Chapters 11 & 12 The Media Production Process

From: Digital Storytelling in the Classroom by Jason Ohler

Agenda:

o Introductiono Activity: Class to get into assigned groups Rotation from stations #’s 1 through 5 (3 minutes at each station)o Conclusion: Powerpoint

Chapters 11 & 12The Media Production Process, Phases I - V

Phase I: Story Planning Involves planning documents and finalizing story content Use story maps, scripts or storyboards (see examples) Before planning out the story content, become familiar with

your digital story equipment-this may generate the flow and structure of your story (can give you ideas about how to “tell” your point of view)

Organize your resources and make sure they work (i.e. equipment)

Be aware of copyright issues and artist permission (i.e. if you are using live recordings from interviews, or downloaded media such as Music, Videos etc)

If you are producing your own artwork/music/video you are exempted from copyright issues and permissions

The planning stage needs to be effectively organized and include all the necessary steps for using resources

Main goal: Developing a logical and coherent flow of narration

Phase I: Two Types of DST Computer-Based DST: Voice-over narration/Spoken

Narrative (show clip)• Can add pictures, music or transitions to support narration• Usually combined with a series of images depicting a visual

narration but video can also be used Performance-Based Green Screen Storytelling (show

clip)• Physically present in storytelling narrative and act out story• Can “slide” in artwork behind green screen using chroma key

editing (performing the story while visuals change to support narrative)

• Techniques: Using chroma-key software editing from the computer

Link for Green Screen Editing in WMM

Phase I: Basic Processes

Phase I: Time Management If you are using Performance Based Storytelling, you

need to take into account the amount of time needed to create artwork to support your narration (exempted from copyrighting because it is your own work)

Media literacy takes a lot of time and effort, if story development processes are clearly outlined and revised, you can allocate time properly for production

Balance between polish and production (80-20 rule)

Phase I: Time Management

Phase I: Time Management

Phase II: Preproduction

1. Develop a list of all the media you require. For example: music, narration, sounds, graphics, pictures, video clips etc. – Use a story map, narrative or story board to create the

list of images, sounds and other media you plan to use. For example, you can use the Digital Storytelling Storyboard Template (www.jasonohler.com/storytelling) which is a story map that identifies places where media would be useful to support the narrative.

– Creating this list will help save lots of time and develop good planning skills!

2. Collect media identified in your list. For example: CDs, photos, movie footage, images on the internet, etc.

3. Edit your media. For example: scan photos, digitally edit photos, extract words in a song, etc.

4. Begin creating new media by creating what you do not have. For example, performance-based green screen; record performance that is needed (so that this can be edited before the next phase; Production)

Phase III: Production

1. If students have not learned how to use hardware and software in Prephase I, let them become familiar with the technology i.e. iMovie or Moviemaker

2. Edit and finalize all media pieces so they’re ready to be added to the story

3. Add the narrative or recorded performance of the story (if you have used iMovie or Moviemaker to create the narrative, this has already been completed at this step)

4. Add visual media to the narrative (pictures, scanned images, animation, video)

5. Add music, sounds, other voices (to supplement the story)6. Rough Mix is created with the mixed in audio (note: poorly

mixed audio is a common problem). Ensure the narrative is clear, the music is not conflicting with the voice recording. The visual information should be mixed well with the narrative as well as the length of the shown image.

7. Peer/Instructor Review: students show projects. This process is determined by the class size, the purpose of the story, etc.

PHASE IV POST PRODUCTION: Putting it all together

You are now ready to finalize your project!

The ultimate goal is to draw viewers into the story and hold their attention as it unfolds. While your storyboard provides the initial

decisions and elements, it is now time to mix all of the elements together in a compelling

and memorable story.

Creating a Rough and Final Cut

ROUGH CUT: The rough-cut step provides the author with a first view of the story sequence. No transitions, special effects, fine-tuning the durations, or adding music/sounds yet.

FINAL CUT: The Final Cut stage is fun and extremely creative. Titles, openings, closings, special effects, and transitions are added to your project. Add music and sound effects at the end according to your digital story plan.

Things to think about: Check for quality of sound and production. Re-

recordings may need to be done at this stage. Address any last-minute media component

needs that emerged during the critique. Work with storyboards; inserting transitions, special effects, music, ambient sounds; fine-tuning durations, sound levels; and identifying credits

Save your work so that it can be viewed using the technological programs you chose for the project. (Web or DVD)

Phase V Performance, Posting, Showing

and Distribution

Your project is finished! Hand it in to the teacher and forget about it,

like every other assignment?

Next Steps… The digital story is not fully complete until the story is told. There

are many ways to do this… …play the stories within the class and other classes within the

school… …share the stories at department, school or board meetings… …post the stories on the Web… …copy the stories onto DVDs… …encourage students to keep their stories as part of their growing

academic portfolios… …enter the digital stories into student created media contests…

Handing in the project is not enough…

“An untold story is an incomplete story.”

Let’s sum it up...The Media Production Process:

Phase I: Story PlanningPhase II: PreproductionPhase III: ProductionPhase IV: Post ProductionPhase V: Performance

Presented By : Kim Headon,

Ayeshika Wickremasinghe, Jessica Panzer,

Diana IpFungChun & Julia Green