The Mudhouse: Editing Assignment

“too hot for coffee”

For: Groups of 1-2
Difficulty: Advanced

Objective
This assignment tests a student’s ability to stay on focus and construct a narrative with limited content.

Points to emphasize

  • The focus statement for this story is “Too Hot for Coffee”. In other words, everything in this story should be about how the Mudhouse is adapting to the recent heat wave.

  • Students should start by adding sound bites and standups to their timeline; then add b-roll. The sound bites and standups are the framework for the story. The b-roll adds texture and visuals.

Equipment: Computer, editing software, headphones

Assignment

Students must create a 30-45 second news package created only from the elements in the raw footage pack. No effects or transitions of any kind may be used. Students may not write or add voice overs. The focus of the story is “Too Hot for Coffee”.

Note

There is a red herring in this footage. The shooter got a standup and b-roll of the toilet seat artwork on display at the Mudhouse. This is not on the focus of “Too Hot for Coffee” and should not be used in their edit. This is to be used as a teaching moment for students to help better understand focus statements.

 

 

Example

We suggest waiting until after the students are finished to show the example.

 

Relevant Lesson:
Volume 3: B-Roll, Chapter 1: “Shoot for the Edit”