Narration

Editing the Explanation Video

Overview

Since we are making instructional videos that all the video classes will watch in order to learn how to create your Master Shot, it is very important that you have interpreted the concept correctly and created a clear example of the Master Shot. This is why we are completing a peer review first to ensure that it is correct. When I grade your final Narration video and if it is not correct, you will need to complete it again.

Intro Sound

Open your Master Shot iMovie file, the one with the under ten second intro. Look at how long your intro is and insert a short music intro from iLife Sound Effects that matches the same time as your intro. Click on the Time column so that it sorts all the effects by time and then you can choose easier.

Peer Review

In class, ask someone who does not sit next to you in your small row to check over your Master Shot work. Follow the directions to complete the peer review.

Narrate

If your video example was approved from the peer review and you are confident with it, then proceed with the narration directions below:

  1. Storyboard
    1. Insert your storyboard photo after the title intro and take off the Ken Burns Photo Moving Effect by clicking on the crop icon in the middle toolbar. Make sure the storyboard can be seen clearly. Change the duration of the photo to 20 seconds. Then use the iMovie audio narration to record a brief & simple explanation of the storyboard. Start by saying
    2. In this storyboard, reading from top left to bottom right...and then explain briefly what is going on in the storyline. Do not explain any of the Master Shot, cuts, angles, audio, etc. Only explain the storyline simply without detail in one, maybe two sentences and it must not go over 20 seconds. If your narration recording was 12 seconds, delete the extra 8 seconds left of the photo duration.
  2. Narration Prep
    1. Open your page on www.mastershots.posthaven.com and review the text. In your CA book, make a numbered list of the order of what you will be explaining to teach your master shot (most of your list items are explained in your Master Shot text. Do a good job on writing your list because you will use it when you narrate. It does not have to be complete sentences, phrases are fine, but make sure you understand what you are writing. Leave plenty of space between the numbers because later you will be adding more information to each phrase.
    2. Chasing Scene Example:
    3. 1. Show the victim where to run and use panting sound effects to emphasis
    4. 2. Make sure to tell the victim to show a desperate expression while running
    5. 3. Have the victim run at the camera for a head-on shot to show movement
    6. 4. Victim thinks she is safe and stops to catch her breath (make sure to film a low angle of the victim to show more of a connection between the audience & victim)
    7. 5. Victim must peek around the corner to add suspense (this is the most important part of your film and it is important not to rush this part)
    8. Now go to your video footage that your classmate took of you filming and choose clips that clearly illustrates each of the numbered points you listed. In your numbered list, add scene descriptions in brackets to refer to which shot you will later use to show the example from your video.
    9. Example
    10. 1. Show the victim where to run and use panting sound effects for emphasis [CLIP: Sunny starts running down the stairs]
  1. Then highlight the section of the clip that you think you will later use as an example for the audience to see while you explain and click on the green Star+ on the toolbar in the middle of the screen. This will help you find the footage faster when you need to insert it into the timeline later.Narration Recording
    1. Now in iMovie use the built-in iSight recorder to record yourself explaining your Master Shot using the numbered list in your CA book.
    1. When you film your narration, try to film during the day either outside or indoors near a window to allow natural side light. Add additional light if needed. Do not have a background that is messy and distracting. Make sure to use rule of thirds when you position your face on the screen.Before recording, lean your CA book with your numbered list on your Macbook as you explain so that you can have an order reference. Be sure not to make it sound or look like you are merely reading text, it needs to be natural in your own words. Record straight through; you can edit out mistakes that you make but the more mistakes then the more time it will take to edit. After editing out any mistakes, this explanation part of your clips should not go over 90 seconds.
  1. Insert your iSight video recording of yourself from the events into your timeline immediately after the video intro. Now go and find the video clips that you referred to in your narration and drag them on top of your narration video and choose "Cutaway" but if you do not get this Cutaway option, then go to iMovie > Preferences > and check box "Show Advanced Tools."Important: Try to find enough footage to appropriately show and match that topic of your narration for each on the numbered list. Don't insert random filler video footage that does not directly relate to what you are talking about. If you cannot find any or if the video clip is too short then cut back to the video of you narrating in front of the camera. In editing your timeline, start by showing yourself (iSight video) introducing the first number on your numbered list in your CA Book and then show the example footage (example). Try to show yourself (iSight video) at least two more times after you start when you change to key new items on your numbered list (example). Doing this shows emphasis to the transition from one item on your numbered list to the next. Master Shot Background
    1. Use iMovie's iSight to film yourself for about 10-20 seconds giving a brief background of your Master Shot of when you would want to use this Master Shot and why. You will insert this clip immediately after your short title intro and before the storyboard narration. Do not say things like the following: my name is, I am doing Chasing Scenes, or other typical phrases. Remember, state a 1-2 sentence summary of when you would want to use this Master Shot and why:
    2. Example
    3. "This Master Shot is best used when you want to show a brief time of suspense between the attacker and the victim during a chasing scene because it emphasizes the fear of the victim.
  2. Conclusion
    1. Use iMovie's iSight to film yourself for about 10-20 seconds giving a brief summary. You don't have time to recap everything, just remind the audience what was the one or two most important things to keep in mind when filming this type of Master Shot. Then say something like "Now let's watch the Master Shot in this example."
    2. The only background music that should be in the narration thus far is the Title intro.
  3. Master Shot Example
    1. Insert your 30-second Master Shot example video at the end of your timeline. Do not include any credits.
    2. When finished, the total run time of the video should be 2-3min but it can be 3-4 if it flows well and your narration is clear and not redundant.

When finished, upload it to your Vimeo as large setting and name the title your master shot using the following format but use your Master Shot Category: Specific Topic name

Dramatic Shift: Focus In - Master Shots Film Tutorial by classID

Post the video link to your WP and to the spreadsheet.

Rubric

This task may count as multiple tasks and may be part of your project grade

    • Video example and narration that clearly demonstrates the shot
    • Audio quality of the narration
    • Video quality and good lighting
    • Good & clear narration (flow, energy, & humor) of the shot narration
    • Correct title slide and format
    • Following all the directions and requirements

More examples of narration videos.