Lessons in 'Quick turnaround' event coverage

Last March I took part in Bath Spa University's 'Social Media Experiment' coverage of X Media Lab Conference in Bath using Social Media.  X Media Lab Bath 2012 presented a great opportunity for Bath Spa University’s staff and students. A live, high-profile digital media event right on our doorstep. Event directors, Brendan Harkin and Megan Elliot, offered us a project that would enable students to use their media creation and publishing skills. I would support the students as Producer, helping them provide a variety of video coverage of the event.  We went on to produce 3 'quick turnaround' videos.  One shot during the VIP event launch at the Roman baths (Thursday).




One at the end of the main conference day (Friday).



One at the end of the mentoring weekend (Monday)



Later over the summer we produced a final 'overview' edit using all the material.



The footage was shot on Sony Z1 DV (tape) based cameras with some further material from Canon 7D.  It was a relatively slow and traditional process of ingesting, logging and capturing and editing.  The 'quick turnaround' wasn't bad but it wasn't actually very quick.

Today the Social Media Experiment was covering the ExPlay 12 event in Bath.  This time I decided to restrict the video team to iPhone.  How did we do?  How would it compare?

The quickest turnaround is 'one step' publishing.  We shot very short 'video bites'.  Then with no editing uploaded to YouTube and then Tweeted the link.  It worked but, perhaps having become used to having the ability to edit, I felt that the bites needed 'top 'n' tailing' - trimming, to tidy them up.  The uploading and tweeting workflow wasn't smooth.  Shot in Filmic Pro - uploaded to YouTube - tweeted.  All the detail and hashtags were entered twice without a keyboard.

'Two step' publishing was easier in someways.  Shoot on phone.  Transfer via USB lead and Image Capture.  Trim in QuickTime.  Upload to YouTube.  Tweet from YouTube.  Naturally we needed a laptop.  But the whole kit we used filled one shoulder bag.  YouTube does take a while - not long but worth noting.  Sadly when you tweet from YouTube the description doesn't automatically populate the tweet.  Which would have been neat and sweet!

The iPhone worked quite well - a 4s.  Problems with focus 'bubbling' and exposure meant that we used Filmic Pro which allows the frame rate to be set along with the focus point and the exposure.  We also had a small LED light (TecPro 'Fillini') which worked really well and made a huge difference to the quality of the image.  However the video quality wasn't high - not sure why we set it so low.  The interview eyelines were difficult to bring around enough.  Shooting video runs the batteries down quickly and we had to re charge at lunch time.  It's awkward to hold, so some sort of grip would have been a good idea.  Certainly a monopod would have helped.  Even without support, the videos were shake-free as a result of the image stabilisation in the app.  I had slight concerns that Interviewees wouldn't take us seriously with the iPhone - but this wasn't an problem.  None were surprised.  We used a shotgun mic (K6+ME66) with the phone - the built in mic would rarely have worked in the noise.  I made the lead by following this tutorial.

We started at about 11am and finished about 4pm.  All 15 of the video bites were up and tweeted by a leisurely 6pm.  As well as tweeting them individually they were playlisted in YouTube as and drawn into  Storify.



Lessons learnt?  Don't leave home with a decent mic and portable light.  Downloading the clips via USB and trimming in a laptop is the most sensible route to go.  Maybe it might work better with an iPad and editing in iMovie.  Tomorrow we'll give it a go.  I have my doubts about the ergonomics of shooting with the iPad and Filmic Pro is not full screen on the iPad.  But it will be interesting to compare with today's experience.

Working with SoundCloud

It's possible to work collaboartively with SoundCloud.  You can embed some code into a webpage that allows people to submit audio recordings to your account.

The Code results in this widget.

Send me your sounds

People clicking on the widget will get a display like the one above and be able to upload any file to that particular account.

Collecting, collaborating and sharing.

Using Jot Form and drop box to collect files.

I have been experimenting with a way to have a remote drop box. Here's a way of using the DropBox service to achieve this.  I have set up an account with Jotform.   Jot Form will provide a range of ways to link and embed the code.  The embed code worked but fails to show the form in Blogger's Preview.  It's better to use the iframe code. This one should display in Preview in Blogger.



The last one is as a link to a pop up.

Send a File

There. How useful is that!

OK I have just tested it. The describe field is sent as a separate pdf. A folder is created with the names entered. All are placed in a folder called Jot Form. Impressive. Now I'm going to edit the form. Will it update? YES it does. So the embed is 'live'.

The process seems to mash, at least in the browser, the text's formatting. PDF is the way to go.

Within Drop Box you can share the 'send a file' folder so that just that folder appears on collaborators Drop Box accounts.

Jot Form will permit the sending of zipped folders, multiple files and .movs.

Quite neat.

Writing outlines -

Take time to map the plot first makes sense.

Sometime the easiest route is not the most direct one.  When writing scripts the usual approach once you have an idea is to write it out.  Starting at the beginning and writing to the end.  Last week a number of the students I work with proposed projects that would require some scripting.   My advice is always to write an outline first, then write the script.  There are excellent examples of writers who don't use this approach.  Stephen King is a prime example. In his excellent autobiography ('On writing') he details his writing process.  He essentially writes his stories from start to finish.  Then there is a reviewing and feedback process. But if you are not a talented writers it's still possible to write a usable script for a short film or media project.

The starting point for this should be an outline.  It's often quicker in the long run because you are far less likely to paint yourself into a corner and create an idea you are struck on but can't finish.  Otherwise time is wasted trying to fix what never worked while at the same time avoiding re writing the bulk of the script. This only serves to make things HARDER.  It's not unusual that there is a time pressure too.  You'll feel that it's too late to start again after all the work that already been done.




Writing the outline


You don't need a computer or the internet.  Just a sheet of paper, a pen and a little peace and quiet.

1. Write a series of action points listing what we will see in the order that we will see them.  Avoid writing dialogue and description, focus on what happens.

2. Where the action moves location organise these points into scenes.  List internal or external, the location and the time of day.

3. Add a third line that says what the point of the scene is in relation to the story.
From this simple list you can then start building an idea of:

• the shape or 'structure' - how does the plot develop?  Is the story told in the best order?
• whose POV is the story told from?  Is this the best one to use to tell the story?
• what might the underlying theme be? Can you develop the theme or topic more?
• is the visual aspect as strong as it can be?
• the audio aspect (sound design) as strong as it can be?
• what is the overall style of the project?
• what is the genre of the project?
• what is the duration of the project?
• what is the scope/scale of the project.  Is it too complicated?  Can you achieve it satisfactorily?

An outline is easy to share and your creative thinking will benefit as you express your idea to others.  They can then either collaborate or feedback on your ideas at an early stage.

Outlines are a good antidote for procrastination!  Starting can be hard to do for a range of reasons, not least fear of failing or being disappointed with the end product.  Knowing where you're going will add  confidence in the eventual outcome.

Outlines make it easier to plan and manage a project and make the deadline.