Hello Everyone,
For your consideration I offer my Video Documentary exploring photographic essays (It can be seen here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GPW5ihAp5Kw&feature=youtu.be ). The video was produced using Camtasia as I had some previous experience with this software; nonetheless, I certainly feel that video is not the means of representation in which I am most comfortable or competent.
During this exercise, I certainly had an appreciation of how many other people struggle with certain means of representation. For example, my First Nation students often struggle with printed textual means of representation and are considerably more competent at oral forms. It’s really frustrating to work in a medium in which one feels they can’t adequately express themselves. I often had a vision of what I wanted to achieve but was unable to pull it off because of inexperience. So much for the pervasive belief that if a student can’t express something, they don’t know it.
Another concern was in respect to the photographic images that I, and others, produced throughout the video. It seems a stretch to put static images within video. A photograph allows for unstained viewing while the duration of on video’s is controlled primarily by the author. So, how does one determine the appropriate time for viewing static images on video? Or, for that matter any other means of representation, such as printed text? Or, what if it were static images, and printed text combined, like in a photo essay, how long should one allow the viewer to take in the scene or should one just assume that they can pause the video?
Despite many issues in regards to both the production and representation of ideas in video, one of my biggest concerns was in respect to my inability to provide narration that was mistake free and of an appropriate register for the video. Despite many retakes, I kept on mispronouncing words, and adding “ah’s” and “um’s”. I have been told I am a good writer but I cringe when I hear myself narrate. I always tell my students, that errors in mechanics are only of a primary concern when they impede meaning. Well, “impeding meaning” is pretty subjective. I could not get over some of my mistakes and they eclipsed other elements that I may have done better.
If I was to comment on any successes it would be that I know I could do a similar assignment much better. I have a better understanding of how much time it takes to narrate text and I have a better understanding of both the strengths and weakness of both Camtasia and video as means of production and representation. Lastly, I certainly have a better consideration of the time involved to produce video and would most likely start planning years in advance for any subsequent efforts.
Photo Essays Project: Click here for PDF of Script
