Picking A Topic

One of the most difficult tasks in creating a video, writing a speech, or even blogging online seems to be getting started! Well, there are a wealth of online resources created to help you, it's just up to you to determine what qualifies as a "good" topic, and what is just garbage! In order to determine what a good topic is, you should ask yourself these questions:
1. What is the purpose of my speech/video/essay? Make sure your topic fits within the purpose or specific assignment. Good informative topics tend to include items from your favorite activities, recipes, etc. Good persuasive topics tend to include controversial issues, volunteer opportunities and major causes.
2. What do you already know about? Some of the best topics are those with which we are already familiar! Think about your daily activities, groups, clubs, etc. How can you expand on what you already know?
3. What would my audience like to hear/see? Remember that your purpose may be to entertain, inform or persuade an audience, so analyze the audience you will be targeting. What are their demographics? Interests? What topics might appeal to them? What information do you feel they NEED to know?

Where can you look for topics? Try brainstorming your own interests first. If you are still stuck, pick up a newspaper and glance through some of the headlines. Surf the web to find some ideas online.
Remember that good speech/video topics are ones you are interested in yourself, and ones that are easy to research/film!
Good Speech Topics
List of Speech Topics
Video Ideas
Video Project Ideas

What's Next? Options after High School...

I just received an email that inspired me to write this blog. Specs Howard School of Broadcast Arts has developed a new program specifically for graphic design. The program is 12 months, but you only attend class twice a week. The rest is done at home on your own copy of Adobe Creative Suite 3! Last night I attended the open house to promote the program and I was very impressed. The current trend in the industry is a strong push for editors who can write flash and work with video content online. If you find yourself versed in Photoshop, After Effects, Illustrator and Flash you could have your pick when it comes to jobs or freelancing. Potential employers like Grace & Wild (post production house in metro Detroit) are offering incredible starting salaries for editors with a versatile demo reel. Employers at local news stations are asking for people who can help keep their web sites up to date with video and streaming media. I can't stress to you enough the importance of building a broad portfolio. What you experience at Fitzgerald is just a taste of the opportunities that are out there. During your classes in Advanced TV Production I try my best to bring speakers from different walks of life who represent various career pathways associated with TV/Video/Graphics/Animation/Etc. Here are some links so you can peruse online and maybe determine where your post secondary years will lead you. Good luck and remember to always stay in touch!

Specs Howard School of Broadcast Arts - Students who have taken TV Production at Fitzgerald High School are eligible for the $2500 scholarship and an accelerated course schedule. Specs Howard is an 8 or 12 month technical school located in Southfield with classes in Radio, Broadcasting, TV, and Graphic Design.

Motion Picture Institute - This one year technical school focuses specifically on film, and is geared toward aspiring directors and filmmakers. Their site also has sample student films. Check it out!

Full Sail - If you don't feel like staying in Michigan, Full Sail has already housed some of Fitzgerald's graduates. One of the best film schools in the nation, this school is located in Orlando, Florida!

The Art Institutes - Now with a campus in Novi, the Art Institute offers a private university setting for specific concentration on TV Production, Graphic Design, Art, Photography and more...

Central Michigan University - Being an alum, I am partial to the broadcasting program at Central. The campus is smaller than Michigan State or UofM but still gives you that "going away to college" experience. With state of the art Radio, TV and Broadcasting facilities, their program is top notch for those looking for a four year degree.

College for Creative Studies - Perfect for those who want to stay local with a focus on the artistic aspect of design. You need a strong portfolio to be accepted, but this is definitely one of the top art schools in our area.

Wayne State University - Again for those who want to stay local, but still get that four year college degree, Wayne offers a great TV Production and Broadcasting program, and you can live on campus or commute!

I will come back and update this blog with comments as other programs are developed and promoted. Please feel free to provide your own links and share feedback with your experiences at these institutions.

Boost Mobile Commercial

Check out the behind the scenes video for the making of this Boost Mobile Commercial featuring Young Jeezy, Jermaine Dupri and Mickey Avalon. Click the title of this blog to be taken to the YouTube video site. After asking these artists to create a song to feature, production began to work on creating the ultimate commercial. Filming in front of a green screen, each artist was then added to a background created using Adobe After Effects, using the camera and lighting features to create a 3D effect. As an additional editing program, we have barely tapped the resources of Adobe After Effects. You may want to spend some time with this useful tool and figure out how you can spice up the flavor in your videos! Some helpful links...
Adobe After Effects
Adobe After Effects Tutorials
Creating an Explosion
You Tube Examples of Adobe After Effects
Check it out. If you find any other examples, post them! I'd love to see us utilize this program more! All it takes is a little time and a little interest...

Video Contests

So you've made a bunch of videos. What's next? Well, how about putting your videos to work and entering into a film competition? It's really easy to enter, and we might be able to help pay any entry fees! Just make sure the video is in the required format. You can create a new video to meet the requirements, or use a video you have already made. I know you've got it in you, now why not win some money and recognition as well?! Here are a couple of contests currently underway...

2nd Annual Green Screen Environmental Film Contest

MADD Sponsors "Party Safe, Party Sober"

Student Filmmakers Listing of Contests

SchoolTube Monthly Contests

Design a T-Shirt for Honest Foods ($500 scholarship)

Make a Video. Win $10,000. Fuel the Change Video Contest

I Heart Tap Water Student Video Contest

Also, if you find any other video contests that you would like to share, please post the link. Let me know what you are thinking of submitting and I can help you fill out the application and all that fun stuff. We can even ship it right from school or upload it from our studio. Good luck and I look forward to seeing what you decide to submit!!

Novi High School prank leads to Lifetime movie

Novi grad has the last laugh,'Queen Sized': Film pays off; teen is no longer butt of joke. Click the link above to read the Free Press article about a Novi High School student's experience that became a made-for-TV movie. Find an interview with the star Nikki Blonsky by clicking the link at the end of this blog.
After reading the article and watching the video, what is your reaction? If there was a made-for-TV movie about your high school, whose story might they tell? Who might be cast in the leading role? What do you feel are the benefits of this movie? How might the movie influence students and their behaviors toward each other? What else do you think television can do to help students learn how to be successful and respectful adults? Can you find any other Michigan students who have influenced television or film? Let me know what you think...

Sand Art

Check out this sand art video. How cool is that?! What kind of board/surface do you think they are using? Could you create something like this? Have you ever seen anything like this before? If you find any related videos, post the link, I would definitely be interested in seeing that! Does this inspire you? What did you first think when you read the title "sand art"?

Job Opportunity

U-Score.net is an online high school sport community where you can view games, player stats and track your favorite schools. They are also hiring sixteen high school filmers! Get paid good money to go to high school sport games and film local teams. Then, publish the games online. The supplies (laptop, camera) are provided. In order to be considered you need to put together a resume. Use Microsoft Word's Resume Wizard and include the TV Production classes as your experience. Also, include a 1-2 paragraph explanation of why you want the job and why you would be the best candidate. Make sure you have reliable transportation...you can't call in because you don't have a ride that day. If you are interested see Mr. Carter in the Career Center by the end of this week! Check out these interview tips ahead of time... http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=dgtw4c6m_1dtvvh5c4