Thursday, April 23, 2009

April, 25 - LAST OFFICIAL DAY



It's been quite a journey, and thanks for the opportunity to share some of my knowledge.

This is our last class which means this is your last chance to finish your final project.

This is what you need to have completed today.

1. A business blog.
Register your blog at www.blogger.com and create a blog that is related to your business.

2. A media file of your final project.
Write your script.
Record your audio/video.
Save to flash drive.
Open Windows Movie Maker (Microsoft Windows)
Import audio files/slides/pictures
Lay video/audio in timeline
Add graphic.
Save document & movie.

Create YouTube Account or sign in.
Upload video.
Copy embed code to blog, write a blog post about your business plan.

Write down name of your blog, and turn in the flash drive.

Today we're taping in your classes. We'll be interviewing two or three students, and if we have time, we'll shoot a few scenes.

Thanks for being a great class!

Thursday, April 2, 2009

Class Notes for 4/3/09

Greetings Class this week we'll learn a little more about computer ethics, and intellectual property, you'll begin production on your multi-media projects, but first we'll have a quick review of the key concepts in the class.

Pick the best choice for the following choices.
1. RSS stands for...
a. Rich Silly Stuff
b. Really Send Software
c. Really Simple Syndication
d. Rich Simple Syndication

2. Explain Web 2.0 and how it is different from Web 1.0.

3. Why is a flash drive useful?

4. List four best practices for media production?

5. What does KB, MB, GB stand for and why are these terms important?

6. Explain how "TAGS" are used.

7. Why would a business person use PowerPoint?

8. What is MS Word and why is it useful?

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY


Wikipedia Definition

Intellectual property (IP) are legal property rights over creations of the mind, both artistic and commercial, and the corresponding fields of law.[1] Under intellectual property law, owners are granted certain exclusive rights to a variety of intangible assets, such as musical, literary, and artistic works; ideas, discoveries and inventions; and words, phrases, symbols, and designs. Common types of intellectual property include copyrights, trademarks, patents, industrial design rights and trade secrets.

The majority of intellectual property rights provide creators of original works economic incentive to develop and share ideas through a form of temporary monopoly. While credited with significant contributions to modern economic growth, some have criticised the expansion in nature and scope of IP laws.

Although many of the legal principles governing intellectual property have evolved over centuries, it was not until the late 20th century that the term intellectual property began to be used as a unifying concept. [2]


An alternative to traditional copyright is Creative Commons.



COMPUTER ETHICS


From Thinkquest

Ethics, in the classical sense, refers to the rules and standards governing the conduct of an individual with others. As technology and computers became more and more a part of our everyday lives, we must understand that the problems that have always plagued business and conduct will continue to be a problem. In fact, a new medium can provide even more difficult questions of judgement. In other words, since the introduction of the World Wide Web, the definition of ethics has evolved, too. A new type of ethics known as computer ethics has emerged. Computer ethics is concerned with standards of conduct as they pertain to computers.

Why do we need computer ethics?

* the growth of the WWW has created several novel legal issues
* the existence of new questions that older laws cannot answer
* traditional laws are outdated/anachronistic in this world
* a more coherent body of law is needed to govern Internet and computers

PLAY THE ETHICS GAME


VIDEO AND AUDIO FILE CREATION

Creating a media file of either audio or video content is basically the same.
Steps
1. Record video or audio using a video or still camera, or computer.
2. You can do some editing of the media.
3. Compress the media for the web (make the media smaller for the web)
4. Upload it. (YouTube, podcast site, etc.)

Thursday, March 26, 2009

Notes for 3/27/09

I hope you're having a good week.

This week we'll have a quick quiz, and the questions are below.

1. What does RSS stand for, and how does it work?

2. Explain at least two things you should consider when starting a blog.

3. T/F It's okay to download music tracks, photos, and video from the Internet and use it how you see fit.

4. Explain why a flash drive is useful?

5. What software would you use to present a business plan to a group of investors?

6. What are the best practices for video production (equipment, and steps to producing a video) ?

7. What are tags, and how to they work?

8. T/F A gigabyte is the smallest unit of digital data.

9. What software would you you use to write a business plan, or resume?

Class instructions: If you haven't started working on your script, you need to have it written today.

There is a mic, and you can record your audio in the green screen room.

If you have any scenes you need to shoot, the cameras are available.

Shoot a talking head video using one of the video cameras, or a still camera explaining your business and upload it to YouTube, and place it on your blog.

Thursday, March 19, 2009

Class Notes 3/20/09

I hope you all are having a great week.

This week, we have a special guest of the University Dean Jerome Wratchford. He will be speaking to you about educational opportunities at KSU, and observing the class. Please give him your utmost attention.

This week we'll start class off with a quick review, and then a quiz. Please plan on being tested or quizzed for the rest of the semester. There is certain key information we have to make sure you are learning.

We're approaching the final stretch for your multi-media projects. I'll be reviewing your progress this week to see how you're coming along.

Your final project can be a blog with photos.
It can be an audio or video project.
You can create a slideshow (animoto) (photobucket).

If you have any questions about your project or need help developing it. Please feel free to ask.

Social Media (continued)

We've been discussing social media the past two weeks.
Social media, is the collaborative nature of the Internet and how people are now connecting and contributing to the collective body of knowledge through sites like wikis, blogs, and social networks.

There's one aspect that is very important as you start putting information on line. Tags. Tags are words that are associated with your content that will help people search and find it.

For example go to youtube, and type video tutorial. What comes up?
That's because the person who has uploaded the media has tagged the content with those same words to help you find it. Now type in the name of your favorite music artist. What comes up?

Tags can be used with blog posts, photos, and video. They help search engines find your content efficiently.

By now you all should be working on your multi-media projects. You should have your scripts written, or close to written and you should be working on gathering or putting together the various elements which can include photos, video, and slides.

If you haven't written your script you need to have it finished by today, because we are going to dedicate most of the time for the remainder classes to finishing your projects.

Today I want you to create another blog that will be dedicated solely to your business.

CLASS EXERCISE


1. Log into your Blogger account, and in the dashboard create a new blog.
2. Give it a title that is associated with your business.
3. Choose a url that is associated with your business.
4. Open up Microsoft Word and write a one to two paragraph summary about your business, what you will sell, and why it will be successful.
5. Please watch your punctuation and check your spelling. Remember your customers will judge you based on how professional your site is.
6. After your done writing, copy and paste your text into a new blog post.

If you need to narrate your script, I brought my audio equipment for you to use.
You should be using the class period to work on your project. Blank scripts are available.

Thursday, March 12, 2009

FRIDAY MAY 13, 2009

Greeting class. This week we'll have a quick mid-term exam, then we'll review our blogging lesson, and discuss using photos with your multi-media projects.

I just want to make sure that everyone is keeping up with the information from the class exercises.

Please Take the test now.

Blogging Review

If you're interested in starting a blog what are some best practices to keep in mind?

1. Your blog's subject. Think of a niche, a topic that not a lot of other bloggers are covering. If you find a great subject you could build a great following.

2. Think about your blog's title. It should relate to your blogging topic.

3. After you start a blog, remember to link to other blogs that you like, and start a blog roll. When you link to other blogs, they will link back to you.

4. Make sure your blog has an RSS feed. What is RSS? It stands for really simple syndication. It is way to quickly and easily subscribe to a website. When the content is updated, the story will be sent to you. There are RSS readers that allow you to do this, or you can receive the updates in your e-mail.

5. This may be the most important of all of these items, but watch your grammar and spelling. When you start your blog your info is in the public sphere.

6. Tag your posts. Tags are words that search engines look for when a person searches for something online. People will be able to find your blog through your tags. Tags are used for YouTube videos, blog posts, basically any information that is searchable.



PHOTOS

Photos can be a great way to visually tell your story if you don't want to use video.
You have a couple of options. You can take the photos yourself, or you can find pictures on the Internet.

For example if your project is about fashion, you may want to search for fashion photos.

How to search for photos:

http://images.google.com/

Type in a tag word for the kind of image you'd like to use.

Search for keywords related to your business.

Once you find a pic you like hit "control" and click the mouse > Save image > this will save the image to a folder on your desk top.

Photo Sharing sites

Photo sharing sites allow you to save, and share your photos, and create slideshows.

The most popular photo sharing site is Flickr.

My favorite site is Photobucket.

Start an account on Photobucket and login.

Upload the pics you've saved to your Photobucket account.

Now create a slideshow, and post it to your blog.

Now that you have several pics saved related your project save it to your flash drive, and make sure you remember what drive it's on.

Thursday, March 5, 2009

Class Notes 3/6/09

This week you'll learn about blogging. Blogs are popular sites that allow anyone to self publish. The word blog comes from two words web-log, and they have become powerful tools for communication.

Bloggers break news, share information, opinions, and personal experiences. Blogging is different from traditional journalism in that bloggers don't adhere to the same ethical, moral, and rules of accuracy, and fairness.

A blog can be anything you want it to be. You can write about anything, post pictures, and videos.

There are a few popular blogging platforms. Blogger which is owned by Google is probably the most popular and easiest way to start blogging. WordPress is another popular content management system. TypePad is also a popular platform.

There are key features associated with a blog.
RSS feed. RSS stands for Really Simple Syndication and is a way for fans and follower to easily subscribe to blog updates.

Links: In blogging culture, you can readers by linking to other blogs that you like. Oftentimes, bloggers you link to will link back to you.

Blog Roll: A blog roll is a list of blogs that you like to read or think your readers will like reading. Normally if you add a blog to your roll, the blogger will add you to their blog roll.

Assignment: Register at www.blogger.com, login and set up a blog.

Watch this video for a tutorial.


Now that your blog is set up create a post about your business project. Please explain your business project, and type your script into the body of the post.

Story Board


A story board is an artistic rendition of your multimedia project. It is created by drawing pictures of each scene and element. Last week you all wrote a draft of a script. This week, you should work on your story board which will help you determine what elements you can include. Your story board can include video shots, pictures, and slides. Make the scenes as detailed as you like.

Thursday, February 26, 2009

Class Notes 2/28/09

The next few weeks are crucial to you starting and completing the multimedia business plan project.

Today we're going to spend about an hour or so working on your proposal/script ideas.
Please refer to the script format that should be in your binders and handed out week 1.

Remember the goal of this class is to create a short multimedia project to promote your business plan. The top projects in the class will receive a cash award.

If you're project is a video, then you will use a two column script with audio and video commands. The purpose is to give the producer and editor a road map of what your finished video will look like.

The first video command should always be "FADE UP FROM BLACK," and the audio should be "FADE UP AUDIO"

You will be able to use pictures, video, slides, and narration for your project.

If you're producing a video make sure you include a slate. The slate will include your name, and Business Plan Project for "the name of your business here."

EX.
Amani Channel
Visual Eye Media
Business Plan Project

Think about who your audience is. They will be the judges who will decide which project is the best.

Try to keep everything simple, short and sweet. You may want to approach this like it's a commercial for your business plan.

Simple Ideas
1. Start by introducing yourself and your business name.
2. Explain what your business is and how you came up with the idea.
3. Explain who your customers are, and why this product/service is needed.
4. Include any sales projections or figures related to your sales goals.
5. Explain why your business will be successful and why your business plan is the best.

Now use this basic info to write your script. If you plan to produce a video, write the scenes/photos/slides that will accompany the audio.

PowerPoint

PowerPoint is a Microsoft application that allows you to put together presentation slide shows.

I'll give a quick demonstration, then I want you to create five power point slides.

1. Intro slide with your name and business.
2. Slide that describes your business.
3. Slide that explains who your customers are.
4. Slide that explains your sales goals.
5. Slide that explains why your business will be successful, and why your plan is the best.

After your done "Save As"
Create a file on your desktop with your name_Powerpoint then save. Find your flash drive and transfer your files to the flashdrive.
Make sure you write down which flash drive your files are on.

Here's an online tutorial.

Friday, February 20, 2009

Class Notes 2/20/09

by Amani Channel

Greetings Class

You all did a great job last week. This week we'll have a brief review. We'll work on developing your final projects, and we'll have another editing assignment with Windows Movie Maker.

First take a look at this video I produced this week for a Digital Bootcamp, I'll be participating in.

I shot this green screen, and edited it in Final Cut Pro.


Digital Bootcamp from My Urban Report on Vimeo


Please make sure you have all of the class notes and papers for this week.

We'll first have a quick quiz/review followed by a discussion that builds on our planning exercise from last week. By now you should start planning your final production. It's time to get serious about developing your script.

You should be critically watching other videos to get ideas about your final production.

Write down any creative ideas you may have, and start thinking about the beginning, middle, and end of your project.

Then, break into your same groups as last week and edit one of the interviews using either Final Cut Pro, or Microsoft Windows Movie Maker. If you shot your interview in green screen you may want to use Final Cut, to practice keying out the green screen.

Remember to always create a file folder for your project on your desktop to save your project. With Final Cut you need to set your scratch disks.

Intro to Windows Movie Maker Video


How to use Chroma Key feature

Part 1



Part 2

Friday, February 13, 2009

Class Notes and Videos for Friday Feb 13

Class Notes for Friday February 13, 2009

Welcome to class! You all are doing a great job. Today's going to be a bit of a review since we've had some new students join.

We'll review the basic production techniques and we'll do another hands on camera exercise to help get everyone familiar with the equipment.

You may notice the lights set up in the class. We'll go over basic lighting, and we'll be using the lights for our assignment.

To start off with, visit this link and look at all of the pictures.

Now watch this video:


Rules with handling the lights.

1. Wait until subject is seated, or in place for the scene/interview.
2. Set up lights.
3. Turn on lights.
4. Don't ever touch the light while its hot.
5. Always be careful while handling.
6. Turn off light, and let cool off when finished shooting.

3-point lighting is the standard lighting technique.
Three point lighting involves a key light, fill light, and back light.
You should always use some kind of light source when shooting indoors.



In class assignment:
Break into groups of four.
Positions
Camera:
Interviewer
Interviewee
Lights, Audio

Rotate through the positions, and interview each other about your business plan/idea.

Rules for shooting interview:
Groups should you green room, and different areas of the class to tape.
Be as quiet and respectful when an interview is going on.
Make sure you label the tape.
Write the name of the tape label on your worksheet.
Turn in your tape and worksheet.

Thursday, February 5, 2009

Class Notes 2/6/09

Welcome to the Digital Media blog for the Youth Build program at Kennesaw State.

I decided to create this blog so that you can keep up with the assignments and lessons outside of class.

I will post videos related to media production lessons as well as class instructions.

Please make sure you've picked up all of the handouts for this week, and add them to your binder.

It is important that you continue to read and study the class notes outside of class. Your mastery of the information will help insure that I'm successful as your instructor, and that you learn the basics of media production, and computing.

1. Please find the media test in your handouts and answer each question to the best of your ability. If you need to, you can refer to the class notes. You have 20 minutes to complete this test. This test ends at 9:30AM.

2. We're continuing the exercise on voice over this week. I expect that you have marked your copy and practiced your script to perfection. Please sign the voice over audition sheet and when its your turn, enter the audio booth and voice the audio track. If you have any questions about the pronunciation of any words, please ask prior to your taping. Make sure you save your final file to the Flash Drive that's in the the audio booth. Please name the file: firstname.vo

3. This week you will learn about video editing. Please get into groups of 2 or 3, and watch the lesson below on Final Cut editing. Printed instructions are in your handouts.

There are only three cameras available for the class to use as a video deck, so you may have to take turns with the equipment. This week you will be learning how to lay sound bites, and cover the sound (vo) with b-roll. You will have until 11AM to work on your editing.

Once you are finished editing save your project in the Final Cut > Projects folder on your desktop. Then drag the Final Cut folder onto your Flash Drive. You are responsible for saving your project, and if you don't save it to a Flash Drive, it will be erased once you're logged out from the computer.

4. At 11AM you need to break into groups of 2-4 to start planning for Assignment 1. One person in the group must take the roll of Producer. The Producer will be responsible the overall assignment, making sure other team members complete their tasks, and will have the final say about the concept of the Assignment 1.

The first part of creating the PSA is planning. You all are expected to participate and help with each other's projects. Think about what equipment you'll use, and what you want the final project to look or sound like. Watch other PSA's on YouTube related to your topic to get some ideas. You'll have music available, as well as different backgrounds you can use for your final project. Do some research and find some facts related to your topic that you can include in your script. Think about the appeal. Humor is often effective and entertaining. Its important to include some kind of emotion. Also think about how you can use testimonials, or your own personal experiences and thoughts to get your point across.

You will need to write a summary of your project (treatment)
You are required to turn in a script.
Late projects will not be accepted.