Video Clip Lab

For this lab I worked in iMovie to create a brief video introducing my website Deconstructing the Reluctant Warrior. Having very little experience using iMovie in an academic setting or being on camera for that matter, I found it very difficult to record a seamless version of the script I had developed without faltering or staring off screen to look at the next line. While I do think that these are issues that can be overcome by simple repetition, I do wish that I had asked a peer for assistance with simpler tasks such as operating the camera or setting up the room. Using royalty free sources such as bensound.com and the Wikimedia Commons I was able to include a soundtrack and photo of Powell during the weapons of mass destruction presentation at the United Nations, and I felt that the closing sequence of my video was not only tasteful but would do well in drawing in potential viewers. However given the rough nature of my clip (I had a difficult time reducing the background noise even though I recorded in one of the college’s studios) and my admittedly awkward delivery, I am fairly tentative about using the clip on my site as I do not want to be inconsistent in the level of quality of the materials I am displaying.

While the quality of the clip and aversion to personally appearing on screen makes me reluctant to work on another film centered aspect of my project, it did not diminish my belief that film could be a very powerful element of a digital history site. I think that if I had the time and access, that perhaps shooting a multi-location (ideally shooting an elongated intro clip in front of the United Nations building) and end the video with a sequence of images used in the testimony with an audio overlay of an interview with one of Powell’s former staff members.

Although I was not thrilled with the final product, I think that with more time and resources that a film could be a great way to convey information in a completely original format.

Intro Clip

This entry was posted in Uncategorized. Bookmark the permalink.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *