Video Final

This semester in video class was when I realized that video is something I would be happy doing for the rest of my life. I love the processes that go on behind making entertainment videos: storyboarding, filming, and editing. As we started working on more ‘creative’ videos like music videos and short films, this quickly became one of my favorite classes. I looked forward to coming in every day and working on my projects, more so than with other e-Comm classes in the past. I learned a lot and I believe that this class has opened up many opportunities for me.

Technology

This year in video class, I learned how to use real cameras and tripods instead of Ipads, and that was very interesting and important to how I succeeded in the class. We also were taught how to edit in Premiere instead of Final Cut, which I am grateful for because Premiere is an editing program commonly used by professionals in the real world. These things were very important to learn because a good grasp on technology and equipment makes all of the difference in video class. You can tell when a student understands technology and editing, as it is reflected in their work. Also, the knowledge I have acquired gives me a big advantage for any video-related jobs I may want to apply for in the future. I was mostly challenged when it came to learning how to use a tripod. For some reason, tripods confused me for the longest time, and I didn’t know how to efficiently set one up. Fortunately, I have now figured it out.  

Collaboration

Collaboration is one of the most important aspects of video class. Nearly all videos require a team to create, and when that team knows how to work together productively, it makes a huge difference. I had to work with groups several times for my videos, and as a result I now have a better understanding of how to work with others. With some groups, we finished our work quickly and without issues (like in my Come and Get it Music Video, which we finished filming in one night) and in others it took us weeks and several after-school hours to finish (the trailer recreation). Collaboration is an important skill to learn because it is prevalent in basically every job on earth. The ability to communicate and work with other people is extremely necessary. I think that being in e-Comm has helped me improve this ability. Of course there were challenges along the way; some of my groups had members who would fight and at times we would get frustrated, but eventually we would always figure out how to work as a team and get things done.

Communication

The ability to communicate is intrinsically tied with collaboration. Communication is key to completing projects, and a group who communicates well and frequently will have an easier time working together. I learned communication skills when it came to working with groups. We often had to discuss issues and make changes to plans. This is important because, like with collaboration, communication is an very necessary and unavoidable part of having a job. You have to be able to communicate with clients, co-workers, etc. e-Comm has helped me improve my communication skills. Whenever one of my groups had issues or needed to plan things, they could be solved with communication. We would often make group-texts, for example, to discuss things.

Project Management

I think that project management is the most crucial part of video class. All of the other aspects are important, but none of them matter if you don’t have the motivation and organization skills to plan your videos. As a result of joining e-Comm, my project management skills have improved greatly. I needed to be organized and focused when it came to turning it all of my projects on time, and I needed to have the ability to set aside time and a schedule for filming, editing, etc. As a freshman I struggled with this, but I don’t find it difficult to be organized about my work anymore.

Leadership

Leadership is shown in video class by the students who can take charge in their projects and who direct their group members. My leadership skills definitely improved as a result of this class. I don’t hesitate to ask things of my group members and if I think it’s necessary I will try to take charge of the group.

My greatest strengths when it comes to e-Comm are my love for what I’m doing and my motivation. I really enjoy coming in after school and devoting extra time to my work, which I see as an advantage. I have really improved and matured in so many ways, not only with my general knowledge of video but also with my organization skills. My weaknesses would have to be the fact that I sometimes doubt myself or I am shy when it comes to working in groups, and this is something I am still working on.

I am going to use what I have learned in so many ways. Because of e-Comm, I will have a summer job involving video editing, for example. I will also use what I have learned to apply it to my future in e-Comm as an upperclassmen. I can’t think of anything I would change with e-Comm. It is a great program that I enjoy greatly, and that has opened many opportunities for me.

In conclusion, I think that joining e-Comm (and video class) is one of the best decisions I could have made for my highschool career. This program has given me so many happy and fun memories and a multitude of skills that I hope to use in the future.