Project B Rational
The video that I have created is focused specifically around why we use YouTube. I chose to analyse this area for the project because I think it’s incredible that so many people use YouTube and that it connects them to people all around the world. The reasons for using YouTube are different for everyone. Those reasons may be:
- Entertainment
- Education
- To become famous
- Express opinions
- Cure boredom
- Addiction
People also express emotions through YouTube, whether it is through videos or comments people can get their voice to be heard.
The process that I used for the production of the video was a stop motion technique. A stop motion is a frame-by-frame animation technique that makes an object appear to move on its own. The object is moved in small amounts between individually photographed frames, creating the illusion of movement when the series of frames are played as a continuous sequence. For this video I used clay figures to explain the context and environment. Using clay in a stop motion production is also known as a claymation. I decided to undertake this technique as I thought it would be an engaging experience not only to myself as I have never even made a stop motion video before but also to the audience as claymations generally express a fun and vibrant ambience.
Before beginning the construction of this movie I was aware of how much time it takes to produce a claymation. It was a risk I was willing to take as I was quite adamant that I would be motivated well enough to complete such a large task but to also enjoy the process too.
The construction of the video followed the process of:
1. Develop a script and storyline.
I had a fair idea what I was going to include in the video from past experiences with YouTube so it was a case of developing all my ideas on why we use YouTube and creating a storyline from there. I also researched YouTube to find out the main focus of their service.
Once I had a skeleton of a script laid out I then refined it further by observing several videos on YouTube that fitted into the subject matter of my video. This topic was to observe the main reasons people use when using the YouTube service.
The main reasons were then linked together with YouTube videos that best described each reason. The videos were selected very carefully as they needed to be well known and familiar to your everyday YouTube-er.
2. Create the figurines, props and scenes.
For the figurines I used coloured modelling clay to create the identity of each character that is going to be used in the video. I copied each character’s characteristics from how they appear on YouTube.
For the laptop that appears at the start of the video I used paper and cardboard to create the computer and explorer windows. I decided upon this because using a real life computer wouldn’t give the effect I wanted, that of everything being hand made. I drew a replica of how the Google and YouTube pages appear to an everyday user when they use their service - I included the Google home page in this mainly because they now own YouTube. Another effect I used in the opening scene is that everything is black and white. I did this because one of the newest features of YouTube is the High Quality/High Definition option videos can now be viewed through and in order to show a dramatic change in quality, the scene then changes into a colourful and three dimensional picture.
3. Capture the scenes frame-by-frame
I used an SLR camera mounted on a tripod to take the frames photos then loaded them onto the computer. For each frame, a tiny change was made to the subject being shot slowly making them move into different positions. This was actually quite difficult as the clay wasn’t very malleable so a smooth transition and a range of motion were hard to achieve. However I managed to move them enough to get a satisfactory result.
In each scene a sticky note appears with a reason or emotion that sums up the scene’s theme. I used them throughout the video to create a similarity between each theme so that the viewer can relate back to the video’s context.
4. Create the video in Adobe Premier Pro CS3
I had to learn how to use the program Adobe Premier Pro CS3 to create my video. It took a while to get the hang of things as I wasn’t familiar with the terminology or processes that are involved in making a video. Once I understood the basics the images that were taken were imported into the timeline and edited to flow with the background music and audio. Upon viewing the video several times I realised that the sticky notes were difficult to read on some scenes so I added subtitles to the video just in case.
The process of editing and tweaking was very time consuming in getting the timing right and having a reasonable transition between each scene. The finished product is ideally what I pictured it to be but there could always be improvement added to it but quite frankly I ran out of time. I’m pretty sure I had my fair share in watching the video…
5. Exporting and uploading the video to YouTube
I had a little difficulty with exporting the video in order for it to be suitable for web use. As mentioned before I was unfamiliar with the terminology used so selecting the right settings was a bit of a hit and miss. I probably could have created the video in a better resolution as I was quite conscious of creating too big a file for uploading.
Overall, the outcome of my video I think is entertaining and gets the point across well. Providing a different way of making a video using the claymation technique makes it a different experience and environment to get a point of view across. Connecting familiar YouTube videos with certain aspects to why we use it allows people to think differently about YouTube. From thinking it as a place where you can simply upload and watch videos for free to a place where people all over the world are united. Whatever the reason, YouTube connects, connects the world.
