3rd Place :: Division AA

Tikal

Maine South

Documentary

Entry Description

This is a documentary about Tikal, Guatemala. It is about the Mayan civilization that lived in the area and about the ruins they left behind. This entire video was filmed during my vacation to Guatemala. All the video is original footage from my camera. Everything was shot on location. Did not have any other equipment other than my camera for filming.

Judge 1

Positives: 1) Nice variety of footage and angles! 2) Well written Mayan history.

Improvements: 1) At times, the voiceover seems separate from the footage - as if the visuals are just random. Focus more on connecting what the audience sees with what is being said. 2) At 4:30 the piece seems to end but then comes back and provides an ending statement - this is a little awkward.

Judge 2

Positives: Impressive footage! I wish there was a microphone so I could hear the jungle. Awesome b-roll.There are so many incredible monuments and artifacts! This project was very informative. Great historical facts about the Mayans and Tikal in general. The music was very soothing too. Great work!

Improvements: Try and record a few takes of your voice over. Typically, the more takes you do, the better and smoother the voice over will get. IT will sound more natural and less reading. The transition from the intro to the voice over was a little rocky. I was really digging that opening song. It would have been nice to hear it under the start of the voice over and the song changes maybe as you change topics in the VO.

Judge 3

Positives: Good compilation of footage while on your trip. Good use of narration. It really helped tell about the history of Tikal. Nice use of transitions.

Improvements: Try to get used to not using automatic exposure. It will ruin shots as the exposure keeps changing within it. It is fine if you want to use it to get a somewhat accurate reading of what the exposure should be, but once you do, turn it off/switch it to manual if you have that capability within your camera. White balance was off a few times. While in the field it is hard to be perfect all the time, but sometimes it can be helped in post.