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Click here to pre-register/pre-pay for this month’s Web Video Workshop!

Video Interviewing Made Easy

December 8

7-8:30pm

33 Harrison Ave, Boston, MA 02111

We’ve known since the first TV show we’ve seen as kids that video is powerful. The fate of corporations and candidates can turn on a 30-second commercial. Hearts can be broken or mended with just the right image. Video can be a dynamic medium for conveying your message: but making videos and posting them online can be a frustrating experience.

Cheap technology and software enable almost anyone to make and distribute video. But how do you get started? What makes an effective video? What equipment should you use? What Legal and Copyright issues should you address?

In an ongoing series of drop-in workshops, the Boston Web Video Workshop answers these questions and more while giving students hands-on experience.

December’s class: Video Interviewing Made Easy

In this class you will learn:

• About different types of interviews
• How to plan an interview
• How to conduct an interview
• How to set up your shot to optimize light and sound

Please bring cameras if you have them, but we will provide cameras for those who don’t.

This class can be taken by itself, or as part of a cycle of monthly drop-in workshops: every second Tuesday on the Fifth Floor of 33 Harrison Ave. Boston, MA 02111.

For More information go to www.foxogg.com or on Facebook: Boston Web Video Workshop.

Hands on. Down to Earth. Video made simple.

Come gather to celebrate Van’s life with music, art, and poetry!

Nov 1^st

6-10pm

Fifth Floor

33 Harrison Ave

Boston, MA

What to bring: A memory to share, acoustic instruments, poetry, artwork, something that reminds you of Van, a potluck dish.

Bands welcome! If you are a band wanting to play, an artist with work to be displayed, or want to volunteer to help make this happen, please contact Rosa at rosa@foxogg.com.

33 Harrison Ave is accessible by the green and orange lines. There is metered street parking in the area. Find directions and learn about how Van is connected with this location at http://www.encuentro5.org

Question:

“I attended your presentation Saturday at Northeastern University “Introduction to Web Video.” … Could you please refresh my memory on the other cameras you showed us, especially the ones that are a step or two above the FLIP camera and include a microphone input. We’re interested in a camera like that in which the content can be downloaded onto a computer.”

Answer:

None of the cameras that I showed had audio inputs. It is actually rather difficult to find anything below $1500 with a mic input. I did some online research and came up with two possibilities. These links are from B & H, a reputable dealer, but feel free to shop around. (I am not associated with B & H in any way except to occasionally buy from them)

Canon VIXIA HG20 AVCHD Hard Disk Drive High Definition Camcorder (Or HG21)

Sony HDR-XR500V 120GB High Definition Handycam Camcorder

You can also find lavaliere microphone kits on this site. When you get a lavaliere mic, make sure that–if it wireless–you have a both a transceiver and a receiver. (so that you can send and receive the sound). Also make sure that it has a Stereo Mini: 1/8 / 3.5mm microphone input.

Here is a link to a cheap wireless Mic system. I have not tested it, so I can’t say how good it is.
Sima SDW-150 Digital Wireless Microphone System for Camcorders

I recommend that you get your camera and microphone at the same time from a dealer with a good return policy. Try them out as soon as possible and return them if you don’t like the quality.

Hope this Helps!

-Rosa

Thank you to everyone who attended the Intro to Web Video Workshop at the Grassroots Use of Technology Conference X.

Check out my Powerpoint Presentation and my exhaustive resources page. Video examples will be posted in the next few days.

More questions? Suggestions for my links page or future presentations? Email me at rosa at foxogg.com.

I just found out that a very dear friend of mine, Van Lawton died last night. Van was a talented musician and artist. He was also a thoughtful listener, peace maker and free spirit. In honor of his memory I want to share this video of him performing live at the Finish Line in an intimate outdoor show in his beloved Central Maine.

Join me at the Grassroots Use of Technology Conference X.
October 16 & 17 at Northeastern University in Boston.

I will be holding my Intro to Web Video workshop, and there will be many more workshops on using technology for non-profits and organizers.

Flyer

I’ve decided to start doing reviews comparing iphone Apps.

For my first review, I will be comparing two yoga instruction applications: Yoga Stretch and Yoga Trainer Pro.

In real life, yoga is non-competitive. in the App Wars, there can be only one!

Yoga Stretch

Pros

• Step-by-Step in-depth instruction. As you do each pose, the voice tells you how the pose, just like you were in Yoga class.
• Choice of male or female voice. The voice is very pleasant.
• Your choice of peaceful background music.
• Length of sequence is customizable up to 60min.
• A visual menu of positions to choose from for individual poses.
• Costs $.99

Cons

• There is only one pre-designed workout. You can customize how long you want it to go, but not which poses you want in the work-out.
• No audible alert when the workout is done. The music just keeps going. The only way to know it’s over is to look at the screen.

Overall rating: B+

Highly usable, could use more sequence options. Still, a good stretch, very enjoyable, and I really liked how they walk you through each pose.

Yoga Trainer Pro

Pros

• Quite a number of different pre-programed yoga and meditation sequences.
• The ability to customize your own sequence.
• Audio and written descriptions of each pose.
• Some poses have a video that you can look at.
• Voice cues when the sequence changes.
• Shake setting for individual poses.
• Extensive pose library.
• Costs $1.99

Cons

• Step-by-step instructions are not integrated into the sequence. If you want to know how to do the pose, you have to stop your session and interact with the iPhone to read, listen or watch instructions.
• Voice instructions sound like a robot and are very unpleasant to listen to.
• The only way to know if there is a video for a pose is by clicking on it and getting an error (as opposed to it being highlighted or otherwise marked.)
• No music.

Overall Rating: C

I love all of the options in this app in theory, but in practice did not enjoy trying to use this as a workout guide. I found myself stopping to play instructions every pose, which was very distracting and disrupted the flow. If you don’t mind stopping and starting until you learn all of the poses, or already know them, this could be a useful tool. Yoga trainer is also good for a more intellectual study of yoga.

Winner: Yoga Stretch!

Usability trumps flexibility and breadth. I wish I could combine these two apps into one usable & flexible app of yoga-awesomeness.