toolbox :: nuts-n-bolts

IMPORTANT :: LAPTOP AND SOFTWARE OWNERSHIP REQUIREMENT
Students are required to provide their own laptop and software for this course.
PLEASE REVIEW THE POLICY HERE.

the basic tools
There are three essential technology tools you will use extensively in this course:
. editing software (video, still image, sound)
. electronic journal (wordPress is recommended)
. video publishing (youTube or Vimeo is recommended)

Further details about each of these tools can be found below.

software apps and tutorials
Students will be expected to provide/download editing software and gain familiarity with these tools on their own. The curriculum is built around basic software tools, typically those that already come with your computer OS, or simple free apps. The course focuses on creative inquiry, composition, and communication - not advanced sofware training. It is not a software-intensive course and students are not expected, nor intended, to become advanced software users. Instructors will not spend large amounts of class time engaged in software training.

The links below provide access to software and how-to's for a basic core of tools:

APPLE has excellent iMovie and iLife tutorials online:
iLife info + tutorials (current version, including iMovie '09)
iMovie '08 tutorials
iMovie HD tutorials

PC video editing software downloads and how-to's:
Windows Live Movie Maker (for Windows 7 :: more info and tutorials here and on wikipedia).
Windows Movie Maker came bundled with earlier versions of Windows. If you are using this version, here are some how-to's and tutorials.

STROOME.COM (online editing tool :: Mac or PC)
This is a new site that just went up over the summer, so it is still relatively untested, but it offers some VERY exciting possibilities as a network-based cross-platform editing tool. Once you sign up for a free account, users can upload clips, edit them from within a web browser, share material with collaborators, and publish work. Think YouTube with editing capabilities.

Sound editing software (freeware: Mac or PC)
Audacity (downloads and tutorials)

electronic journals
CITES hosting :: (recommended)
Students: here's a link for setting up your electronic journal. Once you have this page on your screen, click the login link (don't use the create a new blog link, it doesn't really work). Login using your netid and your Instructional Computing Services Password. In most cases, this is the same password you use for email and everything else. If you don't know or can't remember this password, try going to the CITES Password Manager to reset it or to set it up. The first time a student logs in a new journal will be created.

WordPress is the technology behind the Writing with Video student journals. Again, although instructors will provide an introduction to using this tool, students are expected to be independent learners. There are excellent online resources for learning and exploring wordPress.

CITES blogs automatically have a plugin installed called the ‘wordpress video plugin’, which is what allows us to embed youtube videos and a variety of videos from other sites.  here’s the documentation.

other options ::
Those who are willing and interested in taking on more responsibility for managing a personal online journal may want to consider free blogging services offered by wordpress or blogger.

publlishing videos + network communities
Students need to join at least one online video community. YouTube is the most visible and well-known. Vimeo is an increasingly popular option because of the quality of its published videos. Follow the links in this paragraph to establish accounts at these sites. Just look for a 'create account' or 'sign up' link. Its free.

Once you start creating finished video work, you should consider joining the Writing with Video Vimeo group (brand new this semester). You will be able to upload work for others to see, and it will be a great way to see what other students in the course are producing. If you'd like to see older work completed by former students, there is a fairly large archive on the Writing with Video Youtube channel.

You should also consider joining the Writing With Video Facebook group, where you will find examples of interesting and relevant content from across the web.

equipment access + checkout
Camcorders, microphones, tripods, audio recording decks, and various cords can be checked out at the Art+Design Facilities checkout window, located on the 3rd floor of the Art+Design building (room 318). Sometime during the first week of classes students will be informed about important policies such as duration of checkout periods, reserving equipment, and late fees. Students can call 333.5839 to reserve equipment in advance or inquire about equipment availability.

Students are encouraged to consider providing their own camcorder since demand for the Art+Design machines is high. Writing with Video does not require the use of expensive equipment, and students are even encouraged to experiment with cell phones that have image and video capture capability.

For those considering purchasing a camcorder, models that have a jack for an external microphone are particularly attractive. Although instructors do not make purchasing recommnedations, it has been noted that Kodak even makes a pocket camcorder with an external mic jack for under $200 (see CNET review of the Kodak Zi8).

For those planning to check out camcorders from the A+D checkout window, some recommendations and advice:

• Panasonic 300 or 500's: these are older camcorders that use mini DV tapes (available almost everywhere: Best Buy, Staples, Walgreens, etc). If you will be using an older laptop and/or an older version of iMovie (prior to iMovie '09) these are good machines to use. Be sure to also ask for a '4 to 6 pin' firewire cable, which you will need for connecting the camcorder to your laptop when you're ready to transfer clips.
• Canon FS100's: these are newer camcorders that use SD cards instead of tapes. If you have a fairly new laptop and are running recently released editing software (such as iMovie '09), then these camcorders would be a good choice. If you check out one of these models, you should also check out a Multi Card Reader, which attaches to your laptop and allows you to transfer video files from the SD card to your computer. SD cards are widely available (Best Buy, Staples, Walgreens, Amazon). Currently, an 8GB card can be purchased at Amazon for about $10, and roughly translates into 2 hours of video capture (this is an estimate and can vary depending on camcorder technical settings). For convenience, you might consider purchasing your own multi card reader (> $20).
• Some camcorders don't seem to work well with certain editing tools. There is currently almost universal confusion about this, so much so that Apple has actually posted a page listing which camcorders are compatible with iMovie '09. Here's a link to that page. Bottom line: you may encounter some complications and frustration on this front. Your instructor will try to help, but remember that they are not a software/equipment demi-god and may not have a ready answer. You may need to be patient and persistent in working through this.
• Related to this compatibility issue, you may encounter a situation where your video editing software does not seem to recognize the file format from your camcorder. If this happens to you, try using Squared 5. This is free video conversion software that can input almost any video format and convert it to an output format that your edit software can recognize (i.e. converting to Quicktime for editing with iMovie). There are both Mac and PC versions available.

More tips for checking out other A+D equipment:

• tripods: be sure to ask for a small lightweight video tripod (not a still camera model)
• audio recorders: the ZOOM audio recorders are recommended for their small size and ease of use. these decks record onto SD cards (which you need to provide). you should also check out a multi-card reader, which you can connect to your laptop when you're ready to transfer your audio files.
• micophones: one of the most common microphones used in WwV is a hand-held omnidirectional mic that picks up sound in a spherical pattern in all directions
• another popular mic is what's called a shotgun mic, which is a directional microphone that picks up sound in a tight pattern in front of the mic (it requires a AA battery).
• YOU NEED TO CHECK OUT A CABLE TO CONNECT YOUR MIC TO YOUR CAMCORDER. ask for a 'XRL to mini' cable. the XLR is the fat end and connects to the mic. the mini is the small jack and it connects to the camcorder.
• If you'd like to learn more about how microphones work, visit the audio-technica site, and here's a link to information on basic sound principles.
  

ece storeroom
If you're looking for a place to buy stuff like video tape, other storage media, and other accessories on campus, try the Electrical and Computer Engineering Storeroom: 60 Everitt Lab, 1406 W. Green Urbana. Good prices and you can use your iCard. 217.333.1916 :: ece-stores@illlinois.edu

tips for beginners
video shooting tips :: some basic techniques
the language of film (and video) :: starting to think like an author and media builder

video production process + journaling template
Beginning with module 02, students will be introduced to a four-step video production process that includes specific directed writing activities during each step. Here's a convenient link to this journaling template.

guidelines for the group critique process
Group discussion and critique of artwork is a process that many students have little or no experience with. Here is an online guideline to help those seeking a model for how and why this method is used in most art schools.

The choreographer Liz Lerman has also developed a very effective critique method that students may learn more about from individual section instructors. Here is a link to more information on the Liz Lerman critique method.

storytelling tips
Ira Glass, from This American Life (NPR) has some great advice online about creating interesting narratives:
part 01 (anecdote and reflection)
part 02 (finding a good story)
part 03 (good taste and persistence)
part 04 (two common pitfalls)

interviewing tips
Here's a selection of advice on getting, and doing, a good interview:
the question man
cbc expert interviewing tips
radio diaries
loosening lips

ethics + release forms
The are ethical and moral responsibiliies that come with authorship and media production. Students are expected to adhere to the highest ethical standards in the production of work for this class.

It is always a good idea to obtain formal permission from the people who appear in videos (not people on the street but, for instance, people that are interviewed). Here is a very simple release form that can be used for this purpose.

Be advised that it is unethical, and in some instances illegal to secretly or surreptitiously capture audio/video. The same holds true for distributing or publishing content against the wishes of any participants or content producers.

Further, the academic coordinator and all section instructors for the course adhere to a zero tolerance policy regarding students who engage in, or record, behavior that is illegal while completing coursework. Be advised that instructors may be bound by law to turn over material of this kind to police and/or academic authorities.

creative commons
has done some very important work in the area of intellectual property rights for electronic work, particularly content distributed within electronic communities. This is a great site for understanding the importance of respecting intellectual property rights. And you can also license your own work here. Also, here are some ideas about a code of best practices for fair use of video content that has been produced by others, compliments of the Center for Social Media.

copyright-free music source
Speaking of respecting intellectual property, Moby created a nice resource for legally downloading music specifically for use by independent, non-profit video authors. And there's more: asimplesound + soundsnap.

storyboards
are a very effective tool for organizing and visualizing ideas. They are in common use by nearly all time-based media authors. If you google 'storyboards' you'll find many templates available for download. Here's an example of a very simple but useful storyboard.

readings
Most, if not all readings, will be available through the ART 250 electronic library reserves. Users must have a University of Illinois login to access this content.

 

::
Writing with Video © 2005-2010 by Kimber Andrews, Nan Goggin, Maria Lovett, Joseph Squier. All rights reserved. This copyright covers the entire Writing with Video course structure including all modules, assignments, and descriptions. No portion of this website may be copied or reproduced without written permission. For further information contact Joseph Squier.