Using Video Projects in the Classroom Jim Demmers March 27, 2008

2 Topics Video project work flow Video capture, editing, compression and codecs Classroom video projects that work Project ideas for your classrooms Video project work flow Video capture, editing, compression and codecs Classroom video projects that work Project ideas for your classrooms

3 Video Project Work Flow Storyboard your idea Shoot you video Capture your video to a NLE program Edit to fine-tune your story Export the final product Storyboard your idea Shoot you video Capture your video to a NLE program Edit to fine-tune your story Export the final product

4 The Storyboard A series of diagrams that depict the blocking of each scene in a video production Should include a short written description of the action taking place A necessary first step in designing any sort of media production A series of diagrams that depict the blocking of each scene in a video production Should include a short written description of the action taking place A necessary first step in designing any sort of media production

5 Shooting Your Video Shoot to edit » Always consider how your current shot is going to fit into the overall sequence » Include a few seconds of “video slop” before and after each shot » Consider headroom and the rule-of-thirds when framing your shots Shoot to edit » Always consider how your current shot is going to fit into the overall sequence » Include a few seconds of “video slop” before and after each shot » Consider headroom and the rule-of-thirds when framing your shots

6 Shooting Tips Wear headphones to monitor audio Use a tripod and limit zooming/panning Level the tripod and camera Be careful using autofocus Set the camera white balance Avoid backlit shots Wear headphones to monitor audio Use a tripod and limit zooming/panning Level the tripod and camera Be careful using autofocus Set the camera white balance Avoid backlit shots

7 Capture Your Video to a NLE iMovie, Moviemaker, Premier, and Final Cut Pro can all capture & import video Most cameras now have a firewire/i.link port for off-loading video Either import individual clips from your HD or capture them directly to the NLE Captured clips should always be given meaningful names iMovie, Moviemaker, Premier, and Final Cut Pro can all capture & import video Most cameras now have a firewire/i.link port for off-loading video Either import individual clips from your HD or capture them directly to the NLE Captured clips should always be given meaningful names

8 Edit To Fine-Tune Your Story Editing “shapes” the story and provides emotional impact The storyboard should be used as a guide to fine-tuning your story Transitions and effects are fun to play with but their use is best kept to a minimum Adding a music track to your video can greatly enhance its effect Editing “shapes” the story and provides emotional impact The storyboard should be used as a guide to fine-tuning your story Transitions and effects are fun to play with but their use is best kept to a minimum Adding a music track to your video can greatly enhance its effect

9 Edit To Fine-Tune Your Story Review your footage and look for edit points that will help tell your story Arrange your clips in sequence on the timeline Add transitions and effects sparingly Mix audio (voiceover, music, sound effects) in sync with your video Review your footage and look for edit points that will help tell your story Arrange your clips in sequence on the timeline Add transitions and effects sparingly Mix audio (voiceover, music, sound effects) in sync with your video

10 Edit To Fine-Tune Your Story You can “sweeten” the sound by using a normalize filter on your audio Adding titles not only identifies the subject of your production but also serves as an important way to highlight your student’s participation How you export your final production depends upon who your audience is You can “sweeten” the sound by using a normalize filter on your audio Adding titles not only identifies the subject of your production but also serves as an important way to highlight your student’s participation How you export your final production depends upon who your audience is

11 Export The Final Product Most output will require compression A codec is software or hardware that enables Compression and DECompression of audio and video files. Must balance file size, bit rate, and quality All codecs are either Lossy or lossless Contained within software “wrappers” (such as QuickTime & AVI) Most output will require compression A codec is software or hardware that enables Compression and DECompression of audio and video files. Must balance file size, bit rate, and quality All codecs are either Lossy or lossless Contained within software “wrappers” (such as QuickTime & AVI)

12 A Few Words About Bit Rates Audio (MP3) 32 kbit/s — AM quality 96 kbit/s — FM quality 128–160 kbit/s — Standard Bitrate quality; difference can sometimes be obvious (e.g. bass quality) 192 kbit/s — DAB (Digital Audio Broadcasting) quality. Quickly becoming the new 'standard' bitrate for MP3 music; difference can be heard by few people. 224–320 kbit/s — Near CD quality. Sound is nearly indistinguishable from most CDs. Audio (MP3) 32 kbit/s — AM quality 96 kbit/s — FM quality 128–160 kbit/s — Standard Bitrate quality; difference can sometimes be obvious (e.g. bass quality) 192 kbit/s — DAB (Digital Audio Broadcasting) quality. Quickly becoming the new 'standard' bitrate for MP3 music; difference can be heard by few people. 224–320 kbit/s — Near CD quality. Sound is nearly indistinguishable from most CDs.

13 A Few Words About Bit Rates Video (MPEG2) 16 kbit/s — videophone quality (minimum necessary for a consumer-acceptable "talking head" picture) 128 – 384 kbit/s — business-oriented videoconferencing system quality 5 Mbit/s — DVD quality 15 Mbit/s — HDTV quality 36 Mbit/s — HD DVD quality 54 Mbit/s — Blu-ray Disc quality Video (MPEG2) 16 kbit/s — videophone quality (minimum necessary for a consumer-acceptable "talking head" picture) 128 – 384 kbit/s — business-oriented videoconferencing system quality 5 Mbit/s — DVD quality 15 Mbit/s — HDTV quality 36 Mbit/s — HD DVD quality 54 Mbit/s — Blu-ray Disc quality

14 Commonly Used Video Codecs (Lossy) Cinepak: outdated but once ubiquitous MPEG-2: used for DVD & HDTV MPEG-4: high quality - streaming, CD, TV Sorenson 3: good overall for web and CD WMV: streaming - MS only and proprietary RealVideo: streaming but proprietary Cinepak: outdated but once ubiquitous MPEG-2: used for DVD & HDTV MPEG-4: high quality - streaming, CD, TV Sorenson 3: good overall for web and CD WMV: streaming - MS only and proprietary RealVideo: streaming but proprietary

15 Commonly Used Audio Codecs WAV: PC lossless audio file storage (MS) AIFF: lossless audio file storage (Apple) PCM: for digital video and CD - lossless MP3: audio file storage for music - lossy AAC: music and DVD audio - lossy WMA: a lossless and lossy wrapper(MS) WAV: PC lossless audio file storage (MS) AIFF: lossless audio file storage (Apple) PCM: for digital video and CD - lossless MP3: audio file storage for music - lossy AAC: music and DVD audio - lossy WMA: a lossless and lossy wrapper(MS)

Compression Examples

17 Compression For the Web HDV, 30 fps, 26 mbits/sec, 148 MB “Georgia Aquarium”

18 Compression For the Web “Georgia Aquarium” H.264, 15 fps, 1 mbits/sec, 5.5 MB

19 Compression For the Web “Georgia Aquarium” Cinepak 15 fps, 2 mbits/sec, 10.4 MB

20 Your Turn “Pacific Octopus” DV, 30 fps, 248 mbits/sec, 570 MB

Classroom Video Projects That Work Some examples

22 Highland Ranch Elementary “Time Team”

23 How Did They Do It? Students divided in teams that each had a camera operator, a director, and talent Students took turns playing each role Each student wrote a script highlighting six strategies for becoming a great reader memorized their lines, practiced speaking, shot the scenes and edited the footage Students divided in teams that each had a camera operator, a director, and talent Students took turns playing each role Each student wrote a script highlighting six strategies for becoming a great reader memorized their lines, practiced speaking, shot the scenes and edited the footage

24 Highland Ranch Elementary “Time Team”

25 Springfield Public Schools “Platinum” Elements Commercials

26 Springfield Public Schools “Phosphorus” Elements Commercials

Project Ideas For Your Classroom Things to consider

28 Video styles Instructional – talking head speaks directly to the camera and shares information Situational – “candid” shots of classroom activities Scripted narrative – students serve as actors and must memorizer their lines Voiceover – no actor dialogue. Could be stills or video Instructional – talking head speaks directly to the camera and shares information Situational – “candid” shots of classroom activities Scripted narrative – students serve as actors and must memorizer their lines Voiceover – no actor dialogue. Could be stills or video

29 Production Considerations One camera or two? Wireless or on-camera microphone? Ancillary light source or ambient light? Location, location, location! Copyright concerns And what about release forms? One camera or two? Wireless or on-camera microphone? Ancillary light source or ambient light? Location, location, location! Copyright concerns And what about release forms?

Project Ideas For Your Classroom Let’s brainstorm!!

Questions