Dr. Lance Fuhrer News Package - ID# 406

Neuqua Valley

News Package

Entry Description

Neuqua Valley introduces their new principal, Dr. Lance Fuhrer.

Copyright Info

Recent Teacher Comments

• 4/23 8:59 pm - I like that you chose a unique topic to your community to highlight. I second the comments below and do not want to be redundant. This was one of my favorite pieces. Here is a way you can improve. Bring and use a light and tripod for the opening shot or expand your frame so it doesn't look like we're looking up on him. There are a few more shots that expanding the frame could really change where the viewers are looking. Otherwise, I really enjoyed this piece. If you are an underclassman, keep making pieces. If you are a senior, I wish you the best in your future and congratulations!
• 3/16 8:31 pm - Hailey ,I thought your story was organized very well. I liked the introduction where you see him on the PA – it was a great way to introduce him and your story. A little more creative than the typical start with a voice over telling your audience right away what to expect. Throughout your piece I thought each thing that was said was either supporting what point was just made, or was setting up the next point - I guess what I am saying is it flowed very well, and I didn’t feel like I had unanswered questions after watching it. This kind of quality is not an accident, instead it is the result of carefully planning out the direction of your story and asking questions that will elicit the answer that takes the story in the direction you wish it to go. Great Job I thought your B-Roll was very diverse I see attempts to keep it looking fresh, and using camera movement to maintain interest on what could otherwise turn into a boring static shot. Just be careful not to overdo the movement, because at times is started taking over my focus and as a result I was missing some of what was being said. Sometimes a static (or slower moving shot) while boring, isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Your B-Roll also really did a great job communicating that this is a man on the move, talking with people, getting work done, he is out and about –great job with that. However, as beautiful as many of those shots were I would have loved to see the B-Roll support more closely the points you want to make. Of course, it fit at certain points, but near the end when he was talking about ACT scores and him wanting to have students more focused on the experience I would have loved to see students having positive experiences at NV – in class, extracurriculars, with friends etc. True B-roll is used as a filler to keep a head shot from getting boring, but it is also used to help your audience (especially the visual learners) remember the talking points of the piece. I guess that’s why I would have loved more of those “positive” student visuals so that point would have been driven home. Please don’t be discouraged by my comments, I thought you did a great job taking a rather routine, and sometimes even boring topic and did it well. Great Job, I enjoyed it.

Judge 1

Positives: - I love the use of natural sound at the beginning! It adds a creative flavor that really sets the scene. Great job getting that shot and using it right off the bat. - Your writing is solid in that the story flows well together. That's a tough thing to master in high school -- great work!

Improvements: - This piece could use improvement on shot composition -- and specifically, sequencing. You have some great action shots of Dr. Fuhrer working or talking with people. Mix in some wide, medium and tight shots. When I say tight (zoom in on the keyboard, his hands when he talks, the person he's talking to, etc.). This would help you prevent jump cuts in the middle there. - Your tag has too much head room at the end. Be sure to pan down and remember the rule of thirds

Judge 2

Positives: Good job getting a variety of broll showing the principal doing many different things. This could have been video poor, but you found a way to make it more interesting. Good job using a lot of sound and letting the principal talk. Also, liked how you covered with video instead of just talking head.

Improvements: Sot with principal to start was a bit long. You could tighten it up and cut off after he says "new principal" While the principal says his name, you should also reiterate his name at the start of the pkg. Be mindful of your head room on broll and your standup

Judge 3

Positives: -The interview with Mr. Fuhrer was well framed. I liked how the shot was established. -Loved the use of photos to tell Mr. Fuhrer's story.

Improvements: -Be careful with jump cuts. That happens when you shoot shots of the same subject in in similar camera positions (such as Mr. Fuhrer walking in the hallway to another shot of him walking in a different hallway). If you place a shot of his feet moving in between those two shots, it helps differentiate the shots. -Try to shoot more in sequence, less panning. Pick a spot and shoot it in three different ways (establishing, medium, close-up)

Judge 4

Positives:

Improvements: