Group Project? *cue all the whining*

Several topics were given to students, as a group the topics were discussed and from those topics the groups chose one. Communication, Politics, Separation, Time, and Abstract were amongst the topics to choose from. Abstract was a topic that stood out because there were very little limits when it came to creativity. This topic was difficult because you have to figure out how to portray abstract concepts using colors, filters, and symbols. If something is abstract that means there's no physical or concrete existence of it. It exists in the brain. The idea for the abstract video changed several times. As a group, the ideas that were brought up were too large and over thought. After realizing that the concept could be portrayed in a different way the group was able to overcome the brainstorming process and have a set idea. After coming of with a set idea, it's important to divide the work up so that each person has a responsibility in the video. As a group, you should brainstorm or formulate a way to shoot your idea. How are you going to shoot it? Which angle are you going to shoot it in? Who is going to be in the film for what part? Think about what filters you could use and what transitions you could use to strengthen a part of the video.

Group communication is one of the most important aspects of a successful project. There has to be open communication and sharing of ideas. When group members share ideas the other members must listen and evaluate whether or not that would be a good idea. It's okay if at first the group doesn't agree on a topic. If you talk it out and provide more ideas you're on your way to the goal. Each group member should be an active part of the group. Each part of a project should be discussed as a group so that you're all on the same page. When doing a group project you want the work to be divided between all of the members so that you can all share you're grade and deserve it. Sometimes it's hard to be in a group when some personalities are more controlling than others. There's some people that like to be in control and the boss because of their personality. Others are more of the "but in when I can" kind of people. Whichever you are make sure you have some say because at the end of the day a portion of the grade is yours.


Shooting the video was an easy process. The lighting had to be right so that people could actually see the film and or the people in it. Self-timer makes it easier to film yourself when there was no one else around to help. As long as the film was in landscape more instead of portrait you'd be set to go.  There's always some difficulty in scheduling when a project requires a group. It's hard to have 3 different schedules meet at the same time on one day, more than once. Groups rescheduling meetings occurs more than once. As much as group projects are disliked, sometimes they have some of the best work because there's more than one brain working together.

One of the hardest part about the shooting was including the self-portrait experience. Trying to have a cohesive video while still having your own fact about yourself is hard to include. You want to make sure your self portrait video doesn't stand out from the video as a whole. Your self portrait experience and your concept video had to make sense together.The littlest fact could have been included but it was made  more complicated sounding before shooting actually started.


Editing is the fun part. There are filters and transitions that can be used to make a concept more visually appealing and understandable. Editing was pretty straightforward and to do. Once the group planned out what filters to use to get abstract across the video started to come along. As a group you don't want to overkill the simplicity and abstract idea with too many filters. Just a few filters really added to the video to bring it to life. After starting the editing process, part of that is deciding what sound affects and music to choose. That part comes quickly especially if you have a vision for your video. Two songs were enough for the video to keep it flowing smoothly.

Making a visual video is a better way to communicate a message than it is to use text or photographs. Using visuals allows the viewer to come to their own message versus photographs or text where it's spelled out for you. Visuals and video also required the viewer to use their five senses; sight, taste, hearing, touching, and smelling. While all of them weren't used in this video sight and hearing were. These two provide a larger impact if they're used in the right way. That's why it's so important to make sure the small details in your video are done the right way. Transitions, filters, shots, and music will strengthen each other to make a powerful video.

The last part of the process is sharing the video. You want to make work/a video that you're proud of. Putting it onto places like YouTube, Twitter, and Facebook is very easy. Accepting people's criticism and perspectives while opening yourself up in a way may be the hard part. You want people to critic and analyze your video so that the next time you have to do something similar you know how to attack it better. Presenting the video in front of others can cause some anxiety. Being the center of attention is hard sometimes especially when you have to do it. Allowing people's thoughts and comments to make yourself better is always a good thing. Working as a group also strengthens a part of your personality whether it be communication, responsibility, or an individual skill. When you're on a group sharing ideas or an idea you're vulnerable. Allowing yourself to be vulnerable and trying new experiences is the only way to learn.