video reflection essay example

COMM 234: Spring 2018

Digital culture.

Week #15: Video Essay Reflection

For this “penultimate” blog entry, please reflect on the biggest and final project of the semester–the video essay. Use the following questions to get you started:

What is your main point or thesis in the video essay?
What strategies did you use to convince or persuade your viewers?
What is the general tone or mood of your video?
What do you believe is the most powerful part of your video?
What part is least powerful?
What challenges did you encounter in creating this project, and how did you overcome them?
Have you carefully and sparingly used outside sources, citing them in MLA format where necessary?
What did you learn about video production and the technical aspects of film-making and editing through this project?
Have you enjoyed working on this project?

13 thoughts on “ Week #15: Video Essay Reflection ”

My main point of the video essay is to spread the word about the dangers of hacking and how it will be used in future wars and the damage it can bring. I would persuade by viewers by showing the video of some of the current problems companies and governments deal with. The general tone of my video is dignified of hacking because it is basically a documentary type video. I believe the most powerful part of my video is the portion talking about how cyberterrorism can be used to shut down major parts of our infrastructure. The least powerful part is goofier portion when I am talking about a scene in Live Free or Die Hard and showing a picture/video clip from the movie. Some of the challenges I encountered on the project was just creating the video itself and redoing multiple takes, over and over again. All the sources I have found, are all MLA cited and will be provided at the end of the video. I’ve learned about video production from previous technical classes in middle school, high school, and some friends over the years. This project was fun to work on, but I felt like it would have been a little bit better if we had started working on this project sooner.

The main point of my video project is show the effect Kim Kardashian (reality and social media star) has on social media bloggers and the lengths they’ll go to (plastic surgery to look like her) to create a successful “brand” by utilizing Instagram as their platform. I’ve used numerous pictures (before and after), of some of the girls, videos and text to show the comparison and how drastic they’ve gone to imitate Kardashian and although its borderline creepy, this has helped them gain followers on social media and create successful brands of their own. The most powerful part of the video will be the before and after photos of some of the Instagram girls because a few look identical to Kardashian, so much so that they look like clones, it’s disturbing. It’s also interesting that so many girls claim authenticity, yet they are going to extremes to look like someone else. I may also incorporate a slip screen at the end of my face one side completely bare and the other with full makeup and talk about how long it takes and how unrealistic this lifestyle. I think the least powerful part is using Kardashian as a segway to talk about the real issues. Most people don’t like Kardashian and I’m also not a fan but her social media presence is so strong and she has such an influence on people it was hard for me to ignore. I didn’t encounter any issues because I used imovie in a previous assignment so it was relatively easy. All pictures, videos and information are cited using MLA format.

The main point of my video shows the bad consequences of cyberbullying, appeal to people to pay more attention to cyberbully and the ways to stop it. I use a lot of reliable research sources, facts to show the audiences. These numbers improve the reliability of my video. And help to convince my audiences. In the first part of my video, the tone is sad. I create a sad story about the negative impacts of cyberbullying. The whole mood is quite negative. However, in the other half of the video, I give some tips on how to prevent and stop cyberbullying. So, the mood becomes invigorating. Encouraging people to fight with cyberbullying. The negative mood turns into positive. I think the whole video is quite powerful. The sad story I made can strike audiences’ mind. Also the scientific numbers and facts. The tips I give to the audiences are also very powerful. If I have to say the least powerful one…It might be the story part. The story brings up people’s emotion, but the numbers and tips are really helpful and powerful. The time is a big issue. There is not enough time for me to do this video, and this is my first time making a video. Putting the sound effects and narration into the video is a little difficult. Also, drawing all the pictures and cut them is really hard to do. I try my best to use all my free time on making this project. And I try out a lot of ways to put sounds into it. Finally, I just record my voice over the video. Now, I am still working on this video. I will put the citations at the end of the video. Film-editing is really interesting. It feels like a magic while I’m making them. From these projects, I learned how to cut away the parts I do not like. The way to put music and narration in. And I learned how to use applications like iMovie and Garageband. Yes, I enjoy the process of making this video. It feels so good to make the first video in my life.

My video essay is to spread awareness of the effects of inappropriate media on adolescents. To do this, I incorporate various forms of media and show how easily accessible it is to view this media. The topics I cover fall under internet, music, video games, and television. All of these have become a large part of everyday life for this age group.

The tone set is very concerned as this is the future of our culture with each generation. The most challenging aspect for this is that it’s a lot of information to get across in just 6 minutes so cutting and focusing the point within this time frame requires a lot of planning and skill. From this I learned video creating/editing can be very difficult especially without a full plan or well defined layout.

Knowing the audience and having a clear goal helps to focus the material of the video. It’s also a good idea to implement video tools such as picture in picture to add more to the video. This also helps with an appeal to the eye and requires the viewer to pay more attention.

My video covered the ways social media has affected politics. The tone was relaxed and meant to be as informal as possible. There wasn’t as much persuasion as there was relation of facts to the audience. Being that this technically was an essay, the content itself was more important, especially with this topic, than the presentation. Also, it’s difficult to make information like this using a video platform powerful. There was nothing that was more or less powerful as a result. The obvious challenge was how to make an essay entertaining. Some of the topic are about serious subjects, on which it’s not important to be entertaining. The source that I used was included at the end of the video. I tried to follow the MLA format but also wanted it to be informal and not sound like a robot. I personally dislike video production and editing. Considering we only had about 3 weeks to do this project combined with the timing of this assignment being at the end of the semester with final exams and projects looming, it didn’t lend itself to a lot of creativity. I personally didn’t like the assignment at all. I aspire to be a writer, not a filmmaker. If this was strictly an IST course, having an assignment like this would make more sense.

The main point in my video was to bring more awareness to piracy and files-haring, what is it and what are the affects of doing so. I tend to have fun when it comes to making a present like assignment whether it be a powerpoint or a video. Although in my case it’s a powerpoint presentation with some pictures and videos. The overall tone of my video tends to be light hearted and silly most of the time especially when it comes to talking about a serious topic like piracy because piracy is basically stealing with less consequences.

If I had to choose a particular strong point probably the simplicity of my video. It’s something I have been doing since high school because at an early age I have come to realize everyone would always do the same mundane presentation whether it be a powerpoint or just some poster board with their information. A lot of the things I put in my presentation are more for me and less for the view mainly because while presenting I know there are a lot of people who are not really paying attention and if some of the snarky comments and remarks I place in my video makes them laugh then maybe I can get them more interested in the subject being discussed. One of the main reasons why I feel people don’t tend to do their own research and knowledge seeking is because they find it tedious and boring, so if I can convey the information I have in a simple and fun way then that is how I am going to present it. Plus it’s fun knowing how much I can get away with without people noticing. Weak point of my video would also probably be the simplicity of my presentation. It’s a double edged sword. In a class room I feel like that my presentation would be fine, but in the real world presenting this to a board of directors would probably not be okay.

In terms of sources and citation, I just followed the usual format, I made a slide with all my sources in MLA format. In terms of film-making I didn’t really learn anything because I didn’t use a camera, but in production, things I found annoying about doing presentation still persists like finding credible sources and knowing what information to use so I stay concise and don’t use up too much time.

Overall since I can never take anything too seriously, I tend to have fun with these kinds of assignments.

My main point it to show viewers a new form of technology that is advancing today and could be the future and I show examples of how to use it and a demonstration of it being used. I used examples and tried to show all the possible ways you could use Apple Pay, what it is used for and how you use it as well as why it should be used The tone of my video is all meant to be convincing, and more importantly get apple users to set up Apple Pay to make purchases fast and efficient so you can make your purchase and be on your way. I wanted the tone to be laid back and have the viewers feel confident whenever they want to use Apple Pay they know it will be fast and easy from just holding up their phone screen to another screen in just a blink of an eye. The most powerful part of my video is showing how Apple Pay works, that is what my video is about and most powerful part because it is strictly showing you the new piece of technology or in other words, an app that may change your life in someway. The least powerful part would be setting up the Apple Pay, it does have a downside of only being for apple users so thats where I would say it is least powerful and not everyone can have that advantage unless you own something apple based. It was really challenging trying to create persuasive media without sounding like a commercial or I was trying to sell a product but more so sound persuasive at the same time while trying to tell about a product. My editing skills were okay, I had no problems working with iMovie, my camera was my phone so it was not the best quality. It was a little hard with my story board to make the video because for myself its easier to plan inside my head how I would want the video to look like. I over came them by thinking the video through and how the viewers would want to learn about something in a short video. I have used outside sources and cited them in MLA to give credit at the end of my video. I actually took TV in high school so I was familiar with how to use iMovie and the different types of shots so it was not at all hard for me to edit and make a video so it was pretty simple for myself. I did enjoy this project, I am a comm major so am I all about anything media and digital wise. I am strong about technology and love to edit things so I did enjoy this project a lot and was a change for me to get back to making a video and editing it to my best ability to show my desired content.

The main point of the video is to show the digital divide between America, China, India and Asia by focusing on the differences in the usage of social media, specifically Facebook because it is the most popular platform around the world.

I made the video a mix between a sketch and a documentary. The video uses word-of-mouth from students from the aforementioned countries to show what the public generally thinks about Facebook in other countries and accurate statistics to show where people often get misguided about the digital divide.

The general mood is very light. My intent is to be comedic to keep the audience engaged. My intent was to create a dramatic irony where a fake detective is trying to investigate the digital divide by ‘kidnapping’ Facebook. The irony is that if anything, Facebook promotes the decrease of digital divide somewhat unintentionally by being the most popular social media platform.

Well, if people don’t figure out the irony or understand the humor… then the entire video is… is weak. Figuring out how to fix the sound because most of the interviews for I shot were outdoors and it was difficult to work around all the outside noise. Also, trying to export the video to a decent quality is a current challenge. I think the video is good but it looks like it was made in the ‘80s… but worse.

I used a lot of sources to gather statistics. I admit, my research was done mostly after I had shot the video. I didn’t know how my interviewees would respond to the questions I posed but it turns out that the research I had in mind correlated with the responses. It was then a straight forward process to look for sources that backup my claim.

I learnt how to use Adobe Premiere CC Pro from scratch. Aside from just what different options did to my video, I learnt that video production takes a lot of time and attentiveness. Making a list of what you want really helps. Also, having your script/storyboard helps you make sense of the entire project… because editing makes you question the relevance of even important scenes. Just like the textbook said, use equipment that are familiar with. It was for that reason that I didn’t edit with iMovie because while iMovie is user-friendly, I’m a fan of apple products. Therefore, using Adobe Premiere on a Dell was easy for me to understand. Last thing… YouTube knows everything about everything, literally!

I love every second of working on this project. I forced me to meet people and actually notice my campus. Even the two all-nighters I pulled for this video were fun. I got to laugh at my own jokes; and most importantly, I figured out how to use Adobe Premiere Pro… like a Pro.

The main point of my video is to discuss net neutrality and its effects on both businesses and everyday consumers such as myself. To convince/persuade my viewers, I used a lot of informational data and points, while also showing the cause and effect associated with net neutrality. The general tone and mood of my video is more informational and analytical as to what net neutrality is and how it affects basically everyone.

I think the most powerful part of the video is when I discuss other countries that do not have legislation similar to net neutrality, thus showing what the US could become once the repeal begins to take place. On the other hand, I think the least powerful would be the beginning/intro since it is not as eye-catching (and convincing) as I initially had hoped it to be. One of the many challenges I encountered in creating this project was finding the right videos to support the points I was trying to make. To overcome this, I had to do a lot of research and searching for videos that would fit the script and storyboard I created. Another challenge was that of the time constraint since we only had a few weeks to complete the project, and creating good video does take quite a lot of time. I did use a number of outside sources which are also properly cited in MLA format.

The main thing I learned with the technicalitites of video production and editing is just how tedious it can be to edit videos, especially with cutting out footage that was not necessary at certain points. And overall I did enjoy working on this project since it allowed me to explore a topic I was not completely familiar with, while also letting me develop my video production and editing skills.

My video essay is chiefly intended as an introduction to the idea of social credit, and includes some specific examples, one in the realm of fiction, and one in the not too distant future, which should be a terrifying thought. I wasn’t really trying to convince or persuade them of anything, merely trying to present information. The general tone of my video starts out informative, and stays that way for most of the presentation.

The ending is probably the most powerful part, along with the part immediately preceding it, when I explain all the limitations and controls the Chinese government will be able to exercise over the Chinese people. Conversely, the least powerful part is the beginning, where I explain social media in a very basic sense. The biggest challenge I faced was something of a self-imposed one, in that I didn’t want to use iMovie to create this project, since I prefer to use my computer. I went through several pieces of software before I found one that was free, relatively easy to use, accepted common video formats, and didn’t include a watermark. I eventually succeeded with VSDC Free Video Editor. I only used two or three exterior sources, mostly for images and videos, which have been cited as properly as I know how to. The main thing I learned about video creation was how little I actually knew about video creation. The many intermediate steps between scripting and video production were fairly easy to figure out, but the process of completing them was more difficult that I initially anticipated. When I first saw the prompt asking if I enjoyed working on this project, I was fully prepared to say ‘no.’ That has changed. this project gave me a chance to try something new, which I was initially not thrilled about, but the opportunity to try new things in a scholastic environment is a welcome one.

Coming in a little late on this one, but I wanted to have the video complete and submitted before answering.

For my video, I decided to go for a more informative tone. My main point or goal was to educate my viewers on how digital currencies are penetrating society today. Instead of attepting to persuade my viewers to one side or the other, I decided to provide arguments from both sides of the fence and allow the viewers to come to their own conclusion. I think the most powerful point I make in the video is the discussion of the volatility and security of crypto coins as understanding this can be difficult for some. The least powerful argument I think I made is tne segment regarding the effect mining has on the consumer graphics card market, as this is simple supply and demand, and while annoying, is ultimately just how the free market works.

I faced two big challenges while creating this video. The first was the difficulty I faced when trying to decide on a topic for which I held a strong opinion on. I may be a pretty heavy gamer, but outside of that, I don’t spend much time concerning myself with the online culture. I use my facebook mostly for direct messaging between clients and friends, and I don’t use any other social media outlets like twitter or instagram. I thought about discussing how self righteous and pretentious people are in the online world, but I felt it would just end up just being me ranting about how much people online suck. So instead I decided to cover a topic that has roots in the digital world, but has effect on the real world.

The second challenge I faced came when actually trying to create the video. Ispent about 10-12 hours trying to shoot myself talking to the camera about my subject, taking a firm position against the adoption of cryptocurrency, but once I had it edited down and watched it back, I felt like it ended up being the same ranty garbage that I was trying to avoid in the first place. It didn’t feel professional, and it didn’t feel genuine, mostly because I don’t actually feel strongly against the idea of cryptocurrency use. I stand in a middle ground. I think it’s a great concept, but is inherently flawed in several ways that need to be rectified before I can fully support it. So that’s when I scrapped the entire thing and started from scratch, this time taking a more informative approach, leaving my personal feelings(along with my face) out of the discussion. What I ended up with was a much more professional looking and sounding product that I believe has real value for the uninformed viewers who may be looking for some basic and easy to understand explanations of this explosive new online trend.

When it came to information sources, I didn’t really need to do any research beforehan because most of my content was knowledge I already possessed through my own experimentation and discussion with other hardware enthusiasts regarding the subject of cryptocurrency and mining. So at the advice of Dr. Weisser, I sought out sources of articles and statistical charts after the fact to back up the statements I made in my video.

What i learned about film-making and editing is that I have a newfound respect for the guys who spend their days doing full time content creation for YouTube. Planning shots, getting proper lighting, doing takes over and over and over again. Making sure your performance and content are both equally engaging, and on top of all of that, editing gave me a new appreciation for these people who are on the hustle to put out videos every single day to keep their viewers watching and happy.

As far as having fun with the project, I feel that due to the type of video we needed to do, i.e. a research backed essay, a lot of the fun was taken out of it. I understand that part of the reasonfor this is that the project needs to be acedemic in some way, but I also feel that as a project for a class surrounding digital cultures, the options should have been more open. I feel the project should be to create a video that reflects some sort of digital culture, rather than searching for issues within it. I, for example, would have liked to create some sort of PC building guide, others may have created a funny cat video, or a Vlog about their opinions on a certain subject(without needing to back it up, because an opinion doesn’t need to be right). Just something that better reflects the things people generally watch on YouTube, focusing more on creating an online persona for ourselves as a content creator. This would turn the focus more on understanding and implementing the things we learned from reading the final book. For me, that would have been a lot more fun, yet still relevant to the focus of the course.

My main point for this video essay is to see the evolution of digital technology involving vehicles and how it affects us when driving and traveling. Some strategies that I used to persuade my viewers are facts and features that come with this technology and how they keep us connected with social media when we are on the road. I gave keep aspects of cell phones and the car that used to be limited to USB ports for charging and Bluetooth connections for calling and music, but the options today are much more plentiful. Products like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto allow motorists to use nearly all of their mobile’s functions from the driver’s seat, including messaging, music, podcasts, and a variety of applications completely hands-free. The mood of my video is neutral but appealing towards manufactures and industries. The most powerful part of my video is the integration of cell phone use, navigation, and wifi use within the car. Some challenges that I came across is how I’m I going to make something good and professional to my viewers. How am I going to structure it to keep people watching and what makes a video appealing towards others. All of these were answered while I was recording and reading. It was much simpler than I thought and it was like the snowball effect when all things fell into place, for the most part. For my outside sources, I put them in the format of MLA and cited them within my video. It seems hard at first but with the right software and equipment, it could be as simple as taking a picture. For the most part, I enjoyed this project and had a blast with it.

I did my video project on Virtual Reality. Because many people don’t know a whole lot about virtual reality I gave a long explanation as to what exactly virtual reality is and how it came to be. I think it is important for people to really know what it is since VR is kind of a niche topic. Although you cannot fully understand VR without trying it out I just tried to do a good job of explaining it. On top of this I tried to show the viewer that VR can be used for so much more other than video games. Medicine, architecture, and education are all fields that can benefit a lit from VR. I also tried to make the intro fun and conclude the video by speculating about the future of VR. I used a lot of videos from outside sources because especially for the history portion of the video I think it is much better to see exactly how the devices are used with video. I was not able to utilize the MLA format because most if not all of my sources were from YouTube and there are no authors clearly stated on these videos. I didn’t learn a lot about video production because I was already pretty knowledgable on the subject. Overall I enjoyed this project because making videos is something I enjoy doing.

How to Write a Video Essay: A Step-by-Step Guide and Tips

by Joseph Kenas
January 5, 2024
Writing Tips

The video essay has become an increasingly popular way of presenting ideas and concepts in the age of the internet and YouTube. In this guide, we present a step-by-step guide on how to write a video essay and tips on how to make it.

While it is easy to write a normal essay, the structure of the video essay is a bit of a mystery, owing to the newness of the term.

However, in this article, we are going to define what is a video essay, how to write a video essay, and also How to present a video essay well in class.

What is a Video Essay?

A video essay is a video that delves into a certain subject, concept, person, or thesis. Video essays are difficult to characterize because they are a relatively new form, yet they are recognized regardless. Simply, video essays are visual compilations that try to persuade, educate, or criticize.

These days, there are many creatives making video essays on topics like politics, music, movies, and pop culture.

With these, essays have become increasingly popular in the era of video media such as Youtube, Vimeo, and others.

Video essays, like photo and traditional essays, tell a story or make a point.

The distinction is that video essays provide information through visuals.

When creating a video essay, you can incorporate video, images, text, music, and/or narration to make it dynamic and successful.

When you consider it, many music videos are actually video essays.

Since making videos for YouTube and other video sites has grown so popular, many professors are now assigning video essays instead of regular essays to their students. So the question is, how do you write a video essay script?

Steps on How to Write a Video Essay Script

Unscripted videos cost time, effort, and are unpleasant to watch. The first thing you should do before making a video writes a script, even if it’s only a few lines long. Don’t be intimidated by the prospect of writing a script. All you need is a starting point.

A video script is important for anyone who wants to film a video with more confidence and clarity. They all contain comparable forms of information, such as who is speaking, what is said, where, and other important details.

While there are no precise criteria that a video essay must follow, it appears that most renowned video essayists are adhering to some steps as the form gets more popular and acknowledged online.

1. Write a Thesis

Because a video essayist can handle a wide range of themes, video analysis essays lack defined bounds. The majority of essays, on the other hand, begin with a thesis.

A thesis is a statement, claim, theme, or concept that the rest of the essay is built around. A thesis might be broad, including a variety of art forms. Other theses can be quite detailed.

A good essay will almost always have a point to express. Every video analysis essay should have a central idea, or thesis, that ties the film together.

2. Write a Summary

Starting with a brief allows you and your team to document the answers to the most pressing project concerns. It ensures that everyone participating in the video production is on the same page.

This will avoid problems of mixing ideas or getting stuck when you are almost completing the project.

3. Choose a Proper Environment and Appropriate Tools

When it comes to writing your script, use any tool you’re familiar with, such as pen and paper. Also, find a writing atmosphere that is relaxing for you, where you can concentrate and be creative.

Consider what you don’t have to express out loud when you’re writing. Visual elements will be used to communicate a large portion of your content.

4. Use a Template

When you don’t have to reinvent the process every time you sit down, you get speed and consistency.

It’s using your cumulative knowledge of what works and doing it over and over again. Don’t start with a blank page when I sit down to create a script- try to use an already made template.

5. Be Conversational

You want scripts that use language that is specific and targeted. Always avoid buzzwords, cliches, and generalizations. You want your audience to comprehend you clearly without rolling their eyes.

6. Be Narrative

Make careful to use a strong story structure when you’re trying to explain anything clearly. Ensure your script has a beginning, middle, and end, no matter how short it is. This will provide a familiar path for the viewers of your video script.

7. Edit Your Script

Make each word work for a certain position on the page when you choose your words.

They must serve a purpose.

After you’ve completed your first draft, go over your script and review it.

Then begin editing, reordering, and trimming. Remove as much as possible.

Consider cutting it if it isn’t helping you achieve your goal.

8. Read Your Script Loudly

Before recording or going on in your process, it’s recommended to read your script aloud at least once. Even if you won’t be the one reading it, this is a good method to ensure that your message is clear. It’s a good idea to be away from people so you may practice in peace.

Words that flow well on paper don’t always flow well when spoken aloud. You might need to make some adjustments based on how tough certain phrases are to pronounce- it’s a lot easier to change it now than when recording.

9. Get Feedback

Sometimes it is very difficult to point out your mistakes in any piece of writing. Therefore, if you want a perfect video essay script, it is advisable to seek feedback from people who are not involved in the project.

Keep in mind that many will try to tear your work apart and make you feel incompetent. However, it can also be an opportunity to make your video better.

The best way to gather feedback is to assemble a group of people and read your script to them. Watch their facial reaction and jot own comments as you read. Make sure not to defend your decisions. Only listen to comments and ask questions to clarify.

After gathering feedback, decide on what points to include in your video essay. Also, you can ask someone else to read it to you so that you can listen to its follow.

A video essay can be a good mode to present all types of essays, especially compare and contrast essays as you can visually contrast the two subjects of your content.

How to make a Good Video from your Essay Script

You can make a good video from your script if you ask yourself the following questions;

What is the video’s purpose? What is the purpose of the video in the first place?
Who is this video’s intended audience?
What is the subject of our video? (The more precise you can be, the better.)
What are the most important points to remember from the video?- What should viewers take away from it?

If the context had multiple characters, present their dialogues well in the essay to bring originality. If there is a need to involve another person, feel free to incorporate them.

How to Present a Video Essay Well in Class

Write down keywords or main ideas in a notecard; do not write details- writing main ideas will help you remember your points when presenting. This helps you scan through your notecard for information.
Practice- in presentations it is easy to tell who has practiced and who hasn’t. For your video essay to grab your class and professor’s attention, practice is the key. Practice in front of your friends and family asking for feedback and try to improve.
Smile at your audience- this is one of the most important points when presenting anything in front of an audience. A smiley face draws the attention of the audience making them smile in return thus giving you confidence.
Walk to your seat with a smile- try not to be disappointed even if you are not applauded. Be confident that you have aced your video presentation.