journalism has no room for slow people -lesson learnt

Yesterday i handed over my assignment late.I had to write a letter to explain why this is  happened.The lecturer atleast took it,but this kept me thinking,if i was in a media house,i would just have been fired.I really nmeed toi be on top of my game otherwise i will loose out on very good jobs! Lesson well learnt!

Nairobi Law

this program has been of great interest to me, but in the Last one week i faced a very big challenge as i was coming to critique the program on the normal time and day. The program was changed and i was not able to critique it. Later i noticed that it was moved to Monday at 11.10pm.

10th episode Machachari

The programe stars with graphics which introduces the children dancing. In most cases a medium shot is used to introduce the actors of the programe. It all commences with a longshot showing Baha, Govi and their sister Stella planning on how to visit Almasi and his siter Joy. A panning is performed from left to right showing Baha and siblings walking in the slums. The next scene opens with joy’s house being zoomed in to an extreme close up. All these camera movements are performed to bring a certain effect. Some like extreme close-up are used to show or reveal the details to the viewer. Another scene opens with a long shot where Almasi, Joy and their maid speak about moving out of the house. From far Baha and Govi can be seen coming towards Almasi’s house (long shot) while on the other side Almasi is given a close up staring. He is zoomed in to extreme close-up and one can tell that for sure he is not pleased on seeing Baha and his brother pay them a visit. This kind of a shot is used to show the emotions that Almasi is filled with. Finally, Baha gets Almasi and he convinces him to leave home with the bike which they want to ride. A tilt shot is performed from the sky to the ground showing Baha holding a bike in the garage from where they want it repaired. A tilt shot is used to create an impression of the activity that is taking place. Before long, Almasi’s father arrives in the garage for a car wash and they take this chance to escape ( a panning is performed from right to left and shows them move while covering themselves with a carpet. At last, Almasi manage to get home before his dad (longshot) walking to the house and finally enters and sleeps on the sofa set (long shot). He is zoomed in to extreme close-up as his dad enters the house and asks what’s wrong with him but he hesitates to answer. The programe ends with nice instrumental music as the names of the credits run up the screen.

Again watching this programe has been wonderful despite the fact that it has consumed a lot of my time. The camera movements were interesting and gave it a nice touch which left me wanting some more. About the sound and sound effects I think the people involved did a good job and that their work is worth compared to other local programes in other TV stations. My words to the people who are aspiring to work in film and production industry: one should always be prepared to face different tasks and so this calls for dynamism. Don’t ever think of limiting yourself to a single task and I can assure you that all will be fine.

Drama Thanks to Camera Models and Video Formats

I had an exasperating experience the other day and I though I should share it....you know the adage about learning from other peoples experiences. I wanted to do the camera operations assignment and borrowed a friends personal camera.( Note: Prior this semester i had never handled video cameras much.) I simply asked if the camera was a hi8 and when my friend confirmed so I went on to shoot an event.The drama erupted when I went to capture the work (using a studio camera) and the camera read NOTHING!!!! I rewound, tried again and still: NOTHING!!! Now I recall previewing the work on my friends camera after shooting it and the work was there; so where it went....I wasn't sure.

After surviving a near panic attack, I called Harrison and explained the situation. He requested me to to bring the camera and when I did he pointed out that the camera was a video8 model not hi8. the format that was recorded on the tape couldn't be read by a hi8( hence the nothingness being seen!!!!).So i had to connect the video8 to another camera (VX) and transfer the recorded footage. After this, I could then capture.

And that was my dramatic (near death- read panic attack) ordeal thanks to my little knowledge of camera models and video formats.

09-0018

CONTINUATION OF TAHIDI HIGH

 28TH SEPTEMBER

On today's episode three students are to go to the US and they are being chosen on the basis of either being good in academics or being well disciplined or having improved on your discipline.

There's an extreme close up shot on the forms that need to be filled then taken to the US embassy

There's also a close up shot on Omosh  as he tries to write OJ's names on the forms and ends up ruining two forms.

There's also a wipe out on which makes for good transition in every scene. There is also a side bar advert on Safaricom's "masaa ya kubamba." I'd entitle today's episode as "backfire" given that everything backfired on them including the forms that they were supposed to fill which Mr. Tembo cut into pieces after finding out that they were ruined.

12TH OCTOBER

today's episode is about money. The lady who does cleaning is in need of some money that is needed for her daughter's tuition. Mr. Kilunda also has some money issues and wonders where he can obtain the needed money. There is a wipe-out for transitory purpose on each scene. There is also a camera tilting down to sow Mr. Kilunda using his hands to count. It is also an extreme close up shot because it focuses on Mr. Kilunda's hands. The lighting where Mr. Kilunda is -outside is too bright and somewhat distorts the colours.

There is a side bar advertisement on safaricom who are the main sponsors of the program.

The program ends in suspense when Mr. Tembo finds out that Mr. Kilunda is taking money from students for tuition which is illegal. I'd entitle this program as "the scheme" because Mr. Kilunda devises a way of finding money but is caught where as the cleaning lady did use a right route of actually asking for money and actually got the money that she wanted

19TH OCTOBER
Today's show is about Julia not wanting to attend school and everyone is worried about her because she has not been seen at home for quite a long time.

There is a close up shot  o the pills that Julia puts in Miss Morgans tea.

As usual there is a side bar advertisement on safaricom -two of them because they are he main sponsors. There is dramatic music as Miss Morgan is about to sip her tea but Mr. Kilunda steps in just in time to tell her  that her tea is drugged as Julia watches on.The show ends with Julia telling Miss Morgan her problems though she still has to do some punishment because she had broken some school  rules. For this episode I would entitle it "breakthrough" For Julia at least  because I believe that she got help from Miss Morgan and realized that what she was doing won't amount to anything.

26TH OCTOBER

Today's show is about OJ and Freddy fighting over a lady- Tanya- that they both supposedly like.

There is a long shot on Freddy and OJ as they walk to the library after supposedly getting an SMS from Tanya so that she can meet with them.

There is a scene where Shish is talking to her friends and I believe that there are two cameras- one focusing on Shish while the other focusing on her friends, so when Shish speaks her camera zooms her in and likewise to her friends as well.

There is a n extreme close up shot on Freddy's phone as he receives a message as well as zooming in because the viewers can actually see what is written. As usual there is a side bar advertisement.

For this episode I'd entitle it "the green eye " because Shish is jealous that both OJ and Freddy should like Tanya while she (Shish) is more beautiful (or so she thinks)and a model.  as well. She schemes up so that Freddie and OJ can fight and put the blame on Tanya  so she can look bad to both Freddy and OJ

07-1240

Class Facilitation

If you know you have not  facilitate any class, make a point of doing one, because the presentation counts to your final grade of the course.

Martin Mwengah

9th Episode Machachari 30th 0ct 2010 Adams 09-0786

Machachari has been an interesting programe to watch due to the fact that main character are children. The programe has had quality production right from audio to video. On this date the programe starts with sound effects and children appear in mediunm shot dancing. Govi appears in a medium shot which is assymetrical  thus creating alot of headroom. the lighting is good although there is no difference between the house that has electricity light and the one that has a kerosine lamp. Story goes on as Baha and his brother Govi leave home since there parents have for a journey. There is panning of the house which Baha and Govi lives from left to right showing them going away. Man Dividi suddenly wakes up and realizes that Baha and Govi are gone. A long shot is performed showing  him walking out of the house. As soon as Baha gets to Almasi's place (medium shot) Joy and his brother receive them happily. A close-up shot is performed (Almasi) welcoming Govi and Baha. This is followed by an extreme close-up of Govi showing how happy he is to be at Almasi's place. Back to kitchen there is long shot performed showing the housemaid converse with the children. Zooming in to a close-up is done as the housemaid says that the tea is ready and so they should go to the dinning table. Finally, I dicovered that there was too much headroom and this distorts the camera shot by making them unproportional. The boom mike must have been used since the sound is very clear as there no distortion of any kind. In Baha's house they must have used lighting because there is no difference between their house and Almasi's. There is a tilt of Almasi's mother in the kitchan as she boils somes water to watch the dishes. Man Dividi (extreme close-up) thinking of where to get Baha and his brother. Lastly, the programe ends with with sound effects/instrumentals which make it interesting. The graphics are also well done and they give a nice ending