For this project, I decided to take the route of a “day in the life” video, showing each aspect of my day that is consistently affected by having PCOS. Since I actually live with PCOS, I figured this would be a good approach and I’d be able to collect my audio and video clips with ease. This idea relates to my course topic more than clearly, since it explains the basics of PCOS and provides some perspective on what it’s like to live with it.
I integrated a lot of narration into my video, as it allowed me to explain each aspect while also showing it visually to the viewers. Initially, I had plans for an interview-esque approach, but ended up with more of a vlog-style video since I was the one doing the recording. This also allowed me to set the video up exactly how I want. One of my favorite elements of the video is the time-lapse explaining how PCOS affects one in ten women. Originally, I planned to have a video of ten girls standing in a line with one stepping forward to represent this statistic visually, but I didn’t give myself enough time to make that happen. My friend suggested I do a time lapse and draw out the visuals, so I gave it a try and liked the outcome much better than I would have expected.
My video starts out with an establishing shot of the Stephenson complex, which is where the rest of the filming was done (aside from a last minute outro, you weren’t kidding about making a list of the shots you need). I used a cross dissolve video effect to transition to my next video scene, which is one of three clips where I just talk and explain both PCOS itself and the intent of my video. Following these clips is the “1 in 10” timelapse, and a short montage of video clips with narration come after. Each video clip is accompanied by audio that explains the current scene, with the intent of covering the many symptoms that come with PCOS as well as how I manage them. The video ends with a very rushed outro before the screen dips to black and rolls the credits. Throughout the video there is free to remix music being played in the background, which I found on Musopen, just to add more depth to the video as a whole.
All video clips were recorded on my iPhone XR using the camera app, and one was recorded using the timelapse feature on the app. Each audio clip that was separate from video was recorded using my voice memos app, also on my phone. After recording all of the elements I needed, I sent myself the audio files and downloaded the videos through my iCloud account. This made it really easy to transfer the clips, which was helpful in the long run and saved lots of time.
I had a few issues while editing my video, but manged to eventually get past them. My biggest struggle was definitely managing the volume on each audio component, since some were recorded and played back louder than others. Two google searches and some fiddling around later, and my volume turned out much more even than how it had started. The audio obviously isn’t perfectly balanced and normalized since I’m still trying to learn the basics of this software, but I’m much more happy with how the final video came out.
Citation: https://musopen.org/music/43257-cobarde/
Background music used throughout the video was found on Musopen.org, a website that provides royalty free music that is free to use under the creative commons license.
I used Cobarde, an Argentinian tango by Antonio de Bassi, recorded in the early 20th century.
Lauren Green 
Lauren, you have a great video right here! You shoot from many different angles, speak at a good volume, and help the viewer to understand what PCOS is. I like how you were talking throughout the entire video, which was uncommon amongst the other videos. I also like the different shots that were included such as: The shot of the coffee maker, You using the wipes, and the shot of the shower. The only thing I think you could improve upon is maybe shoot in a better lighting, you started the video underneath a bed and the lighting wasn’t the best. Besides that you have a great educational video!!
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Lauren I really liked your video and hoe it all came together. I think going with a “day in the life” style video was a great choice for your topic. I think it was a great idea to inform your listeners what PCOS is because I had no idea what it was, but after watching your video I have a better idea of what it is so that’s a good thing! I like how you included the graphic of you drawing the 10 people and using that diagram style, if possible maybe add another fact in that you could use that same style for. I just really think in a “day in the life” style video those are very common and I liked yours. Other than that minor thing I would say it is a great video and good luck on the final product.
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Lauren, your video was very well shot and edited. I liked the establishing shots of your residence hall with the title of the video over it. You do a good job of explaining what PCOS is for those of us who aren’t familiar with it. The “a day in the life” style of your video also worked very well with your topic. The music you chose was a nice addition and not too distracting from your narration or message. One thing I would fix would be the audio at the very end of the video. It is a bit louder than the rest of the video has been, and jumps up to this higher volume very sharply. That can be fixed by just lowering that clip’s audio segment in premiere to a level that matches your other clips. Other than that, your video was very well done and doesn’t really need anything changed!
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I thought that your video had a very clear message. That you were trying to explain what PCOS was and how it affects the average person. I thought that you did a great job with your narration, and I thought that your visual elements were very clear. Something that I think that you could improve on is the audio in your narration. Sometimes your audio would sound a little scratchy you may want to retake your audio on a different device or change the audio levels in your settings. Another thing that you may want to change is in the shot where you pour coffee. I’m not sure if it was intentional or not but you can hear the coffee being poured in the background of the audio and the music. I personally thought it was slightly distracting from your message. But overall I really enjoyed your video and thought your message was clear.
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After listening to the feedback from my peers and looking back to evaluate what I di for the rough draft, I definitely see areas in need of improvement. Firstly, I need to even out the volume at the end of the video because it came out significantly louder than the rest of the audio and I definitely did not want that outcome or plan for that outcome. I also would like to re-shoot some portions to improve the overall quality. For instance, my video features a short timelapse that shows me drawing ten stick figures and circling one of them while writing “PCOS” under it. This was to signify the fact that one out of every ten women are affected by PCOS. I’d like to re-record this section of video because last time it wasn’t in focus, and I feel that if it were executed more precisely that the whole video would look better. I also need to fiddle around with the shot of the showerhead because it definitely seems a bit awkward to me. I’m feeling okay with how my rough draft turned out, and it’s definitely a lot better than what I would have expected. I’m still really excited to make improvements and craft an awesome final product I can be proud of.
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