I started as a graduate assistant at the DLC in my first semester at MIIS. Now, as I finish up my third semester at MIIS and the DLC, I’m heading off to IPSS in Chile and moving on from my GA role.
When Evelyn walks me out to make sure I don’t steal anything, here’s what I’m taking with me:
An appreciation for collaboration
At the DLC, I worked with almost all the other full-time staff and GA’s on workshops, projects, and daily appointments. I learned and had fun from our teamwork, whereas I used to prefer working alone on projects.
Check-ins
Evelyn had a weekly check-in where we went over how I was doing (in general and at the DLC), reviewed pending tasks, and planned upcoming work. It helped a lot in staying productive, feeling accomplished, and balancing work duties.
Sharing and accepting feedback
I’m generally a private person and work on things on my own (see above about collaboration). The DLC is the opposite. We put everything on display (see this blog post). Thus, I’ve become more comfortable accepting feedback and I usually (sometimes) appreciate it.
Space is important
The DLC is open, flexible, and cheerfully painted/decorated. I like being there. It is jarring to me when I go to the drab office spaces upstairs in McGowan, or to the quiet cavernous halls on the first floor of McCone. I also much preferred class in the DLC to any other classroom at MIIS.
And somewhere along the way I got better at iMovie, started to use Garage Band and Audacity, learned Camtasia, switched to Keynote, made a WordPress site, and took 200 head shots.
And so…actually, I’m not going to say goodbye to the DLC just yet, as I’m doing the International Digital Storytelling Project. Everyone will be seeing more from me in the spring!
Have you participated in the on-campus Hult Prize competition? Do you want to submit a proposal to the Davis Projects for Peace? Are you looking for faculty guidance on an immersive learning experience or other independent project, such as capstone or a directed study?
The DLC is involved in a collaborative effort between faculty, staff, and students to explore how multidisciplinary learning can be promoted on campus through campus-wide challenges, competitions, and other activities that stretch beyond classroom walls.
Come share your experiences or learn from other students, and influence how MIIS prepares students to address the complex issues we encounter on and off campus.
An audience of students, faculty and staff attended the Keynote workshop at the DLC on Friday, October 2nd. DLC graduate assistants Tom Stagg and James Slaton introduced the magic move, build animation, and interactive charts features of Keynote.
Those in attendance stated that they had not been using Keynote previously, and were curious about using it for their presentations. There was also interest in exporting Keynote presentations as Quicktime videos, including narrated slideshows.
Want to learn more about Keynote? Make an appointment at the DLC!
Also, don’t forget that all MIIS students get free access to Lynda.com, which has Keynote tutorials.
PowerPoint dominates the presentation field, although Prezi and Google Slides are becoming more commonly seen. Keynote, however, is a great program that is unused by many Mac owners (sorry, PC fans!), and those who do use it might not know everything you can do with it.
Come to this DLC workshop to learn how to build charts within Keynote, and how to use the advanced feature of Magic Charts which can animate your data, as well as Magic Move which allows creative, but elegant transitions. As with many features, a little goes a long way, so we will also talk about presentation design and how to avoid distracting your audience with too many of these tools.
Bring your laptop if you have Keynote, and try these tools during the workshop!
But I have Windows!or I want to use PowerPoint.While this workshop is focused on using the features within Keynote, the content will generally apply to creating presentations in other platforms as well. To explore similar features in Powerpoint, make an appointment at the DLC. If you want to try Keynote without switching to a Mac or buying the software, there are computers with Keynote installed that are available for student use at the DLC. There are options available for exporting Keynote slideshows to other platforms for presenting on Windows PCs and other computers that do not have Keynote.
Here’s a look at activity at the DLC over the final weeks of the semester: workshops, group meetings, staff activities, audio recording, and a visit from a team on a scavenger hunt!
Make your own!
A time-lapse video is a collection of still photographs played in succession to make a video.It’s a hybrid in between animation and live action.The look of the video is affected by the interval in which photos are taken (every second, every minute, every hour, etc.) , and the speed at which frames are shown (10 frames/second, 15 frames/second, 24 frames/second, etc.).
There are various ways to make time-lapses, and they can be done with all kinds of cameras.There are even time-lapse functions for the most recent smart phones.The tools you use will determine how easy it is to produce your video, the amount of control you have, and the quality of the final product.
For the DLC time-lapse, this was the set-up:
Camera:Canon 5dMkii DSLR on a tripod, “tethered” via USB to a MacBook Air
Software:
Image Capture (for taking the photos)
Quicktime 7 Pro (to create the image sequence)
iMovie (for compiling each sequence into one video, adding pan effects, and
adding the soundtrack)
Settings:
Capture:1 photo every 3 seconds
Playback:24 frames per second
Duration:approximately 8 hours (over 4 sessions)
Keep in mind that you will potentially be taking thousands of photos and need plenty of space on your camera’s memory card or computer hard drive.(And you want a fully-charged camera battery)
1 photo every 3 seconds = 20 photos per minute
20 photos per minute = 1200 photos per hour
1200 photos per hour = 9600 photos over 8 hours
9600 photos at 24 frames/second = 6 minutes, 40 seconds of video (which can then be edited down further.The DLC time-lapse is 1 minute, 30 seconds from 8 hours of photography.Did you really want to watch 3 minutes of Evelyn working at her computer?)
Camera
If you’re very patient and dedicated, you can use any camera to make a time-lapse video.All you have to do is be willing to take many photos at a regular interval, so you could sit there and push the shutter button over and over; then import them into your computer and compile the time-lapse.Fortunately, there is technology to do this for you!
Point-and-shoot and DSLR cameras can be connected (tethered) to a computer for taking photos, with software that lets you set the timing, then takes the photos automatically.(More on time-lapse software below).
One important factor on camera choice is that manual mode is *highly recommended* for time-lapse videos.You want consistency between each photo, and if your camera is on auto mode, it will make adjustments between shots which will result in a distracting flicker in your video.It doesn’t mean that you can’t make a time-lapse in auto mode, but be prepared for it to look less polished than it would in manual mode.
The need for consistency also means you need to use a tripod.The camera needs to stay in the same place for every shot (unless you are ambitious enough to try a manual pan with a slider).
There is a device for DSLR cameras called an intervalometer that is a remote shutter with the capability to set a camera to take photos at a regular interval.Take the photos and save them in your camera, then import them into your computer.
Software
Taking your photos: If you have a Mac, here’s good news:your computer has an application already installed that can set up time-lapse photography.It’s called Image Capture, which is in your applications folder.Plug your camera in via USB or another connection method your camera uses, open Image Capture, set up a time interval, click a button to take pictures, and it will go to work.After you have your photos, import them, and you will be ready to put together the time-lapse.
[There are other applications, including free programs, that can do the same thing on both Mac and Windows operating systems.]
Compiling your photos:You need a way to put all of your photos into video format.The DLC video was done with QuickTime 7 Pro ($30), because it gives you control over the frame playback rate.It can be done in iMovie, but there is a limit in that you can only go as fast as 10 frames per second.In QuickTime 7 Pro, you can open an image sequence (all those photos you took) and save it as a movie file.
Windows Movie Maker, Adobe Premiere, and Sony Vegas are other software applications that let you convert your folder full of photos into video. Some applications may be available for free.
Editing your video:You might have multiple image sequences you want to put together, or maybe there is a part you want to cut out of the video you made by compiling your photos.You can use the software that’s already been mentioned to make your edits, add titles or music, and create a complete video.
For more information:
Use your privileges as a MIIS student at lynda.com:
On Thursday March 26th, 15 students attended an iMovie workshop at the DLC. The workshop provided an overview of iMovie from importing media files (video, sound, and photos) to exporting the finished project as a file or YouTube video.
Did you miss the workshop or want a refresher? Below are some resources for iMovie and video production in general. And don’t forget: you can make an appointment at the DLC for assistance in creating your class video projects.
iMovie Lynda – online software tutorials (you get free access through MIIS!) iMovie guide from Stanford (overview and links to other resources)
Tips for Better Video Capture There are a lot of “top 5” tips for just about everything, and that is definitely the case for video recording. I like the 5 tips that are written below which you can also view on the YouTube link
Move to an area that is well lit, either by sunlight or lamps
If you’re indoors use light coming in from the windows, or use an area that is brightened up by lamps
Place the subject that you are filming opposite the light source (i.e. if you have the person you are filming stand in front of a window or lamp it will create a dark shadow on their face). So, unless you want a dark spooky vampire shadowy look, don’t have the light behind your subject. –> You won’t always be able to control what light is available so just try to make the best of the situation. And if that doesn’t work and its dark, you can always make your video a vampire movie!
4) You Want Good Audio!
Avoid background noise as much as possible, ESPECIALLY if you are recording speech
Background music is bad. Not only is it distracting, but if you plan to post your video on YouTube there could be copyright legal issues, especially if it is a popular song. If you are taking video of someone talking and in the background we can hear Rihanna or Pitbull playing out of someone’s car, YouTube can take the video down!
Keep the mic on the phone clear. Make sure your finger isn’t covering it by accident or that your case isn’t over it.
3) Avoid Distracting Backgrounds
Unless the background helps to accentuate the subject or is an important part of your video you want to pay attention to what is behind your subject and make sure it isn’t too crazy or busy.
For more on choosing good backgrounds for your video you can check this out: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8bG1ebAwVF0
2) Try to keep steady and stable
Use both hands to record.
Give a few secs at the beginning and end of shot for easier editing
Tap the screen to focus on your cell
If you want to capture a large landscape or room, pan very slowly so that the shot does not appear blurry
1) ALWAYS FILM IN LANDSCAPE!
Landscape is how monitors are set up to display images (standard ratio of 16:9)
If you film vertically you will have black space on either side of your video footage when you play it on a tv or projector screen
BONUS TIPS! The above tips will help you go a long way. But If you feel comfortable with filming and want to get into some more details to give your videos some sophistication, these tips should help you. In general…
Keep takes under a minute
If you are doing something specific where you want to shoot for longer than a minute, then by all means, get creative and take it away! (Or if you are recording a long speech or conference, then this does not apply). But for general purposes, recording a scene for around 30 seconds is enough. This will make it easier when you are editing.
Vary the camera angle
Shooting every person or every object from the same distance and same angle will make your video less visually interesting, so record it from different angles. Overhead angles can be interesting so if you are able to go up a flight of stairs above everything give it a try.
*Use the One Take with Many Angles technique: Let’s say you are recording a family event and different people are sitting around talking. But you don’t want to worry about editing your 5 minute video, you just want to shoot it once and upload it and be done. Well, in one take you can shoot a wide shot to capture the whole scene of people, then come in close to video record your auntie (with a close-up) who is telling a story about when you were 5 years old, then you can move to her left to record your uncle (close-up) who is smiling, then back to your auntie, then you can pull away and record your cousins (medium shot) who are laughing a few feet away, then you move out again to a long shot to capture the whole scene again, then move in to a medium shot of a group of kids playing, then pull in to a close up shot of a family friend who is cooking something on BBQ grill and you interview him about his recipe, then you pull away again to capture the whole scene, and you fade out… Your 5 minute family reunion video is Done!
Don’t use zoom
The zoom on phone cameras are not very good and they will bring down the quality of the image. It’s better to simply walk up closer to your subject (unless the subject is a stuntman who is hanging from a tall building, in this case it could be difficult getting closer to video record).
Record Better Sound with Your Smartphone
Sound quality isso important to make a video watchable. Your fabulous creative shots can be ruined by bad sound. This is a cool video that shows you some simple ways to get the best sound for your smartphone movies!
Learn how to create a project, import media, edit on a timeline, add audio tracks, add titles and backgrounds, and export as a movie.
Please sign up using the link below. We have a limited number of MacBooks available with iMovie to use during this workshop. If you have a laptop with iMovie, please bring it with you for hands-on practice.
64 members of the MIIS community attended the head shots session on February 17th!
If you missed it, here’s your chance to get your professional head shot, especially if you plan to attend one of the job fairs in March and need to update your LinkedIn profile or e-portfolio.
Tuesday, March 3, 2015
12:00 PM – 1:45 PM
The patio between the Admissions Office and the Security Office
You don’t have to register in advance. Just come dressed in your professional wear and sign-in.
(pictured: IEM student Amy Marrion attended a photo session last November.)
It’s job fair season! It’s also time to step up the job and internship searches. Ensure that your LinkedIn and other social media tools reflect your professionalism with a quality head shot.
Stop by the patio between the Admissions office and the Security office on Tuesday, February 17, 2015, between 12:00 PM and 1:45 PM.
Get your photo taken on Tuesday, and we’ll have your head shots ready before the MIIS career fairs coming up in February and March.
