Latin Lens spot on as usual!! I thought about responding a few days ago but was hesitant to do so. Mike W, todays world has changed dramatically for the TV News Photographer. When I started in this business I was a college grad from film,radio,TV school. I thought I was ready to take on the world. My first job at a TV station I was not allowed to touch an ENG Camera, although I was hired as a TV Photog. First I had to learn teleprompter ( those days it was a conveyor belt type system) long before computers. Then editing, basic editing spot insertion. From there studio camera, studio lighting and so and so on. To break it down I had to master almost everything before I could go out and shoot news, a little over a year. Finally I got a shot and learned and learned and learned.
Today college kids graduate and are ready to take on the world but the big difference is that you are attacking the world with limited knowledge. Very limited knowledge. Please don't take these critiques personal. I believe everyone here is willing to help but you have to listen.
First off nothing more annoying than a shot out of focus that wasn't meant to be. Auto focus needs to go!! You have to take the camera off auto and go manual. Same with your microphone!! Manual, Manual, Manual it cannot be stressed enough. Both Audio and Video was poor in this video.
Now what is the story about. What are you trying to convey to the viewers? What is your purpose for being there? Honestly the story made no sense to me.
Editing sets the pace for your stories and this story went on and on and on. You need to know the basics first, jump cuts, axisline, cutaways, flash frames, looking camera right or camera left etc.. Todays world editing on computers are so much easier than the old AB roll editing we used to do. But you still need to know the basics, You still need the knowledge and your knowledge is very limited. This piece was weak but has the potential to be better.
Grab the raw and do it again, write with a purpose " what is this story about" "Why a is this a big deal". Find better sound to tell the story, pick up the pacing with the editing and get your message across you need a beginning, middle and an end. It looks like you must have shot a ton of material. rewrite it and post it again. I would be very curious to see the difference.
Ask questions learn from others and bottom line keep trying!! Good luck