First day filming!

6:00 AM
I get up. Eat food. Prepare for the day.

6:40 AM

I leave for Felix's house to pick up his camera. He teaches me how to use his AIPTEK digital camcorder...

And his Samsung digital camcorder...

I took this quick video with the Samsung digital camcorder...

The cameras are great but they have their weaknesses. The Samsung digital camcorder has low resolution, and the AIPTEK camcorder has low battery capacity and low sound quality. The cameras hadn't been charging overnight so they were both low on battery. After he is done giving me a tutorial I thank him. I take both the cameras but decid only to use the HD AIPTEK camcorder.

7:56 AM
I arrive at South Hill and go to the main office. I talk with one of the staff members about media release of the students. We agree it is best if I film the students as little as possible.

8:06 AM
I read chapter three in my book, "Video Nation", about filming techniques. My research will be recorded in the Video Nation tab. I use what I learned from that chapter, and from my conversation with Jeff to start planning the filming.

8:17 AM
I check the lighting, and it is weak. I ask one of the custodians if he could turn on some of the stage lights. He does, and the lighting for the video was a lot better.

8:20 AM
Filming begins!
Sound check starts and this is my chance to get some close ups. I get as many interesting angles as possible. I apply the rule of thirds when focusing on my subjects. I also sing along to the music, smile, and laugh as much as possible. I want the chorus members to be relaxed and have fun. I get some great reactions from Jan, Jewell, and Keara on camera. The camera runs out of battery and I have to plug it in. This is annoying. Next time I film I am definitely going to charge the battery overnight.

8:45 AM
When the kids start filtering into the cafeteria I move to the back and start filming the kids sitting down. I bump and tilt the camera a lot during this time. In the future I want to keep the camera stationary so I can have a cool time lapse effect of the kids filling up the room.

9:40 AM
The concert finishes and I go out in the hall to get some good shots of Vitamin Lers high-fiving the little kids. The hall is crowded and it is hard to get a good angle. I finally get a good angle. It is perfect! I settle in between two lines of kids in the hall, with them walking away from me. Jewell is in between them giving them high fives on both sides. I had just gotten into the spot when... the camera runs out of battery! Ah! I would have loved to have that shot in the video.

10:20 AM
I arrive at the high school and go to Mr. Cass's room. I ask him about downloading the footage onto my computer. My laptop couldn't do it so that is something I am going to have to figure out in the future. He also asked about my equipment situation and I said, "I got these cameras from Felix, but it isn't a permanent thing. I'm going to have to figure out what I am going to do in the future." He offered to let me use one of his DSLR cameras. They are HD and a lot better than the cameras I used today. We worked out that next Thursday before the concert on Friday I will go in and pick up the camera. I am extremely thankful. It feels good to know that he trusts me.

10:50 AM
After several failed attempts at uploading the SD card to my lap top I go to the library and post this on my blog.