It’s Been A Little Busy

Sorry for the lack of posts this past few weeks. Life has gotten out of control and just like normal I’m scrounging to keep up. So, in the hope of maintaining the little traffic I have, here is a photo from the past week’s shenanigans. 

Happy Thanksgiving all.

Six Essential Multimedia Blogs

New Written Road Post

Part three of how to create video without losing your shirt is coming next week. (I didn’t have time to finish the microphone reviews I was hoping to include) So this week I’m passing along a few blogs I would recommend adding to your RSS reader. Of course this is only a partial list, so if you have any another suggestions please feel free to leave a comment.

10,000 Words
10,000 Words is written by Mark S. Luckie, a print journalist who discovered his hobby of multimedia and his love for journalism could be combined to great effect. 10,000 Words gives journalists and web aficionados practical tips on how to best incorporate multimedia into their work. The site also culls the web for up and coming or underused technologies that enhance journalism.

Digital Photography School
Written by Darren Rowse, Digital Photography School is a website with simple tips to help digital camera owners get the most out of their cameras. The posts are phenomenal and the content top notch. If you have a digital camera this is like taking multiple photography classes at once.

E-Media Tidbits
Poynter’s Amy Gahran edits a solid daily blog pointing to some of the best multimedia on the web.

MediaShift
A great reference for how media is shifting online and changing society and culture.

Teaching Online Journalism
Written by Mindy McAdams who is a professor of journalism at the University of Florida, this blog is a key resource for new websites, SEO information, and what students are being taught in new media courses.

Online Journalism Blog
Great blog commenting on online journalism, interactive storytelling, publishing and all things internet. I consistently check out this blog when something catches my eye to see if any analysis has been posted.

New Cyclecross Audio Slideshow

I write a lot about being a multimedia journalist and how folks can produce multimedia packages themselves. Just this past weekend I went to a local cyclecross race with the goal to produce an audio slideshow and walk the walk. Three hundred photos and twenty minutes of audio later I sat down to work my magic. Even though I’ve done several of these before, I forgot how time consuming audio editing can be. I’m pretty happy with the final product and think the intro rocks. Overall I’d give it a 7/10 mainly since my photography could use a little help.

New Media Skills: Creating Video Part 2 – Video Editing Programs

New Written Road Post:

Though it’s overwhelming—and often impossible—to keep pace with the innovations in multimedia technology, the good news is that whether you understand them or not, these innovations level the playing field between consumers and professionals. This is the case with video cameras, and it’s also the case with the video editing software you’ll need to produce multimedia clips.

Each of the programs I’ve outlined below really deserve they’re own blog post, but since I’m working in this medium, a few hundred words will have to do. As always, I’m happy to respond to follow-up questions via E-mail or the comments field below.

For Apple Computers:

iMovie 08 
Packaged in the iLife Suite $79 (Preloaded on new Apple Computers)

The Good: Compatible with most cameras and video file types. Also, its interface works seamlessly with iPhoto and iTunes for quick importing of other media. Projects can be exported directly to YouTube, iWeb, iDvd and a variety of video formats.

The Bad: Limited transition and audio editing capabilities may become restricting rather quickly. While its user-friendly, the interface is not standard within the video-editing world and it’s missing some editing staples that can be very handy. (IE: There is no timeline for edited video, just a series of thumbnails)

Overall Value: Ideal for novice editors and simple projects that don’t require much editing beyond a few select transitions and title sequences. If you are looking to learn non-linear editing at a low cost this is the ideal program for you.

Final Cut Express $199

The Good: Professional-level software, Final Cut Express looks and feels the same as its more expensive brother Final Cut Studio. It provides unlimited transition options, video filters, audio editing options and title sequences, so you’re less likely to get stuck in a creative box. Even better, there are many online resources(including video tutorials) that can coach you through using the software.

The Bad: Unlike iMovie, some video cameras and file types will not work without an added codec. The learning curve for this program can be steep and its more advanced options can be tricky to learn. Some features, including advanced audio editing, 3D graphic design, and advanced exporting are not available.

Overall Value: The workhouse of online video editing, Final Cut Express is a very powerful, yet well-priced editing system utilized by many newspapers and magazines. I would highly recommend this system if you have an Apple and are serious about getting a job producing multimedia.

For PC Users:

Windows Movie Maker $0

The Good: Free and easy to use, this program offers simple editing tools including fades, titles, and exporting options.

The Bad: Most users will find this program to be too simple and limiting. Unlike iMovie, which has some pro-level features built in, Windows Movie Maker is a very stripped down entry-level program. Think Word Pad vs. Microsoft Word, or Paint vs. Photoshop.

Overall Value: Perfect for first time editors, this free program is a great way to learn about non-linear editing. If you do decide to use it though, remember there are a limited amount of transitions and editing capabilities, which may be frustrating at times.

Pinnacle Studio Ultimate 129.99

The Good: Relatively cheap compared to Final Cut Express, but still extremely powerful. Lot’s of new features including: Color correction, HD compatibility, and straight to DVD exporting.

The Bad: As with Final Cut Express, the learning curve is steep, it’s a bit limiting in motion and 3D effects, and some cameras/video files may require an added codec.

Overall Value: Pinnacle’s flagship editing program, I would highly recommend this as an alternative to Final Cut Express for PC users. A good selection of video transitions, audio options, and exporting options make this an appropriate setup for someone who has a PC and doesn’t want to spend more than $150 to edit video.

Looking to edit video the same way Hollywood pros do? Then consider Final Cut Studio 2 ($1,299) andAdobe Premier ($799). Both systems are professional grade and come with everything short of your own personal genius. If you’re really serious about editing they might be worth looking into, but since I started this series off with “How to Create Video Without Losing your Shirt,” it’s not the most economical option out there.

And The Snow Begins To Fall…

From the past week of hiking.

When Passion Becomes Insanity

It’s 10 p.m. and Rage Against the Machine is blaring on my iPod. I’ve been up since 6 a.m., and even though most of my day has been spent in the mountains, my mind has been working on how to solve the problem regarding the demise of journalism and the rise of new technology.

It’s no surprise that I’m passionate about life. Sometimes it’s crossing the finish line in a triathlon or marathon, while other times it’s helping a group of people overcome their fear of river rafting. But one subject–the subject that keeps me up at night daily–is so frustrating at times it feels like I am going insane. 

When will the world realize and understand journalism is NOT entertainment and should not be expected to produce outlandishly high returns? Is it greed? The fact that we all must drive BMW’s? Have a big house? Drink Starbucks? That keeps us from pushing our boundaries and seeing how far we can fly? I’m so sick of people saying “I can’t,” when in reality THEY CAN.

Will it tip? Sure. Will it be bloody? Have you seen Mediabistro lately? Will people risk everything to gain it all? Unfortunately I don’t think so. And that is where my insanity begins.

New Media Skills: Creating Video Without Losing Your Shirt – Part 1

New Written Road Column 

Today I toured a million-dollar video production studio and once again have come to the conclusion that producing video can justifiably seem complicated to most people. Like sell-your-first-born-and-mortgage-the-house complicated. As I left the dark wonderland my head was spinning with the thought (and the cost) of it all. That is, until I remembered my own equipment–the stuff that costs a fraction as much and has landed me jobs at national magazines–and then I felt at ease, but still poor.

When getting into video production it’s important to remember that keeping things simple is okay. Every editor is different, but most just want high-quality clips that provide serviceable information and evergreen value to the website. I constantly talk to writers who are apprehensive about video, and usually by the end of the conversation they can’t wait to start experimenting on their own. The fact is, as a writer you may already have the intuitive skills you need to execute an editorial vision in video; all you’re probably lacking is the technical how-to.

Since video is much more complicated than audio slideshows, I feel it would be a disservice to just gloss over the big themes and ask you to figure stuff out on your own. So I’m breaking the topic up into three posts: cameras, editing programs, and accessories. In the future, I’ll explore different editorial concepts behind video direction, but I really feel that the main barrier for most people is the how-to element. If you have any direct questions please leave them in the comments sections below, or feel free to send me a direct email at timshisler [at] gmail [dot] com.

Video Cameras:

Type “buying a video camera” into Google and the resources are endless. Cameras range from a few hundred bucks to upwards of a hundred thousand dollars, and with multiple methods for actually recording video, every model is different. But don’t let that deter you: the options are empowering, and as a travel journalist finding the right camera is the most important avenue to success.

The first important thing to keep in mind is high definition cameras, otherwise known as HD, are now priced at less than a thousand dollars. Just a few years ago they were priced in the thousands and only large studios, or trust-fund babies could afford them. The reason you should purchase an HD model is because everything you shoot has value down the road, and if it’s not in HD, there is a good chance in five years you won’t be able to use it. (Note: Not that it won’t work, but non-HD quality will be noticed if it’s ever edited into HD footage.)

The second important factor in camera choice is how a particular camera records the footage you shoot.

Mini DV

The industry standard a few years back, these cameras use micro cassettes to record video. The upside is that your work is archived on the cassettes and you never run out of space on the camera. The downside, however, is you have to keep buying and lugging around multiple cassette tapes. This format has been more or less ditched by the newer cameras which record on flash-based media and internal hard drives. Based on new developments with Apple, and the decision to eliminate firewire ports from their computers, I would recommend refraining from purchasing one of these cameras unless they are the higher-end pro models.

Hard Disk Camcorders

Many of today’s cameras come with built in hard drives. With these cameras, you don’t need a memory card, or a tape, but just the camera itself. For instance, the Canon Vixia HF10 has a built in 16 gigabyte drive that can record roughly 4 hours of HD video. The hard drive means no loose tapes, but also means you will need a computer nearby to download the video should you run out of space. I’ve used the Canon in multiple situations and never had a problem with the hard drive filling up, but I’ve also been conscious about how much footage is on the camera at any given time.

Flash Memory

Just like point-and-shoot digital cameras, these cameras record to SD or compact flash cards. Since flash media now costs next to nothing, the cameras offer a good solution to travelers looking to travel light and leave the computer at home. I recently shot a video in Moab, Utah, with one of these cameras and the fact that I only carried around a handful of plastic cards meant I wasn’t weighed down and could keep up (or try to) with my talent.

When looking at video cameras the other important things to consider are:

· Can I manually adjust the picture?

· How long does the standard battery last?

· Is this small enough for me to use while traveling, yet large enough to feel comfortable in my hand?

For some specific recommendations, check out this article in November’s Conde Nast Traveler and CNET’s buyers guide. I’ve personally used the Canon Vixia HF10 and love it. If you are in the market for a new camera I would highly recommend giving it a spin. The other choice, the Sony HDR-CX12 is also a solid model, which some reviewers have preferred over the Canon. Either way, it is important to remember that when deciding on technology everyone has an opinion, and though it’s important to take them into account, the camera that fits best in your hand, offers the features you desire, and fits your price point is ultimately the best value.

Sometimes You Just Need To Go To The Mountains…

Turned 26 yesterday and finally realized I no longer have anything more to look forward to. (Minus Social Security and being able to call myself a geezer.) Okay so It’s not all bad, but it was a day for reflection, mountain air, and some unseasonably warm November temperatures. Girl is a friend and ironman badass, so the day was experienced at a good clip, with lots of excellent refreshing conversation.