1 Leave a comment on paragraph 1 0 Adeola Awowale
DCC Documentary
The main idea of the project is to capture on film the Digital Cultures Community we have created here at Queen Annes Hall. I want to capture the essence and feeling of the community as a whole, but also each individual, particularly the sophomores. I hope to capture unique aspects of their lives outside DCC and just the things everyone may not know about each individual. The unique aspects help explain the development of the community as a whole.
The project is taking a video format, however the final medium, whether it will be up a a DCC “yearbook” website or a full length movie documentary is still to be decided. It is possible that the footages make take both mediums.
I already began a little bit of the project due to the enormity of capturing at least all the sophomores on film. Obtaining footage of every one has proved to be a difficult task particularly because I don’t wish to exclude anyone.  It will be a mixed recording of impromptu acts such as the DCC events or the storm even, and video confessions. I have some basic  questions such as names, majors, but then I ask open ended questions about sharing unique talents and feeling about life in general, then less broad, opinions about DCC. I ask the students to demonstrate their talents. Eddie Wardel for example, made music and James edited a video for me on camera. I wish to capture real everyday actions and life at Queen Annes. I have been using an HD video camera purchased for the project, it shoots in HD so the quality has been pretty good. I made my choice of formats based on the fact that I want every important aspects captured. I want real unstaged moments.
I have basic video capturing skills, I can hold the camera steadily and the camera I am using is pretty easy. I have been researching a bit about camera angles based on the format different documentaries take, however I think I wish to focus more on the content being captured although the aesthetics and looks of the finished product is an important aspect.  I know how to edit videos, I have used iMovie in the past and have create some good videos but I think I would like to use a different software such as Premiere. I do not personally own the software so I will be spending a lot of time downstairs in the “playroom”. I am familiar with premiere though I have a lot to learn about it but James (JB) who is a pro with the software has agreed to help. The documentary relies on the contents I am able to capture and will determine what form the video takes. There will be an enormous amount of editing so it is incredibly important that I begin capturing early. I think it is great that I am the one doing the project simply because I am able to interact with people in a relaxed manner. I like engaging people and I hope this skill will allow people to feel comfortable opening up. The only problem I see with content is that because I am female and living on the 3rd floor, I am able to collect more “real” footages from the girls on my floor than the guys and even girls on the other floor and so I am afraid there might be some unevenness. A solution I have been playing around with is asking people for video footages to send me. It will make them more comfortable and relaxed and would obtain “real” and “unshy” content. However, I want the same video quality from everyone. Another option would be to start spending time on different floors and get to know everyone on a different and closer level. With that, I afraid I may be imposing on their daily lives and might even distort the video contents.

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