Here’s What I Did Today:

Today my primary focus was working on my powerpoint.

Here’s Why I Did It:

I did this because I present on Wednesday, and wanted to have it fairly complete so I could focus more on completing my video.

Today, I realized I had less blogs than I should. So, I went on a hunt to figure out where they could be. Next, I began working on the powerpoint presentation I will use to present to the class. I then edited my footage a little more.

Here’s why:

Firstly, I actually wrote the blogs so I searched until I could find them. Luckily, I found a draft from two months ago that accounted for one. The other is still at large – more info to come. Then, I began the powerpoint because I present on the first day. I tried to make it as patriotic as possible by creating a color scheme of red, white, and blue, so that it tied into the theme and story of my project seamlessly. Lastly, I worked on editing my content a bit more in order to have it as complete as possible as soon as possible. This will give me more time to give the video some final tweaks if needed as the deadline draws closer.

I am also intrigued by this tool because of its versatility to work for individuals of different skill levels. On the home page there are four easy to follow steps and tips to help get started. From there, if individuals have advanced JSON skills (I have no idea what that is) they have the option to develop their time line even further. I find this great because with this model everyone is able to create a visually appealing and functional site, no matter their skill level.

Lastly, I was interested in this tool because of its ability to pull media from a number of sources. I think this will make the final timeline even more interactive, appealing, and rich in visuals and other media.

As I work on the revision, here are some of the key things I need to keep in mind and work on. I need to add in the sound elements to my video as well as add a transition and end credits. I need to make these to overall enhance the flow of my project, make it much more entertaining, and to add credibility. These changes are definitely able to be made before the next due date.

Today I didn’t do much other than search for the specific audio clips I want to include in my remix video. I wound up finding one of the Star Spangled Banner, one of God Save the Queen, and another of a remix of Lana Del Rey’s song, National Anthem.

Here’s why:

I chose an original version of the Star Spangled Banner, as it is the topic of my remix and I want to make it fade in loudly as an outro for the video. I chose and downloaded God Save the Queen (aka My County Tis’ of The) as it is noted as one of the first songs to be used as an anthem for the United State, so Franny will be talking about it in the video and I thought including it would be fitting. Lastly, I chose a remix of Lana Del Rey’s song National Anthem because I’m subscribed to numerous vlogs on YouTube, which I’ve noticed have been using cool remixes of song as intros lately. I thought it would be a fun spin on the content of the video and would also help me achieve my goal of presenting the story in a modern context, so I plan on including it in the video.

Today I began preparing for the filming process by creating a backdrop and deciding what method I was going to use to film my video. I then worked on compiling a final list of sources that I plan on using in my presentation. Lastly, I decided that I would use powerpoint as my means for presenting the finished project.

Here’s why I did it.

I went ahead a set up the backdrop so the filming process wold move even more smoothly and in order to be sure that my video was the best quality possible. I also decided to go with my iphone for filming because the quality is better than my digital camera. However, this is subject to change if I find that I am not pleased with the results when I begin to film. I then compiled the final list of sources to easily be able to reference them as needed and to transfer them easily to a credits reel in my video. Lastly, I chose powerpoint as my way of presenting my project because I’ve used it in the past and find it to be an efficient way to present with little to no complications that I’ve faced using the other two options.

Documentation Plan

I plan to add documentation to my work by adding a credits reel at the end of my video. I chose this way because it fits nicely with the medium. Additionally, I plan to provide the credits in the about bar on the youtube page, as its similar to what most vloggers do and would make the project seem even more authentic.

Today I focused primarily on working out my storyboard even further. I added where I would include the video clip and image I wanted to add in as well as made note of intro and exit music I wanted to fade in and out. Lastly, I laid out the story in the order I wanted to tell it, which was essentially chronologically.

Here is why I did it:

I noted the specific video clip and image I wish to include in my video in order to be certain I didn’t leave it out. I made not of the music for the same reason, and to make the editing process go more smoothly. Lastly, I chose the order I wanted to present the story as chronological in order to make the story easy to follow, however, due to the fact it is a vlog, Francis goes off on a few tangents and skips a head in the story a few times. Laying out the storyboard helped me organize these tangents to ensure they didn’t affect the understanding of the story.

I have already outline the project as well as decided on the content. So, now its time to actually create.

4/13 – 4/17: Film “Vlogs” for project.

4/18-4/22: Edit footage and have completed draft ready for peer review.

4/23-4/29: Finalize video edits, upload to YouTube, and save the  ideo to my computer for backup (and probably to a flashdrive too for good measure). Then present!

Here’s what else I did today, aside from the timeline:

I read through the lynda.com tutorial list on the course website. Although I have worked in iMovie in the past, I would by no means consider myself proficient in it. I then looked up how to import already uploaded youtube videos into iMovie. I then scoured the internet to get the specific links to the particular videos I wish to include clips of. I then searched the internet to find memes and images I want to include in my remix video. Lastly, I looked up possible audio tracks to add at different points in my remix video. Additionally, over the past week, I have outlined my project.

Here’s why I did it:

I took note of the tutorials because I am certain they will help me when I begin to edit my project. I then looked up how to import YouTube videos into iMovie because this is the area of the editing process that I am not familiar with at all. I feel like the addition of these clips will really add the the project, so I find it incredibly important that I am able to successfully include them. I began creating a specific list of videos and images/memes alike that  I wanted to include (luckily, there have been some wonderfully tragic National Anthem fails, so I had a lot of great content to work with). Lastly, I searched for audio files to add emphasis to certain parts of my remix video. Of all the YouTube video’s I’ve seen, the most enjoyable have used a combination of music, audio clips/sounds bites, as well as narration, to tell their stories. So, in turn, I wanted to try and do the same. As far as outlining the project goes, I did so, so I could jump right into filming and get to the editing process quicker because I feel it will be the most time consuming part of the project.

I decided to focus on this story because it is one of the most widely recognized pieces of American history that is still relevant today, as it is sung before every single sporting event and on most national holidays. I also chose to focus on this because it is a short piece of work and because the stories of its composition differ which would in turn give me a bit more to talk about.

I want to use a video diary or vlog like genre to remix the story. Since YouTube is a very popular and modern medium, I feel like it is a fun way to modernize and put a new spin on a classic. Essentially, Francis Scott Key (or Franny1814 on YouTube) will first an foremost be a girl. She will recount the night she wrote the anthem, giving us the real story, and will then give her commentary on famous performances of the anthem since then. Since Franny was indeed a lawyer and author/poet, you can only image how passionate she gets about this topic.

Here are some citations/sources I’ve used thus far to garner information on both Francis Scott Key and The Star Spangled Banner:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Francis_Scott_Key

http://www.nps.gov/fomc/learn/historyculture/francis-scott-key.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Star-Spangled_Banner

http://www.si.edu/encyclopedia_si/nmah/starflag.htm

http://www.history.com/news/9-things-you-may-not-know-about-the-star-spangled-banner

I feel like the characteristics of a good remix lie in using all the modes of communication with emphasis on visual, aural, and gestural. A remix that presents a story in video format is entertaining and engaging which in turn leads to an overall more communicative and visual way to tell the story. I feel like aural communication is also big part of the success of a remix because, even if the creator doesn’t use narration, the addition of a song or sound effects paired with images could be just as effective, if not more, at conveying the story’s message. I feel that a good remix features much less text, or linguistic communication, than an original story because I feel that seeing something play out, especially in this context is much more enjoyable than reading it, which is much more likely to be similar to the stories original format. I also think that a good remix comes from the modernization of a past event. I feel like its a unique take on the subject matter and really shows how the world has changed and gives fresh light to classics.

What makes a good digital story?

Of the examples I viewed, I feel that the Gay Rights Movement video was by far the best. Firstly, I found this interesting because it was very different from the others content wise in that it focused on a topic that most would not associate when they hear the word story. It also differed because in my opinion was edited much better than the others and used that facet to tell the story seamlessly The song was excellent in that it told the story perfectly without the creator having to add any additional narration. I was also impressed by the visuals used. The combination of still images and news clips that were edited together very well did a great job of tell the story in a visual manner. I felt like the text that was added during some of the video was not even necessary do to the strong communication presented by the other components or the remix. Overall, I found this remix to be effective because each of its components flowed together seamlessly and in doing so the story was able to be retold much more beautifully and sensitively than it was originally.

Stories I’m considering?