|
|
Caveats for Video Creation
By the WITRC staff in wh1006 (http://academics.uww.edu/witrc/),
UW-Whitewater
This is a brief
primer to help you successfully create a short (15 minute) video.
There are 3 elements
you need to consider in your video production before you start. They are;
- capturing or shooting your original material,
- editing your video.
- exporting your video to an easily viewable format.
The following is our
recommendation for obtaining good results. It may not be the fastest and it
may not provide you with the best quality, but it is a good middle road for
getting your project completed. You will learn about the technology involved,
but your focus will stay on your content. Finally, if you end up becoming a
teacher, you’ll have a bit of experience with a technology that is currently
becoming popular in the schools.
1) Capturing or Shooting Your Original Material
- Secure a video camera with a firewire (IEEE 1394b) output and enough blank tape. (You can also use an older camera with a/v
outputs, but NOT a camera with USB outputs.) Make sure the batteries are
charged and you are familiar with the camera before the shoot (try it
out). When testing the camera for video and sound, try to zoom and pan
slowly. Avoid jerky movements.
- Plan your shoot. Who will be there, what time, and what will they bring? When
shooting, people seem to have two approaches. Some shoot lots of footage in
the hope of not missing anything. However they will spend more time
reviewing/deciding what they will ultimately use. Others try to capture only
what they want, but may miss spontaneous events.
- After the ‘event’, review what you shot to be sure you have what you need, and to
become more familiar with your footage.
2) Editing your Video
- Review
your raw video footage before coming to the lab. When you have picked the
segments you think you want, you are ready to import them into the computer.
It is best (because of large file sizes and limited computer abilities) to NOT
import all your video, just what you think you will use.
- When
arranging a time the team can meet to edit, assume editing will take longer
than you think. Reserve the ‘production room’ in WH1006 so it is assured to be
open for you. If it is your first time, let us know you will need help. We
will help you get equipment connected and correctly save your project. Assume
3-4 hours for creating a short video.
- The
process goes something like this: You connect the camera to the computer through
the ‘firewire’ connection and import footage you think you will use. If you
import one hour, it will take at least one hour. Then you pick the ‘clips’ you
want to use in your final video, arrange them in an order, and cut out pieces
you don’t want (i.e. dead time in the middle of a clip). To create a 15 minute
final piece with 1.5 hours of raw tape usually takes 3-4 hours. If you want to
add titles/credits, music or voice over, it will take longer.
- When
working with video, your files can get very large. One minute of video can
easily be 200mb. As you work, the computer will render (work on your video) in
the background. It is important to work methodically (not impatiently click
all around the screen), as you can freeze the computer and lose part of your
project. As you work, save your project often.
3) Exporting
Your Video to an Easily Viewable Format: When your program is finished, how do
you want your ‘audience’ to view it? Your choices include:
- VHS tape (mediocre
quality),
- back to digital tape
(high quality, need camera for playback),
- CD (mediocre
quality),
- DVD (high quality,
easy playback, easy search, we use dvd-r media).
Most students prefer
to burn to dvd for their project. Be sure to bring enough blank media so each
group member may have a copy.
4) Summary: Start early, plan ahead, ask for help before you are in crisis, and enjoy the
process.
|
