You Are Worth a Laugh

Katie, our Director, had an idea to do a video where people laugh with out smiling (click here for inspiration). The whole group was interested in making it happen. It was especially fun for me because this is the type of video work that I enjoy. I like that connection with people and catching raw emotion on camera. 

We found that this type of video can be easily related to depression. For me, this exercise is the opposite of what people are going through with depression. On the outside you can see that the person is smiling but maybe on the inside they aren't. In the video, you can't smile. You have to keep the laughter inside. By watching, you can tell that many people had problems with this. 

There are many different film types out there. Some require more per-production work, while others more post production work. This video was the latter. Our shot set up was dependent on the location and people we were interviewing. We could not plan for that. However, we were required to do each pre-production task. The script was less than a page and said "people reactions" through out most of it. The storyboard was a simple task because all the shots had to have the same line up: rule of thirds, medium to close up shot. 

I worked with the camera and we each edited our own project. I really learned that I enjoy editing. I always thought is was a long (and hard) process. But by creating this video, I realized that I actually love it. Still not sure whether I love that, being behind the camera, or being a leader more. But seeing this video come together was so fun. Once I added the music (which is another aspect I love), it just clicked. I loved it. The video made me inspired and that is what my goal is for each video I do (really my goal in life is to inspire other people).  

My group spent about three days on pre-production. This was completely unneeded. We were all ready to film by the second day. And to be honest, we didn't need to full first day. When I said that some video required more post-production work, I mean: the group goes out to film and then comes back to collaborate, decide which clips they like the most, how they can put this in, and build a script around the reactions. Not the other way around, get the clips to match an already existing script.

Debbie, the woman in the office, is my favorite person we interviewed. She is a wonderful and nice person that always treats a person with respect whether is knows you or not. I strive to be more like Debbie.