This week I finished the research for episode one, created the script and shot list, made a test video, and made a production journal.
Project Planning in Action: The Production Journal
In order to take stock of what needs to be done every week I have already created my project management system, but now I want to record how long each component took and how I felt about the task in a weekly production journal.
From the beginning it was clear that I underestimate the time it takes to do most tasks – mostly the research (since I like to take time to write down notes on everything relevant) and the filming since I had not made room for equipment error (of which there was plenty). Still I got everything done except for one short task which I will move to next week. Seeing the cumulative hours spent on the project (this week was 22) makes me excited to create these videos with the research put behind it.
I have another column in the project plan titled E/N/D. This is something that I borrowed from Amber Rae when I heard how she takes stock of her daily tasks (I have the clip that I used as an example from a previous video timestamped below). After every task she writes E if it energized her, N if it was neutral, and D if it drained her. It is important to see what tasks energize you so you can try to incorporate things like it more and what drained you so you can try to see why.
Finally there is a column for a note of my general takeaway or something that stood out to me during the task. I will continue to do these journals for every week so stay tuned for more!
Episode One Research
This week I wrapped up the research for episode one with the articles, podcasts, and the book 12 Rules for Life by Jordan B. Peterson – a text that excited me for this project beyond belief.
Since the book is rather dense I chose four of the twelve rules that apply most to the first episode: “Rule 2: Treat Yourself Like Someone You are Responsible For Helping,” “Rule 4: Compare Yourself to Who You Were Yesterday, Not to Who Someone Else is Today,” and “Rule 7: Pursue What is Meaningful (Not What is Expedient).”
Rule 2 will be used in the introduction of my video to explain why it is important to set systems for habit change in place – you need to ask yourself “What might my life look like if I were caring for myself properly?” (62). Rule 4 ties in well to the need for systems vs. goals as described in Clear’s Atomic Habits; “Perhaps happiness is always to be found in the journey uphill, and not in the fleeting sense of satisfaction awaiting at the next peak” (94). Rule 7 ties into Pressfield’s idea of resistance as explained in The War of Art – it is easy (or expedient) to give into resistance and not do what you need to do, but it is almost always the wrong choice that could even lead to evil.
I would love to explore his ideas further in future videos if my audience is receptive to it – even though it is not as clearly linked to habit change and productivity as the two books from last week, it was still extremely helpful in tying all of these ideas together. To see my full updated bibliography see the document below:
Episode One Script, Shot List, and Test Shoot
Now that all of the research had been done it was time for me to create the script and bring all of the ideas together into a comprehensive and actionable plan. This was the most energizing task yet since I could finally start to visualize how this will all look in a final product. As always I began with a written draft then cleaned everything up in a digital copy afterwards.
After making the digital draft of the script I made another document with the shot list, coordinating the number of the line with the shots that will go with it. There are five different kinds of “shots” that will be in the video – b-roll, speaking to the camera, text animation, the journal shot, and archival footage. I did my best to make a variety so that the audience would not get bored visually. See the two documents below:
Next I conducted a test shoot in each situation I will be recording. This is the first frustration I have come across – all was going well until one of the bulbs for my lights blew out. I spent about an hour trying to get a replacement sent to me – thankfully it will be here on time – but it really soured my mood. I decided to work out to get my mind off of it (and used the opportunity to practice grabbing some b-roll) and by the time I was done I felt better, but I was out of time to practice more.
I am glad that this happened, though, because I know that I need to add on at least two extra hours to my filming day for obstacles such as these. I also realized how bland my background is which set me to research backdrops and find an extra setup (using my desk as the background and sitting in my chair).
Still, I am feeling excited overall and I cannot wait to jump into next week where I create my social media channels and plan, re-vamp my channel (after a competitive analysis), and shoot and edit my first episode. Stay tuned for more!
Emma Lao 