Caitlyn's Video Letter

Caitlyn’s Rationale

As noted in my timestamps, I opened with a black screen (00:01) to establish an emotional, rather than geographical, space. The film includes a mid-shot (00:02), an over-the-shoulder shot (00:25), a point-of-view shot of a traffic light (00:52), a low angle on a character (01:15), and a close-up on an object (00:19). I also incorporated a handheld moving shot to enhance the intimate, raw feeling of a "video letter."

Regarding audio, the diegetic sound from the filming location occurs between 00:52 and 01:04, the rest are non-diegetic. I also designed a clear sound perspective: the sound of passing vehicles is far away, while the human voice is close. Finally, I utilized a sound bridge across a cut at 00:50.35 to ensure a smooth transition.

I applied the mismatch of the figure and the text. While my voice claims, "I'm doing so many interesting things," the voice shows me looking incredibly frustrated and annoyed. Similarly, my voice claims I'm "PRO" at cooking, but the visual reveals me using a lid as a shield against splashing oil. While I say that making this video is a lot of fun, it has actually been racking my brain. This contradiction serves as self-mockery, making the letter feel more authentic and relatable.

Based on feedback from my photo story, I expanded the narrative beyond a few seconds of a single situation, enriching the storytelling. However, the strict time limit remains a constraint. I had to compress the first half to give more weight to the second half. If I were allowed three minutes, I believe the narrative would have more depth.

Music: Jazz piano no copyright - Waveloom, sourced from Pixabay (Free Library).