MHS Common Ground Cultural Fair - ID# 511
Mundelein
Natural Audio News Package
Entry Description
Every year MHS hosts a cultural fair that celebrates the many cultures as well as educates about those cultures. Students always love the event. Two students created a news story to highlight what it was all about.
Copyright Info
Recent Teacher Comments
- 4/30 4:05 pm - Strengths: The opening interview did a great job setting context and clearly introducing what the story was about. You also included a strong variety of b roll and natural sounds that helped illustrate the energy and excitement of the event. The visuals helped capture the fun atmosphere of the fair and made the piece engaging to watch. Areas for Growth: For the interviews, it would be better to have the interviewees look at you rather than directly at the camera. This will create a more natural and professional look. Some of the interviews also appeared a little overexposed, shaky, or slightly out of focus. Taking a little extra time to set up the shot, check focus, and stabilize the camera will help make the overall project feel more polished and professional. There is also an opportunity to develop a deeper story beyond simply asking people about their favorite part of the fair. Toward the end, some interviews briefly mentioned the importance of the event, and that seemed like a really interesting angle to explore further. Expanding on why the fair matters to the community could help give the story a stronger focus and more depth.
- 4/29 6:47 am - What a great event! Wonderful to see all of the cultures that are at your school! Great natural audio on your b-roll and the story was well told by the people you interviewed. I was a little confused by the b-roll shots that were of some type of event in your Auditorium. Was this a full day event that went from booths/tables in the gym to a more formal event in the Auditorium? With this being a natural audio news package, one element that was missing from your story was hearing the students interaction with other students. Put a wireless mic on a student who is showcasing their culture and let’s hear them interact with another student, let’s hear them sharing their culture with another student, etc. It’s not just about the natural audio from the b-roll, but it’s having the people in your video tell the story.
Judge 1
Positives: 1. You did a wonderful job highlighting natural sound in your piece. It was clear to hear and interesting, instead of just ambient noise from the background. The only tidbit I would add is to try and make sure you don't have your natural sound compete with the sound of your interview subjects. That can make things a bit confusing from an audiovisual standpoint. 2. You also did a good job showing us activity, showing us people who were moving around and doing things. Cameras love action! So, again, great. Your usage of a mix of wide, medium, and tight shots also varied things up, which was good too.
Improvements: 1. Your interview subjects were positioned too center on the screen. Next time, remember to apply "the rule of thirds" and position them either to the left or right of the camera. When your subjects are placed in the center of the screen, two things can happen: They can sometimes coming off as imposing to the viewer as they are looking directly at them. Or the viewers' eyes can be drawn to multiple things happening over each of their shoulders. 2. A few of your shots were a bit too shaky. Shaky video can take the viewer's attention away from what you're trying to convey. Unless you are following action that is moving across the room, always try to use your tripod to make your visuals more stable .
Judge 2
Positives: This was a great nat piece. You had a lot, but it didn't feel rushed. Great length. I love that you talked to a wide variety of students from all different backgrounds. All the nat pops were quick and well placed.
Improvements: You had a lot to work with so probably didn't need to repeat the display at :33 again at 1:12 The stage performance did see a little confusing thrown in there without a sot describing that more. I think you could add that and still keep this to about 1:30
Judge 3
Positives: This was sweet and to the point, easy to watch. There were interesting pops of natural audio throughout. I'd like to hear even more!
Improvements: After identifying your first interviewee, there are none for your remaining SOTs. This limits your audience from understanding if they're just a participant in the day, if they set up their own cultural display, etc. It's a small detail...but small details matter. Make sure everyones mic cord is tucked in. This tells a viewer you were rushed. I'm unsure if this was shot on an iPhone, but your footage isn't stabilized. It's okay to stray from a tripod here and there, but the little wobbles is a small technical detail that could be improved. This seems like a unique opportunity to mic up your interviewees while they spend time at the fair. Whether that's Ms. Grig interacting with students...or someone you interviewed along the way interacting with other students. Think outside of the box and use that to help blend the storyline. Work on framing interviews using the rule of thirds. Remind your interviewees that you're having a conversation with them and that the camera is just there. Another way to always make sure you get a name and title from those being interviewed is to start your interview process with this question.
Judge 4
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Judge 5
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