Video

DLC Awesomeness Caught on Video

Tom Video

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:

http://www.lynda.com/DSLR-Video-tutorials/Time-Lapse-Photography-Workshop/123486-2.html

See this earlier DLC post on iMovie:

http://sites.middlebury.edu/dlc/2015/04/21/what-you-really-want-to-do-is-direct-imovie-workshop-recap/

What you really want to do is direct: iMovie Workshop Recap

Tom Video, Workshops

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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

Top 5 Tips by SuperSaf TV
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cj0BIhyx9kc

5) Good lighting

  • 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 is so 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!

MIIS happened. Did you miss it?

George Payne Digital Storytelling, MIIS Update, Presentations, Projects, Storytelling, Video

It’s true. MIIS happened. And it was awesome!

If you were there, you know what I’m talking about. If you weren’t, you might feel like you missed something important, which you did, but that’s ok for two reasons: 1) I’m going to recap the highlights in this blogpost, and 2) MIIS is likely to happen again next semester or next year sometime. So, let’s go over it…

The first ever MIIS Happening event was a Pecha-Kucha-inspired happening. All that was provided was a time, place, and style in which the event was to take place. (Of course, beyond that there was a “countdown” template provided and practice sessions leading up to the happening, but that was all just to support the learning curve of the inaugural event) Basically, the word got out that anybody from the MIIS community could present on anything they wanted as long as they presented it in the very short, concise format that Pecha-Kucha supports… and the outcome was truly engaging and inspiring. For instance…

JY PK Copy

Jessica Yoo – talked about how limited our understanding of Korea as a whole can be, and recounted a short timeline of how she was able to reconnect with her heritage over time by connecting family history with national narratives of the United States, North Korea, South Korea, and Russia!

 

AO-PK-Copy

Alfredo Ortiz – walked us through his life as a multidimensional individual in a professionally demanding environment. The audience relished in being able to get to know Alfredo better, as well as learn how to better address their own identities.

AL PK Copy

Amanda Liles – talked about what it has been like to be othered by common language, specifically by deconstructing the word disabled in the context of living a very full and spirited life both at home and abroad!

EH PK Copy

Evelyn Helminen – talked about what it’s like to participate in Nation Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) every year, and how its creative constraints have helped her to discover herself in the process, ultimately encouraging others to engage in NaNoWriMo as well!

Lauren Scanlan – talked about another way of thinking about self-discovery and cultivating motivation. She used a wonderful metaphor of role playing games and used her own life as an example of how to achieve personal success. I laughed myself to tears… in a good way.

Peter Shaw – shared a recorded Pecha-Kucha project about a teaching-field trip his students took to Bay View Academy in Seaside to teach 8 different languages to middle school students. In a way it was the most elaborate project because it involved 20 different students’ voices on 20 different slides.

Moyara Ruehsen – shared how to change the composition of one’s family to support one’s vision and goals. For those who were able to keep an open mind, it seemed to have had a particularly humbling moral to the story, which was to not feel guilty outsourcing help. Why? Because we all need help, and by employing help, you’re in turn helping someone else.

Not everyone who presented was mentioned in this blog post, but in summary, MIIS Happened, and it was awesome! The applications of what we did are numerous and already trickling into your programs and projects, so keep an eye out! That was us.

Blame us or thank us, but be sure to stay tuned into the next MIIS Happening…

Recording Booth Tips

George Payne Audio, Camtasia, Digital Storytelling, Podcast, Presentations, Video

Hey yall,

GPayne checkin’ in! Since the first week of the term I’ve helped quite a few people to navigate the recording booths in the DLC for voice and video recording, so I thought it would be useful to share what we’ve learned for anyone out there interested in using the booths this semester:

  1. Make an appointment
    • Use the appointment system (go/dlcappointment) to learn about the booths before you get started. Even if you don’t plan on recording the same day, do yourself a favor and let us walk you through the process before you start.
  2. Reserve the booth
    • Use the reservation system (go/recordingboothreserve) to help you avoid times when people are already using the booths. If you happen to be in the DLC when you want to reserve a time, there is an iPad by the Blue Booth that can help you with that. Just ask someone to help you!
  3. Choose the program
    • Garageband is perfect for recording just audio, and Camtasia is great for recording both your face and your voice. They’re both user-friendly programs.
  4. Set yourself up for success
    • Make sure you come prepared with what you want to talk about. Scripting your podcast or video will make the whole process much smoother than just speaking-off-the-cuff. Try practicing your script out loud before you record. It will flow more smoothly when you do the real thing.
  5. Add content
    • Once you hit the record button, just go for it! Say everything you have to say. If you think you messed up, just pause for moment and start again from a few lines back. Editing after you’ve recorded the bulk of your project is always easier than trying to edit as you go.
  6. Edit later
    • Editing creates meaning. You decide what remains in the final product, and it’s easy to delete sections that don’t belong, or rearrange clips to make yourself sound better. If you don’t like what you did, Command-Z will always undo your actions.
  7. Export and save
    • Once you feel good about the content you’ve created, find Share amidst the drop-down menus above and click on export (or Export Song to Disk in Garageband) to save it, with your name, in an easily located place like the desktop. Be sure to save it again onto an external flash drive or to the cloud when you’re done. Think! if it’s not saved in at least 2 places, it’s probably not saved at all.

And those are the key takeaways from my experience helping people in the recording booths. I hope these simple-to-follow instructions make it easier for you work on your own, but remember Tip #1, make an appointment with one of the GAs to get a full walkthrough.

Be well,

George

The return of screen capture and webcam recording!

George Payne Camtasia, Video, Workshops

Welcome back to MIIS and welcome back to the DLC!

Today we hosted a Camtasia 2 workshop for some Translation and Interpretation students and it’s likely that you might want to learn the very simple and straightforward way to screen-capture and record video via the webcam as well. Camtasia 2 is a great piece of software that allows you to record entire presentations—including recording your computer screen, your voice, and/or a video of yourself talking, and then edit it with text, photos, and external media to have a completely polished movie on your topic.

Be sure to come visit us in the DLC if you’re interested in learning more.

Resources

  • Schedule an appointment or drop-in between the hours of 12pm and 4:30pm, Monday through Friday. Camtasia 2 is installed on all of the DLC laptops and in the two recording booths. Click here to reserve a recording booth.
  • Tutorial: Getting Started with Camtasia
  • To teach yourself about the program before you come in, try going to go.miis.edu/lynda to review a tutorial video about it or other software packages we offer in the DLC.

Hope to see you soon!

Intro to Screen Recording Workshop!

Amy Slay Curricular Technology, Events, MIIS Update, Presentations, Video, Workshops

Professors, want to turn your lecture slides into narrated videos?  Want to create tutorial videos for your students?

Students, need to record a presentation or Skype call for class?  Want to easily demo your work on your e-portfolio?

Why? With Camtasia, you can easily record, narrate, and edit your onscreen activity to create professional-quality videos.  Come learn the basics of narrated screen capture as well as how to share your videos.

When? April 17, 12:30-1:30

Where? DLC D Space

How? The DLC has 6 computers with Camtasia software for you to use.  Computers will be given out on a first-come first-serve basis.

Questions? Email us at dlc@miis.edu

Make a Narrated Video in PowerPoint

Amy Slay Powerpoint, Presentations, Projects, Video, Workshops

Welcome to today’s workshop on narrating and recording in PowerPoint!

Please sign in!

Make video

  • You can work with one of your own presentations, or you can use this template google presentation.
  • Download the presentation as a powerpoint file (click the image below to see how).

Screen Shot 2013-11-18 at 2.36.21 PM

Share video

Similar Resources

  • Keynote
  • Quicktime
  • Camtasia
  • iPad Apps: Doceri, Explain Everything, ScreenChomp

Tutorials

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