VSP60104 Video and Sound Production Exercises

 Video and Sound Production Exercises

WEEK 1-WEEK 15

DONG XINBEI 0359733

Bachelor of Design (Honours) in Creative Media

LECTURER RECAP 

week1

During the first week of in-person instruction, Mr. Martin introduced us to the module "Video and Sound Production." He outlined what knowledge we would gain and the requirements for our assignment tasks in the upcoming weeks. In our initial class with Mr. Martin, he provided a brief guide on how to use the software Premiere Pro for creating the assignments related to this module.

Week 2

In the second week, Mr. Martin provided an overview of shot sizes in the context of video production. Shot size refers to the extent of the visible space or area within the frame for the viewer. During his lecture, Mr. Martin discussed various standard shot sizes, which include:

Extreme Wide Shot: This type of shot has a very wide range, providing background or context for a scene. It is suitable for outdoor and wide-view scenes.

Wide Shot: In this shot, most of the scene is visible, capturing a broad view without encompassing the entire panorama.

Medium Wide Shot: This shot is more compact than a wide shot but still includes a significant portion of the surroundings. It typically focuses on characters and their interactions.

Medium Shot: The medium shot covers the characters from the waist up and is often used for dialogues or actions involving the characters.

Medium Close-Up Shot: This shot is closer to the characters, typically framing them from the chest or shoulders up. It's used for conveying emotions and reactions without being as intimate as a close-up shot.

Close-Up Shot: This shot captures the subject's face and shoulders, emphasizing their expressions and emotions. It's often used for intense or intimate moments.

Extreme Close-Up Shot: This is an extremely tight shot, focusing on very specific details such as a person's eyes, lips, or a small object. It's used for extreme emphasis and can convey strong emotions or intricate details.

Week 3

In the third week, Mr. Martin provided instructional videos on the three-act structure in storytelling. This structure comprises:

Act 1 - Setup: The story's beginning, introducing main characters, background, and central conflict, setting the stage and establishing the status quo.

Act 2 - Confrontation: The longest part of the narrative, focusing on the development of the central conflict. Characters face challenges, make choices, and experience growth, with subplots adding depth. Act 2 typically culminates in a major turning point.

Act 3 - Resolution: The final section where the central conflict reaches its climax, loose ends are tied up, questions are answered, and characters' fates are revealed. It often concludes with a denouement, offering a brief reflection on the aftermath of the story.

Week 4

In the fourth week, the mentor introduced us to how to dub for videos and how to find suitable music. This knowledge is related to audio tracks, and the explanation covered how to synchronize audio with visuals.

Week 5

In this week's practice, our assignment was to freely shoot a video involving aspects of daily life. There was no specific theme, and we were required to apply the knowledge learned in class. This exercise served as a foundation for upcoming assignments.

Week 6

In the sixth week, we need to learn some knowledge about adjusting colors. Adjusting colors is indeed a crucial aspect in design, as it can influence the overall feel and expressiveness of design works through the selection and adjustment of colors. In the field of design, this is highly important and will be utilized in many tasks to come.

Hue: Hue refers to the category of colors, such as red, green, blue, etc. Adjusting hue can change the overall color tone, affecting the feel of the design.

Saturation: Saturation indicates the purity of a color; higher saturation results in more vivid colors, while lower saturation leads to a more subdued appearance. Adjusting saturation can change the vibrancy of colors.

Brightness: Brightness is the lightness or darkness of a color. Adjusting brightness can alter the overall brightness effect, influencing the contrast in design.

Contrast: Contrast refers to the difference in brightness between different elements. Adjusting contrast can create a sense of depth in the design and guide attention effectively.

In the upcoming tasks, these color adjustment principles will prove to be essential in achieving desired visual effects and conveying intended messages. 

Week 7

In the seventh week, we learned about Adobe Audition, a professional audio editing software widely used in various fields such as audio production, music editing, and post-production for film and video. This software holds significant value for handling audio tasks in video and sound production.

The concept of frequency range, a key concept in the field of audio and sound, was introduced in the course. It refers to the span of frequencies that a specific audio device or system can detect or produce, typically measured in Hertz (Hz). Different frequency ranges impact the characteristics and feel of audio.

From subsonic frequencies to high frequencies, each range has its unique role. Subsonic frequencies, typically used for special effects and deep bass sounds, are below the threshold of human hearing. Bass frequencies provide richness and depth to audio, while low-mid and mid frequencies add warmth, thickness, and definition to instruments and vocals. High-mid and high frequencies contribute to the presence, detail, and clarity of audio, especially in consonant sounds and the attack of instruments.

Learning to use Adobe Audition, this professional tool enables us to better handle and optimize audio, laying a solid foundation for subsequent audio and video production tasks.

Week 9

In the ninth week, the instructor guided us in understanding what stop-motion animation is and how to produce it, covering crucial aspects from shooting to final production. This knowledge is pivotal as it relates to the requirements of our ultimate project.

                                                    

INSTRUCTION

                                            

Exercise 1

This was our first exercise, and during the class, Mr. Martin guided us in creating

 a basic video. We used the software Premiere Pro (PR), which allows us to work

 with videos of various lengths and combine them to produce a complete video. 

Using some materials provided by the instructor for this module, we added them 

to Premiere Pro (PR) and, with the help of the provided video assets and relevant

 knowledge, we successfully crafted a complete video.

Figure 1.1 Screenshots from the first video production

The distinguishing factor between the second task and the first one was that the 

content in the second video, which served as source material, had intentionally 

been mixed up or rearranged randomly. To successfully produce a complete 

video, you had to decipher the sequence pattern of the frames and then organize 

the video accordingly. This required you to apply your acquired knowledge, initially 

recognizing the pattern in the frame numbers, and subsequently reconstructing the

 video in the correct order.

Recreating the second video posed a certain level of difficulty for me. We were tasked

 with importing all the provided video clips into Premiere Pro (PR), thoroughly examining

 each one, and then correctly arranging the segments that corresponded to them. Given

 that the clips were intentionally disorganized, this process demanded patience. In terms 

of achieving the desired outcome, it highlighted the need for additional practice.

Figure 1.2 Screenshots from the second video production

FINAL OUTCOME

   

 

 Figure 1.3 first video mints

 

 Figure 1.4 second video  （ doritos ）

Exercise 2

For the second exercise, we need to begin by appreciating and studying the previous student work. In this exercise, attention to detail is crucial. We are tasked with utilizing the materials provided by Mr. Martin, learning how to piece together and incorporate elements into a raw, unorganized video. It's essential to consider the smoothness and completeness of the video, being cautious to avoid incorrect sequencing and the erroneous addition of materials.

Figure 2.1 Screenshot of the process

This is the production process of the exercise, requiring more patience and the creation of a video that closely resembles the example in the specified software. It involves effectively connecting the materials provided by the mentor. I made adjustments based on the mentor's suggestions, and although they were small changes, they were crucial in the video production phase.

Final Outcome

Link

Exercise 3

Figure 2.2 Eye-Level Medium Wide Shot

Figure 2.3 3/4 angling Medium Close Up Shot

Figure 2.4 Extremely Close Up

Figure 2.5 Medium Close Up

Figure 2.6 Medium Shot

Figure 2.7 Close-Up Shot

Figure 2.8Side Angle Medium Shot

Figure 2.9 Low-angle wide shot

Exercise 4 & 5

In exercises four and five, we were required to use our own voices to create audio recordings. Throughout the production process, it was crucial to pay attention to the volume levels and adjust the sound effects appropriately. This aspect was a key focus of the task, and mastering these skills allows for their application in future exercises.

Requirements:

1. Phone Call
2. Coming from inside the closet
3. Toilet
4. Cave
5. Alien

Figure 3.1 Final Outcome

LINK

Exercise 6

In this exercise, we were required to use Premiere Pro to create video edits for our stop-motion animation. We needed to arrange the scenes to meet frame rate requirements, combining the knowledge we acquired, such as adjusting sound, coordinating visuals, and determining how to arrange objects in each frame.

Figure 4.1

Exercise 7

In this week's exercise, we were divided into groups of four individuals to create a stop-motion animation. However, this was just a practice session, and we needed to prepare tripods and various tools for setting up scenes. In order to encourage creativity, the mentor did not impose a fixed or uniform theme, allowing us greater freedom to explore and unleash our creative potential.

Figure 4.2 photos for stop-motion animation

Figure 4.3 Final Outcome

Reflection

In each week's practice, the approach of practicing in advance makes me feel that when doing formal assignments, it won't be too challenging because there is a foundation from the practice. Not having practice beforehand could lead to many errors, resulting in dissatisfaction with the work. Therefore, I believe that it is crucial to do the practice well before undertaking formal assignments.