1. Why did you take this class?
I took this class because I wanted to get experience in the field of Digital Media and film-making to give me a head start in college and my future career in film-making.
2. In general, what did you like most about this class?
I loved the projects that we could write ourselves because they gave us the most freedom and creativity to work with what we wanted. Examples include the fictional short, independent study, final project, etc.
3. In general, what did you like least about this class?
I really didn't like the time we were given to complete projects. I understand that there has to be deadlines to get work done, but I feel that they hurt more then benefited as instead of helping the quality of our films it hurt it.
4. What was your most favorite project and why?
My favorite project in the class was the independent study. We had the most time to work on it out of all the projects because of how the break we had was scheduled. This made the quality of my film a lot higher because of how much time I had to work on it.
5. What was your least favorite project and why?
My least favorite project would have to be the video poem. It felt really shoe horned in as busy work with the independent study. Instead of the video poem we could've just had more time with the independent. I also felt it was really hard to give them a unique feel compared to animation, but I guess that was the challenge for it.
6. Discuss the overall effectiveness of the instructor (for example: preparation, availability, interest, content knowledge, expectations, etc.).
I thought that the instructor was very effective, taking into account all of the stuff that we had to do all in one year as well as how much we learned in the year is insane. I think the way she taught us the programs, though long, was definitely needed and very helpful for the future. She was also very helpful when you needed it with trouble shooting and so on.
7. What are the most valuable things you learned in the class?
I think the most valuable things that I learned in the class would have to be the knowledge on the adobe suite as it will almost definitely be used in my line of work. Another valuable thing that I learned in this class is time management, as procrastination is truly the devil.
8. Do you feel that this class will help you achieve your future academic or career goals? How or why (or why not)?
Definitely, this class has given me a lot of the tools I need to become successful in my career path. The class taught me how to use adobe products, editing techniques, and shooting techniques. All of these will be used and not forgotten in my line of work.
9. How could this class be improved?
I think that cutting some of the projects would really help, as then instead of having to try and focus on two or three projects at once students would be able to focus all of their time and effort on one making the end result a lot better. I also think that some of the projects, especially the final, should be allowed to go longer then five minutes. The final should be your best work in the class but having only five minutes really limits the story telling and build up that you can use.
10. What would you tell incoming students to help them be more prepared for the class?
I would try and warn them about procrastination, being a victim to it myself I can definitely say that it is not fun and can really stress you out.
11. Additional Comments:
I think this class is very helpful to students looking for a career path in film (or animation) and is probably the best decision I have ever made in high school. The class is hard and unfair at times, but overall it was a joy to be a part of and I don't regret any of it. Now finally, I would like to say thank you to Miss. Licata for letting me into the class and giving me a taste of what comes in the future, it was a pleasure and an experience I will never forget. Also to the classmates as it was a blast to work with all of you. Hopefully this isn't the last any of you will see of me though, who knows maybe the next time you do will be me on the red carpet on my way to the Oscars. Anyways that is all I have to say for now, but this isn't goodbye just a see you later! Oh and one last thing, CHECK THE GOOGLE CALENDAR!!! :)
