I'm loathe to call it writer's block, partly because I honestly don't write enough to actually be considered a serious writer, and mostly because it just sounds like another way of saying "I'm too sodding lazy to really concentrate."
Either way, the solution is simple. You can stop writing and take a break, or you can do writing exercises, one of which happens to be simply writing down whatever comes into your head. If you will take a moment to briefly look over my last three paragraphs, you may come to the conclusion that that is exactly what I have been doing for the last minute.
It's okay if you don't think so. I'm perfectly fine with fools and incompetents reading my posts as well, so don't feel like I'm resentful of you or anything like that.
So while you digest this new information, let me point out as well that yesterday saw the last of the individual presentations conclude. I, as usual, had a lot to say about how things were run or the questionability of my superiors' logic. As usual, I kept my mouth shut and my ears open instead of asking people why they were being idiotic.
I'm a bit curious about exactly how many people are treating this as a video, and how many are treating it as an advertisement. From what I've seen, the most obvious route seems to be to go for a trailer or documentary style, but it seems that style isn't exactly what the lecturers are looking for. What they seem to want is story, which is a bit odd, considering most 7-9 minute videos aren't big on the whole story thing, and those that are tend to become rather cramped.
Add to that the prerequisite of product placement taking center stage in the video, and what you have is a really long advert attempting to look like a short film with an actual story. Of course, if by story we mean theme, like in this little gem I found last year,
then things instantly become a tiny bit clearer. But wait, aren't we supposed to describe our work in our video as well?
Just so we aren't mixed up, we have to
1) Have a 'story'.
2) Promote our course.
3) Create a visual portfolio.
So we have to come up with a story that both promotes Moving Images to potential students and impresses parents with the use of descriptions and visuals of our projects over the past year.
So we can't focus on a story that takes too much time, because then we won't be able to show off our work. Besides, keeping willing suspension of disbelief is a merry hope at best if you intend to slideshow your work at the same time.
--An interlude--
"By God, Watson! Look! Tell me what you see!"
"It... It seems to be a 1 by 1 meter painting done completely in acrylic! Obviously the artist had only a limited time to complete it as part of his 2D Art Fundamentals course, and I gather he must have learnt a lot about painting by the time he was finished!"
"It must be the work of Ronald Moriarty! Look, there he is, going into 2D Animation Room! Should I call the police?"
"No, Watson! We have no evidence! Inspector Eric cannot make an arrest quite yet!"
--End Interlude--
You want the idea? Take it. It's yours. Much good may it do to you and the rest of whatever forsaken planet you hail from. The point is, trying to hold a story with that much product placement in it is close to impossible. You could cover it up, I guess, but then you'd just be sacrificing portfolio time for a flimsy story.
Unless, of course, you happen to be as gifted as Gary Oldman.
This, of course, just leads us back to not having a story at all, because anything you try will be doomed one way or another. Never mind your video seeming realistic, but the lack of props, actors or costumes will make your video look like very shoddy work indeed. Isn't one of the screenwriter's jobs to ensure the script he writes is within the team's budget and capabilities?
The answer then, I assume, is to simply keep everything as simple and to the point as possible. You don't risk losing the audience if you hand things to them straight up. The trick is to use story as a coloured filter over the black and white of your message.
Peace out,
Bryan
this heart, it beats, beats for only you
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