A Forgotten Existance
In “Van Mon: A Forgotten Existance”, an interactive narrative on Online News Association, Ehrin Macksey creates a creative short video with the use of diverse visual elements and engaging emotional appeal.
I truly enjoyed many of the elements throughout this 5-minute video segment.
From the beginning of the video, I thought Macksey combined the elements of natural sound and interesting camera angles (mostly at a medium-shot distance or closer and using some point-of-view shots), to engage the viewer and create a sense of the tragedy and sensitivity of this certain issue. Specifically, after the montage of still-photos that were displayed with dramatic music playing in the background, there was a short-segment that used a low, point-of-view camera angle, to capture a person rocking back and forth on a hammock, with a nice natural sound element of the “creeek, creeek, creeek” of the hammock.
Macksey combines a nice variety of diverse camera techniques throughout the piece as well. The use of still-photos, quick shots and moving-shots all blend nicely and shows his technical ability. To go along with his camera techniques, the addition of audio and music gives the viewer guidance.
I thought the most emotionally appealing visual was when Macksey shot one of the leprosy victims receiving a bucket-bath while he was in his wheelchair. The shot was beautifully done because of the overhead camera angle and the quick-shot, sequential images of the bath, with the water from the bucket falling to the ground, creating an image of dispair.
To improve Macksey’s video, I would not have started the piece with a montage of the victims. During this sequence, I was wondering who these people were. Instead, I would have placed that sequence towards the middle of the video. Also, I thought it would have been more emotionally appealing to have an interview with one of the victims, or of one of the employees at the hospital. Lastly, I may have shortened the video and removed some of the final minute.
Overall, I thought the video was nicely shot. The use of audio that accompanied the visual elements let the viewer understand what was going on in both instances.
I agree that the many different types of camera angles, moving-shots and B-roll images combined always kept my attention. This was a great multimedia video.
The part with the voice over of the narrator talking about how they don’t have a lot of money for entertainment and showing the B-roll image of four people looking bored was incredibly effective.
I thought it was good that the narrator was in the left one-third of the interview frame, only his chest and up was visible, and there was a black background. My eyes did not wander at all because there was nothing to look at. The video I watched did a terrible job with setting an interview frame—there were so many distractions that I didn’t even watch the people being interviewed!
I disagree about the sequence of pictures at the beginning. I thought the rapid pace was effective in letting me know how many people were really in this place and miserable and such.
Overall, a great video and nice critique!
Melinda Warren
mwarren
14 Oct 08 at 11:09 am
Sorry but did any of you watch the 2nd film in the package. “Bop”
Go to: Films-> and you choose the package on the right that says BOP.
I’m interested in a critic on that film as well.
Cheers,
Ehrin
Ehrin Macksey
17 Oct 08 at 10:54 am
I agree that this piece contained numerous creative elements that really added to the final product. The photo sequence involving the patient’s bath was very successful in capturing the true emotion.
I also agree that an interview with a patient or a hospital worker would have added to this video package by giving us a clearer view of life inside the hospital from a personal perspective. On the other hand, I think the still photographs captured the important scenes and emotions perhaps just as well as a video could have. They made the viewer look very closely at the details within the one frame instead of having to try to focus on the significant parts of a video.
Overall, you’re critique is great, and the video reached the goal of emotional impact!
khollingshead
18 Oct 08 at 6:18 pm
[...] & Lede – Review 1 / Review [...]
Finished – The Road Less Traveled
12 Oct 09 at 3:19 am
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Dennis WILLIAMS
15 May 10 at 1:24 pm