Video Link: https://youtu.be/fw7gL1gnfz0
This video is an introduction to a potential
historical research project. The video reflects more than the output of a visual
literacy exercise. The information leveraged can be information obtained during
a history or civics class. The
application of that knowledge is exercised during a Media studies class.
Therefore, leveraging visual literacy in projects might help engage students
from a multi-disciplinary perspective (Fortuna, 2010).
The
concept in the story board remained mostly consistent compared to the final
video. However, during post production, the
order and timing of some of the shots were adapted to allow the flow and
transitions in the video to be more succinct. Due to my technical limitations
on shooting the scenes there were rough transitions that resulted when I
attempted to zoom in for medium full frames for emphasis. See #4 in the
Storyboard blog. Overall, I applied the following concepts when I produced my
video.
In
the opening scene, there is initially a Long Shot in the opening sequence in
that there is a clear horizon. This is useful in providing a general mood and impression
of the environment. This is good especially if the video is being shown to someone
not familiar with the area. There is also a great effect from the filmer’s use
of the Tracking technique (Fortuna, 2010, pg.18). It allows viewers to move
with the traffic and experience the pace of a typically busy urban street like
Market and Broad Street.
The
following scene introduces the viewer specifically to Broad Street where there
is still an abundance of commercial activity.
The most prominent business is Prudential. The third shot attempts to
change the attention from the busy commercial aspect of Broad Street to a more
tranquil church. The panning technique which obviously changing direction. Unfortunately, the camera was not mounted on a
steady surface as the panning occurred so there is some turbulence.
The imagery in the subsequent scenes
have tighter focal points like the bulletin depicting the historical facts of
the church as well as the church itself. There is an attempt to do a medium
full shot that zooms in from the panning from Prudential to the churchyard, but
the transition was not smooth.
The close shot of church with the camera
angle from below was intentional to show reverence for the church and the
historical contributions the church made to the Underground Railroad
(Golombisky, 2010). This is also where the verbal narrative of the images is important
for this project. The same building, especially well-known establishments like
Prudential Financial and Old First Church have multiple meanings. The church
might be prominent because its existence in a large metropolitan area for 350
years, so the call-out to the lesser known involvement in the Underground
Railroad.
References
October 4,
2017.
Golombisky, K., & Hagen, R. (2010). White Space is not
Your Enemy: A Beginner’s Guide to
Communicating
Visually through Graphic, Web & Multimedia Design . Focal Press:
New York,
NY.
Fortuna, C. (2010). Lights! Camera! Action! A grammar of
film for media literacy.
Knowledge
Quest, 38(4), 10-23.
Tettamanti, Steven; Amemasor, James; and
Guderian, Greg. Interview with the New Jersey
Historical
Society. September 19, 2015
