Commercials vs. Other Video

I was thinking today that commercials and the videos we did for class are not that different. Look at the Old Spice commercial (the one that made the actor famous), they use lots of changing scenery. The creator appealed to the younger audience (and females with the partial male nuity) by accepting the fact that we have short attention spans and then creating something we will actually pay attention to. It is nothing short than genius. I wish I would have applied this technique to my video...I think it would have been stronger becuase of it. I think the key to creating anything is to keep your audience in mind and be creative and imaginative.

Car Crashes and Google Maps---Do They Mix?

I thought I would use this article as an example of multimedia becuase what happens to photos that do not have a good (or any) picture to go with it? Do you....

• Use a Google maps picture of the general area,? 
• Get a picture of the area (even though nothing is going on in the photo)? 
• Or simply not use a photo at all?

There is no easy answer I think becuase all stories are different. I would say use Google maps only if the area is not well known. What do you guys think?

J-Factor

Here is a video that Keisha, Antonio and I completed together about the J-Factor event that occurred on campus earlier this month. Please give us feedback and any suggestions on where we could improve!

UFO's Beware!

I though for once that I would give a good example of multimedia. I think I will go as far to say that YouTube is an excellent source for multimedia becuase anyone can pose here, whether it is a teenager or a professional. This video is very dry (can't they make it more fun to watch?!) but it gives the information has has very interesting footage.

Excellent use of picture

This article is a wonderful example of the best way to use pictures. The picture is effective becuase it is dynamic, it is not just another face, it uses a two-in-one shot (front and side) and the side shot has the girl facing the text. This picture is wonderful. I wish there was a caption, but other than that this is one of the most effective pictures I have ever seen.

Location, location, location

I think this video demonstrates that the location of the video is important. Not only for safety, but for lighting and other aspects. The time of day you are shooting and other such factors. Setting up lights or even filming things beforehand may be essential to make the video look good. Always try to plan ahead.

Fast Recovery

I think it is essential to keep live broadcasting in mind when we think of multimedia. For the purposes of this class we can plan a month ahead of time. we can edit the video, put music behind it, and otherwise make it look very professional. We don't have to do on the spot voice-overs like a television station will often have to do for short clips. But if you had to do it, do you think you would be able to do it effectively? This video shows us that it is harder than it looks and a lot of television stations make it look easy, but they do mess up once in a while.

9 & 10 News: Benefits On-Site Fleet Fueling

I thought this video was not too bad. The major problem I had with this video was the voice over. The person doing it was horrible. She over-pronounced everything and the sounds of her voice grated on my nerves. I think she was trying too hard becuase right at the end she sounded normal again. But the fact that she did a complete voice over and I never see her led me to believe she was not on site and thus made me wonder if the video was authentic/factual. Also, what school district is she talking about? Marion? She never directly says the school district.

Getting the Shot

No matter how hard you try to get an awesome shot, sometimes the fates are not in your favor. Take this video for instance. These news anchors knew it was going down and they still missed it by cutting away for five seconds. What they did not realize then, is that this is just as newsworthy. I think people like it when TV anchors screw up once in a while-it shows that they are people just like us. I think this clip was humorous. While it was not what they intended, it still gained the viewers attention.

Aircraft Takeoff

I like this video becuase it shows people what an aircraft takeoff it like. I don't know anything about this, but the video gave me all the information I wanted to know, granted I didn't want to know a lot. However, after watching this I think I have a new appreciation for it.

Police Chase!

I think the camera in police cars are a wonderful way to gain perspective on situations and it helps the police know that their every move is being recorded. I think is video is good (even though I wish there was sound) becuase it adds to the story that the text tells us.

Facebook Fails

There are many types of multimedia. This includes Facebook becuase the users become the journalists. By posting pictures and video and other information they are telling a story. While I can talk about how many of them succeed, I choose to show you how several have failed. I hope you enjoy how silly people can really be and how they really should know better. One of the best ways to learn is by looking at others mistakes (besides, everyone needs a good laugh now and then).

FSU Students Enjoying Their Free Time

While RSOs and the classroom provide a valuable experience, sometimes students simply need to get out of their rooms.

These FSU students show that there are numerous ways to get involved on campus, make some friends (or simply hang out with old ones) and have some fun.

From playing volleyball to Dungeons and Dragons, FSU students exhibit enthusiasm for the activities they care about.

The FSU housing office would like you to enjoy this short video about some FSU students who are enjoying their free time and resting up after all the fun!

Dirt Bike Hits Woman

I am not sure what to think of this video or why it was posted on youtube (originally). What is the purpose? Why did the news this clip? The motivation is not clear. And the news was a bit biased but that is a different story.

Is video shot from a person doing something effective? We see them all he time in cop cars (when someone is getting arrested). Is the shakiness or awkward angle effective because it is from a different angle or viewpoint? Is it worth the drop in quality (if you had a choice int he matter)?

The Lazy RA Song!

This is what I want to do with my video. I don't think I can sing as well as Selena though. Maybe I can use a pre-recorded song? At any rate this video was done by the RA's in Merrill/Travis Hall at Ferris State University. I thought they did I good job with this and we can learn a lot about how to make a video that people in our generation would want to watch.

Comments

I am wondering why no one has been commenting on any of my posts lately. Is the ENGL 417 class asleep?

Promotional Video

This video about FSU Wallyball is along the lines of what I would like to do with my video. My video will be a housing promotional video. It will focus on getting kids to stay on campus by showing them all the cool  things they can do here...on their own time! Any ideas on how I can make my video awesome?

Creative Thinking

Now I know most of us have probably seen the Old Spice commercials, but I think it is important to come up with ideas for our videos by looking at examples of other videos/commercials that have been successful. I am not skilled enough to do the special effects they did in this commercial, but that does not mean I can't look for inspiration or at how they did the voice, wording, pace...Has anyone come up with any special effects they would like to do in there video if they knew how to do it?

Video Ideas

Okay. The topic for my online story is, "What FSU students do when they have free time." I was wondering if any of you had ideas of video I can shoot. I already have...

• Pick-up football.
• Dodgeball.
• Vollyball.
• D&D (Dungeons and Dragons).

Does anyone have suggestions of other video content I can include in my video? What do you guys do when you have free time? Thank you very much!

Blog Design

Well it only took me a month, but I finally figured out how to do a nice template and background for my blog! I love it! I guess if you just keep at it you can learn a lot of things....

Social Media

I got to thinking today and an interesting question popped into my head. Do social media sites such as Facebook, Twitter, Myspace (haha) and others count as multimedia journalism? ABC news has a Facebook page and I follow the Big Rapids Pioneer and Kilwins on Facebook.

If this does count as multimedia journalism, how can it be used effectively? How much is too much and should you always try to steer them to the businesses actual website? Is there a "This is how you use Facebook as multimedia" handbook?

Just for laughs

I saw this and thought it was very funny. News should be serious, but they should also know how to laugh at themselves from time to time. Enjoy this video of clips when television anchors mess up on camera.

Good example of a video

I know this 20/20 video is done by professionals, but I like there style. The only thing I did not like about it was the phone call audio becuase you can't hear what the caller is saying. Otherwise I think there were creative with how they managed to get all the footage, and I am assuming most people (besides those getting interviewed) did not know they were getting filmed. They did manage to get some great footage of people's reactions though.

Photo Story 3 Example (I did this freshman year)

PDA - Public Displays of Affection

I find this subject to be very interesting. How much PDA is too much and is there a clearly defined line? I know where my stance on the subject is, but I would like to know how YOU feel about the subject.

Think about Ferris State University, do students cross the line or do they keep it respectful? Have you experienced this in your own life?

I am in a relationship and my boyfriend and I have a high PDA. Some of our friends can't stand to be around us sometimes while others seem not to care. We try to be respectful, but there is no clear cut rule for this. What do you think of these articles and how do you think this affects your life?

I found two links that you may enjoy. One is a New York Times article and the other is from examiner.com.

A video that can be improved - Annual MLK March (Jan. 14, 2007)

http://www.ferris.edu/news/week/video/MLK07/

Here is one video I did not like. This video would have been a lot better it it had been a voice-over instead of a little box of a person talking cutting off my view of the people marching/walking. His voice was also too loud, now that may have been my computer, but I don't think so. Also, why were the interviews not taken on the spot? The clip was boring becuase it just showed people walking...pull people aside, ask them questions as they walk by...make it interesting. My last point is that the video was too long. I started daydreaming within a minute or less. Shorter videos are usually the best policy.

Video of 9/11 first responders triumph over tragedy

http://www.cbsnews.com/video/

Here is a video I thought was done extremely well. (Sorry about the advertisement at the beginning, I hate those). They used a voice-over to give the information, but people to tell the story. The camera shots were done nicely, it looks very professional-which it probably was. I like the text boxes at the bottom (I want to do that for my video if I can)becuase they give information you may not want spoken or shown in the video. I found the tone of the video to be inspiring. It did not stay on one clip too long, it was short, and it keep me interested.

Cursive Writing-The End!

Is anyone really upset about the end of cursive writing?

I’m not. Cursive writing was hard for me to learn, and besides signing my name once in a while, I don’t use it.

I have never been able to read cursive, only print. Thank goodness I have not run across a teacher who writes in cursive!

A few of my friends take notes in cursive, but most of them do not. Most people I have talked to say that while they learned it in school, they never used it outside of middle school.

Schools are arguing that keyboard skills are more important for students to learn. I agree. Everything is heading towards computers and students need to be able to roll with the times.

But was the decision to take cursive writing off the curriculum based on the fact that it’s outdated, or that it is not on a standardized test? It’s called teaching to the test.

To be fair, cursive writing may teach fine motor skills and other beneficial traits, but is it something that you can only get by learning cursive writing? No, that is why art exists.

What about knowing how to sign your signature? I learned how to sign my name that way…and it’s the only thing I can write in cursive.

My advice to young students is to learn how to write your name as messy as you can make it and there is your signature! People won’t know the difference and you may even be mistaken for a doctor!

Handwriting is not going away, it is simply be reevaluated and the outdated material is simply being taken off the syllabus.

It’s about time.

Yahoo Board Fires Chief Executive!

Here is a New York Times article.Following the link is my review of the article and the way multimedia was used in order to grab reader's attention.

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/09/07/technology/carol-bartz-yahoos-chief-executive-is-fired.html?_r=1&ref=technology

I believe this article was written with a bias. That is the general impression I got from reading this article. This article had a picture, but it was just a simple mug shot. I think a larger picture would have served the story's purpose better. I want to be able to see the person I am reading about, not squinting at my computer trying to make out a face.

Another point I would like to make while I am tearing this article to shreds is: Why not use graphics? It is online, it should be easy to piece together a graphic in order to show the statistics they are discussing. I was bored after the first seven paragraphs because there was nothing visual to draw my eye.

Overall it was a fine well-written article, but it could have been made much better. By using a larger picture, a graphic, and maybe even a video, this story could have been exceptional instead of the boring drywall it felt like towards the end.

Dan O'Day's Amazing Bad Commercial Generator TM

NOTE: This was created by using Dan O'Day's Amazing Bad Commercial Generator. Commercials can't get much worse than this!Enjoy!

Listen up, now!

It's Used Stargate season! And Mary's is your Used Stargate headquarters!

Are you tired of being ripped off by our good-for-nothing competitors?

Then call us today at 555-555-5555!

Yes, it's the sale you've been waiting for at Mary's, where you'll find savings throughout the store.

So for all your Used Stargate needs, call us at 555-555-5555!

This desperate plea for money is illegal in every state except Mississippi and Utah, and you won't believe our convenient location!

Yes, you've got us where you want us, because we've got to get rid of this crap before the auditors discover our two sets of books.

So hurry on down to Mary's, where we haven't had an employee freak out and shoot innocent customers for over 2 months and with prices so low, you know we're laundering money!

So call now at 555-555-5555. That's Mary's. 555-555-5555.

And remember our motto, "All sales are final!"

That number once again is 555-555-5555! That's 555-555-5555! 555-555-5555!

Ramblings about social class

What do you think of when you hear the term “class?”

Do you think of a senior class in college or high school? Do you think of a classroom with students glancing at the clock? Or do you think of social class and the stigmas that are associated with it?

I am taking about social class. Specifically, the lower class who are on the poverty line and struggling to find ends meet.

There are many families who are struggling everyday to survive. Not live, not thrive, survive.

What about the people who do not have a family to support them? What about the struggling college student who has no family to support them through college?

I am not as alone as I could be. I have friends who are loyal, a boyfriend who will stand by my side no matter what, and grandparents who will always let me crash in their guest room on holidays.

What about students who don’t have that support system? No family to guide them? Trying to work your way through school is hard, I would know.

Do you think the government helps students survive? With the pending cuts of the bridge cars I would have to say that they are being more of a nuisance than a help. I personally do not use a bridge card, but what about those that do rely on it?

In a sad way, I am glad that they are people out there who are worse off than me. It makes me feel that I am not that bad off and that I am strong enough to get through anything I put my mind to.

Maybe we can’t really understand someone’s situation unless we have been in a similar situation ourselves.

I get irritated when I hear a middle class student talk about how hard his life has been because no one liked him in high school or he hates his sibling. Your life is that hard huh? Talk to me when you are hungry and have no money. Or when you worry about paying off student loans, oh right, Mommy and Daddy and paying for you to get C’s in your classes.

Take the time to appreciate what you have and sympathize with others you do not have the means you do. But don’t give them you pity. We hate that.

Chewing gum is annoying

Num, num, num, chomp, chomp, chomp, squish, squish, squish…..and then the screaming begins.

Chewing gum is popular and has been for a long time. I get it. It gives people something to do with their mouths and they are satisfied with the unique flavor of collected saliva and dead tissue.

Not so bad. Look around you in the classroom, in the dining halls, movie theater, anywhere you go you will see people chewing gum. Everyone, your grandparents, parents, siblings, and classmates are chewing.

Why? What is so important about this tiny strip of chewable, flavored, irritating piece of food?

It can give people something to focus on when they are bored. It helps people stop bad habits like smoking, or biting their nails, and gets them hooked on another habit!

Look around you, what do you see? A bunch of people chewing gum, most with their mouths open chewing as hard as they can and attempting to outdo each other when it comes to noise.

Pop! There goes another bubble. In class during a test! What is wrong with this picture?

Are we not already rude enough by texting during a verbal conversation or IMing when we are talking on the phone to a different person? We have to add auditory annoyance to the mix?

Personally, I think gum chewing is perfectly fine, when it is done discreetly and with sensitivity others nearby.
I ask, nay, plead with you to be respectful to those around you and either put the gum away, or let it be neither seen nor heard!