Film Frustration

While I enjoy watching films and even like playing around with movie maker, I am so sick of editing and don't even care if I EVER make another video. (Even though I LOVE watching the final product over and over again!)

I have a new found appreciation for editors and film directors. I have spent the last two weeks, thinking about how to make something compelling and neat ways that I could get that point across...but then when it gets right down to it, I'm not happy with the picture I took or don't know how to get the video to do exactly what I want it to do.

I might be able to create effective transitions and get the pictures in the right order, but when it comes to adding music or narration...I suck. Timing...timing is everything.

I have spent the better part of the last two days, straining over my computer. Staring at photos and trying to figure out which ones to keep and which ones to cut. While one reading from Walter Murch told us that sound is a "huge influence on people's attention," I was trying to make my video compelling without it. I think it was...to me, anyway. I have a close connection to the subject in my video...so naturally, most of it would be compelling to me. I was taking the stance of Rabiger who suggested that we can sell film without sound or speech. I may have arrived at this decision because I don't fully understand my movie maker program...and don't want to get my heart set on adding something that I can't make happen.

As I try to relate all of my experience with Teaching and Education in this module, I'm sure this is how my students feel about writing. Write as much as you can...then we'll go back and edit and revise. Often times leaving half of their original work on the "cutting room floor." I promise to be more understanding in the whole writing process and considerate when students don't want to eliminate certain parts in their writing. I will be patient.