Rough Outline

As I am preparing to write the first draft of my treatment, I want to clarify my own thinking about the scope of my video. I like lists, so here is a hierarchial list of what I plan on covering:

Plants
A. Classification System of Seed vs Non-Seed
1. Focus on seed plants
a) split into flowering plants vs conifers
i. focus on flowering plants (examples)
1) monocots vs dicots
I. identification via seed section
II. identification via petal #
2) tree identification via leaf appearance
I. leaf shape
II. leaf margins
III. leaf arrangement
IV. leaf blade division
ii. focus on conifers (examples)
2) identification by needles


I feel like I have a good idea of what content I want to convey, but now I need to think about how I am going to do it effectively.

Deciding on a Video Topic

I've been thinking about which direction that I want to go with my video project. I have decided to create an instructional video about plants. Specifically, plant classification with a focus on seed plants. I want to explain how these plants can be identified through specific characteristics of leaves, flowers and cones.

I feel that this topic will give opportunities for a variety of shots: outdoors, indoors, scenery, close ups, and interviews. I hope to collect some of my footage prior to Emma Lake, but also get some great wide context shots of forests and additional species while there. In this way, I will have options for making productive use of time at the Kenderdine Campus that involve both filming and editing.

Deciding on a topic has given me some peace of mind... for now. Maybe during tomorrow's class I will learning something that will cause me to re-think this decision, but for now it's written in pencil (but very dark pencil).

Class Meeting on May 16

We had our first group meeting today. There was alot to take in: new vocabulary, new skills and strange, noxious fumes. With David's help, we learned how to access Studio in a Box, how not to treat the equipment (never, never overtighten anything...ever) and how to avoid the wrath of Sheri and Gail in EMAP.

I have completed the first item on my to do list: reading the online text. What an excellent and interesting resource. I can't believe that it is free to use. I found the quizzes and tests helpful in making me go back over information that didn't quite sink in the first time (sometimes the playoffs are a little distracting for me!)

The next order of business was to get this blog off of the ground; so check off item #2 on the to do list.

Between now and Saturday I need to reflect more on the topic for my project. I still haven't decided if it is feasible to get the footage I need before the end of June for a school orientation video. Another possibility rolling around my head is a DIY video. I am building a new deck and intrigues me to use this as a teaching opportunity. The only downside is if I keep pulling out the camcorder every five minutes, my dad (who is helping) will stick a 2x4 in my ear.