Final Project

For the final multimedia project in the class, please choose two or more of the forms we have worked on during the semester and tell a fresh story.

You may work in teams or solo.

The more challenging the project, the higher your potential score. You may add a form we haven't used in class, such as an interactive map, or one of the multimedia tools the groups presented to the class.

You may combine podcasts, slideshows, audio slideshows, and videos.
Examples: a podcast, slideshow or video that plays out of an interactive map; or a video that combines still and moving pictures.

This project does not require a text component, but a text component can be one of the elements.

Monday, Dec. 2: Post an outline of your project on your blog. Include each team member's responsibilities.


Deadline:
8 a.m. Monday, Dec. 16: Project is due at the start of this class period, which is the time set aside for your final exams. The final projects will serve as your final exam. Each team will present its project.

Video Project 2

Create a video package that runs 1:30 to 2 minutes, and a 400-word text to accompany it.

As with Video Project 1, create a journalistic narrative with a beginning that introduces the subject, a middle, and an end.

Post the project on iReport.com, and embed the video on your blog.

Include sound. This can be natural sound or an interview, or both. It can also include your own narration; however, the project must include sound created outside of your group. Do not interview family members or significant others.

Any music needs to be royalty-free.

The text and the video package should complement each other and not simply repeat what the other says. For instance, a team could put together a video about rehearsals for a play, and the text could review the play.

The text should follow web-writing rules: One sentence for the lead; one or two sentences maximum for subsequent paragraphs.

Intermediate deadline -- Nov. 20
-- Post the topic of your video project on your blog, along with the sound source or sources you plan to use, and each team member's assignment.


Final deadline Wednesday Dec. 4

-- Upload the project to iReport and embed the video on your blog, along with the 400-word text that accompanies it.

Evaluation:

If you want credit for this project, post every element (synopsis, video, story) on your individual blog.

Narrative: 50 points
The video and the accompanying story engage the intended viewer. There is an interesting narrative arc -- start, middle, finish.
Mechanics: 30 points
The video approaches professional quality; the writing is free of grammar, style, and spelling errors.
Format: 20 points
The project is posted correctly and meets the guidelines for length, sound sources, paragraph style, etc.

A missing synopsis loses 10 points, a missing story, 40; and a missing video, 50. Late work is assessed a penalty of 10 points per day (including the synopsis).

Video in Newspapers

This homework assignment is due on Monday, Nov. 4.

Go online and find a newspaper that produces video.
Check out its offerings and tell us what you think.
Is it professional-looking, or does it look amateurish?
Are the videos longer than an average television news report (1-2 minutes), or shorter?
Are the subjects interesting?

Video Project 1

Create a video package that runs 1:30 to 2 minutes, and a 400-word text to accompany it.

As with the audio slideshows, create a journalistic narrative with a beginning that introduces the subject, a middle, and an end.

Post the project on iReport.com, and embed the video on your blog.

Include sound. This can be natural sound or an interview, or both. It can also include your own narration; however, the project must include sound created outside of your group. Do not interview family members or significant others.

Any music needs to be royalty-free.

The text and the video package should complement each other and not simply repeat what the other says. For instance, a team could put together a video about rehearsals for a play, and the text could review the play.

Intermediate deadline -- Nov. 6
-- Post the topic of your video project on your blog, along with the sound source or sources you plan to use, and each team member's assignment.


Final deadline Wednesday Nov. 13:

-- Upload the project to iReport and embed the video on your blog, along with the 400-word text that accompanies it.

Repurposing

Tom Clancy obit:
http://www.cnn.com/video/data/2.0/video/showbiz/2013/10/02/lead-dnt-tapper-tom-clancy-dies-at-66.cnn.html 

Pigs!

http://www.cnn.com/video/?/video/us/2013/09/26/pkg-valencia-ga-atlanta-wild-pigs.cnn&iref=videosearch

iReport assignment

For Monday, Oct. 28, please go to iReport.cnn and do two things:
1. Sign up for an account;
2. Look around on the website and write a blog post telling us what you think about the site -- what you like, what you dislike, whether it is a good idea.

Embedding an audio slideshow in Wordpress

To embed a Soundslides project in a Wordpress blog, follow these instructions*:
1. Create your audio slideshow in Soundslides.
2. Export and Zip
3. Sign in to host.soundslides.com/admin
4. Upload slideshow (upload the zipped publish_to_web folder
5. Once the project is uploaded, click Embed
6. Ignore the embed code in the box (which begins <iframe... )
7. Instead, click the link for the legacy Flash embed code.
8. You'll get something that looks like this: 
<object classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" width="620" height="533" id="soundslider"><param name="movie" value="http://hosting.soundslides.com/16285/soundslider.swf?size=1&format=xml" /><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always" /><param name="quality" value="high" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><param name="menu" value="false" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" /><embed src="http://hosting.soundslides.com/16285/soundslider.swf?size=1&format=xml" quality="high" bgcolor="#FFFFFF" width="620" height="533" menu="false" allowScriptAccess="always" allowFullScreen="true" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></embed></object>
9. Copy everything from <embed src= ... to </embed> You should get something that looks like this: 
<embed src="http://hosting.soundslides.com/16285/soundslider.swf?size=1&format=xml" quality="high" bgcolor="#FFFFFF" width="620" height="533" menu="false" allowScriptAccess="always" allowFullScreen="true" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></embed>
10. Replace this: <embed src with [gigya src
11. And replace everything after flash" with a bracket: ]
12. You should get something that looks like this:
[gigya src="http://hosting.soundslides.com/16285/soundslider.swf?size=1&format=xml" quality="high" bgcolor="#FFFFFF" width="620" height="533" menu="false" allowScriptAccess="always" allowFullScreen="true" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"]
13. Publish away
* http://en.forums.wordpress.com/topic/using-soundslides-in-wordpress?replies=7

soundslides practice

Soundslides test

Assignment for Oct. 14

Why waste a week-long break? Due on the Monday you return:
Find two slideshows and one photo gallery on separate Web sites and critique them on your blog. One of the slideshows must have audio; the other should not. Photo galleries don't ordinarily include sound.
Include the URLs so we can find them.
Address the following in your critique: Do the slideshows and photo galleries function well as storytelling tools? Which does the better job? Why or why not? What difference does sound make?

Here's a slideshow, "Driving across Canada," created in about 5 minutes (and it looks it!) using Photobucket.

Audio Slideshow Project

Due dates:
Oct. 16: Post 200-word synopsis on blog.
Oct. 23: Post completed project on blog.

Guidelines:

Create a 2- to 3-minute audio slideshow using Soundslides.

Tell a story with this project.
Consider it a journalistic narrative, with a beginning, middle and end.
Include sound from an interview with someone outside of your team, family and love life.
You can mix the sound with your own voice(s), or just use the interview sound.
You can include a music bed as long as you are using the music with permission, or the music is rights-free. (Give credit in the text component of the project.)
Figure out how to identify the project at the top so the viewer will understand what is going on.
Change photos every 4 to 5 seconds.
Embed the slideshow on your blog.

Write a 400-word feature story to accompany the slideshow. Use web-writing techniques: Simple sentences, short paragraphs, search-engine optimized headline. The story should not be simply a transcription of your audio slideshow. They should complement each other. Include a credits paragraph outlining what each team member contributed, like this:
Photos: Martin Zook
Photo editing: Ken Miller
Audio: Cordelia Smith
Soundslides editing: Mort Glassner
Text: Ken Miller and Cordelia Smith
Music: “Flickering Butterflies” by The Griff Wexler Band, used with permission


Synopsis: Post a 200-word summary of your project on your blog. Explain what your slideshow will be about, which sound sources you plan to use, who the intended audience is, and what makes this an interesting story for that audience. List each team member and his or her responsibilities for the project.

Evaluation:

If you want credit for this project, post every element (synopsis, slideshow, story) on your individual blog.


Narrative: 50 points
The slideshow and the accompanying story engage the intended viewer. The photos are an interesting mix of wide, medium and close-up shots that exhibit good composition.
Mechanics: 30 points
The audio approaches professional quality; the writing is free of grammar, style, and spelling errors.
Format: 20 points
The project is posted correctly and meets the guidelines for length, sound sources, shot changes, etc.

A missing synopsis loses 10 points, a missing story, 40; and a missing slideshow, 50. Late work is assessed a penalty of 10 points per day (including the synopsis).

Ideas:
Offices of messy professors
Sports:
Intramurals, hockey game, softball practice
Campus tour
Cooking lesson
Concert or performance
Public meeting
Interview an LSC band
Follow a Public Safety officer on his/her rounds

NewsLINC

Dear Multimediums! Meaghan Meachem will talk to us on Monday about NewsLINC, the Web platform of the Vermont Center for Community Journalism. In preparation for her visit, please take a look at the site and post a critique on your blogs. Tell us: What you like.. What you think could be improved. What, if anything, is missing.

Podcast Team Assignment

- Create a 5- to 10-minute audio project and make it available on your blogs as a podcast.
- Use at least two voices.
- Write a 400-word story to accompany it. The story should complement the podcast rather than regurgitate it. Grammar and spelling count.

Deadlines:
- Submit project outline via blogs Sept. 23
- Submit project via blogs Sept. 25

Some ideas:
- Dorm cooking tips
- Restaurant reviews
- Interview
…a professor
…an athlete
…an interesting student
…students (plural) about a topic
- Review an LSC band
- Advice
…relationships
…easiest classes

Podcast critique assignment

This assignment is due on Monday, Sept. 16

Between now and Monday, subscribe to two podcasts. You can do this at the iTunes store – they are free.
Listen to at least two episodes of each podcast so you get a feel for it.
Write a post on your blog that explains
- why you picked each one,
- what you liked and disliked about each one,
- whether you think you will continue listening to any of them,
- and whether you put them on an iPod or other player.

Teams and Teaching Moments

Rachel Veitch and Camille Delongis                                          Soundcloud

Courtland Hanley and Elyssa Ellis                                             Clevr

Timothy LaRoche and Hannah Frigon                                       Infogr.am

Adam Donelly and Nick Aresco                                                 Many Eyes

Kevin Kelleher and Dan Fenton                                                 Hohli

Joe Gluck and Vincent Boccanfuso                                            Zeemaps

Chris Moriarty and iana Herlehy                                                Animoto

Yolanda Liang and Julia Costello                                               Meograph

Chris Huppert and JJ Murphy                                                    Storify

Shane LaCroix and Mike Raimondi and Andrew Baughn              Intersect

Writing for the Web I

For the following set of facts, write each of the following:

1.       Headline (with SEO in mind)  

2.       Blurb (summary)

3.       Body (4 paragraphs, including one quote)

4.       One subhead between Paragraphs 2 and 3

5.       One embedded link

                Pretend this information comes from a news release from the Vermont State Police.

-        
           Vehicle A: 1999 Chevrolet operated by Annie Coulter. Age 82. Residence: Barton, Vt.

-          Victim: John Barker. Age 59. Residence: Concord, Vt.

-          Time of incident: 12:31 p.m. today.

-          Location of incident: Central Restaurant, Depot Street, Lyndonville, Vt.

-          Description of incident:

o   Vehicle A was southbound on Depot Street. The operator reports she swerved to avoid a pedestrian, and her brakes failed. Vehicle A crashed through the front window of Central Restaurant.

o   Victim Barker was sitting in the restaurant, eating a meal. He was not struck by the car, but he did receive minor cuts from flying glass.

o   As he was trying to help the operator of Vehicle A out of her vehicle, victim Barker complained of chest pains. He collapsed and died of a heart attack.

o   The operator of Vehicle A suffered minor injuries in the incident.

Writing for the Web II

For the following set of facts, write each of the following:

1.       Headline (with SEO in mind)  

2.       Blurb (summary)

3.       Body (4 paragraphs, including one quote)

4.       One subhead between Paragraphs 2 and 3

5.       One embedded link

Online Writing Homework

This assignment is due on Monday, Sept. 9.

Use the following news release to write a short story for your blog. Follow the same guidelines you followed for the Online Writing Exercise:

- Write a headline of seven words or less.

- The first paragraph should contain only one sentence.

- Subsequent paragraphs should contain one or two sentences – no more.

- Insert a space between paragraphs.

- Use print writing style.

Also – assume you are writing the story on Dec. 7 (the day the news release was issued).

----------

STATE OF VERMONT

DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY

VERMONT STATE POLICE

PRESS RELEASE

Robbery at Hometown Sunoco in Swanton

Detective Edward Meslin, St. Albans Barracks, 802-524-5993

Swanton, VT – 12/7/13 – On December 7 at 1:15 AM a lone male subject entered Hometown Sunoco located at 166 First Street in Swanton and robbed the cashier at gunpoint. The assailant, described as a white male approximately 5’8”- 6’00” escaped on foot with an undisclosed amount of cash and items. No one was injured in the incident. The Vermont State Police continue to search for the suspect and follow-up on all investigative leads.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact the Vermont State Police in Saint Albans at 802-524-5993 or Franklin County Sheriff’s Office at 802-524-2121. No other information is available at this time, as the case is still under investigation. An update will be issued when more information becomes available. 

Online Writing Exercise

Use the news release below to post a short story to your blog. Follow the following guidelines:

- Write a headline of seven words or less.

- The first paragraph should contain only one sentence.

- Subsequent paragraphs should contain one or two sentences – no more.

- Insert a space between paragraphs.

- Use print writing style.

(Note: The dates have been altered to move everything into the future.  Pretend you are writing this on Jan. 18, 2014.)

----------

STATE OF VERMONT
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY
VERMONT STATE POLICE

PRESS RELEASE
Update on Hunting Incident in Albany, Arrest for Aggravated Assault

Detective Sgt. Jacob Zorn – Bradford Barracks, 802-222-4680

Albany, VT – 01/18/14 – On October 20, 2013 detectives from the Vermont State Police and game wardens from the Vermont Department of Fish and Game began a joint investigation into a hunting related shooting that took place on the Urie Rd. in Albany, VT.  As a result of the investigation the following detectives learned that Conrad Masse, age 76 of Craftsbury, and Wayne Goff, age 58 of Wolcott were hunting bear together. Masse and Goff were using radio telemetry and GPS to track two bear hounds that they had released on the trail of a bear.  Masse drove his truck with Goff as a passenger to the Urie Rd. in an attempt to get in front of the bear that was being pursued by the dogs. Goff got out of the truck on Urie Rd. where he waited for the bear to cross while Masse drove approximately 541 feet down the Urie Rd. and exited his truck where he also waited for the bear to cross the road. 

When the bear crossed the road, it did so in-between Masse and Goff.  Masse opened fire with a Remington .30-06 rifle and fired at least three shots. One of the rounds struck the bear, one of the rounds struck a tree, and one of the rounds struck Goff, who was dressed in a red and black checkered jacket. The bullet entered Goff in the midsection and struck him in the pelvic area. Goff was transported to North Country Hospital and then transferred to Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center for treatment. He has since been released from the hospital and is in stable condition. 

At the conclusion of the investigation Masse was issued a citation to appear in the Orleans Superior Court on February 28, 2014 to answer to the charge of Aggravated Assault. An arrest processing photo was not taken. He was also issued Fish and Game tickets for Shooting from the Road, Having a Loaded Rifle in his Vehicle, and Not having proper display of permits for the bear hounds. 

"Pimp My Blog"

Project due Wednesday, Sept. 4: Create the coolest blog you can.
- Play with design.
- Use the customize options to add features.
- Write a blog entry explaining the process you went through, and why you chose the things you did.
Best blog wins a prize.
Grades:
A -- Blew me away. Fun design, cool features. Lots of extra elements such as pictures, audio or video.
B -- Good blog. A few interesting elements.
C -- It's okay, but it's obvious nobody spent a lot of time constructing it.
D -- It's there, but it looks no different from the ur-blog created on Aug. 28.
F -- It's not there.

Blogger.com and Wordpress.com have helpful tips. Feel free to go online for advice, too:

Blog critique

Due Wednesday, Sept. 4

Go out on the World Wide Web and find a blog. Any blog will do, but I would encourage you to avoid the super-popular ones. Technorati.com can help guide you to blogs on any topic.

I like chickens and Technorati it to find a blog about raising chickens in the city!
In your critique, please tell us:
- what you like and dislike about the blog;
- how often it is updated (avoid "dead" blogs);
- whether the Comments indicate anyone is reading it;
- what media elements beyond text does it use.
Post your critique on your own blog.

Class blog URLs

Post the URL of your blog here, as a comment.

Multimedia examples

Please post the URLs of your multimedia examples here, as a comment.

ENG 2155 teams

Rachel Veitch and Camille Delongis
Courtland Hanley and Elyssa Ellis

Timothy LaRoche and Hannah Frigon
Adam Donelly and Nick Aresco
Kevin Kelleher and Dan Fenton
Joe Gluck and Vincent Boccanfuso
Chris Moriarty and iana Herlehy
Yolanda Liang and Julia Costello
Chris Huppert and JJ Murphy
Shane LaCroix and Mike Raimondi and Andrew Baughn