Editing our first assignment- 9/30/08

During class, we begin taking video off of our Canon Vixia H10 video camera and transferring it to our computer into Final Cut Pro.  From that point, we begin to assemble and produce the news story.  After the video footage was transfered onto the computer, we started to dissect the voice over that was recored so that we could place it appropriately in the video clip.  Mike is an experienced user of Final Cut Pro and led our team through the process of putting everything together.  Lindsey and Shannon are learning more and more each week.

We experimented with the lighting of the videos to make dark shots look lighter and to match the time of day (the event was supposed to take place in the afternoon, but we shot the video as the sun was setting. We want it to look as authentic as possible).  Getting each clip to match with the lighting was a bit of a challenge and we had to spend a little bit of time troubleshooting that part of the editing process. 

Placing the Broll with the appropriate voice over was a little bit harder than we has originally thought.  In order to get the story to flow smoothly, we had to make sure that the voice over and the image matched, but also that it was placed at the right place in the sequence of the story line.

Placing all of the pieces of the puzzle together is a really interesting and fulfilling process. It's cool to see the story unfold even after we've already told it. 

Heres Frankensteins Monster:

Tackling our first assignment as MLSnews Team

Scully assigned our class a fictional news story to report on campus:

Our assignment was to write a script, shoot broll and voice over and gather interviews about a construction accident on campus that totaled "Vice President Mark Thatcher's Lime Green Hummer".

Mike, Shannon and Lindsey began this project by shooting the sign in and sign off for the news story. Lindsey was the reporter, Shannon was the camera person and Mike was the producer. The team later gathered broll footage of the construction zone, signs on campus and scenery at RWU. The team had interviews with two student witnesses as well as "Public Information Officer, Mike Scully".

Once everything was shot and the voice over was recorded, the team began working on the editing phase of this project. Although it is not complete, the news team has made a lot of progress and is able to work together effectively to get assignments done.

This first assignment was fun and interesting, especially working with a new camera and learning new editing techniques. The team learned that it is harder than they thought to work in front of the camera. Also, there are many elements to working behind the camera too. Lighting and sounds have to be just right if the footage is going to look solid and professional.

This is the first of many assignments the team will have in this class, and they are ready to tackle whatever is thrown at them!

Intro to Digital Journalism

Team:

Lindsey Spinella(Producer) - Senior Communications, Public Relations major, Spanish and Creative Writing minor. Originally from Waterbury, CT, aspires to someday work in NYC before settling down. Loves to dance, workout, be outside, travel, write, spend time with family, and make memories with friends.

Mike Spark(Reporter) - Senior at Roger Williams University, from Long Beach Island, New Jersey. Currently a resident of Bristol, RI and has dreams of becoming a lawyer. Currently a global communications major with a minor and a passion for Photography. Here's his link:

Mike Spark's Flickr Page

Shannon Flaherty(Camera) - Senior at Roger Williams University. Public Relations major from Plymouth, Massachusetts. Upon graduation she would like to pursue a career in Event Planning. Enjoys basketball, working out, and being with family and friends.

MLSnews was established in Fall 2008 at Roger Williams University for use in exploring techniques in digital journalism.