Fabricio Olsson; Student #1101224; breeze@ucsc.edu; 831.459-1919

DANM 297-02; David Cuthburt

Environmental Digital Video Project

Mount Madonna School and Renaissance H.S.

Student Video Analysis

(MMS Video Projects)

Early video editing project used to teach video editing using Movie Maker software. Footage (video and narration) from Archive.org and from local videographers.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=zbhAKz9LMSc

Mount Madonna's Pajaro River Watershed Video Medley (4 minutes)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0osBMKzbEh4

Pajaro Flight - MMS students taken on a flight over the perimeter of the Watershed.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J3t51_A_5is

Following are the comments/critique I've given the students in both public (youtube comments) and private (detailed comments given to students individually)

Mount Madonna

Geology Basic Analysis (comment on youtube):

http://youtube.com/watch?v=pXXbl71S-hA

Funny at beginning, detailed scientific info with alarming information, problem suddenly shifts (from earthquake hazard to watershed disappearing), offers solution (to new problem) at the end. Some color choices work while others are hard to read. I love the music choices, though the abrupt endings are distracting.

Geology Detailed Analysis:

Amusing intro; good sound effect contrast makes it funny.

Green letters hard to read with earth background - good scientific information. (suddenly I forgot I was just amused and now have to squint to read)

Loma Prieta Earthquake text is clear, but it hides the image behind it. This is an example where editing the image prior to importing it would allow text to be on screen at the same time as image - i.e.: vertical image flush left or right of a horizontal frame.

Blue text with San Andreas fault line map is difficult to read. Also, same effect of hidden image behind taking place here.

I DO like that you have gone from a wide (earth) to narrow (regional) and focused point of view. However! You were talking about earthquakes and fault lines just a second ago. The next image of Pajaro River Watershed talks about helping out; not polluting, etc... It's clear (as you state) that we have to help it so watershed doesn't disappear, but I'm not sure what the connection is between that and the previous 'earthquake' risks shown.

I like the 'urgency' of the message and that the text colors are chosen appropriately to indicate intention (red for warning, green for solution)

The abrupt ending of the song is a little jarring (somewhat comical - but that wouldn't be fitting to the message indicated just prior to that). A simple solution would be to fade out the music prior to credits showing with another song; or to let the rock song go into the credits also. Same thing at the very end. Either the music ends with video, or it has to be faded out in order to create a sense of harmony, clarity and closure to what I just watched.

Living Responsibly (youtube comment):

http://youtube.com/watch?v=zrHNhwcEbEA

Overall this is a good movie. I like the images and the music choices. The text is clear and concise. The colors work (most of the time) to enhance the "mood" of the message you are trying to get across. Good use of the tools available.

Living Responsibly Detailed Analysis:

Good thunder sound effect grabs my attention early in the video.

Song has a cheerful beat to it. This is a good way to set/keep the mood throughout the movie - even when you are talking about the dangers, the song brings a glimpse of hope.

I like the images you chose representing the negative effects of human impact; especially the solarize filter (changing colors) to stress the danger.

Red typically represents warning, danger. The Prius and text in front of red panel are just the opposite of that, no?

Otherwise, I do like your choices of color throughout the movie. "Warmer" color tones (red-side of the spectrum) for the negative messages. Soothing, "cool" colors (blues and greens), calm pastels for the solutions.

Last panel has a lot to say... yet I feel the message would be clear without all the text on the screen (less is more).

Connections (youtube comment):

http://youtube.com/watch?v=CP5I5e_1zjU

I really enjoyed the way you've presented the information on the movie. There is a strong contrast between the scientific narration (which, by the way works really well with the video and image shown) vs. the powerful message at the end. The silence enhances the message by allowing contemplation without distraction. You can hold the final message a little longer... let me ponder it a little more before bringing in credits.

Connections Detailed Analysis:

The intro is visually engaging. I like your choice of text effect and transition.

Good, clear title to the project gives me a concise description of what I'm about to see.

Great narration! Beautifully compliments the video and image. It's good scientific information without overwhelming listener with too many details. Clear enunciation and vocabulary (mature w/o being intimidating to younger audiences).

Picture of polluted river is a bit of a jarring contrast to what we were just shown. The question catches me off guard... distracting to the point that next few panels lose impact.

Consider this as an alternative:

Question ("Which would you rather have?") with a plain background; followed by choices with images (polluted river, clean river , lush green, lifeless land); then messages at the end, again with plain background.

There is something truly powerful about the silence in your movie. The message is enhanced by the opportunity to contemplate the words shown on the screen w/o any distractions.

Oceans (youtube comment):

http://youtube.com/watch?v=ftx8j23KttU

From a technical standpoint, you've demonstrated strong skills and great use of the tools. Artistically, the message is clear and your "voice" is clearly illustrated through your musical selection and strong imagery. I do, however agree with Weston that there can be more 'content' in order to strengthen the argument.

Oceans Detailed Analysis:

Intriguing intro; mysterious tone set by music chosen.

Jelly Goodness? :) but, wait... is this an appropriate use of humor here? It does contrast the rest of the content in both vocabulary and tone.

Images chosen are fascinating. Slight variations (i.e. Ken Burns effect, old film scratches, etc) add interest and make the photos more captivating.

Music change along with message tone work very well together; adding emotional weight to images and text.

The first solution (one that needs to make biggest impact) is hard to read and 'muddy' (neither text nor image is clearly visible). A suggestion is: as the slide follows a question, there is no need to state that you are answering it. It's understood. You can shorten the text, put some spaces, or hard returns, in so that the text is both above and below the image, but not over it. Less is more... i mean, the last two solutions don't have any additional descriptive text and they are clearly understood.

I like that the video ends with the text still on the page. Extra viewing time allows for more contemplation of final message.

Human Land History (youtube comment):

http://youtube.com/watch?v=2vPPwhVwv5Q

My first impression of the movie is that it is an unfinished product. There are great images shown. The minimalist text is enhanced by lack of sound. Though the tone of your message is unclear to me through much of the movie, the solemn ending message is strengthened by the silence.

Human Land History Detailed Analysis:

I know that there have been technical difficulties throughout the process, but you seem to have made good use of the tools and content.

Photos are good visual representation of the text you have chosen.

There is however much room for expanding the content and explore more strongly your "voice" throughout the movie.

Where is "here"?

It would be great to have some more information on each group of inhabitants -- where are they from, timeline, what kind of impact, how they used the land in this area specifically, etc.

Minimalist structure of the presentation leaves much to interpretation of audience member. This can be a good thing... but my first impression of this movie is that it is an unfinished product, with a strong base and great potential for growth.

Climate (youtube comment):

http://youtube.com/watch?v=iTllHA7hdU4

Technically, you've shown good use of the tools. There is a lot of great scientific information. As a 'stand alone' movie, it's a bit of a downer, for it does not offer solutions nor alternatives to the problem at hand. That, by the way is a good thing. That's the mood you've chosen and I applaud that. Other groups cover the other pieces of the puzzle.

Climate Detailed Analysis:

Great scientific data presented. There is a lot of information spoken and that can be difficult to follow (to audiences not in tune with the subject matter). Images used are helpful, but you can use a few more to help the guide the narration. Your graphics are full of valuable insight. This, added to the wealth of information given through narration, become a bit overwhelming (until one watches it a few times to 'get it all').

Technically, you've shown strong understanding and control of tools. Narration is timed well and aligned accurately with image changes.

Some words are slurred and hard to understand.

Music choice is casual and not too distracting. Volume does compete with narration at times.

Your text is strong and well developed. You have presented a good argument, backed by clear scientific information.

I do find it ironic that the mood established by music, so matter of fact, is a direct opposite to magnitude and gravity of the information presented.