I had really been looking forward to this challenging course, and it did not disappoint. I have learned a lot about 2.0 tools that were new to me, such as video editing software, DropBox, and Google documents. I learned how to use software that was already installed on my computer, namely Windows Movie Maker and QuickTime Player. I also taught myself how to PhotoShop for one of our projects, the digital story. The Google document was a very interesting tool to use. It was especially fun when one person was editing the document, then another would begin to edit at the same time. It was also the first time I used DropBox. Even though I am making great strides in my technology knowledge, I still find myself making dumb little mistakes. For instance, to get to DropBox, I kept going back to the original e-mail one of my partners sent out to invite us to use DropBox. Last night I realized that when I downloaded DropBox, an icon was added to my toolbar, so all I have to do is click on it, and I’m there. Just when you get full of yourself, your computer teaches you humility again. I think I still have a long way to go, technology-wise. I am really looking forward to the digital graphics course.
The best part about this course was not what I expected it to be. I expected the best part to be learning all of the new technology skills. Instead, the best part was working with the team. Everyone pulled together, did their part, and we turned out a pretty good product that makes us all really proud. We had logistical issues with different time zones and different Internet capabilities, not to mention different teaching and living schedules, but we worked as a very effective team. I’ve always preferred to do a project such as this alone, but I know it would not have been as good had I done it independently. The team effort also made the project enjoyable, rather than completely overwhelming.
One more really important thing I learned about making a video: use good lighting! As I read several weeks ago, “Nothing spoils a video shoot as much as poor lighting“ (Hendricks, n.d., Lighting, lighting, lighting, para. 1). I could have saved myself and others a lot of time and trouble if I had just waited for the best time and weather to film, instead of trying to force the issue by filming outside shots on a rainy day. No wonder big movies get behind schedule.
Hendricks, G. (n.d.) Guidelines for shooting quality video. Desk¬top-Video-Guide. Retrieved December 15, 2011 from http://www.desktop-video-guide.com/shoot-video.html
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