EDIT 556 - A video tutorial with captions

I used Camtasia to create an online video tutorial for Google Docs, specifically for documents, spreadsheets, and presentations. In order to get the flow right, I had to write a script that I could follow while I did my screen clicks. Just like a movie, I did take after take to get the presentation right. It was easier to get it all right in one take versus editing the short pieces together. I added zooming in certain parts to help the user "see" what I was doing. I realized after inserting the captions that I chopped up my footage to the point where I couldn't continue my effects on my clips. I did not figure out how to merge my clips to get around it.

EDIT 540 Wiki

The wiki houses all of my projects for the class. I had fun learning about educational and performance visuals. I look at advertisements, graphics, and websites in a whole different way using the principles I learned in Linda Lohr's book, Creating Graphics for Learning and Performance: Lessons in Visual Literacy.

EDIT 540 Wiki - here is the main student page

My Web Activities - Chapters 1 - 11

My Challenge Activities - Chapters 1 - 11

I used Adobe Illustrator to create all of my web and challenge activities for the class. I feel like I am only just beginning to understand how to use Illustrator from the projects I created and playing around with all of the functions.

Cal State LA - New classes

Started two new classes - EDIT 540 and EDIT 556.

California Wine: Then & Now

Setting up for the Interview Video

EDIT 554 - Video Project #2

The project is a video interview with sommelier, Tim Robertson. I used to hate to drink wine or even think about wine, but after a few wine tastings I changed my mind. I have come to appreciate wine and wine culture. The video is just a short introduction to wine through a sommelier's eyes and nose.

EDIT 554 - Video Project & Narration #1

The first project in EDIT 554 required us to record a narration with video or pictures. I choose Shakespeare's sonnet 18 for my project. I used photos and videos from San Francisco and Zion National Park in Utah. The guitar music that plays throughout the video was performed and recorded by me.

EDIT 554 - Video Technology Class

Here is my set up for the 1st project. I bought a USB microphone from Guitar Center, so I could do some high quality recording, both voice and musical. I may need to dampen the materials around the microphone to get the sound I want for the narration. I have a screen so the p's won't pop in the condenser mic.

I tried using Audacity with this microphone with very poor results. During each talking part, i could hear what sounded like tape hiss. Once I started recording in Garageband, it went away completely. In addition, I can record multiple tracks and import them into iMovie without having to separate all my tracks out into iMovie.

There are three steps I want to do for this project. One, find and record a poem about clouds or nature. Two, I want to record an original composition to add an undertone to the narration. Three, I will add some short video and pictures of clouds that I have taken over the last 2 years.

Once I have all of those parts together, I can add the title screen. The video needs to be around 30 - 45 seconds in length. I am shooting for about 40 seconds of narration. The fade in and fade outs will add a second or two when I am finished.

Liam Jon Reed - 3/18/10

My son, Liam, was born on March 18, 2010 at 6:53pm. One of the most surreal and happiest days of my life.

On March 30th, I start a new class at Cal State LA after taking a quarter off to have my son and finish the requirements for National Board Certification.