This afternoon, I uploaded my submission for the MuggleNet “Fanfiction to YouTube” Video contest. When I first saw the contest on my favorite Harry Potter fansite (http://www.mugglenet.com), I was ecstatic. I’ve been dying to enter another contest since I made the (admittedly trippy) video for the Rojhelio Studios contest. This time, I got my whole family involved which I had never actually done for one of my own videos before.
According to the contest rules, we were instructed to choose a scene from one of the Harry Potter books and modify it. I chose to rewrite the part of ch.17 “Bathilda’s Secret” from Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows where Harry and Hermione are approached by mysterious, cloaked stranger. However, in my version of the story, the figure reveals himself to be Archie, the lovable old man who first shows up wearing a flowered nightdress in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. To jog your memory, here’s a cute animation made by Neil and Emmy Cicierega about him: http://www.creativefamily.net/emmy/mugglepants/ .
Anyway, we started filming late one evening just a few nights ago and ended up getting about fifteen minutes of footage over a four or five hour period. We had a bit of trouble figuring out how to get enough light on our faces so that we would show up on film even in the pitch black darkness. Luckily, though, my brother found an old utility light that we use when we go camping, and we had my mother hold it in one hand while she held my camera in the other. Because I collect and make costumes for fun, I was able to scrounge up a few costume pieces for the film. I also convinced my reluctant mother to let my father wear her pink, flowered nightgown for his part. (Ironically, when I originally asked him to be in this video, his response was “as long as I don’t have to wear a dress, I’ll do it.” Fortunately, I was able to convince him that wearing a dress on film wasn’t that embarrassing. I also had to reassure him that it was very unlikely that anyone he knew would see the film either.)
Considering the amount of time it took to film and the amount of footage I had for “This Story is Not About Sarcasm At All,” this video was much easier to edit. Luckily, having fewer scenes to choose from did not severely affect the continuity. I was a bit disappointed that I had to cut out some excellent shots of the moon behind the trees and of a small spider, but I feel that it all worked out for the best. I’m rather pleased with ending scene because I love the expression my brother has on his face when he makes his final “Harry Potter” stance. Once again, I have to say, I can’t wait for the next challenge! I love learning more and more about the video-making process each time I choose to embrace a new project.
