Viral Video Evaluation

Name: Emily Sherman
Name of Production Team: ELIS Inc.

Role in Production Team: Editor

Roles of the other production team members:

Shelbi Hauer- Production Manager

Lindsay Silverberg- Director

Irina Ene- Storyboard Artist and Administrator

1. How do you feel about the title you were given and how well you did your job in this project? Give specific examples of your experience.

I was very happy to be the editor of our viral video project as I enjoy using the program iMovie on my computer. I found my job to be very straight-forward as I've edited videos before. I think that I completed my job very well as I had plenty of time to edit our video clips into creating a great video. My group was very helpful as Irina created the storyboards that made filming much easier for Lindsay, Shelbi and I. We stayed on the time plan that Lindsay had created during our first brainstorming class. This kept us on task and gave us plenty of extra time to edit any imperfections, not leaving it until the last minute. 

Next time, I would continue to stay on the time plan and film based on the storyboards as these things allowed us to take our time in creating this project, and getting it done well. 

Next time, I would not film at such a late hour. Our group purposely wanted to film when it was darker out, as our video was supposed to take place outside at nighttime. Unfortunately, we came to the problem that it was a little too dark out to see everything clearly when filming. 

2. How did you contribute to this project? Give at least 2 specific examples.

As the editor, I put all of our filmed clips together to create our video. I had to lengthen and shorten certain clips to fit in with the music which took up a lot of time, especially by adding a reversal into the end of the video. When I first started editing, I began by shortening the karaoke version of "Almost Lover" to fit our clips according to the music. This impacted each clip being placed into the right time frame in the song as more fast, stronger parts of the song were heard over the more serious clips we filmed. After shortening the clips, making them look smooth, I edited the effects of certain clips to make them look cooler. A few examples of this was adding a darkened version of the all the alcohol in our video, as the clip was really bright but the inside of a party would usually be darker. Another example is adding transitions during our video, representing Lindsay blinking while seeing Shelbi over her body. Lastly, at the end of the video, I took many of the clips from the beginning of the video leading up to the crash and reversed them as well as slowing them down to show the true impact of drinking and driving and how it can easily be preventable. 

Next time, I would stick to our time plan as this allowed me a lot of time to get all of this editing done, which was a huge advantage, not rushing. 

Next time, I would not change the song idea so late into the project as this added a little confusion to the clips. Thankfully, all clips went well to the song and the situation really worked out. 

3. How do you feel about the contributions from other members of your group and the division of labour (work) for the project? Be specific to each team member.

I think our group worked really well together. At the beginning of our project, we instantly created a plan of our idea, props needed, possible songs, a time plan and possible actions for each scene. This really gave us a head start as we stuck with our original plan and worked everything out smoothly with not many problems. Lindsay created the time plan that kept us on task while Irina drew our storyboards. Shelbi filmed herself, Lindsay and I performing each scene that I would end up editing. Overall, I had no real problems with my group and was happy with the division of work per group member. 

4. When it comes to dealing with differences of opinion within your group:

I don't believe our group had any real problems having to do with differences in opinion. We all had different ideas at the beginning of the project but we basically fed off of each others suggestions and created a main video idea together. We had a few difference in opinions over when we should film but it was nothing serious as we got filming out of the way early, leaving everyone in the group happy with plenty of time left before the project was due. 

Next time, I would organize our night to film at a time to everyone's convenience. Unfortunately, Irina could not come to film the one night we all could. Everyone had things to be doing each night of the week so it was hard to find a night that was convenient for all of us. 

5. In dealing with group members who were not fulfilling their responsibilities:

We did not have this problem in my group. Our group was very easy-going and had no problem finishing each part of the project well and on time.

Next time, I would choose a trusting group and make sure everyone is aware of their responsibilities and deadlines for work. 

Next time, I would not let things slide and accept doing someone else's part of the project, rather than allow them get marked on what they have completed in the end. 

Ratings:

Overall, I would rate our group's ability to remain on task as:

EXCELLENT

Overall, I would rate our group's ability to be open, respectful, and communicative as:

EXCELLENT

Overall, I would rate our group's ability to use the strengths of all of our members as:  

EXCELLENT

How successful is your project? Give specific examples for your reasons.

EXCELLENT

I think our project ended up being extremely successful. We had plenty of time to finish things and we stayed very organized which is how all projects should work. Everyone was satisfied with their jobs and our video in the end. I was really happy with my group as they all contributed to make this video, supporting everyone else's ideas as well as sharing some of their own ideas too. We worked very cooperatively and stayed on task at all times, leaving us with a successful video.

Next time, I would be sure to stay focussed within the group, getting things done faster and not leaving you stressed at the last minute. This project showed the true effect of getting a project done with full potential, staying on task.

Next time, I would not settle for waiting to do certain things when they can be done straight away to get them out of the way, in order to move on. I feel like for many projects people want to wait until certain days to do things that can be done instantly or that day. I prefer getting things done right away so I will introduce that idea to my future groups.