May 30 -- We finally have this tape!!

We got that B-roll! Click here for that crazy tape.

Ms. Greer
Silver Spring, Md.

May 28 - Last project

All 9th, 10th and 11th grade students have one last video project to do. This is a contest for a $1,000 prize. Here it is.

THIS IS MONEY YOUR GROUP COULD SPLIT. THIS MONEY DOES NOT GO TO THE SCHOOL AS I READ IT.

Remember, editing videotape is a skill that can bring you money.

A few tips. They want it to be REGIONAL. That means something specific to our area.

We should use all our abilities to this project (green screen, rap music, Adobe After Effects, Photoshop, sound booth, STOP-MOTION, etc).

Try to be creative, take some chances, make people want to make litter a no-no.

I have put some footage up on the Buffalo with the file name Ferguson Foundation. It is plastic in Rock Creek.

You may work in groups of your choice (no more than five people) or solo.I have shots of pollution in Rock Creek and pictures of salt from the snows on our parking lot that I will put on the Buffalo.

It is due during finals week. (50 pts. Summative)

Ms. Greer
Silver Spring, Md.

May 16 - Look at this short film done by a senior high school student

Here it is

It just won a big prize and shows autism in an imaginative, cool way. Watch her shot composition.

Ms. Greer
Silver Spring, Md

May 15 - Watch these and tell me and then answer a question about it proving that you watched it. (Bonus 15 pts)

For Ira Glass on Storytelling Part 1, click here.

Making Local stories global click here

Click here for pitching a story (from the Associated Press)

Ms. Greer

Silver Spring, Md.

May 14 - Scripts and Storyboards must be done before getting cameras, etc.

You must have scripts for everyone in your group.

Improvisation on the shoot is good and bad. I will be looking at your finished product to see how far you steered away from your script. That is to show you utilized good planning and that you guys thought it out.

Because so many students will be using cameras, you need to get it shot and in the computer before the end of class.

Ask if you have questions.

Ms. Greer
Silver Spring, Md.

May 13 - Just an FYI - Twist Playlist from Magnolia High School in Texas

This teacher also runs a PBS Student Reporting Lab and she sent some of the music videos that her students did for you to check out. Yes, they got permission to use these songs. See list here.

Ms. Greer
Silver Spring, Md.

May 13 - Videos due on Friday of this week

Yes, that is right. They are due on Friday by the beginning of class. They are to be shown off of YouTube in class on Friday.

Ms. Greer
Silver Spring, Md.

May 10 - the internet is killing us . . .

Well, here it is. Click here.

Ms. Greer
Silver Spring, Md.

Last Friday's Big Reveal about Media Madness!

Wo-hoo!! See the reveal here!

And here are the winning videos:

1st place: John F. Kennedy High School's entry is here

2nd place: (Three-way tie)

Fort Mill High School in South Carolina's entry is here

Shenandoah High School in Iowas's entry is here

Desert Pines High School in Nevada's entry is here

Kennedy won $500 in equipment AND a pizza party. Special thanks to Crystal Roach (song composer, lyricist and singer) and Hector Hernandez (green screen guru). We are buying two new Adobe After Effects licenses.

Ms. Greer
Silver Spring, Md.

May 7 - Projects due for viewing on May 17 (we will have popcorn/Promethean)

This is the way it looked in here on group projects before the Mac rehab.

That means it is time to get your project done. Yes, I know you have tests/prom/life in general. Work around them. Get your scripts done so that you can start shooting.

You are required to have a script and all parties must have a copy (actors and crew).

You must have a call sheet. It can look like anything you wish but it must have props, actors, scenes, locations on it.Google it for ideas.

You must reserve a camera (remember that Madaio's classes are also shooting a project with a time limit).

You can use your phones to shoot but make sure that it looks good.

Plan it it being done by the end of your block day next week.

Don't waste your time in here. Work together. If people are not here, carry on and get the project done. You get to affect their grade later with your critique of them. The object is to learn collaboration with people you don't know so well.

Get on with it.

Ms. Greer
Silver Spring, Md.

May 6 - Listen to my audio, critique it on the back of the current events quiz (20 pts)

Today you need to co current events quiz, critique the following audio that is on the Buffalo and work on your script. I realize that people are going to be out for testing, etc., this week. You must keep working on it. Your grade the next two days will be from my seeing you working in class.

The photo is of a man I interviewed for a contest I entered. I have no idea if I will win. The rules are here. I had a terrifically hard time whittling the tape down to three minutes and breaking it into acts. It is about appetitive and should inspire these great chefs to create a new dish with the ingredients.

I am showing you this so that you will consider "output, not outcome" all the time. You have to make a lot of bad work before you get good and I am trying that it in my work, too. It was extremely hard to cut this tape down. I have put it in the Buffalo. It is called Truck Wild. I had to go in and cut myself out constantly. I had to cut up what he said without changing the meaning. It was a tough job and took a lot of time this weekend.

Ms. Greer
Silver Spring, Md.

May 1 - We work on our scripts

This is a line from the Talmud, the great Jewish book of wisdom. Think about this when you feel worried about your ideas and choices in your story development. Remember, we learn from mistakes. If you don't make mistakes, you are not really trying.

Today, the key is collaboration and fleshing out our stories. Prepare to discuss all of your story choices with me.

Worksheet due for 15 points at the end of class. Next is the shot sheet with props and the writing of the script. Please note that you can ask others to be your actors but we are shooting these at school.

Ms. Greer
Silver Spring, Md.