Recording

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Recording both images and audio is a valuable set of skills for any researching academic. We have covered screen capture and other forms of recording from digital devices in the Quotation section. Here we want to set out some of the basics for recording live action, sound and communication from the world around us.

Basic filming techniques can be learned relatively quickly, but to make a film that reaches an audience and communicates or captures something in powerful and unique ways usually takes a lot of work and practice. Do not be surprised if your early efforts sit lonely on YouTube with a few dozen views. We are not in academic research to be popular. I recently came across a series of films made by Justin Ascott, a researcher at Norwich University of the Arts. Many of these films had not received many views but the quality of them was unmistakable. The work of Ascott is a very good example of the potential range for using video by academics. Both as a mode for disseminating ideas but also for provoking questions related to research in imaginative and innovative ways.

The space available here does not allow for a detailed course in digital film making. I will however point out some basic instructional materials and tools available.

Online Tutorials

  1. Center for Digital Storytelling Tutorial for iMovie5 (PDF) (Macintosh OS X)
  2. Online tutorial for MovieMaker2 (Windows XP)
  3. Online tutorial for PhotoStory (Windows XP)
    University of Houston tutorial for PhotoStory
  4. Online tutorial for Audacity
    University of South Florida’s Tech-Ease Audacity Video Tutorials
    Updated tutorials for Audacity (audio editing)
  5. Apple iLife online tutorials
  6. Nipissing University MovieMaker2 Tutorial
  7. Digital Storytelling: A Tutorial in 10 Easy Steps

Tools

O/S= Open Source software – S/W=Share Ware software
Trial Versions: T= # (free trial days)

Software-Macintosh OS X

Web 2.0

Software-Windows XP

iOS Devices

(iPhone 3GS/4, iPad, iPodTouch4G)

Hardware
Script Editor any word processor Google Docs any word processor any text editor, Google Docs
Audio Editors Audacity O/S
SoundStudio ($50) T=14 days		 MynaRecord MP3 Audacity O/S
Audio Record Wizard ($25 S/W)		 AudioBoo, Voice Memos Microphone + Mixer
OR USB Microphone
Image Editors iPhoto*
GIMP (O/S)
Graphic Converter ($30 S/W)
Photoshop Elements ($100) T= 30 days		 Aviary Tools GIMP (O/S)
HP Image Zone Express
Graphic Converter ($20 S/W)
Photoshop Elements ($100)** T= 30 days		 Adobe PS Express Digital still camera
or Scanner
Video Editors iLife Tools: iMovieHD & iPhoto*
*Bundled free with new hardware or OS, $49 upgrade
iMovie6HD
Photo To Movie ($50) T= watermarkPro Tools:
Final Cut Express ($$)
Final Cut Pro ($$$$)		 Screenr
Animoto
VoiceThread
PreziStupeflix
YouTube Editor		 Microsoft MovieMaker2 (XP)†
Microsoft Plus! PhotoStory3††
Slide Show Movie Maker
Photo to Movie ($30) T= watermark
Pinnacle Studio ($80-$99) T= 15 days
Ulead VideoStudio ($100) T= 30 days
Adobe Premiere Elements ($100)** T= 30 days
**Adobe Photoshop Elements and Premiere Elements bundled price $150		 Storyrobe, ReelDirector (all iOS devices)iMovie, Splice
(iPad 2&3, iPhone 4, iPodTouch4G only)Avid Studio
(iPad only)		 Digital video camera
(optional)

Avidemux is a free, cross-platform video editor
Virtual Dub is a free video tool for basic editing and encoding, including batch processing, mainly geared to AVI files. It lacks the editing power of a general-purpose editor such as Adobe Premiere, but is streamlined for fast linear operations over video.
Below are some weblinks to help you teach yourself to use a few of these tools:
†Online tutorial for MovieMaker2
††Online tutorial for PhotoStory

Audio

Publishing Your Videos

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