September 30 - ANIMATION

HERE ARE SOME LINKS TO ANIMATION:

Check this one first so that you have a clue.

Here is a whole page on Vimeo with stop-motion making.

Click here for RUNG.

Click here for animation armature blog. See how they are built if you want to get really complicated.

This site is loaded with a list serv and animation films.

Here is another one that has short clips of many artists. This is sort of short exercises, I think.

You will have the chance to make a short animation if you so wish. Several people are beginning a short one for homecoming that involves the Cavalier and a space ship.

Meanwhile, finish your news packages. They are due for the rest of the points at the end of the block day.

Ms. Greer

Silver Spring, Md.

September 25 - Look at these videos and comment on them

Click here for video that is about fashion. Watch the way it is made.

Click here for a link about gum. Think about how stories are everywhere. Sometimes you just need to look down.

Click here for a link on the five-second rule.

Here is a video that Mr. Kirk loves. Why do you think he loves it.

Write up your reactions to these pieces for 10 pts. Not a big deal. I just want you to pay attention to the different ways to do news packages or other videos.

News packages are due on Friday. Watching these will help you figure out what you need to do.

Ms. Greer
Silver Spring, Md.

September 23 - News Package

You need to complete a news package this week. Use your phone. Use a camera. Use a soundslide shoe like "One in 8 Million."

I am in here during lunch and often after school. You need to ask me to make sure.

Interims are coming.

Right now there is no time for playing around or shopping for shoes or checking out basketball.

Today, write up your plan and hand it in to me. I need to get a handle on what you are doing and make sure that you are on the right track.

10 points - formative.

Ms. Greer
Silver Spring, Md.

Sept. 18 and 19

Ms. Gesuwan in the Business Office sent me this link today. This is just an example of how powerful telling stories with video can be. YOu have all the tools you need to build stories. Think about that.

Friday(9/20)is the due date for the green screen project. Make sure you have at least three little announcements with text/picture behind your shoulder. Time the text to come up when you say that part. For example, when you say "Debate Club meeting" the slide will pop up. It is a matter of having the text clip at the right place over your video. If you have any questions, please ask me or another student who has a handle on this.

My wish is that all of you will be taking chances in here. Try new things. Don't be afraid of failing or having something not work. Remember, no one really knows what will work. You have to try it and see. It is like a comedian always trying out jokes to see which ones land with an audience. They have a lot of bombs and just know that is part of the process.

News package (25 Summative) is due on Friday, September 27).

Ms. Greer
Silver Spring, Md

Sept 17 -- Sports Highlights and Reporting (Also Green Screen project due beginning of class Friday)

Click here for an example of a sports package done by other high school broadcast journalists.

The BuzzTV teacher said, "It really isn't that hard to do and it can be used for any sport. All it consists of is a shot-by-shot listing of what happens in the highlight package. This is especially helpful if your talent can adlib their way through the package but is also assumes the talent knows the sport and all the vernacular that goes with it. If they can't, scripting to the video is possible, but the script will need to be timed to match what is being described on the screen."

Click here for some friendly advice about how to do this.

You will receive in the next few days a great worksheet for sports reporting. I am going to put a reel together and you will edit it and do the commentary. Do not be afraid. This will be fun.

Ms. Greer
Silver Spring, Md.

Sept. 11 - Changing the show up

Please analyze this tape. We are going to start moving out of the studio with our reports.

Let's try to invigorate the look and feel of the show. How can we make the meetings and times more interesting?

We are going to try some of the ideas out in front of a camera today.

Look at the script from our teleprompter today. You are going to tape the announcements in front of a green screen and then edit them changing the background to make it interesting.

I don't expect you to be perfect. However, I do expect you to try and be on camera with at least four announcements and to edit. We will save to the Buffalo server and everyone will see them for feedback. Get used to being on camera.

Formative grade: 20 pts. Reminder: Current events quiz on Friday.

I have put in grades. Check your to make sure it is correct. If you have not turned in your planning sheet or the blog assignment from Sept. 6, I suggest you do so asap. I will accept through the end of day on Thursday. New students need to talk to me about this to get a partner and to figure out what to do.

Ms. Greer
Silver Spring, Md.

September 10 - Grading Policy and Expectations

You will get the grading policy today.

Also, you will see posted on the cabinets a copy of the rubric for your first news package. It is due September 20th. I will show you how to submit it to the special server later.

Meanwhile, you need to look at the tutorials on August 27th to make sure you understand what B-roll is. Today, write up a description of B-roll. This is for 5 pts.

What is B-roll?

ALSO, REMEMBER THAT YOU MUST CHECK CURRENT EVENTS ON CNN.COM, NYTimes.com, and Washingtonpost.com.

Ms. Greer
Silver Spring, Md.

Sept. 9 - Work

You need to work on your project AND get ready for a current events quiz. In the past it was with access to the computer so that you could look up events. This year that won't be the case. Be sure that you are cruising nytimes.com and cnn.com throughout the week. I would look at it every morning when I arrive in this class.

Quizzes are on Fridays. Or on Mondays if we have no school on Fridays. That is every week. . . every week.

Ms. Greer
Silver Spring, Md.

Sept. 6 - Super Soak up Media Day AND write notes on it for points

1. Write up your reactions and notes to these media pieces for homework. I want to see that you really watched and reflected on what you learned from them. This is for 15 pts. and is due on Monday.

2. Turn in your planning sheets to the sub TODAY. I want to look at them before we start production next week. These planning sheets are worth 15 pts.

Here are the media clips you are to write about. They re really for you to start thinking about what is possible in your production.

Click here for an animation link from Cornell University's animation studies.

Here is BUZZTV from Fort Mill, South Carolina. You need to watch and see what you think. Make sure you write up some notes on this one, too.

So we start thinking about cool camera angles. Look at this clip. How would you use this around school or during sports?

What is photojournalism? Click here for the answer and write it in your notes with an explanation.

Remember to turn in your planning sheet to the sub today.

Homework due on Monday.

Ms. Greer
Silver Spring, Md.

Sept 4 - Story Ideas and Links to Catch Up On

Yesterday we talked about what stories we could do for the show. You need to pick a partner and then you need to decide what story you want to do. I know that many of you don't have the technical skills you need to be as good as you would like to be. BUT IT IS BEST TO JUMP RIGHT IN AND MAKE MISTAKES.

You are to begin work on a news package.

That is what we call a 1-2 minute news video.

Fill out the sheet I give you and make sure that both of your names are on it.

Start planning today. You will be shooting next week and editing the following week.

Today and Friday, you are planning.

Reporter's Track is the narration you will have to put in between the shots to tell the story. We will get to that last.

Ms. Greer
Silver Spring, Md.

Sept 3 - Planning

Today we are going to work on pitches for the morning show.

Ms. Greer
Silver Spring, Md.