Maddie's Magnificent Movies!- Feature Story

For the past few weeks in Video Production, we had to do an interview video. My group decided to interview me, since out of the 4 of us, I had the most issues to talk about. On the first day of this project, Mr. Cooper asked everyone to share their story. I talked about my Asperger's Syndrome and how it has affected my life. This ended up being the topic of our interview. The filming process was, put simply, tedious. We originally filmed on Thursday of the first week, but because of one of my group members losing all the footage, we had to reshoot the entire thing. After that was all complete, I chose some relaxing Kirby music to play in the background, and I added B-roll.

Technologically, I learned how to use B-roll, sync up two audio clips better, how to use a clip-on microphone, and how to look like you're playing Mega Man on a PC when you really are just watching a video of someone playing it. I also learned about teamwork, how to not be such a drama queen when it comes to how quickly my videos are made, and how to act when I'm interviewed.

If there's anything I could have done better, it's the decision to use subtitles instead of narration. The only reason I didn't use narration is because it seems a little weird for the interviewee to narrate it at all, let alone refer to herself in the third person. I believe I did an excellent job on editing the B-roll and selecting the right music, though.

The Myers-Briggs Test- My Results

We took the Myers-Briggs test yesterday, and my personality type turned out to be Introverted Sensing Feeling Perceiving, or ISFP. To quote the test itself:

"More in touch with the reality of their senses than their INFP counterparts, ISFPs live in the here and now. Their impulses yearn to be free, and are often loosed when others least expect it. The ISFP who continually represses these impulses feels 'dead inside' and may eventually cut and run."

Basically, ISFPs are impulsive and act on their emotions. They are very charming, and tend to find organized education to be boring. They enjoy honing a favored skill for the joy of the experience, not for practice. They are known for outbursts of emotion and acting on impulse. Famous ISFPs include Marilyn Monroe, Britney Spears, Ulysses S. Grant, Paul McCartney, and Marie Antoinette.

This is extremely fitting, as I have been known for outbursts of emotion. Often times, I act on impulse. When I repress my impulses, I feel dead inside. I love doing things just for the fun of it and not to practice. And, yes, I think that school can be a little boring.

The Animal Test- My Results

We took the Animal Test today, and we found out which of four animals we were. I am apparently a Golden Retriever- loyal, friendly, calm, and very sensitive. Golden Retrievers typically have deep relationships, but only with a couple of close friends, and just want to be loved more than anything else. However, they are indecisive and way too soft on other people. 

I have to say, this couldn't fit more. I am loyal and friendly, and maybe a little too dependent on others. I'm very relaxed, but I am very indecisive. I'm also way too soft, and just want to be loved. I have only a few close friends, but those friends are friends I am very attached to. And, ironically, I own a Golden Retriever in real life! 

I couldn't be more pleased with my results in the Animal Test. And, hey, maybe this is why I'm so attached to my own dogs- because I am one! 

Woof, woof!

The Six Shots- Practice

Today we learned about the six shots- closeup, extreme closeup, wide shot, extreme wide shot, middle shot and over-the-shoulder. These shots are used all the time in film and television, and since I am currently in Video Production, it makes sense that we would have learned these. Then, our teacher  asked us to take pictures demonstrating said shots. Here are mine:

Closeup. And yes, this is what I look like.

Extreme closeup. My eyes look good, but my pimples do not.

Wide shot.

Extreme wide shot.

Medium shot. Yes, I am wearing a Kirby T-shirt.

Over-the-shoulder.

Semester Reflection

1. What are your areas of strength in the content areas you learned this semester?

My area of strength is probably creating art in Adobe Illustrator and in my sketchbook, as well as creating 2D animations (since it's basically the same thing). While I am not one for shading my art and I don't draw realism most of the time, you can't deny that the things I draw are very well-drawn and brightly colored. 

2. What are your areas in need of improvement?

Probably web design. I'm not too good at making complex websites, and, as mentioned before, Dreamweaver hates me. 

3. What did you love most about this semester?

For 1st quarter, what I loved most was the sketchbook drawings. They were always fun. For 2nd quarter, what I loved most was definitely the house animation. Not only did it give me a chance to be nerdy and weird, but it gave me a chance to do ridiculous things like put Eridan in a koi pond. That alone was worth it. 

4. What would you change or do differently? 

Nothing, really. This semester was amazing!

5. What is your overall take-away or learning this semester?

I learned so much about how to animate and draw things in Adobe Illustrator. This will definitely come in handy, since I am planning on making a web series in my free time, but shhh! That's a secret. 

6. What's one goal you'd like to set for next semester? Final thoughts?

To ham it up in Video Production next quarter, and just keep doing what I do! As for my final thoughts, all I can say is I'm so glad I got to join this program!

My Elevator Pitch

I'm an e-Communications student at ONW with a creative spirit and a tendency to think outside the box. I am skilled at visual arts, writing, and using computers. People have told me that I am "very talented", "very creative", and "artistic", and my Confirmation group leader said I had a "deep connection with others and with the world". I'm an optimist who is always willing to have a good time. I am inspired by video games and animated movies, and how creatively they use graphics and animation. I now want to use my creativity to affect my school and make the world just that bit brighter.