Inquiry Digital Video Project
1) The time requirement for this project is 90-120 seconds , no shorter, no longer. This extra time allows you to push for incorporating different genres in your piece andnexplore your theme a little deeper.
2) In preparation for our Regents Exam coming up, I want you to choose two books that we've read this year. Choose an aspect from each text (characters, settings, themes, etc) and have them collide! Incorporate the two texts/characters in some way. You can choose to do this in a variety of ways. Some examples: Television sitcom, Television reality show (a la Big Brother, the Real World), documentary, movie trailer, investigative report.
3) On the Regents, you will need to find commonalities between two texts to answer the critical lens essay. What we are doing here is practicing finding those commonalities and trying to entwine them together in a creative way. Your video, hopefully, will create meaning using two seemingly different texts. Use quotes from the text, specific character traits, or other references to denote the texts you used. Like before, try and sneak the book into the film!
3) In order to build upon what we've already done this year and increase the modes of video you are using, I would like you to find a way to incorporate as many of the following as possible within the realm of the context of your video.
- Interviewing Footage -- Interview your peers, teachers, professionals, the general public. Especially if your genre embraces this mode, go for it. Investigative trailers, mini documentaries
- Montages with Voiceovers. Pushes the writing process and can allow for the quicker development of narrative.
- Acting -- A lot of what we've done so far as been behind-the-camera, voiceover work. I challenge you guys to try your hand at a little acting. Have fun with it. Be a star.
- Concept filming. Getting away from the literal is what we're looking for here...if your theme is monkeys, I don't just want shots of monkeys. I don't know where I heard that before, but...well you get the idea.
- Testimonials. The ugly cousin of the interview, this can also be powerful and can be done instead of normal interviews. This mode can be incorporated easily into commercials, trailers, mini docs as well as comedy skits.
- Archived video. I always see this mode as an accent, something which allows for kitchy concept creation. If you can use it but do not force it.
- Layering. Start to see how special effects, various title layering and even being conceptual and trying to mess with the lighting or voice effects can give any project that extra edge.