Vaping Documentary; MMEA - ID# 81

Waubonsie Valley

Division: A

Documentary

Entry Description

documentary on vaping in high schools and the dangers it poses to students

Recent Teacher Comments

• 4/23 7:46 pm - Good abstracts, concepts, framing, silhouette. Even if it’s an (adult) reenactment, you MUST HAVE SHOTS OF VAPING - or else this is just a great Radio story.
• 3/12 6:51 pm - One more thing: I love the opening sequence and I wish you did not sue music wall to wall.
• 3/12 6:49 pm - Great undercover shot, well composed and thought out broll, very even sound recording. The interview with the Counselor - I wish you used a lower third to identify her. The shot of empty swing set? Bravo!
• 3/7 1:54 pm - Strong opening, dark music a little melodramatic. Reused swing shot from playground. Amazing that you can film anonymous sources in your district - lots of freedom and great way to exploit it. The fades are distracting a weak transition. Boke shots at night are beautiful and lyrical. As compelling as the b-roll is, it doesn’t necessarily link or complement the content. Good job taking on a controversial issue- very audacious

Judge 1

Positives: Great topic and love the way you shot the student interviews

Improvements: Some of the broll shots felt as if they were an afterthought and did not fit. My opinion is you may have overused the dip to black consider a split edit where the footage continues and the audio under changes to the next scene.

Judge 2

Positives: Very informative. Nice composition and cinematography.

Improvements: Seemed like it needed a few more interviews which were not in the dark. Music and editing could have changed at points for pacing.

Judge 3

Positives: The classic structure of the film fits the subject matter and is well executed to illustrate the issue. The argument is subtly weighted against vaping by having the students talk about the impact to their lives instead of what they enjoy about it. It’s a tactic that will entice audiences and give others something to think about.

Improvements: It is unclear why the vaping subjects’ identities and voices are obscured. The reason for the choice is not immediately clear and seems to indicate that this is much more high-stakes than it is. A less dramatic approach (one not used with whistle blowers and people whose lives are endangered by speaking) would be of benefit. Straight cuts as opposed to dissolves would help with the pacing and flow of information. The way the dissolves are used does not match contemporary subject matter.

Judge 4

Positives:

Improvements: