I saw part of the first video, and let's just say I'm glad it's a world away from everyone who knows me!
I don't want to say too much, but frankly, it's kind of amateur hour.
Things I like:
- It's cool that we recorded against a blank background, and there are magically cartoon-y flowers and images around me.
- The graphics that pop up are nice. Like showing the folds in the origami bit, or the key words floating onto the screen.
What kind of bugs me:
- They chose pink for the background, and in the full shots I practically blend into it. Seriously, I'm that fair.
- Because it was action-based, and I hadn't done the crafts before (my assistant did), my banter is a bit stilted. (Not to mention, we did 24 videos in 8 hours, so I wouldn't have remembered every bit line even if I had them written out.)
What truly, deeply, bothers me:
The sound is all echo-y. You can tell we are in a big, blank room. The cameraman / producer actually rented a professional studio, but - maybe because he's a cameraman in his day job, and not a sound tech - didn't connect the mic in such a way to reduce the echo.
I worked at my college TV studio, so I know a little bit about this stuff, although of course it's all different since those days.
I had to say everything so very slowly, that I was boring myself just watching it. BUT... I can't speak faster, since this is going out to little kids who are just learning English. So slow is necessary. I am pleased that I used my "speaking to kids" voice, and it's warm and inviting and not so deep and bossy as I feel I usually sound.
I'm only saying this here, because as I said, it's a pretty sweet gig, and I'm not going to blow it. In another year or so, I'll look too old to relate to kids, so they'll be looking for someone else. I'll take advantage while I can!
I am still amazed at the lack of creativity we encounter here. The way things are thrown together and considered to be of professional quality just astounds me. I've lost count of how many times either you or I have thrown something together and the reaction we get to it is amazing because they've never seen anything like it despite it being pretty standard to us.
ReplyDeleteMaybe we'll get used to it one day, but you are are pretty cute in those videos.
I honestly think there is no knowledge of the flexibility of PowerPoint. I have a lot to learn about it, but I could probably teach a class on it here and be hailed as a guru!
DeleteAnd... as long as you think I'm cute, that's all that matters.
DeleteI love the idea of you being a diva!!
ReplyDeleteI've done enough behind-the-scenes work that this was very odd for me.
DeleteIn fact, I make a point of teaching drama students the importance of everyone involved, by referring to my time in a cast of six, where we had 36 people behind the scenes! SIX for each actor.