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Reflecting on the end of this semester

Through this semester I have gained the opportunity to really grow my skills with digital editing for audio, video, and images. I have previously taken a class that dealt specifically with video editing. From that class I mostly gained knowledge about how to create a simple story and using Final Cut Pro. From this digital media class I was able to gain more hands on knowledge of editing effects and creating a full project and not just a plot. I also received knowledge about how information is used and how editing really does help to spread information and the ways to do this effectively. Before these classes I did not have much experience recording and editing sound. I have done sound design for theatre before but that was using pre recorded sounds and then placing them in the world of the play to help create the world. Sound and audio editing has really challenged my attention to detail. I had trouble for a time finding the best levels and cutting unnecessary noises from sound at f...
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COVID-19 Thoughts

Learning Journal #7 The COVID-19 crisis has affected my life in numerous ways as it is for many other people as well. As a university student it has been very challenging but being someone who aspires to go into a career that is full of uncertainty I also believe in being able to adapt to whatever happens. Adaptability has been very helpful for me these past few weeks as the crisis has progressed but everything still is stressful. While I have taken an online class before having to take my entire course load and adapt to learning everything digitally has been a big hurdle. A Lot of my classes are performative and collaborative so me and my peers are in unknown territory when it comes to completing projects and scenes. Also I am just someone who comprehends concepts better by being engaged in a classroom setting. Being at home takes me more time and repetition to be able to understand and put a concept to work at home than when I am at school. The pandemic is also difficult because w...
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Learning Journal 6

This week I have learned various video editing techniques including sequences, lower thirds, and animating titles or stills. Understanding how to edit clips and label them to be very organized when editing. The most important thing we learned this week was the idea that the first clip that is used is the one that sets the resolution for the rest of the video. With this information we learned how to help the other clips fit the scaling or setting the frame size of the video.  We also got into creating a lower third. This was interesting because it created a very sleek effect that makes a video look very professional. These are the small title boxes that are used a lot in interviews to identify the subject as well as their title. I am planning to actually add this aspect to audition videos to help add something extra that will make me stand out.  We also learned about making animated titles or stills. This is cool to add with clips to make them interesting and make a stor...
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What I Have Learned when Editing These Last Two Weeks

Over the past two weeks I have been really doing some crash course learning with Adobe Photoshop and Premiere Pro. Last week we went through various Photoshop techniques including: Composites Watermarks Animation/Effects And Creating Slideshows Our class has also begun getting hands on with Premiere Pro. Understanding how to edit clips together with concepts like the Rule of 180 and organizing A roll and B roll. We are also going through many of the various shortcuts in this program. We have been going through the concepts very quickly but it is cool to understand the basic editing techniques to at least make a sequence. We are going into this next week getting more in depth with the tools of Premiere Pro. I am also excited about how to make other special effects and edits. I already have some experience with Final Cut Pro which has helped me through this week. And I am really excited to learn more this week. 
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Photoshop Skills and Dramaturgy Post #4

I have recently begun to refine and learn new skills in Adobe Photoshop. Photoshop skills are something that I find will be very helpful with my career in theatre. Having creative technical skills are important with  website design audition/reel video editing editing head shots  and so much more Currently I am assistant directing and dramaturging a production of Richard II. I have used the skills I am using in photoshop to create documents and display items to display for both rehearsal purposes and audiences. I just created a poster display that is a family tree of the play which includes both headshots, armorials and other imagery. Creating an aesthetically pleasing and informative display piece was even more effective with the tools of photoshop. I am planning to make even more display pictures to help promote the show and describe the play. Specifically, we are bringing this classic Shakespeare play and giving it a modern twist with themes of haute coutur...
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Beginning Websites for Actors

Digital and social media is a great tool for up and coming theatre artists. Digital media is very helpful for branding and sharing your experience. I hope to start building my own website this summer. As I start to envision my website I have looked into what would make it effective in presenting myself in the best way.  I have also looked at other actors' websites to see what I like or don’t like. Some of the important pieces of a website for theatre careers includes: Pictures This includes your professional headshots. I find that I like when there is a large headshot on the homepage along with your bio.  Having other pictures from the shows you have been apart of are really important to show how you look while acting and even show how you transform for different roles.  Having a lot of images adds a lot of color and flair to a website but it is also about formatting these images in a way that they do not look messy but look professional.  Resume ...
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Welcome to My Blog

Hello I’m Audrey Gniech and welcome to my blog. I am from Illinois and I am currently completing my third year at Western Illinois University. I am a double major in Theatre for Performance and Broadcasting and Journalism in Production. My goal after I complete my degree is to pursue a career in acting and directing for theatre. I find that my broadcasting knowledge will also be very helpful in me reaching these goals. My interests in production for broadcasting and journalism are more in the film and audio editing region but I have been finding more and more how the writing and multimedia classes are teaching me valuable lessons for success. I have learned more about communicating information in a clear effective manner which is very important for a director to do as well. Also with some class experience in the studio it reminds me a lot of how organization and time management play a pivotal role in creating a great show and to grow these skills are important to be successful in any ...
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