Hey all...I have a video project due for my english class in about a week and a half...it's about the 1940's and it has to be around 45 minutes. Being the poor guy I am, I have no fancy equipment (though I would die for a GL-2 and a powerbook *dreams*), so I am running with an AGH ANALOG Sony Hi-8 Handycam, and Pinnacle running on a PC. Now keep in mind, my PC is not great for editing projects at this extremity at all, though I have done a few projects, none exceeding 10 minutes in length. My question to you is, should I shoot the thing and edit it in camera (a royal pain in the arse)? Or should I shoot the whole thing and edit it in 10 minute segments and hope it works alright?

a 45 minut project due in a wekk and a half!!!!!! And you don't have digital available!!!!! I'm not climbing on you, but this is extreme. Your going to have to put in a lot of work time if you can only work 10 mintures on your computer. I would probably edit the four 10 mintue segemnts(plus the 5) on the computer. My suggestion is to have a fade in and out after each segment (for continuity purposes) and have four different storys. Or one story broken up.

" . . . Choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve . . . but as for me and for my house, we will serve the Lord." - Joshua 24:15

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Originally posted by Rellik:
a 45 minut project due in a wekk and a half!!!!!!

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That's exactly what I said. I even tried to get her to extend the due date but she wouldn't have it, wanting the final project in before finals...it sucks...I feel like I can't put my heart and soul into this project...like I have to rush it...and that never turns out good

Excuse me...maybe it's been a while since I went to school...but...a FORTY FIVE MINUTE project for an ENGLISH CLASS??!?!?

What's wrong with english papers anymore? Why is she asking for a film half the length of a feature for an ENGLISH CLASS? I can understand a 5-10 minute piece...but 45?

Set up the camera and act out the entire thing in one 45 minute take. Seriously though...if you don't have the editing equipment...shooting it all in camera in order is a good idea. When you're done shooting...you're done with the film.

In my high school that was how we had to shoot all of our films. (Of course fancy schmancy nonlinears weren't available then) And we shot on VHS.

-Chris
Studentfilms.com

Exactly Chris...I wasn't expecting this kind of project either, but I jumped at the opportunity when she said it. Then my hopes kinda sunk when she said it was due next Friday. Although I was going to try to make it look good, I guess the end product isn't going to come out as I had hoped it would. I still don't understand why she wants us to do something 45 minutes...I'd understand maybe 10, but geez. She says it would be more interesting to do this than read reports in front of the class...but to tell you the truth, I'd rather sit through 20 presentations than 5 45 minute terribly put together, bottom line boring, videos.

Hey i just had an idea. I have no clue whether or not this'll wokr with your assignment, or if you already have it all planned out, but you could make it really artsy, and replay alot of footage.

Like show a story from a couple of perspectives, or a couple of alternate endings, showing critical scenes a number of times.

This will reduce the amount of raw footage you need, make the editting a bit harder, and possible either make or break the greade depending if it comes out well.

That's a good idea that I'd use had I time or resources. Unfortunately the project is due Wednesday , so I have very little time to script, shoot and edit. So I guess I can resort to one thing. Make it crappy. But very tastefully crappy. So crappy that it's actually entertaining, but nothing too far. I know there is a fine line here, and I'll do my best not to cross it. (Hmm this could make up for the lack of good costumes etc...) Maybe poke fun at the teacher too. Perhaps have a Blair Witch style intro (all text on screen):

"In December of 2003, five students from Churchill High School were given a video assignment from their English teacher."

"The assignment was to document only certain events of the 1940's."

"The production was to be 45 minutes in length, roughly half the length of a feature film."

"With what little time, materials, and subject matter they had, this is what they came up with."

Fade in.

lol I really don't know if that would even work, just kinda typing out ideas off the top of my head. Oh well, I'll keep ya posted. Thanks for the help!

[This message was edited by hawk1646 on December 03, 2003 at 05:02 PM.]