Jonah Prober - ID# 226
Glenbrook North
Natural Audio News Package
Entry Description
On Spartan News Now, we take a deep look into the recent success of the GBN Marching Band, and how their leader, Jonah Prober, has helped propel them to victory.
Copyright Info
Recent Teacher Comments
- 4/7 7:18 am - Good start with the natural audio from the band. Interview with the band director - bring a portable light to help soften those shadows or turn him around so the stadium lighting helps to light his face better. Interview of Band President - that light coming in from the windows is a little harsh - I would find a different location for that interview. Also, the focus on his interview is a little soft. Put a mic on Jonah so we can hear him while he’s working with the band - that’s the natural audio that is missing from this news package and that’s what is at the heart of this category. Blowing a whistle, talking to his fellow band members, working with the director, etc. At :47, we see a shot of him with some of the band in the background, but hear no natural audio from that clip. And then the natural audio from the next clip came in before we even saw that clip. Don't use the natural audio from other clips to put in place of where the original natural audio should be - example of this is at 1:20 - the audio doesn't match the clip that is shown. There was a part at 1:50 where we see him jumping around with the band director - that’s a great place where you could have brought up that natural audio to a full level so the viewer can hear his excitement, can hear how he interacts with his peers, etc. Then right after that clip, we see Jonah doing a routine, but don’t hear him. Mic him up and bring that audio up full so that we can hear what he’s saying. It shouldn’t be just the sound bytes that tell the story - the natural audio (whether it’s music in the background or people talking) should also help tell the story. Remember - this isn't just a news package category, but a natural audio news package, so be sure that the natural audio helps to tell the story (along with support from the sound bytes).
- 3/14 9:39 pm - When I look at what this story is all about, it is about Jonah and how he has evolved into a Drum Major and what he has brought to the role. Not super exciting stuff (no offense Jonah) but I think you did a great job telling the story. I think your B-roll most of the time also really reinforced what was being said to drive the point home (unity of the band, the fun of the role etc) Camera Work Overall your camera work was diverse and kept me visually engaged, some scenes got a little redundant but I know there is only so much you can do given the topic. One thing that I would have worked at or been aware of when gathering footage was Peter’s interview. He is out of focus, and has intense sun on the side of his face, mistakes that should can’t really be fixed in post-production and should have been caught while filming. Use of Sound I thought you did a good job using sound and b-roll to break up the story into its prospective segments. You didn’t break any rules but anytime a nat sound package is done featuring music at a school it is an easy way out of using music but not using music I guess I would have loved a little bit more intentionality at the sounds a drum major makes too, blowing a whistle, counting down, shouting commands. Let his personality come out through that sound a little more. Again you didn’t necessarily do anything wrong, I just think there is more you could have done. Editing Over all the editing was not distracting, with the exception of when you were coming in and out of interviews where the band was playing during a transition. The music was too loud as the interview would start and then would suddenly drop out. Examples of this 43, 59, 1:33. Your story ended very abruptly I am guessing it was originally a little longer and you chopped it to fit the 2 minute mark for the contest, but rather than lopping it off at 2, I always tell my students to pull something out of the middle so it doesn’t end so abruptly. Natural Sound packages are hard because you need to creatively tell a story that your audience can digest and connect with, without the luxury of a reporter to tell the audience what is important. While there are some technical issues, overall I think your story evolves, the b-Roll Reinforces, and technically there is natural sound to pull your audience in. Good Job
Judge 1
Positives: Nice feature story about someone who would probably not get a lot of attention otherwise. Great natural sound and nat sound pops throughout the piece. Good variety of shots.
Improvements: The audio has some issues in some of the sound bites. Some of the b-roll is missing natural sound Some of the interview video needs additional lighting to fill in the darkness a bit.
Judge 2
Positives: Seeing subject doing what he is being recognized. Having practice and performance video adds variety. Good quality audio but inconsistent levels.
Improvements: Crooked horizon tells the viewer that something is wrong. Keep images level. Some montage shots are missing natural sound and/or have different sound that doesn't match the video. More shot sequences together rather than ping-ponging from sot to b-roll etc.
Judge 3
Positives: 1. Good blending of music in and out of clips so that the music doesn't stop harshly. 2. I liked that you got rehearsal clips from different locations and times.
Improvements: 1. Sound levels were a little all over the place. B roll sound was much louder than the interview sounds. I would have liked to see the music from the rehearsals playing throughout instead of hearing silence during the interviews, with some blending of the music between different clips. 2. I wanted to hear more from Jonah himself! His peers and mentors have so many good things to say, but the story is about him and he only gets one sound bite, and it's not the strongest one in the piece.
Judge 4
Positives:
Improvements: