Once our group for the EDLD 5363 was finalized, our PSA collaboration went rather smoothly. We each took at least two jobs and dove into the PSA. Never once did any member fall short of the expectations. Stacey Thompson and I met via Toxbox to go over pre-production. Patty Odom could not make our web conference due to having to work late. Stacey and I were able to analyze our preliminaries. We then all three discussed via email our expectations. On the wiki I created, we were able to easily update sections and create script, shot lists, and narration. When Patty finished the script while being the director, I was then able to create the shot list. After all the shots were recorded using my family as the talent, I converted the shots to compressed .wmv files since she was using MovieMaker. I then uploaded onto Adrive (an online storage site) and gave Stacey the username and password I created for this assignment. Since I compressed the files, Stacey was able to download the files with ease. Once Stacey finished editing the movie and adding narration, my husband lent his voice for the eighteen seconds of narration. I created a Creative Commons license and shared with the team. We went with a license that states, “Chatting with Kids About Being Online by Leanne Knight, Patty Odom, and Stacey Thompson is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommerical-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License.” Stacey edited the video with the appropriate license. I posted the video onto YouTube.
During this entire process, the group kept up with editing the wiki and Patty updated our email discussions to the wiki. All in all, I could not have asked for a better team. We seemed to all be driven individuals who appreciated each other’s strengths. We also accepted any and all suggestions. I was pleasantly surprised with the professionalism exhibited by my group.
Saturday, September 25, 2010
Friday, September 3, 2010
Movie Maker vs. Adobe Premiere Elements
Movie Maker and Adobe Premiere Elements are wonderful pieces of video editing software. How does one choose?
Movie Maker is such a wonderful tool for novice video editors. As you enter the software the left task pane generously guides the user. Each time I have used this software and also when I have trained people on its usage, I take them through steps one through three on the task pane.
Users simply go through the first steps whether they need to bring in their video from a camera or if they already have the video in file format for use on their computer or network. It is recommended to have the videos saved to the hard drive of the computer since Movie Maker has trouble locating extension through networks. The software appreciates files on the C drive and also if it is saved on the C drive it makes it easier to save the project file for use at another computer. The first step also allows for importing audio and photos. Drag and drop videos, photos, and audio onto the storyboard/timeline.
In step two the user can edit the movie. It easily adds effects, transitions, and adding titles and credits. This is the pizzazz step. This helps to make a movie more interesting for the viewer.
Also in this step, if you are familiar with the software, you can effortlessly cut videos in the timeline area. You can also easily move your photos and videos around in storyboard. You can save at any point but it will be a project file. You don’t receive a movie extension (AKA: wmv) until you complete step three.
Stop three is for the final movie. In this step it is helpful to know the purpose of the movie. Will this be posted on a webpage needing a smaller compressed file or will this be created into a DVD for higher quality playback? I usually first make one for high quality playback so I can ensure that the movie is correctly edited. If it is up to standards, then I will go back to the project file and save an additional compressed file taking in mind the final destination.
Problems I have encountered with Movie Maker is that many times videos will have a codex that is required for the video to be edited but the software does not guide you with how to find the codex. I have had to use professional software to convert simple videos that did not correlate with the file extensions Movie Maker allows. Also, if the user moves the original movie files Movie Maker will give a large red “X” until the user relocates the videos in the software. In other words, it does not automatically import the video but just uses a file association. Large files slow the computer down while editing and may cause a computer to crash.
Adobe Premiere Elements is also a wonderful tool but does require a purchase after the free trial is over for further use. To purchase just Elements is a total of $79 while on sale and regularly $99. For someone who works with videos more frequently, they may just want to purchase this software.
I found Adobe Premiere Elements a wonderful tool. Having used Movie Maker first, made the transition of learning Elements easier. It did not have the steps in a task pane but still had an easy to use platform. I tried importing many different files with a variety of file extensions. Adobe Elements allowed more than Movie Maker which was a special treat. The first step when using Adobe Premiere Elements was choosing whether new project, open project, or capture a video from an external source. I also like that at this point it has tutorials provided. After choosing new project it quickly takes the user to the “save” feature which might be confusing for a novice. They could easily rush through this important step and not know here they are saving their project.
For me it was easier to use the icons that searching through the file menu. The interface was not as simple to use as Movie Maker, once the user figures out where the buttons are to get started they will enjoy Adobe Premiere Elements. Once video, photos, and audio are imported and drug to the timeline, it looks very similar to Movie Maker but with more options.
As with both pieces of software, editing was a breeze. I never had to worry about my computer crashing or the software freezing while using Adobe Premiere Elements. I also found I did not get as annoyed with lag time while using the Adobe software.
I learned you get what you pay for. If you are a novice that only needs to edit videos on a basic level, use Movie Maker. But, if you are going to use a large number of videos, photos, and audio, you will want to really consider Adobe Premiere Elements just for the simple fact you will have more freedom with the software and less frustration.
With students you could use either software. Garrison wrote, “Whatever you do not know about the equipment can probably be figured out by your students.” So the user should not fear using either software. Someone in their class could help them figure it out. Our students can “tinker” and figure out what might take us, the Digital Immigrant, much longer to figure out. So, when in doubt or stuck, ask your Digital Native. They can figure it out.
Garrison, A. (1999, Winter). Video basics and production projects for the classroom. Center for Media Literacy. Retrieved April 6, 2009, from http://www.medialit.org/reading_room/article3.html
Movie Maker is such a wonderful tool for novice video editors. As you enter the software the left task pane generously guides the user. Each time I have used this software and also when I have trained people on its usage, I take them through steps one through three on the task pane.
Users simply go through the first steps whether they need to bring in their video from a camera or if they already have the video in file format for use on their computer or network. It is recommended to have the videos saved to the hard drive of the computer since Movie Maker has trouble locating extension through networks. The software appreciates files on the C drive and also if it is saved on the C drive it makes it easier to save the project file for use at another computer. The first step also allows for importing audio and photos. Drag and drop videos, photos, and audio onto the storyboard/timeline.
In step two the user can edit the movie. It easily adds effects, transitions, and adding titles and credits. This is the pizzazz step. This helps to make a movie more interesting for the viewer.
Also in this step, if you are familiar with the software, you can effortlessly cut videos in the timeline area. You can also easily move your photos and videos around in storyboard. You can save at any point but it will be a project file. You don’t receive a movie extension (AKA: wmv) until you complete step three.
Stop three is for the final movie. In this step it is helpful to know the purpose of the movie. Will this be posted on a webpage needing a smaller compressed file or will this be created into a DVD for higher quality playback? I usually first make one for high quality playback so I can ensure that the movie is correctly edited. If it is up to standards, then I will go back to the project file and save an additional compressed file taking in mind the final destination.
Problems I have encountered with Movie Maker is that many times videos will have a codex that is required for the video to be edited but the software does not guide you with how to find the codex. I have had to use professional software to convert simple videos that did not correlate with the file extensions Movie Maker allows. Also, if the user moves the original movie files Movie Maker will give a large red “X” until the user relocates the videos in the software. In other words, it does not automatically import the video but just uses a file association. Large files slow the computer down while editing and may cause a computer to crash.
Adobe Premiere Elements is also a wonderful tool but does require a purchase after the free trial is over for further use. To purchase just Elements is a total of $79 while on sale and regularly $99. For someone who works with videos more frequently, they may just want to purchase this software.
I found Adobe Premiere Elements a wonderful tool. Having used Movie Maker first, made the transition of learning Elements easier. It did not have the steps in a task pane but still had an easy to use platform. I tried importing many different files with a variety of file extensions. Adobe Elements allowed more than Movie Maker which was a special treat. The first step when using Adobe Premiere Elements was choosing whether new project, open project, or capture a video from an external source. I also like that at this point it has tutorials provided. After choosing new project it quickly takes the user to the “save” feature which might be confusing for a novice. They could easily rush through this important step and not know here they are saving their project.
For me it was easier to use the icons that searching through the file menu. The interface was not as simple to use as Movie Maker, once the user figures out where the buttons are to get started they will enjoy Adobe Premiere Elements. Once video, photos, and audio are imported and drug to the timeline, it looks very similar to Movie Maker but with more options.
As with both pieces of software, editing was a breeze. I never had to worry about my computer crashing or the software freezing while using Adobe Premiere Elements. I also found I did not get as annoyed with lag time while using the Adobe software.
I learned you get what you pay for. If you are a novice that only needs to edit videos on a basic level, use Movie Maker. But, if you are going to use a large number of videos, photos, and audio, you will want to really consider Adobe Premiere Elements just for the simple fact you will have more freedom with the software and less frustration.
With students you could use either software. Garrison wrote, “Whatever you do not know about the equipment can probably be figured out by your students.” So the user should not fear using either software. Someone in their class could help them figure it out. Our students can “tinker” and figure out what might take us, the Digital Immigrant, much longer to figure out. So, when in doubt or stuck, ask your Digital Native. They can figure it out.
Garrison, A. (1999, Winter). Video basics and production projects for the classroom. Center for Media Literacy. Retrieved April 6, 2009, from http://www.medialit.org/reading_room/article3.html
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