Wrapping a Gift

For this project, we are supposed to perfect completing a task and the task that I was assigned is wrapping a gift. As sad as it is, I currently do not know how to wrap a gift cleanly, I have always depended heavily on gift bags and tissue paper.

First Impressions

Our task for this weekend was to become experts in our task and figuring out how to do them well. The first thing I think of when I think of wrapping a gift is covering a simple rectangular prism shaped box in a fragile and foldable paper. The key to wrapping a gift is achieving the clean triangle shapes on the sides of the box. It is also crucial to use clear packaging tape and the slightly translucent tape will show through the gift wrapping paper in an odd manner that will result in a less clean and finished look.

So what are the exact steps in wrapping a gift in a clean manner? First of all, you need to place the box in the center of the wrapping paper to ensure that you cover all the sides of the box adequately. Then you need to fold over each side to completely cover four of the surfaces of the box, with two flaps over the other sides. Then you need to complete triangle flaps with the left over flaps on the end. You also have to make sure that the folds with the triangle flaps cover the ends of the package cleanly.

The First Set of Steps

1. First cut out wrapping paper that adequately covers your box. Then place the box on top of the paper and trim it down to be the correct size. When you pull one side of the paper over the top of the face, it should not cover the entire top face of the box, but when you pull over the other side the entire top face should be covered. The paper that will wrap over the sides of the box should reach about halfway up the height of the box.
2. Tape the left part of the wrapping paper onto the top face of the box and then take the right end of the paper and tape it on top as well. Make sure to crease the edges over the box with your fingernails to get a nice clean edge.
3. Now for the sides, press down on the paper that is hanging over the edge, so that you get a crisp edge on that side of the box. The left over paper should be folded and creased at an angle so that they form right triangle shapes.
4. The paper at the bottom should form a triangle with a flat top, which you then crease cleanly, so that the edges are sharp. Then pull up this shape to be taught against the edge of the box and tape onto the face. Repeat this process for the other face of the box.

Storyboarding

For this step in the process, we were supposed to take pictures that document the steps that I listed above. For this step in the process I didn’t really worry about the aesthetic of my pictures too much. Rather, I focused more on making sure that the audience could clearly see each step. The angle at which I took the picture for each of these steps was crucial as well. Some steps needed an aerial view to clearly communicate what was happening in the step, and others needed to be shot directly in line with the box, to clearly see the shape of the fold of the wrapping paper. I ended up with 16 pictures in total, of the basic steps of wrapping a gift.

The things I need to think about with this video is the point of view — which angles work the best for certain tasks and which angles are ineffective at communicating the steps of wrapping the gift. During our critique, Steve and Stacy said that we should consider whether or not it feels as though we are wrapping the gifts ourselves or watching someone else wrap the gift and determine which of the two views is more effective. This will change the angle of shooting. Some views would be more effective for certain steps of the process, so I need to determine how to cleanly shift between different angles when clipping my video together.

A Revised Process of Steps

In my previous set of steps, I have not clearly shown how to determine the size of the wrapping paper that you need for your box. This step is crucial in achieving a box that is wrapped cleanly and masterfully.

There are multiple ways to determine the size of your wrapping paper, but the manner in which it is done should be intuitive and not unnecessary in the process of wrapping a gift typically. For example, while using a ruler would create very specific measurements that would be clean, people will not like to use a ruler to get exact measurements. In addition, the measurements that work for one box likely will not work for another. So I did more research to determine the exact measurements that would be able to relate to any box that you are trying to wrap and this relates to the proportions of the box itself, more than anything else.

My New Steps

1. Roll out your wrapping paper. First, we need to determine the width of the paper. Place the side of the box that is the height at the edge of the paper, and mark the end of the box height. Then place it flat next to this height and mark where the width of the box ends. Then lift the box again to get the same height measurement and mark this place. This will be the width of the wrapping paper. To determine the length of the paper, we will need to find the circumference of the box and then approximately add 1 to 3 inches for the overlap. For this process, you can repeat a similar process, using the sides of the box to measure out how much of the wrapping paper you will need. Trim out this marked wrapping paper.
2. Then place your box in approximately the center of the paper. First take the length of your paper and pull it to cover the face of the box. Tape this side down to secure it. Then take the other end and bring it to the face of the box too, taping it in place to secure it.
3. Now for the sides of the box, push the top end of the paper over the edge of the box and crease it cleanly. This motion should create two triangle shapes, that you should also cleanly crease with your fingernails. Push those shapes in to the sides of your box and tape them down. The bottom flap should form a trapezoid shape that you can now pull upwards and tape to the side of the box. Make sure the cleanly crease this edge as well.
4. Repeat this process for the other face of the box, making sure to cleanly crease your edges. Then you have a completely wrapped box.

Starting to Film

Determining an Introduction

Currently I do not think I need to include a shot in the beginning of the video that has all of the materials that you need to wrap a gift because they are introduced as they are needed.

So my first shot deals with the first step of wrapping the gift. The first step in wrapping the gift involves determining the size of the paper you want to cut. To show this, I indicated moving the box along the wrapping paper, rotating it across the faces to get proportions with the correct dimensions.

In one video, I include the process of cutting the wrapping paper, which provides a nice sound of slicing scissors through the paper, but it also substantially increases the amount of time spent on this step. Also the lighting on this video makes it hard to see what exactly is happening, so filming in night is not the way to go with this video.

The next video of this step, involves a precut paper, and just indicating what the dimensions of this paper are by rotating the faces of the box over the paper. However, I think I need to be much clearer with this, because it just looks like I am playing with the box right now, rather than measuring, more hand gestures will be helpful for this process.

The Second Step

The second step involves taping the top face of the box. I think that the best view for this step is the birds-eye view as well, since we are just looking at the top of the box.

The Third Step-Doing one of the Box Faces

For the side of the box, I decided that it would be helpful to change the angle of filming. A vertical view would not let you see this face of the box, so I decided to move the box to a table and approach filming it from behind.

The Fourth Step

Often when doing the final face of the box, people will face this side up to a bird’s eye view, so for this face, I tried the top view again. However, I do not feel as though this way was more effective than the view shown above, because it was hard to see the folds in this view.

Possible Outros

Attempt 1

With this ending, I would fade the video straight to black after her hands finish brushing over the top of the package.

Attempt 2

This method almost makes it look as though the packaging is coming off the screen, which is not something that I was going for. Also the way I shift the camera here just looks unprofessional and shaky.

Attempt 3

This one showcases all the sides of the box which is nice, but I need to make sure that the camera stays stable when this is motion is happening.

Full First Attempt

Notes

• Don’t cut out the beginning where you roll and cut the wrapping paper because it provides a good clear sound
• Measuring is a little unclear, indicate what you are doing better
• Make sure your ending isn’t decorative, the final swipe may not be necessary
• While the floor is good for a top view, you need to get a desk for the other angle switch

Scouting Locations

For filming, I want to find a nice wooden table in a room that is nicely lit and pretty quiet because I want to emphasize the sounds of the wrapping gift, with the sounds of scissors slicing through paper and the sound of tape being broken off of the roll.

Location 1

One of the possibilities for filming is renting a room in one of the libraries with a large wooden table. This area should be quiet, and the surface should be clean and even, but the lighting here depending on the room can be questionable. In addition, depending on the surface of the table, there could be a really bad glare on the table with the overhead lights.

Location 2

If I want somewhere with natural lighting and a table, I decided to scout some places in some buildings. I went to the fourth floor of Margaret Morrison which is often very quiet, but the lighting on this floor changes everyday, which makes filming a little difficult. Then I found a very nice, well lit table in CFA but the loud echo-ing nature of the building makes the sound aspect of this video hard to balance.

Location 3

Then, I decided to focus completely on natural lighting, seeing if an outdoor location would be better for my filming. However, with an outside location I would not be able to get a large enough table that would allow the angle for one of my shots that would be necessary. Also it would not make much sense to wrap a gift outside, and I also need to consider if the place at which I am wrapping the gift is somewhere where a person would actually wrap a gift.

The Second Attempt

For the next video, I filmed on the fourth floor of Margaret Morrison. We went into the graduate architecture room, because this space was quiet and had decent lighting.

However, the desk that I used was a little crusty. Also the space itself was a little unpredictable, so this location would not be one that I should depend on for filming.

Notes

• Angles: Too many angle switches, only do 2 or 3, one top view zoomed out, one top view zoomed in, and one on the tripod for the side face of the box. You also switched from first person to third person, so make sure you edit the clip turn correctly.
• Craftsmanship: Hands that are making the box are still too shaky, try to be careful of this. Use double sided tape, makes it cleaner, not as reflective and gets rid of another thing to worry about.
• Introduction + Ending: Do I need to add in a step about all the materials I am using? Or can introducing them as I go be enough? The end swipe is decorative, do not include, but show the sides of the box, as it is informing about what you did
• Steps: Spend less time on the measuring part, only somewhat important. Spend more time on one face, do not need to show both faces, since both faces will be made the same way. Also don’t need to show you cutting the tape each time. Do it once and then have the rest of the pieces ready, it is pretty self-explanatory that you have to cut the tape to put it on the faces.
• Filming: Used an iPhone for this version again. So still have a shaky hand/camera. For next attempt get a tripod and use your actual camera to film. This will help make sure that the camera doesn’t shake and change randomly. Will make doing the cuts easier.
• Location: Background looks dirty and ominous. Also location itself is not dependable. Try to get the room upstairs from Steve and Stacy because it is a big, well-lit space that is generally quiet. Can combine multiple tables to get a big enough space to work on. Will also have less things in the background obstructing the other angle.
• Sound: Find a place with less background noise. Also, make sure the paper, when it crinkles, that the noise isn’t annoying/distracting, only have sound of nails over paper.

The Third Attempt

Improvements:

• Filming/Angles: Figured out how to use a tripod, so no more shaky camera angles. Also now I have three consistent angles that I switch between, so that substantially reduces my confusion. In addition using my actual DSLR has substantially improved my video quality.
• Location: The room upstairs (203) has good lighting and enough space to work on. It is also really quiet so I can emphasize the sounds of wrinkling paper.
• Craft (A little, still needs work): Using double stick tape makes it cleaner, also there is no unnecessary reflection which is nice.

Trying Different Angles with the Same Footage

With the same footage, I tried changing the angle of the camera so that the viewer can better see the folds that are made for the face. I think this top view works better for this step in the process, but it could be helpful to zoom in a little bit more, so that the folds are where the viewer is focusing.

Notes

• Need to add an intro-quickly rolling out the wrapping paper is snappy, and is relevant to the task at hand. Do not need to show the materials at the beginning of the video, introducing them as I go is fine-show double sided tape!
• Get a new roll of wrapping paper, the brown is distracting, but when you get it, roll it out beforehand, so that it does not roll back out when you are measuring the gift
• When measuring, make sure that you move the box quickly. For the second measuring step consider zooming in a little bit
• Think about the hand placement for the folds, make sure that you aren’t block things with your hands
• When you switch to the top angle for the folds, it is not informative, you could do that for the one fold where you put the tape on the face and then fold upwards.
• You are not creasing completely. Crease the bottom fold before you put the tape on, and fold over simultaneously.
• Do not cut out the step when you fold over the other side completely, it’s too big of a jump.
• Consider switching the background-some gray could be a nice in-between contrast from the white, not necessarily black. If you do not switch the background make sure that the line of the two tables is at least straight
• Overall, be more confident with your motions, you do not need to show the creasing so many times, you are moving your hands too slowly, when you place in the tape and do your folds, just get more comfortable with the task. Make sure that the fold on top doesn’t bubble over.
• You do not show the fact that you are using double sided tape, make sure you show it at least once before using the tape.

Making the Final Video

When making the final video, I wanted to make sure I kept all the notes from before in mind. For the previous version, I had a hard time making sure that things were in the center of the frame and that no objects were in the frame that should not be, so for this time for filming, I had Caroline help me wrap the gift. I integrated a different color background into the shot, which helped provide some contrast between the white table and white paper that I was using to fold, but also the contrast was not as stark as the shift from black to white.

I also added in an intro into the video, because it was too sudden to jump straight into measuring the box. I still do not have a shot that shows all the materials because I show them as they are needed in the video.

My Set Up

Choosing Between Two Videos

With this video, I stay on the same view for one of my faces through the part where you have to create the folds for the faces. I also make sure that the hands are positioned in a way that lets the user see all the steps that are taken to make the folds of the face. I spend the same amount of time on measuring of the paper, because I think that the step of determining paper size is very important to the process of wrapping a clean gift.

With this second version, I leave nearly everything else the same, but I change the angle for one of the folds. However, I think this angle switch is confusing and not necessary. It adds more ambiguity than necessary, when a single angle communicates the folds better. So, I think that the first video is the better version with this footage.

The background with the gray was a nice in between contrast of the blue and the white, and also the matte board was a nice surface that didn’t show shadows in an obvious manner.

I also changed some steps in the wrapping gift process- now I made it so that the box is placed to the side so that the top piece is nearly lined up with the edge of the box. I also added in steps to indicate that you crease with each step of the wrapping process, whether it be making the folds for the face or taping the edges to the box.

Reflection

This project was significantly different than the other two projects that we have done for this class. Overall, it was odd to work with so many things constricting you, in terms of factors that you cannot control. For both the intersection and the cardboard project, we were working very individually with just a knife and some sort of paper. While there were still a lot of considerations to make when working on these projects, most of those things were under our control. With this project, we had two large factors that were hard to control, and heavily dependent on outside factors-our lighting and sound. We had to really think about timing of when we could shoot our video, where to shoot the video, whether we needed to ask other people to help us in this process. All these factors added in an element of stress because we did not have the leisure of working at our own pace, rather we were working to these constraints.

However, it is clear how this is valuable, because it caused us to consider many factors that we had not thought about before, which made us work in constraints. This is similar to how things will actually be in real life.