UAF HONORS SERIES
ROLE
PROJECT
CREW SIZE
5
DURATION
20-30 min (per ep.)
TIMELINE
The Honors Student Spotlight (2024) is a documentary series highlighting individual undergraduate journeys. Each episode was filmed in an entirely different location, reflecting the episode and guest's theme.
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SERIES TRAILER
TIMELINE
LOCATION
Location as character. To emphasize the Alaskan wilderness, each location was intended to become emblematic of the episode's theme. We focused on virtues and values such as moral courage, compassionate service, and social impactfulness to then be discussed by the host and guests. Below includes the routes and detailed points used for filming each episode.
EPISODE STRUCTURE
ROUTES
STYLES OF FILMING
To create diversity in story beats, the episode's route helped dictate different forms of filming each part from beginning, middle and end.
WALK/TALK INTERVIEWS
SIT-DOWN INTERVIEWS
EMBRACING NATURE
There were several instances where it became important to embrace Mother Nature when filming instead of avoiding it. In our first episode, once reaching our sit-down interview point, we realized from our vantage point that thunder clouds were moving in our direction. Instead of scrapping the interview, all members on set agreed we should see how long we could film. The result was an extraordinary backdrop for our interview. As our host and guest dived deeper into the episode's themes, we can watch dark clouds swirling towards them.
OUTCOMES
TEAM’S SUCCESS:
Successfully filmed a three-episode series marking different perspectives on studying in Fairbanks, Alaska.
Filmed in three incredibly diverse locations to create a unique atmosphere for each episode.
DESIGN IMPACT:
Directed and coordinated episode locations, talent schedules, interview topics/questions and filming.
Edited full series to reflect consistent visual language that had been discussed with the client.
MAJOR TAKEAWAYS:
Adapt and accept the exterior factors and utilize it for your story. For instance, when setting up an interview for episode 2, a lawnmower quickly became a backdrop. Instead of moving, action created an authentic atmosphere for the episode's interview. When filming ep.1’s interview, we watched a dark cloud quickly surround us. Instead of ditching the segment. We flew up the drone to capture the moment while simultaneously continuing the episode. This creates an authentic backdrop for the wilderness we're hoping to capture in the episode.
Become efficient and more versatile when working solo or in a small crew. Know your limits and abilities when filming under tight restrictions. The final episode had only 2 hours to film a captivating 30-minute episode.