Thursday, November 25, 2010

Major $ shots


Filmed with 5Dmkii and Red MX cameras. Read about it here



Time lapse shot with 5D (processed in after effects):

Landscapes: Volume One from dustin farrell on Vimeo.



Philip Bloom's time lapse:

Monument Valley from Philip Bloom on Vimeo.



Take a peep at all of his DSLR films: http://philipbloom.net/films/dslr-films/

(no, I'm not expecting these kind of money shots on your reel but I think it's very interesting to see what folks are filming with the 5D).

Friday, November 19, 2010

Final Assignment: Demo Reel (1-3 minutes)

Blog entry #13 prompt:
What makes a good DP / Director of Photography / Cinematographer's reel? Search reels online (google, vimeo, youtube, etc) and visit the links below to see what work is out there. In your blog post, embed or link your favorite and your least favorite reels and explain what is compelling (and not so compelling) in the reels that you viewed.

Remember, your reel should be 1-2 minutes (3 minutes max!) - Due Nov. 30th!

Here's Ben Goertz's reel (he'll be teaching TCF 389 Final Cut Studio) next semester:


Sample DP reel links:






































Sample Director Reel Links:

















Editor's Reel Links:


Final 312 Assignment: Artist Statement


When faced with a blank page, the best thing to do is write down words that you would use to describe your work. Do the same for the process(es) you use to make your work- list out the processes you use. The next step is to start to link the words into sentences. After you write the sentences, see if you can put them together into paragraphs. If you have several bodies of work you might do this process for each body of work.
- from the Artist Foundation on how to write an artist statement

THINK ABOUT:
your vision
your visual style
your influences
the impact you desire to make with your work

When you want to apply for grant money for filmmakers, you will often be asked to submit an artists statement.
IFP Center for Media arts asks you to
Provide a written discussion of no more than one page describing your creative journey as an artist and your creative filmmaking process and vision.
IFP Center for Media arts asks you to See here.

Here is documentary filmmaker Chuck Olson's artist statement
Amazing filmmaker Yvonne Welbon's artist statement
Filmmaker Dominic Angerame's artist statement
Painter, poet and filmmaker Rajaa Gharbi's artist statement
Filmmaker Tara Krause artist statement
Filmmaker Ronit Bezalel artist statement
Filmmaker Valerie Soe calls her artist statement her manifesto
Keith W. Cunningham shows his influences in his artist statement
Feminist Filmmaker Alex Juhasz artist statement
Scott Snibbe's is here


Films shot on DSLR cameras

Reverie from Ed Moore on Vimeo.



Vicky and Sam from Nuno Rocha on Vimeo.



Shane Hurlbut's sample footage:



Philip Bloom talks about DSLR filmmaking:







GlideCam Demo Reel shot w/5D:

Glidecam Demo Reel-Shot on 5D from GEBBS on Vimeo.



GlideTrack demo footage shot w/5D:

Life in Haiti-Canon 5D MKII & Glidetrack from Leclerc Brothers Motion Pictures on Vimeo.



Comparison of Red One, 5D and Lumix GH1:

Red One, Canon 5D Mk II, and Panasonic Lumix GH1 Footage Comparison from Birns and Sawyer on Vimeo.



T2i slo mo tests:

Monday, October 18, 2010

Panasonic's Shoot It Share It Contest

Although it's too late to enter, it's not to late to see what you "peers" in the world are out there filming. I love contests not just as opportunities/outlets for your work (and the possible rewards!) but also as a gauge of what folks beyond school are filming. I've seen a couple of awful things, and a few things that are quite visually interesting.

Here's a little blurb on the Panasonic SHOOT IT SHARE IT contest:
Everyone has a unique vision - and now, whether your passion is sports, comedy, nature, or almost anything else, yours is easier than ever to record thanks to Panasonic's wide selection of cutting edge professional videos cameras and camcorders.

Showcase your talent and the exceptional image quality and unrivaled flexibility of your Panasonic P2HD, AVCCAM or DVCPRO HD and you could win fantastic prizes, including exclusive opportunities from high-profile category sponsors who could help take YOU and YOUR VISION to the next level.


Take a peek at the gallery!

You can also vote to help contestants win the following prizes:

• Grand Prize winner
* AG-HPX370 P2 HD Camcorder package including battery, case and one P2 card (a value of over $12,000.00)

• 1st place category semifinalist winners
* Choice of an AG-HMC40 AVCCAM HD Camcorder or an AG-MSU10 Portable P2 Media Storage Device (value of $2,300 or greater)

• 2nd place category semifinalist winners
* AJ-PCD2 P2 Card Reader (a value of $350).

Monday, September 20, 2010

1st ANNUAL SLAMDANCE / ADOBE RE-CUT COMPETITION



Showcase Your Film Editing Talent

Film production students in higher education worldwide are invited to enter the First Annual Slamdance/Adobe Re-cut Competition for emerging editing talent. Entrants will have the opportunity to re-edit a scene from the indie classic MALL COP by Palm d'Or winning filmmaker and GREY's ANATOMY editor David Greenspan.

Participants will re-cut a selected scene using Adobe Premiere® Pro CS5 trial software. All submissions will receive education copies of Adobe Premiere Pro CS5, so everybody wins! Three talented finalists will be rewarded with their own Adobe CS5 Production Premium education software and the Grand Prize winner will also earn round-trip transportation and four days of accommodations to attend the 2011 Slamdance to experience seeing their winning work screened at the Festival. Registrations to participate now open through Oct. 1, 2010. Final submissions must to be received by Slamdance by Oct. 31, 2010.


REGISTER NOW!

Saturday, September 18, 2010

one day on earth 10.10.10

one day on earth

One Day on Earth Participant Trailer from One Day On Earth on Vimeo.

Across the planet documentary filmmakers, students, and inspired citizens will record the human experience over a 24-hour period. By participating in this historic event you will help capture the diversity of experiences of life on this planet. Together we will create a document that is a gift to the world.

TCF Videographers? Should we participate?

http://www.onedayonearth.org/

(Oct 10th was my mother's birthday!)

Tuesday, September 14, 2010

Filters

Just so you know, TCF has the following filters for the SONY HDV cameras:

3. soft

Tiffen filters site explains a good deal of info on filters.

Currently, we have polarizer filters for the small JVC cameras. If you are only going to use one filter, make it a polarizer! Use polarizer filters for the following shooting conditions/locations/scenarios:
  • Skies
    By eliminating the reflection of light on the tiny water droplets present in the atmosphere the polarizer brings more saturated and slightly darker skies.

  • Water and reflective surfaces
    By eliminating reflections, the polarizing filter will tend to make water and other reflective surfaces more transparent. The effect will also vary depending on the angle to the reflective surface. If you place your camera very low above a river, the effect will be very limited. If you shoot from a bridge above it, the water will look totally transparent.

  • Color Enhancement
    The polarizing filter also reduces reflection from other surfaces such as foliage and thus makes their colors look more intense. It also tends to make shadow areas darker.

  • Light absorption
    The main side-effect of the polarizing filter is that it absorbs 1.5 stop of light. So, if you shoot at 1/180th of a second and then add the filter, you will find yourself at 1/60th of a second. This happens whatever the orientation for a polarizer. In low light situations, some type of camera support, such as a tripod, will be needed.

    These articles explain and give great image examples.

I think we ordered a selection of more filters (soft con, star filters, etc) but I will have to check on that...

To use the filter, rotate the front of the filter. This video demos the effect of this rotation:


Another PORTRAIT EXAMPLE: Spike Jonze & Your Day (Nikon festival)

Spike Jonze gives us a PORTRAIT OF EVENT!




I love Spike Jonze!

ALso Nikon hosted a competition called "Your Day in 140 seconds or less"

Check out these examples:
"New York State of Mind"



My Dreams, My Day; Lucidly Told Through The Photographic Eye And A Nikon D90

I Met A Girl


Hello World

Refresher: Aperture and Depth of Field

Last week I showed folks how to crush the depth of field, filming with the SONY HDV camera.

We focused primarily on a WIDE ANGLE (W) lens giving us great depth of field while a TELEPHOTO lens (T) gives us a more shallow depth of field. The distance between the camera and the subject(s) and the distance between the foreground, subject in critical focus, and the background, also affects the degree of soft focus. The iris/aperture setting (which controls the amount of light that can pass through the iris - explained here), also has an impact on depth of field... read on!

Here are some great online tutorials which uses animals (I love animals!):

Depth of Field









Also see depth of field explained here abd also demonstrated in this article with great photos like these:

Tuesday, September 7, 2010

Assignment :: Visual Storytelling :: Portrait of a Place, Person or Event

TCF 312 :: Assignment :: Portrait of a Place, Person or Event
Due Thursday, September 16 TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 21st (! yay ! Extended Deadline ! yay !)

You will direct a 2-minute VISUAL portrait of a place, person or event and edit your piece for screening on Thursday, Sept. 17 in class. Rely on aesthetics, craft, vision, and technical skill to tell your story... no dialog, no interviews, absolutely no talking heads!

This piece can be any fiction or non-fiction, any genre, any style.

Rules:
  • You will DIRECT one, 2-minute visual portrait
  • You will be DP/Camera Operator for one 2-minute piece for someone in your production group
  • NO dialog (talking heads) in your piece, but voice-over, production sound, sound effects, and music are permissible
  • Your final edit must include titles crediting the Director and the D.P.
Please post your piece as embedded video on your blog before class on Thurs. 9/16 TUESDAY, SEPT 21 (!), TCF has vimeo account you may use to Vimeo... 5GB/week limit. You must also submit QUICKTIME file on DVD to Dr. R!

RESERVE YOUR EQ at least 48 HOURS IN ADVANCE! Email your eq reserves.

Your email should include the following:
TCF 312
Your Name
Pickup Date:
Return Date:
EQ desired (BE SPECIFIC!)

Examples:

Please note: We will watch some of these examples in class, but I encourage you to watch as many as you're able. When you watch consider WHAT is the story or stories being told (what do you think is the filmmaker's message, or what do you take from his/her piece?), and HOW is the story told visually. What are the levels of filmmaking - technical skill, aesthetics/style, color, camera work, etc... being deployed to work in service of the media message?

The Professional (we watched this for visual storytelling example)
Opening sequence of Dexter
Opening sequence of City of God (chasing the chicken opening sequence)
Brian B+ Cross "KEEPINTOKYO" and "TEEBS"
pouringdown.tv - "of all the things that can happen" and "the skies uptown"

and here's an example from student work last year:

Director: Cody Abbott, DP: Marcus Tortoricci




Tuesday, August 31, 2010

The Importance of White Balance (light & color temperature)

Advanced Videography students: yes, we are only at the beginning but it's important to understand light while we are just working with cameras. I don't want you to white balance the camera just because I tell you that you need to do it, but I want you to understand why!

See this tutorial, "Understanding White Balance" (aimed at primarily digital still photography but the principals still apply for videography). I think that their image examples are pretty clear:


Here's another (longer) article about white balance for video that includes photos, definitions, and pretty good explanations of the theory and practice of white balance and color temperature.

Make sure you can manually set the white balance on ALL the cameras the we are using for class!

This week: SONY HDV and JVC HM100

Also, in class I mentioned that the SONY PD150 and PD170s have 3CCD and that the HDV has a CMOS censor. Here's a great article from Videomaker magazine on CMOS vs. CCD (you just have to join - it's free). Also, here's another article on CMOS and CCD sensors, and one more (highly technical) from hdtv Read up!

Thursday, August 26, 2010

Some of my photographic inspirations

I get really obsessed with portraits of people - close-ups in particular. I love to learn more about people, places, and color through photography.

B+ is a photographer that I have known and respected for many years. Every once in a while I will go to his site and see the images he's made from so many places around the globe and I feel like I've traveled just a little bit more.



I really love how he creates this diptych images that juxtapose people together. In this set, I love the connection of color, the mood and tone he creates... you know they are both just chillin'. The shallow depth of field (which puts everything soft in the background), really allows you to look at each of these men. The shadows of trees on the window and the shades over his eyes keep up at a distance, but somehow, I still feel invited in to know, even just in part.



I did a google search on hip hop photography and this photographer popped up first. I'd never heard of him. His work is pretty commercial - slick, high contrast, saturated colors, etc... but there is something I dig about his framing and composition. I really like the way that he uses angles to create energy and attitude for the photographic subjects. Both images are in color but he uses a heavily black and white color palette and a hard, rim light that gives the subject a glow and separation from the background.


portraits by John Ricard :: homepage



Monday, August 23, 2010

Ten Things About Dr. R

10. I am on facebook. I don't friend students, but accept friend requests when they friend me. (My mentor adopted this policy and I followed his policy.)

9. I LOVE my job. I love to make films and I love to teach people how to make films.

8. I watch TV shows on HGTV, TRU, BIO, APL (River Monsters!) and other doc-like types of programming. I did have a VH1 reality TV obsession but I believe that I have weened myself from that habit.

7. I love John Cusack! Lloyd Dobler, yeah.



6. I listen to music through I heart radio and Pandora mostly. I just can't do the Clear Channel, Radio One, Emmis of it all anymore. I have to be able to search or click next. I need control!

5. I love too many films to name just a few!

4. My favorite books are: The Autobiography of Assata Shakur and The Prisoner's Wife



3. I am going to *fingers crossed* teach a story abroad TCF course in Madrid next summer (if 10 students enroll). The course, "Documenting Madrid: Mujeres en Movimiento" will give students the opportunity to work with women artists, organizers, activists and cultural workers in Madrid to make short documentary videos and digital stories. I <3 Madrid!




2. I really focus on being an open and accepting person. I may not agree with you but I definitely respect that you are your own individual with a whole set of life experiences that have brought you to this point. Respect is critical.

1. I am a Mom. It is the hardest, most rewarding, and most challenging part of my life.

Monday, May 17, 2010

Free Music for Student Films

So, in the ever tightening grip the music industry attempts to make at prohibiting and restricting our educational use of popular music... blah blah blah... SEE THE RIGHT SIDEBAR for lots of links to music you can use.

The point here is there is PLENTY of music that we can use FOR FREE and WITH PERMISSION!

I love to promote my favorite artist friends and on facebook I often put out calls for music for student films.

Here's the (hip-hop) links that I got today:

INSTRUMENTAL:






http://www.soundclick.com/bands/default.cfm?bandID=1058106

Dynamite Muzik - http://www.soundclick.com/bands/default.cfm?bandID=1044313

Team Infamous - http://www.myspace.com/atlinfamous

Tedju - http://www.myrecordlabel.com/tedju

Saturday, May 8, 2010

Sara Tavares - Ponto de Luz



The videoclip Ponto de Luz, of Sara Tavares, was created using the Stop Motion technique, which means taking pictures to objects, persons or situations, frame by frame, putting then everything together in a video sequence which creates the illusion of movement. From here, comes also the Timelapse technique, which means taking pictures with a regular constant break, for example, minute by minute, during a long period of time which creates the illusion of time passing by (shadows, clouds, sea, cars, people, etc)

For this vídeo it were taken 4500 photos, and used in the final edition 3000.

This vídeo was made and directed by Mercês Gomes e Ricardo Oliveira Alves.

Friday, May 7, 2010

Interim 2010

For my May term course, I will be teaching a three week intensive course about digital storytelling. We will be sharing our assignments here: We Media: Digital Stories of Race, Class & Gender

Here are some of the particular frameworks of and aims for this medium:

Digital Storytelling is the practice of using digital media (computer-based technology tools) to tell stories.

Digital Storytelling is the modern expression of the ancient art of storytelling. Digital stories derive their power by weaving images, music, narrative and voice together, thereby giving deep dimension and vivid color to characters, situations, experiences, and insights. Tell your story now digitally.
- Leslie Rule, Digital Storytelling Association

For our own practices, will be studying and creating digital stories inspired by Joe Lambert and his Berkeley based Center for Digital Storytelling (CDC).

Here are their "Values and Principles".

It is my hope that I can create some of my own digital stories this term.

For now, here's a video I made with Walt & Candance about the pedagogy of digital storytelling:










Monday, May 3, 2010

Spring term is officially over!

I am feeling so inspired by all the work my students have done this semester.

Please visit the right sidebar of student blogs to view their work.

TCF 444 sampling, just a taste:

Video song by Kyle:

Like Spinning Plates from Kyle Mathews on Vimeo.



Stop motion by Kate and Jordan:

The Chaos of College from UA, Telecommunication and Film on Vimeo.



and lots of great reels:

Here's the "Reel Yo!" by Marcus:

Reel Yo! from Marcus Tortorici on Vimeo.



and Cody's:

DP Reel from JC Abbott on Vimeo.

Friday, April 23, 2010

GoPro HD camera

Okay TCF fam. We have new GoPro Hero Cams! Marcus and Ramona are testing so I'm excited to see what they shoot...

So my friend, Noisemaker Media's Mark Carranceja, just shot and directed this video using SONY EX1 and GoPro. Peep it:


We have the same technology TCF! Let's do this!

and while you are at it, peep his reel:

Reel (work sample) & Artist Statement

This week I want you to consider what makes a good Director and DP reel. Watch lots of reels and determine which Director or DP you would hire? Why?

This Week's Blog Post Prompt:
What makes a good DP / Director of Photography / Cinematographer's reel? Search reels online (google, vimeo, youtube, etc) and visit the links below to see what work is out there. Embed or link your favorite and your least favorite reels and explain what is compelling (and not so compelling) in the reels that you viewed.

POST BEFORE CLASS ON TUESDAY!

For next week: Edit all of your footage into a reel (short 2-3 minutes, 5 min MAX) representation of who you are as an artist (at this stage in your career - even if that means you are at the very beginning, or if you having been filming for some years)...

Keep in mind lots of folks have many different reels for different kinds of jobs they pitch for but for this assignment, choose your favorite shots and put them together in a way that represents your style and skills.

Additionally post a short artist statement with your embedded video clip, see below for some examples of reels and artist statements.

Some sample DP reel links:






































Sample Director Reel Links:

















Editor's Reel Links:


When faced with a blank page, the best thing to do is write down words that you would use to describe your work. Do the same for the process(es) you use to make your work- list out the processes you use. The next step is to start to link the words into sentences. After you write the sentences, see if you can put them together into paragraphs. If you have several bodies of work you might do this process for each body of work.
- from the Artist Foundation on how to write an artist statement

THINK ABOUT:
your vision
your visual style
your influences
the impact you desire to make with your work

When you want to apply for grant money for filmmakers, you will often be asked to submit an artists statement.
IFP Center for Media arts asks you to
Provide a written discussion of no more than one page describing your creative journey as an artist and your creative filmmaking process and vision.
IFP Center for Media arts asks you to See here.

Here is documentary filmmaker Chuck Olson's artist statement
Amazing filmmaker Yvonne Welbon's artist statement
Filmmaker Dominic Angerame's artist statement
Painter, poet and filmmaker Rajaa Gharbi's artist statement
Filmmaker Tara Krause artist statement
Filmmaker Ronit Bezalel artist statement
Filmmaker Valerie Soe calls her artist statement her manifesto
Keith W. Cunningham shows his influences in his artist statement
Feminist Filmmaker Alex Juhasz artist statement
Scott Snibbe's is here


Thursday, March 11, 2010

Online Films that I Like (My Inspiration)

Filmmaker Liz Canner makes a documentary distributed on the web:

SYMPHONY OF A CITY


High School student records a live spoken word piece then made this short video:



I first saw "Slip of the Tongue" on the Media That Matters online festival site (another great place to see short films).

More coming soon...

Tuesday, March 2, 2010

TCF Senior Capstone Production Course: Now Accepting Applications

[PLEASE NOTE: For the launch of this course, the course designator will be TCF 444!]

The TCF Capstone Production course sequence, a unique year-long intensive filmmaking class designed for TCF media production seniors, is now accepting applications for our Fall 2010/Spring 2011 class.

The TCF Capstone Production course sequence is a specialized course in filmmaking, that allows TCF seniors to pre-produce, direct, film, and edit an original short piece. Students may choose to make a narrative short film (15 minutes or less), a documentary (30 minutes or less), a music video, an experimental short, a live event video, a multimedia project, or a web-based media project. In the fall, students will work with Dr. Raimist to develop, write, revise, and pre-produce their project. In the spring, students will work with Professor Schwartz to film and edit their piece. May 2011, the sequence will culminate in a public screening at the Bama theater!

Eligibility

The TCF Capstone Production course sequence will consider any TCF media production senior, who applies by the deadline: 5pm, Friday, March 19th. Class size is limited to 12 students and requires permission of the instructors

If you submit a late application, there is no guarantee that you will be considered for the 12 spots in the course.

How to apply

The application consists of:

  • application form (download here)
  • additional sheet (answers application questions)
  • resume
  • pitch, treatment or script
  • optional materials: DVD, QT file, or link to work samples

    Interested students should download an application HERE or pick up a hard copy of the application in the 430 pod in Phifer.

    Deadline

    The deadline for application is Friday, March 19, 2010, but early application is encouraged. As applications are received, students will be contacted to schedule an interview with instructors on Monday, March 22.

    Submit your application to Dr. Raimist via email – rraimist@ua.edu (recommended), or you can submit a hard copy to Dr. Raimist in 430C or drop off the TCF main office – 484 Reese Phifer.

    Questions

    Dr. Rachel Raimist: 205-348-8656 or rraimist [at] ua [dot] edu

    Professor Adam Schwartz: 205-348-7182 or adam.j.schwartz [at] ua [dot] edu
  • You're Invited: TCF Media Production Open House - Monday, March 8th



    The Department of Telecommunication and Film at the University of Alabama

    would like to invite you to the

    TCF MEDIA PRODUCTION OPEN HOUSE

    Monday, March 8, 2010
    2:30 – 4 pm
    TV Studio A in the Center for Public Television
    Phifer Hall, The University of Alabama

    Come enjoy FREE PIZZA!

    Check out our new TCF production courses, find out how to major in media production,meet the new production faculty, and demo our new equipment!

    Our brand new, ever-growing line of high-end video production equipment includes:

    SONY PMW-EX3 XDCAM EX HD
    Redrock 35mm adaptor
    Kit of Zeiss Prime Lenses
    Director’s Viewfinder
    Sekonic L-758DR Pro Light Meter
    JVC HM700U HD camera
    A fleet of JVC HM100U HD cameras
    Arri light kit
    Flex-track dolly
    Grip gear and lots more!

    For more information, please email rraimist [at] ua [dot] edu.

    TCF 444: My Digital Story

    Okay, so I'll be honest... I haven't had time to edit a new digital story but here's the last one I produced 2 months ago. It's about the way I teach (and specifically one that I co-taught in Minnesota a few years ago), and my on-going study of the practices of teaching digital storytelling.

    I know, I broke my own "rule" that digital stories shouldn't be more than 5 minutes, but this isn't your "typical" digital story.

    Let me know what you think!











    Monday, February 22, 2010

    THIS WEEK IN TCF: HOLLYWOOD LECTURE SERIES

    WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 24: "Careers in the Industry"
    4:00-5:30
    ten Hoor Hall, room 30

    THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 25: "Breaking & Entering: How to Survive in the Entertainment Industry"
    4:00-5:30
    ten Hoor Hall, room 125

    Eve is the author of “The Complete Film Production Handbook” as well as “Hollywood Drive.” Her credits include “Titanic,” “Just Married,” and “Tropic Thunder” among many others. Her work can be found on imdb.com.

    Daniel has worked for several major studios, and currently runs his own production company. His credits include “Schindler’s List,” “Jurassic Park,” “Field of Dreams,” “Do the Right Thing” and many more. His website is shoottothrillproductions.com.

    Tuesday, February 9, 2010

    TCF 444: Unit on Digital Storytelling

    Our next unit moves us into the process of "digital storytelling." Yes it's storytelling using digital media, but there are particular frameworks and aims for this medium.

    Digital Storytelling is the practice of using digital media (computer-based technology tools) to tell stories.

    Digital Storytelling is the modern expression of the ancient art of storytelling. Digital stories derive their power by weaving images, music, narrative and voice together, thereby giving deep dimension and vivid color to characters, situations, experiences, and insights. Tell your story now digitally. - Leslie Rule, Digital Storytelling Association

    For our own practices, will be studying and creating digital stories inspired by Joe Lambert and his Berkeley based Center for Digital Storytelling (CDC).

    Here are their "Values and Principles".

    For this week's assignment, you will be watching digital stories from CDC and other digital storytelling initiatives. Consider what you think makes a story good. Think about kinds of stories folks tell (here's a launching point: iRoom Stories), browse the list of links (below), and you can even do your own online searches for sites / sources.

    This week view digital stories, considering the CONTEXT, CONTENT and FORM of each story.

    Post links to TWO of your favorite digital stories.

    For each digital story, post an image (suggested: take image screensjpts), and LINK to the original piece.

    For each write a short reflection (about 125-250 words) for each piece you've selected.

    Consider:
    1- the context [where the story was created, or anything you know about the maker, if there is text that tells you info posted with the video, where it was created (workshop)]

    2- the content [what the story is about, theme, thesis, moral...]

    3- the form of the piece [what forms of media used, how the piece is edited, etc]

    4 - why this is a "good" story (read: why/how this piece engages you, draws you in, why you like it...)

    Post your two favorites on your blog, by 9am on Tuesday, Feb 16th.


    Digital Story Links:

    http://www.storycenter.org/stories/

    http://www.youthtrainingproject.org/article.php?list=type&type=4

    http://www.digitalstories.org/

    http://www.soros.org/resources/multimedia/digital

    http://www.mecaforpeace.org/article.php?id=151

    http://www.davarts.org/art_storiesB.html

    http://www.bbc.co.uk/wales/audiovideo/sites/galleries/pages/capturewales.shtml

    http://storiesforchange.net/organization/center_digital_storytelling?page=5

    http://www.mcli.dist.maricopa.edu/learnshops/digital/examples.php

    http://www.thecentersd.org/digital/digitalquilt.php

    http://www.umass.edu/wmwp/DigitalStorytelling/Examples%20of%20Digital%20Storytelling.htm

    http://www.engenderhealth.org/our-work/gender/digital-stories-south-africa.php

    Other Links

    Monday, February 1, 2010

    I've got it... divShare!

    For the TCF 444 students:

    Here's a great space to store your audio stories divShare.

    FREE, Quick & Easy to join... works perfectly!

    Hope the audio editing is going well!

    -Dr. R

    Friday, January 29, 2010

    Sundance Shorts 2010 (posted on youtube)



    Written and directed by T.G. Herrington.

    An intimate look at one of New Orleans' most colorful characters: the charismatic vegetable salesman 'Mr. Okra,' who provides a glimpse into the soul of an American city.

    For director T.G. Herrington (http://www.nomdeguerre.tv/), who has heard Mr. Okra hawking his goods in and around New Orleans since he was a small child, this sharply rendered character piece is the beginning of a love song, the first chapter in what will soon become a six-part feature-length study in the city's local color. The completed documentary, Other Side of Rampart, will act as a way to archive and preserve a part of New Orleans that is disappearing before our very eyes. The most challenging aspect of completing this short involved simply trying to understand Mr. Okra himself. He speaks in a difficult vernacular known regionally as "5th Ward patois". Herrington remarks that a friend once proclaimed "I finally knew I was a local when I could understand what Okra was saying!" The filmmaker has kindly provided subtitles for your viewing pleasure.

    http://www.youtube.com/ytscreeningroom

    Wednesday, January 27, 2010

    My Phone causes (over)Consumption

    I asked my students in TCF 444: Media Stories in the Digital Age, to log their "media diet" from Tuesday to Sunday. They were asked to share their intake (or an excerpt of it --- there is often shame associated with what we watch and listen to in private), and give a short reflection of what they learned about themselves, about media, and about ways we most often access mediatized stories.

    I tried to log time, place, technology, what I did, and some bit of commentary.

    Here's mine:

    Tuesday, January 19, 2010

    8:30 – 9 am in Phifer office: 2 computers. Laptop typing. Desktop: emails, cnn, facebook, elearning, youtube…

    9:30am – 10:45am in130 Phifer: Computer projection: e-learning, my blog, student’s blog, youtube, vopod (444 class on web 2.0)

    12:30 – 1:45 in 130 Phifer: Computer projection: e-learning, my blog, student’s blogs (312 assignments)

    2 – 4:30pm in Phifer office: desktop computer. Gmail – student’s internships, book project, job search stuff, dropbox sharing files with Dr. Butler, facebook: birthday wishes to friends, message from student who need letter of rec, artist’s website:

    http://www.quintanwikswo.com/

    watching her short films: http://www.quintanwikswo.com/#mi=1&pt=0&pi=13&p=-1&a=0&at=0

    6pm – living room standard def TV: Dinner with the kids in front of the TV. TT and I watch Drake and Josh on Nick and then Daddy’s Girl’s on Centric.

    7pm –8 pm In my bedroom. TV as background noise, showing BIO of Steve Martin, not watching. On laptop: email: student re: media diet (this) assignment), facebook: reading status updates of rap lyrics, personal thoughts, Haiti, gossip blogs, cnn, feministing (daily news round-up links led me to:

    http://jezebel.com/5051901/

    checking for new video on my favorite vlog:

    http://pouringdown.tv/

    no new video… why don’t I sign up to be notified… dunno

    was thinking about gun violence because of Dwight’s documentary. Decided to google gun laws in Alabama: http://crime.about.com/od/gunlawsbystate/p/gunlaws_al.htm

    Permit to purchase handgun? No

    Registration of handguns? No

    Licensing of owners of handguns? No

    Permit to carry handguns? Yes

    Scary! The crazy guy in the car next to me might (and probably does) have a gun in his truck…

    How did people know what laws were before google? I didn’t. I rely o the internet for human connection, work, teaching, learning, research, directions, movie times, watching films (Netflix streaming)… Is there a day where I don’t use the Internet?

    Working on book project --- emails, downloading pdf of drafts, gchat. Collab work online.

    Chatting with old friend from hs on fb. Link to recall from Asia:

    http://www.mcneilproductrecall.com/page.jhtml?id=/include/prd_all.inc

    Tylenol. Funny they paid her a lot for sponsorship.

    More gmail. Gmail on my laptop. Gmail on my desktop. Gmail on my G1 phone. Google is the foundation of my everyday media encounters.

    8 – 9pm watching A&E – various paranormal shows about kid psychics and haunted homes.

    9 – 10pm. In bed. Reading for class prep for Thursday. Pavlik. Rhettberg. Grammar of the Shot.

    Wednesday, January 20, 2010

    2am - gchat bling on my phone (which always stays connected. Message: Are you up? (No! I just rolled over)

    6:15 – 6:40 – in bedroom. Laptop. Checking email. Mostly students wanting cameras for Friday..

    7:30 – 45 in living room. Bubba watching Backyardigans, recorded on DVR. “I want cowboy boots and a cowboy hat too!” I am on facebook, reading morning statuses, cnn, and gmail on laptop… emailing Dean asking for support and to set up production funds for student films.

    7:30 – 8:15 – in the car. Radio. Flipping. Always flipping. Stupid and boring talk radio (racist, sexist, offensive) and NO MUSIC. Ugggh.

    8:30 – in office. Turn on internet radio. Last fm. Search by “r&b” plays lots of good songs, songs I haven’t heard of and LOVE the ability to immediately switch to the next song if there is something that I don’t like. INTERACTIVE, active user radio… FINALLY!!!!

    8:30 – 11:50am. In office. Desktop and laptop. Both are online. Writing on laptop. Radio and Internet going on the desktop. Facebook activity. Gmail. Perez and Feministing. Chat with friend.

    2pm – 4pm. Back in the office. Desktop. Watching youtube videos… thinking about Wesch’s ideas. Juhasz’s class on Youtube. Youtube as archive. Instant access to old videos. Back in the day, had to have a vhs copy from Yo MTV Raps! To see an old video again.

    7pm – 9pm. Living room. DVR. Watching Copyright Criminals on DVR. Watched it twice. 2ndtime recorded on DVD burner. Will show in 444 this term.

    9:30 pm – in bed. On laptop. Student emails. Facebook – liking things… let’s my friends know that I am around and thinking about them.

    Thursday, January 21, 2010

    6am – in bed. Phone tells me I’ve got FB messages, text messages, gchat.

    7am – Kitchen. TV. Bubba watches Kai-Lan, recorded on the DVR.

    7:30 am – car. Radio. Flipping stations. Morning talks shows are offensive and annoying. Flipping… will anyone just play a song? Why don’t I have a CD?

    8am – Walking from parking lot to Phifer. Cell phone. FB message about meeting for next week.

    8:45am – Office. Computer – e-learning site. Putting more links to radio/audio stories for 444 class. Examples of audio storytelling. Just learnd that Thembi, from radiodiaries passed away in June. Listened to NPR story about her passing.

    10:00 – 10:30. In 130. Discussing ways audio is used to tell stories. We watched trailer for RadioDiaries.org. (I didn’t tell the student I had been crying upon learning about Thembi’s death. First tears shed in my TCF office --- her story was so intimate. I could hear all of the details of her life, the texture of the sounds of her place, the tone of her voice, the depth of her commitment to living… now she’s gone but her story lives on through her story.)

    2pm – 4pm. Office in Phifer. Gmail. Facebook. Cnn – what’s happening in the world? Haiti.

    6pm – Bubba’s room. DVDs borrowed from public library. Power Rangers. I would never buy it on DVD. Library DVDs are good (when they aren’t too scratched to work).

    8 – 9pm. In bed. Watching I.D. and bio. Investigation shows. Paula Zahn.

    Friday, January 22, 2010

    7:15- 7:45 am. Living room. DVR. Kai Lan for Bubba.

    8am – 8:30. Stupid commercial radio. I really need to make a CD or charge my ipod and bring connectors to play music in the car.

    8:45am 2pm – office in Phifer. Last fm radio. Again R&B. blasting. No one is here! LOVE the control. This is the ONLY way I’ll listen to radio. Commercial radio is so antiquated and ridiculous. Gchat. Gmail. Facebook. Netflix cue. Web searches for EX3 matte box --- $1800 ouch. Not right now. Email all production faculty about eq use and edit room. Email about book. Email, email, email.

    Throughout the evening, fb messages and emails through my G1 phone.

    9:40 – 11pm. In bed. Reading. Novel from the library. Good book but book physically stinks. Ugh. I also hate when the pages get rumpled. I like clean, fresh, new books but books are so expensive. I read once or twice then put on the shelf. Before moving here I sold 75 books at Half Price Books that cost a ton of $ but made enough (after using my credit to get one used book) to buy at Java Chip at Starbucks. Sigh.

    Saturday, January 23, 2010

    8am. Living room. Laptop. Watching trailers of films at Sundance. Reading feministing, perezhilton, cnn (do this every day --- why did I not note this? Was I embarrassed that I read gossip blogs. At least I don’t read bossip and some of the other really horrible ones). Writing blog posts. Reading student blogs. Just read on FB that TCF student’s mom called Haiti telethon and Steven Spielberg answered. Ha!

    9am. Living room. TV. Was trying to clean up the DVR (Bubba no longer wants Blue’s Clues, Bakugan and some other shows. ACCIDENTALLY, I delete ALL PROGRAMS… doing too much, multi-tasking. Tiana is gonna be really upset at me when she gets up. So much of what we watch is all recorded. We rarely watch things when they are broadcast. All of Bubba’s shows. All of her TV shows. My PBS documentaries. OUCH. SORRY! I suck.

    9:41 am. Man…. I think it’s time to unplug. Well, sort of. I’m going to steam clean the carpets and figure how to tell TT all her shows are gone. = ( but first a quick cnn and facebook checkin.

    Email on my phone throughout the day (about 20 times)

    9pm – 10:30pm in bed. TV. 48 Hours hard Evidence on i.D. on flipping through channels.

    Sunday, January 24, 2010

    6am – in bed. Gmail on phone. Got fb message. Laptop. Facebook – return messages. Birthday wishes (so many bdays today).

    7- 8am. In bed. TV. Flipping channels, nothing too interesting on. Watch cnn, i.d., bio, and others. Nothing caught my interest.

    8:45 am. At desk. Listening to music. Wanted to listen to online radio but internet isn’t working… oh AT&T. = (

    so, I’m on itunes with random music. And writing. Phone is letting me know that I have FB messages. Too slow of a connection (“3G sucks inside my house… only works down the street). Makes me frustrated that I can’t do things quickly, easily (and instantly) when I have a message.

    So, my reflections.... the "big thoughts" on my overconsumption:

    Teaching with technology. I do it. ALOT. I stand behind the pedagogical reasons... I think that using websites and web-based media allows students to see what other folks are doing right now. They can see things that inspire them, model form or aesthetics, and means of distribution. I use blogs so that reflections, assignments (such as this one), and conversations are not one or two-way channels, just between the student and me, but become multi-directional and multi-dimensional when the students read each other's posts and comment. When students post their own creative projects online they can view and comment, share with their subjects, family, friends... and easily link and re-post to places like facebook. Still, I am conscientious that I have to change up the types of assignments - blog post one week, reading (from books) next, then media making, then reflective writing online... this, I find, is the best way to build media praxis where folks are thinking, doing, and reflecting in a way that is productive and informing; what you think, what you do, and what you come to know are all interconnected.

    In terms of my own media consumption, I've realized how much I love to read and have to balance “work reads” for pleasure reading. I read mostly online --- news and blogs. I watch TV only for an hour (at most) before bed. I’m addicted to Gmail and FB. I only watch movies on DVR, online through Netflix, Netflix by mail or Redbox $1 rentals. I need more times to watch movies.

    I love music but I HATE radio. I only listen to radio in the car. I like online radio that allows you CONTROL! I do so much in a day but I want to do more!!! I think they should just rebuild the entire commercial radio model... I need something new there. Plus, now that I'm a Mom and older, I don't buy CDs (plus there are very few artists who make entire disks of good music)... I will only buy tracks that I like online and listen from my computer, phone or ipod.

    So, my phone. How smart is it? Or rather, how smart am I that I am tethered to the rest of the world. You can call me, text me, bling me 24/7 on gchat, message me on myspace, facebook, twitter.... do you really need that much access to me? Should I, could I , would I ever just turn it all off?

    I'm still digesting... thinking about when I wrote specifics and when I just said things in general here. Why is there so much stigma around "stupid" TV shows or other "dumb" things that I actually enjoy consuming... like reality TV. I didn't watch much this week (although I usually watch shows all the time)... I didn't want to put it in my media log. Hmmmmm.....