Thanks for coming to Mika’s Master Class. We hope you enjoyed the session and that you gained some inspiration and helpful hints for making your own movies. If you’d like to give us feedback about the classes, or have any further questions, please send us an email. We’d love to hear what you thought of it.
Take another look at highlights from the Master Class:
Documentary Exemplars featured in seminar
Erica’s Journey – Toku Reo, Toku Ohooho
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YAiEqCeC6PU An excellent example of a New Zealand made documentary on the ban on use of Te Reo Maori in schools in the past. Very simple filming and editing techniques have been used, thus have not distracted from the powerful message of the film. Note the use of slow transitions from scene to scene, tone of the music, use of sepia colour for re-enactments and angled interview shots.
Biking Naturally Highway
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vSFKfJ_wjnY An American film made by students for the Natural High PSA Video Contest. The brief was to make a film about what keeps students away from drugs and alcohol. This was the 2009 winner of the competition. Note the use of fast transitions and energetic music to match the fast pace of the subject matter, downhill biking. The use of separately recorded interview to transition between scenes is also an interesting touch.
Useful resources
Music/Sound Effects
http://free-loops.com/ - A resource bank of sound effects and short music samples, covered under Creative Commons licence.
http://www.stonewashed.net/sfx.html - A database of free sound effects for download. But remember to still check the copyright on the individual sites.
http://www.soundzabound.com/ - Royalty free music site specifically designed for education use. This site has songs and sound effects for download, however you do have to pay to use the site.
We also recommend collaborating with your music class at school or creating your own songs on programmes such as Garageband.
Always check to see if there is any licensing. If you're not sure, then don't use it.
http://www.windowsmoviemakers.net/Forums/Default.aspx - A huge forum on using Windows Movie Maker to create films. This blog covers all aspects of movie making and while the techniques are related to Windows Movie Maker, there is also inspiration and discussions that would be useful to non-windows users.
Suggested Viewing
Be Kind Rewind PG13 This movie is about video store staff who attempt to recreate famous movies on a small budget after all of their tapes are erased. It has some great examples of making costumes and special effects on a tight budget.
