500 Word Short Story, Human Interest Video Project & A Diversion #1

The Lab:

1. Work on your 500-word short story project (see handouts and the information below...)
2. With your partner, go shoot some video footage or film a short interview for your project (see posts below for information...)

500 Word Short Story Project

Watch at least 3 500-word stories (see link below) and summarize each story in 1 sentence. Write your 1-sentence premise (summary) in your journals. Then, add to this list with some of your own 1-sentence premises. 

• Please watch and listen to at least 3 500-word stories from this site.  You can find the 2017 winners at this link too.
• Lab: writing a 500-word story. 
• Come up with a short story that should be exactly 500 words in length.
• Subject and genre are completely up to you!
• Use the handout advice to get you started.
• Use the advice from the videos on the web as well.
• Write. Drafts of your stories will be due soon. 

When you have completed your 500-word short story, proofread, print and turn in. If you finish before the 500-word short story is due, write another one in a different style or genre.

The Human Interest Video Project

Decide whether you are working alone or with a partner. Identify your subject, plan to meet your subject, and begin shooting your 1-3 minute human interest project. We will cover some video tips and advice next class regarding this project, but you should get started on this project asap. More details to follow.

Some things to remember:

• Your human interest story is a story. It should have a specific subject and involve some understanding of what it means to be fatally and tragically or humorously human.
• Create questions in your journal that you might ask your subject.
• Follow your subject around for some time (usually a day) and take pictures or video of him/her doing something normal.
• You may write a voice over script introducing your subject.
• You may use partial interviews or researched statistics in your video.
• You may use a musical underscore to add tone and ambiance to your video.
• Above all: Be creative!

How to go about doing this project. 

1. Decide to work alone or with a single partner. 

2. If you work alone: make a list of potential subjects for your human interest video. Choose one as your subject (this can be a family member, a friend, a neighbor, a teacher, a person of interest, etc.)

3. If you work with a partner, decide who will be the subject and who will be the videographer.

4. Videographers should come up with some interview questions to ask the subject. Record your questions and answers in your journal.

5. Decide on where you will shoot video footage of your subject. You may have to travel, so plan accordingly. Brainstorm different possible settings to use as an appropriate backdrop for your video in your journal.

6. Record your interview with your subject. Use some of this material (the best parts) for your video.

7. Use your smartphones or video equipment (you can borrow this from our department) to make your film.

8. Upload your video/audio footage into Windows Movie Maker (or iMovie or other video software if you have access to it).

9. Edit and prepare your video. It should be, again, 1-3 minutes in length.

10. Upload your video when it is completed. 

See me or tech-savvy peers to help you upload your video footage and import it into Windows Movie Maker or Adobe Premiere. Both can be found in your programs menu at the bottom left hand of your screen.

• How to use Microsoft Movie Maker and a print version.
• How to use Adobe Premiere and the website for more help.

Period 4: During period 4, when instructed we will have a diversion. Grab your journals and a pen or pencil and get prepared for our "field trip".

HOMEWORK: None. You may continue working on your drafts/projects.