COVID Times: Reflection

This video project would be difficult for someone who has never worked with this sort of medium before. Telling a story about someone in a brief clip can be difficult, especially when it comes to deciding what to show in it and what music should be used. Choosing how to represent a person via objects was a bit of a struggle as well, especially while in a pandemic. However, as a whole, this portion was not too difficult to complete. 

There were a few issues involved in filming, editing, and uploading the video, but they were not very large problems. Filming is not something that I typically do, especially being in front of the camera. This was a very new and challenging experience. Having only used iMovie once for a project during high school it was a bit of a struggle. However, after messing around with it for a bit it was fairly easy to use. There were a few minor mishaps throughout the editing process, but they were easy problems to fix. Additionally, after completing the video, the file was too large to upload to Blackboard. However, this issue ended up being an easier fix than anticipated. 

Video is a very different type of communication than writing and photography. Using video is beneficial in that it can display visual aids as well as both nonverbal and verbal communication. The fact that visual aids are included strengthens the impact of the message. Also, through video, the audience can understand the message in a brief amount of time (whether it is through a minute and thirty second video or a twenty second video). This type of communication is very quick and effective in getting its point across. People tend to be visual learners, especially now, so the use of videos is an effective way to communicate a concept. This is even more prominent today due to the use of social media and smart phones. People now have access to videos through multiple different platforms on their smart phones, whether it be YouTube, Instagram, or TikTok. 

The nature of the video did not really change the subject matter that greatly. The only thing that really changed was that we are in the middle of a pandemic. However, I did make my life seem more interesting in the video. Most of the time I am sitting at home during schoolwork if I am not working at the dance studio or Bath and Body Works. I decided that I would include things like dance and my pets because they are a huge part of my life. I used a video of a girl doing an acrobatics trick because I have known her since she was about three years old, and I taught her dance for numerous years. I pretty much have watched her grow up. I included a video of me getting a ride to Buffalo State because it showed that I am a commuter. I showed videos of me on campus walking to class and videos of me taking my online classes as well to show that I am a student. In the videos that were taken in my room I decided to pan up from my laptop screen to give hints of my other interests. For instance, you can see that I like to run because of the medals that were hanging in my room or my interest in reading because of my bookcase. Also, I showed my interest in gaming because I was watching a girl play The Sims in part of the video. Finally, I demonstrated that we are in the middle of a pandemic because in a few of the shots I was wearing a mask, and in a clip from the dance studio I was holding a bottle of hand sanitizer and a thermometer. It was difficult at first to select what represented me, but I feel that what I chose represented my life during this pandemic in an effective manner.

Overall, this project was very fun and it was a great experience. This project was a great learning experience as it is helping to diversify our methods of communication. It challenged us as communicators to use a different way of thinking to communicate the message and it challenged us to use different perspectives. There was one major challenge throughout this project, and it was the time restriction. Trying to show who you are in a minute and thirty seconds was a bit of a struggle; however, it is important that we were given this. The time restriction was important in that this is helping prepare us for the real world.