It's been almost a year since this happened and about time I publish this blog about it.
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I was approached by an former teacher of mine with a proposition to participate in a high school video production with some of his current students. The idea was to create a short public relations video for the Review View School District to help attract new educators. The film was to be done by two current students while I help and provide guidance. The district was incredibly enthusiastic & excited at the prospect, as were the students! The staff who assisted while the students filmed were fantastic - they'd make snack runs (specifically, doughnut runs) and drove us from location to location.
During the first preproduction meeting we all came to agreement that the video would focus less on propping up the district with testimonials and more on how the district enables students and staff to accomplish their goals and lead to successful graduations. Given winter would be soon upon us, production kicked off shortly after.
The day before production we met to go through the equipment we'd use. The students used my Canon EOS C100 Mk II with an Atomos Ninja recorder while I captured pickup shots with my Nikon D500. Rode microphones were used for both the broll and interviews.
The night before production I organized the equipment, cleaned the cards, and charged the batteries. Above is the C100 being assembled. Because the first day was to be pretty rushed, I had most of the equipment ready for students before arriving.
The first day we focused on Broll. We went from classroom to classroom filming students working, teachers lecturing, and even a dissection of a giant worm and grass hopper (that was a treat). We traveled between 4 schools that day - 2 elementary, the middle and high school.
Taylor (left) Andie (right) prepping the camera for a shot of a school logo at the end of the first day.
Taylor filming inside a classroom.
The second day was all interviews. Again we found ourselves rushing around (as is to be expected during filming days). We were even set up inside a bus for one! Though throughly an odd set-up, I personally found it a cool spot!
Filming inside a bus!
We also spent time filming some kids. Challenge with kids is they don't always want to be on camera, even if they say they do. That said, just make them laugh and they look great (who doesn't love watching a child laugh in a video? They tend to be much happier humans than the adults anyway).
We wrapped the interviews in good time. Taylor and Andie did a fantastic job - whatever they didn't know at the start of the day, with gear, technique, what-have-you - they had mastered by the end.
Setting up for the first interview of Day 2. We were to interview a High School teacher (back left). His class was sitting just off camera (left of the screen) while he conducted the interview.
Interview inside the library. Taylor (left) asks questions while Andie (behind Taylor) operates the camera.
Check out their final video below.