Creating Multimedia: Advanced Level
QuickTime (works on both Apple and Window machines) allows the user to generate the input, whether video and/or audio, rather than select from prepared materials...
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QuickTime (works on both Apple and Window machines) allows the user to generate the input, whether video and/or audio, rather than select from prepared materials. In most cases, all you need is a video capture board and a camera (and input&output connectors). Productions, of course, can range from simple to complex (positioned in this library between beginning and advanced levels).
Adobe's Premiere (for video) and Flash are two of the more comprehensive software platforms for creating multimedia productions. For projects involving animation, sound and interactivity almost all of the work can be completed within Flash. Adobe offers a complete line of products for authoring Web sites and multi-media presentations, a common activity for various school projects.
CoolType offers simple tips for enhancing Adobe images.
PrimaryAccess, designed for social studies, uses the student's script as the timeless. It can display video output without delay. Primary source documents can be selected and then arranged to create a sequenced narrative which can be projected via a computer projector.
To create 3-D or animation displays try Cool 3D Production Studio. While 3D is widely in professions, such as medicine, 7-12 graders can replicate an historical building or eye movements. It is important to distinguish between goofy and educationally relevant animations. Other software described and facilitate animations but lack the realism of 3D.
Another very robust yet inexpensive tool for 3-D animation is Animation Master from Hash. It's highly recommended by our Webmaster for both budding animators and for teaching the basics of computer animation. The "I Will Survive" space alien video (you've probably seen it) was created by Victor Navone using Animation Master. Check out Victor's site to view the video and learn how it was created.
Antics 3D is an animation tool that uses a video game animation engine to allow non-techies to create animations with buildings, props, sound, and interacting characters. While the cost is more than most school budgets can handle, they do provide a free 21-day trial. Their web site shows one of the ways animation will be done in the future and is worth checking out.
Sharing your videos is easy now with sites like YouTube. Other options include MotionBox, which supports online digital video editing. Your local school district network, PBS station, or Cable TV public access channel are all possibilities for displaying or distributing student works.
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Many computers now come built in with the capability to edit video and create DVD's. The best advice is to "just do it". Some of the first attempts may not be "Oscar quality", but things will improve with time.
Please note that these advanced tools may carry advanced price tags. These tools require a significant time commitment and maybe even the services of a mentor.
