind of shots will be used? Longs shots for emotional
distance? Or Close Ups for more intimacy? How is your selection of shots
motivated by your approach?
d. What will be the pacing for the piece? Fast edits? Slow
reflexive shots? How is the pacing motivated by your directorial approach?
ON THE
DATE THE FOOTAGE IS DUE, BRING TO CLASS: