I can describe my experience working on Show 1 in three words “sound, colour, and framing.”
Over the previous three weeks, these became the main areas where I learned to improve my work as a videographer. Some lessons came from mistakes I noticed myself, while others came from feedback.
During my first shoot about small businesses at the Morgantown Marketplace, I captured wide shots of the venue and closer shots of the vendors and their products. In that shoot came one of my biggest lessons, which was about sound.
After one interview, I played back the recording through my headphones and discovered that the microphone audio had not been recorded. I checked the camera settings and corrected the problem before the next interview. Although that recording came out well, I kept thinking about the earlier ones. An interview takes the subject’s time, and it is my responsibility to make sure their answers are recorded properly. This experience taught me to test the microphone before recording, listen carefully through my headphones, and check playback before moving on.
At the Capitol in Charleston, I helped film interviews with Delegate Chuck Horst and filmed Senators Ryan Weld, Robbie Morris and Ben Queen. These shoots gave me valuable experience recording public officials in different settings. Each location required attention to the background, lighting and camera position.
I enjoyed being responsible for capturing their responses and providing footage my classmates could use in their stories. Completing these interviews helped build my confidence. Moving from one interview to another required me to stay prepared and work with the team. I was learning how my camera work supported the reporter’s questions and the audience’s understanding of the answers. The experience made me more comfortable handling interviews while showing me the importance of consistent technical checks.
One area that needed improvement was white balance. I noticed an unwanted colour cast in some footage from the first day. On the second day, I checked the white balance more carefully as I moved between the House chamber, hallways and offices. Applying that correction helped me see progress in my work.
Feedback also changed how I approached framing. When one of our professors examined my footage on a larger screen, some shots appeared slanted. He taught me to level my tripod whenever I moved it and to use it consistently for stable shots. I had focused on what was inside the frame, but I also needed to check its alignment.
During the taping, I was excited to notice my footage appearing in almost every package. Seeing my classmates use those shots made me feel that my work had contributed to the show.
A moment during the taping also stayed with me. A reporter briefly stopped because something around her ear made her uncomfortable. Our professor reminded us to keep going during the presentation. I connected this with life in general, distractions will happen, but I need to manage them and remain focused on what I am trying to achieve.