Apple Professional Development

Creating Video

Objectives

Examples

Peruse these examples of videos made by teachers with iMovie. All but one was completed in a one-day workshop just like what you're in today.

The Movie-making process from A to Z

Watch as your teacher demonstrates the process of creating and publishing a video with iMovie.

  1. Storyboard the concept.
  2. Collect the images into iPhoto.
  3. Shoot the video, and import it into iPhoto.
  4. Arrange the visual elements in iMovie (images, video).
  5. Insert titles and transitions (as necessary).
  6. Add audio: narration, sound effects, and background music (as necessary).
  7. Publish the video (as a podcast, DVD, CD, or whatever).

Now work along step by step to create your own video. For help, consult the iMovie Tutorials. You might also consult The Power of Images for some ideas on using images to communicate ideas; and Portability and Podcasts, for some advice on what makes a good podcast.

1. Storyboard

A storyboard is a diagrammatic plan for a video project. Take a look at a sample storyboard for a short video that teaches an aspect of sailing. A storyboard simply sets forth an outline the visual and auditory content of the video. For the purposes of this workshop, plan a video of about three minutes, with three our four sections. In your planning, take into consideration the time you have available for gathering images and shooting video, the locations you have available, and the objects you can shoot conveniently. Consider building your podcast primarily from still images. For this project, consider a short video that introduces a concept in your course, poses a question in a dramatic manner, or provides a quick set of contrasts for students to analyze.

2. Gather Images

    1. Launch Safari and connect to the image search page at Google and enter your search words, such as “oxygen atom” or “fertile plain”. As in any search, the better formed your keywords, the more effective the result. The difference here is that Google will search only for images of oxygen atoms or fertile plains, ignoring pages that contain only text about these topics. The search is much narrower, and thus more relevant to your needs.
    2. The search engine presents you with a gallery of thumbnail images that you can peruse until you find one that suits your purpose. Choose big images, 600 pixels or wider. Click the thumbnail to connect to the page containing the image. At the top of the page, click See full size image.
    3. Control-click the image (click it while holding the control key on the keyboard), then choose Add image to iPhoto Library from the pop-up menu. This sends the image to your iPhoto Library.
    4. Enter the image’s citation. Here’s how:
      1. Open the Information panel by clicking the i button at the lower left of the iPhoto window. In this panel, you can enter a name for the image, as well as other comments.
      2. Back in Safari, select and copy the URL of the image – that’s the address of the Web page on which it appeared.
      3. Back in iPhoto, click in the comments area in the Information panel, and paste the URL of the image.
      4. Notice that the date and time of the saving of the image has automatically been recorded by iPhoto. You now have a solid citation for the source of this image.
      5. While you are here. Consider adding other comments that will help you locate this image later. Anything you enter into the comments section can be used later to search and find this image in your iPhoto library.
    5. You may save as many images as you like from the Web into iPhoto. For this workshop, gather six to twelve images, based on your storyboard.

3. Shoot Video

From the built-in camera in your computer, directly into iMovie, follow these steps:

  1. Launch iMovie. Create a new movie, standard 4:3 aspect ratio, no theme.
  2. Choose from the menubar File --> Import from camera. See your face in the window.
  3. Click the Capture button in the lower right.
  4. Enter a name for this capture event. Click the Capture button.
  5. Look right into the camera, and speak up with your classroom teacher voice.
  6. Click the Stop button in the lower righjt when you are done.
  7. Click Done when you are finished capturing video.
  8. See your video clip in the Event window.

From a video camera, follow these steps:

Your task here is to shoot the video necessary for each portion of your storyboard. Before you shoot, set things up carefully. Follow these guidelines:

  1. Lighting
    Make sure the subject is well-lit, preferably from behind the camera. Light from the side that creates interesting shadows on the subject will provide video that shows off facial expressions, color and texture better than light from directly above or straight on. Indoors, you may want to use an extra light - any light will do - that shines from the side onto your subject. Classroom fluorescent lights in the ceiling can provide some light, but their color and location is not the best for video. Supplement these with an incandescent lamp at the side and you'll get better video.
  2. Composition
    Use a tripod if possible for all of your shooting. A tripod makes a bigger difference than you might think. Steady video is easier to watch, and compresses better for the iPod. Carefully frame your shot in the viewfinder from the tripod before you start recording. Zoom in for as tight a shot as you can get. Don't be afraid to let the subject fill the viewfinder - if it's an interview, experiment with a shot that only shows the face. Keep the clips short and active. Avoid pans and zooms. Unless you are trying to create a mood of activity and confusion, keep the background simple.
  3. Audio
    If you are recording an interview, shoot from less than three feet away and tell the subject to speak loudly toward the built-in microphone in the camera. Keep your hands off the camera as you record.
  4. Retakes
    After you've shot the clip, and while the subjects are still available, watch (also listen to) what you've just recorded. If it's not 100% what you need, shoot it again. It's OK to shoot the same scene several times and pick the best clip later. In fact, you might try shooting from a different angle, with different lighting, or with a new form of composition, so you have some choices when it comes time to edit the video. Always start the camera recording at least five seconds before you start the action, and let it run for five seconds after you're done.
  5. Shoot
    You don't need long and involved clips for most educational projects. Make sure the battery is charged. Then follow these steps:
    1. Look carefully at your storyboard or shot list to see exactly the clips you will need. Note how long the clips should be.
    2. Mount the camera on a tripod.
    3. Set up the scene and instruct any actors on what will be happening.
    4. Press the record button to start the recording.
    5. Wait five seconds and begin the action.
    6. While recording, keep quiet and don't touch the camera or tripod.
    7. Press the record button to stop the recording.
    8. Press the play button and review what you shot.
    9. If you are happy with the results, stop the tape at the end of the clip and set up your next scene.
  6. Import the video from the camera into the computer.
    1. Connect the video camera to the cpmputer.
    2. Open iPhoto.
    3. Select the videos you want to import, and click the Import button in the lower right.

4. Arrange the visual elements

  1. Drag photos and video clips from the bottom of the iMovie window up into the timeline.
  2. Drag them around into the proper order.
  3. To change the length of a still image:
    1. Select the image in the timeline.
    2. From the menubar, choose Window --> Clip Adjustments.
    3. Change the duration in seconds, and click Done.
  4. To trim a video clip:
    1. Click and drag on the clip in the timeline to selct the portion you want to keep.
    2. From the menubar, choose Edit --> Trim to selection.
  5. Review your video from time to time by choosing from the menubar View --> Play full screen.

5. Insert titles and transitions

Titles

  1. Open the Title window by choosing Window --> Titles from the menubar.
  2. Drag a title from the Title Window into the timeline area, and drop it either:
    • on top of a video or still image (the title will be superimposed on the underlying visual); or
    • in between two visual elements in the timeline (the title will appear by itself on its own background).
  3. In the preview window (upper right) enter the text for the title (and subtitle if necessary).

Transitions

  1. Open the Transitions window by choosing Window --> ransitions from the menubar.
  2. Drag a transition from the Transitions Window into the timeline area, and drop it between two visual elements in the timeline.

6. Add audio

Add narration

  1. Click the Voiceover button in the middle (looks like a microphone) to open the Voiceover window.
  2. Click in the timeline on the beginning of the clip where you want the narration to start.
  3. Countdown 1-2-3 and begin speaking as you watch the movie play.
  4. Click the spacebar to stop recording.

Add sound effects

  1. From the menubar, choose Window --> Music and Sound Effects.
  2. Use the drop-down menu at the top of the Music and Sound Effects window to browse the various folders full of audio clips.
  3. Drag the audio clip you want up to the timeline window and drop it on top of a visual clip.

Add background music

  1. From the menubar, choose Window --> Music and Sound Effects.
  2. Use the drop-down menu at the top of the Music and Sound Effects window to browse the various folders full of music (Jingles and iTunes will have the most background clips).
  3. Drag the music clip you want up to the timeline window and drop it onto the dark gray background.

7. Publish your video

As a podcast

  1. From the menubar, choose Share --> Export Movie.
  2. Choose a size that works on the iPod (Medium works best).
  3. Click the Export button in the lower right.
  4. The published movie will be saved in your iTunes library, under movies.

As a DVD

  1. From the menubar, choose Share --> iDVD.
  2. The iDVD application will open automatically.
  3. Choose a visual theme, then click the Burn button.

Other formats

Explore the possibilities under the Share menu.

Post your podcast to the school Wiki

  1. Publish your movie as a podcast as described above.
  2. In Safari, connect to http://sol.kent.k12.md.us/groups/
  3. Click Log in to my page at the top left.
  4. Enter User Name = apple1, and password = apple 1.
  5. You may post your podcast here, for others to see.
  6. Create a new page for your podcast, by clicking the New Page (+) button.
  7. Name the page after yourself.
  8. Replace the text on the page with an introduction to your podcast.
  9. To add your podcast file, click the paperclip icon just above.
  10. Click the Choose file button.
  11. Navigate to your podcast file. Click the Choose button, then the Attach button.
  12. Wait for your movie to upload.
  13. See its icon appear on your page as a button.
  14. Save your changes.

Workshop Evaluation for Jim