Our most recent production work has been a round table discussion on conservation. I worked with a few other students to produce a 30minute news segment on environmental, and historical conservation.
We divided the workload fairly evenly. Originally, I was only working with one other student. The first day of this production process. We threw around ideas about what specific aspect of conservation that we would like our round table discussion to cover. Once we narrowed the topic to historical, and environmental conservation, we both started making phone calls to see who would be a good source, and willing to speak for us. I was able to get in contact with a previous employer who actually works for the National Park Service doing conservation work. That vsame day, my fellow student-colleague and I created a list of questions that we would ask our talent to discuss.
The next day of production, our group grew to a team of five. We spent a lot of class time discussing who would be able to do what task during the actual filming. I went to the police station with another team-member to see if we could get reserved parking for the talent coming in to speak for us. I was also able to confirm two of our talents, and email them the questions, and filming details. I also asked a few people from the other groups if they would help us during our production as floor manager, and switcher because there were not enough people in our group to fulfill all the roles. Finally, we discussed a few alternative talents, and prop choices if what we were expecting the day of production did not play out the way we would have liked.
Our team met the day before production to set-up the studio lights, and seating the way that we wanted it for the shoot. I helped move lights, and cameras, and we even put a shelf together as a prop. I also went back to the police station that day to confirm our parking reservations.
The day of the shoot, I got to class early to meet our talent, and to discuss the shooting process with them in person. I also helped set-up their mics, and explain were they could look during the shoot. Then, once the talent was in place, I directed the shoot.
This was the most painless shoot I have ever done. Generally in film we expect someone not to show up, or some piece of equipment not to work; fortunately, this went incredibly smoothing. I worked with an excellent team. I do not think any of us felt overwhelmed by what needed to be done because everyone contributed a different essential aspect. It was a great experience!
