FILM PROJECT (FROM NICOLE MONTOYA)

What you need to know

•You may partner with one other person, or form a group of no more than 3 people. If you choose to do this, you must choose only one topic to work with on your project. Someone will have to sacrifice his/her topic.

The Basics

Macintosh Programs I-Movie:  This is the program you would use to create your film. It offers you templates to create your film from beginning to end.

Garage Band: allows you to create multi-audio tracks. You can add your own recorded narration to these tracks, import music, create original music, and use Garage Band’s copyright free sound effects.

Motion: offers you endless special effect possibilities with its copyright free effects or your original creations.

I-DVD:  allows you to format and burn your film to a DVD so it looks exactly like a professional film with templates for scene selection, language selection, handicap option selections, etc. 

The Technology

Macintosh Programs If you have never created a film before, you may want to choose to use the Mac programs.•You are provided free access to the IMovie program on campus, as well as to Garage Band and Motion.

•The ATLAS lab employs trained assistants that can assist you when it comes time to create your film.

The Technology – Making your choice

Use your Common Sense

What you need to think about when creating your film…

Do not put yourself, or others, in any dangerous situations in the making of your film.

Do not show any illegal activity or potentially incriminate others in the making of your film.

Do not use video/images/language that is not suitable for an academic setting and discourse community. Remember that your film will be shown in class and could be shown in wider venues at the end of the semester.

How to build your claim

Composing Argument

Components of Argument

Speaker and Audience

Thesis (claim)

Evidence (qualitative, quantitative)

Counterargument

Ethos, Pathos, Logos

Rhetorical Strategies

Use narration, text, images, video, and music in your film

Each one of these elements can be considered part of your visual argument and is known as a RHETORICAL STRATEGY. A rhetorical strategy is an element you use to help you convey

your argument effectively.

You may choose to use ALL or only SOME of the RHETORICAL STRATEGIES listed above. It’s your choice – you are limited only

by your…IMAGINATION!

Rhetorical Strategies - Narration

Narration allows you to build a relationship with your

audience as you convey information and research.

Through narration, you can set the tone of your film, and, if

done well, you can:

Strengthen your ethos and the ethos of your argument by expressing yourself as an expert on your topic

Appeal to your audience’s sense of logic (logos) through the research/support you provide

Connect with your audience on an emotional level (pathos)

Using Narration in Your Film

Take your audience into consideration in the

following ways when narrating:

Speak with a purpose – it is a wise idea to create a script to help you. Do Not wing it!

Speak clearly and slowly - your audience should be able to follow along easily.

Eliminate noise distractions – the location you choose to work in is extremely important…so choose wisely. Any outside noise will become part of your audio and may prevent your audience from hearing you clearly.

Rhetorical Strategies - Text

TEXT allows you to easily convey research and specific

information. Text also sets the tone of your film

because the strength of your words can connect well

with audiences:

Your credibility (Ethos) and the credibility of your argument is established when you provide well-researched information in an easy-to-understand manner (Logos)

You have another chance to connect with your audience through text (Pathos)

Using Text in Your Film

Take your audience into consideration in the following

ways when using TEXT: Keep it short – audiences get bored if they are made to

read lots of text on screen. If you choose to use text, use it to convey simple ideas, statistical information, headings, titles, etc.

Choose your words wisely – make sure you edit your text. This is still an English class; therefore, any words you provide should be spelled correctly, used correctly, and should make sense overall. Write out your text and take it to the Writing Center to work on clarity with tutors.

Timing is everything – always consider the amount of time your text appears on screen. Text should appear long enough for your audience to read without rushing, but it should also not drag on. Find a balance!

Rhetorical Strategies - Images

Images allow you to visually depict information. You

establish your credibility as a filmmaker and the

credibility of your argument (Ethos) when you provide:

Images that connect logically to your argument (Logos)

Images that add something significant to your argument in an attempt to better illustrate your main ideas (Logos)

Images that allow audience members to become emotionally invested in your argument (Pathos)

Using Images in Your Film

Consider in the following when using images:

You may choose to use images taken from the Internet or ones you have created yourself.

Use images that have a high resolution - Choose only images that are 600 or higher. Images 600 or lower will not show up clearly in your film.

Use images that add something significant - Do not choose images just to shock people. Let your argument speak for itself and use images that simply compliment, not detract.

Using Images in Your Film

Consider in the following when using images:

Timing is everything - Make sure you allow your images enough screen-time to impact your audience. This is a delicate balance – you do not want to flash images on and off screen too quickly, but you also do not want them to linger too long either.

Take note of the citation information - Each image you choose to use in your film will need to be cited on your credits page, so take good notes.

Rhetorical Strategies - Video

Video allows you to provide footage pertaining

to your topic. You establish your credibility as

a filmmaker and the credibility of your argument

(Ethos) when you provide:

Video that connects logically to your argument (Logos)

Video that adds something significant to your argument in an attempt to better illustrate your main ideas (Logos)

Video that allows audience members to become emotionally invested in your argument (Pathos)

Rhetorical Strategies - Video

Video allows you to provide footage pertaining

to your topic, including:

Nationally and internationally broadcasted information (i.e., interviews, reports, other news footage, press conferences, etc.)

Documentary footage produced by various organizations and news affiliates

Video you shot yourself

Using Video in Your Film

Consider the following when using VIDEO:

Most video you can find on YouTube, but look everywhere as well. You never know what you may find!

Take note of the citation information for each video you include in your film. You will need all of it for your credits page.

Using Video From the Internet

Consider the following:

Edit the video you find on the internet - Use only portions of Internet video; this means you will need to cut and edit.

Strategic placement – place the portions you edited in your film where they can make the most impact on your audience.

DO NOT use whole portions of video footage you found on the Internet. For example, if you find a National Geographic documentary that says everything you want to say, you CANNOT place the entire footage in your film and pass it off as your own (trust me…it has happened and it doesn’t work!).

Using Video You Created

You may want to record you own footage of locations,

personal interviews, local observations, etc. However, DO

NOT forget to consider the visual clarity of your video OR

the sound clarity.

Consider the following:

Do not film in dark lighting. Choose locations that are quiet with few distractions

and good lighting.

Rhetorical Strategies - Music

Music allows you to provide additional support in

your argument and can be one of the most important

elements.

You establish your credibility as a filmmaker and the

credibility of your argument (Ethos) when you provide:

Music that connects logically to your argument (Logos) Music that adds something significant to your argument in

an attempt to better illustrate your main ideas (Logos) Music that allows audience members to become

emotionally invested in your argument (Pathos)

Choosing your Music

You can either choose to:

Create your own music using programs like Garage Band. If you choose to do this, allow yourself time to create. While it can be fun, it can also be time consuming.

Select songs by established artists and groups.

Incorporating Music in Your Film

Consider the following:

Choose or create music that connects to your topic in some way. In other words, the lyrics and type of sound should make sense – it’s a judgment call.

Do not choose music that is offensive in any way. Your goal is to persuade, not offend.

NOTE: If you feel a piece of music would add to your argument in a powerful way but may be construed as offensive, use your own judgment. You can always ask for help as well.

Incorporating Music – Beware the Silence

Consider the following:

Viewers tend to connect better with films that offer them some type of musical interaction. Music appeals emotionally to audiences and can be a very strategic part of your argument.

Try to incorporate music when you feel it is appropriate and would add significantly to your film.

And finally…

HAVE FUN!