Sep 17, 2012 | News & Events, Storytelling
This semester the Learning Studio will be adding support for media production on the iPad. Several classes with iPad access will be looking for ways to produce upcoming digital storytelling projects, so the following resources introduce some of the tools you may use.
Though there are a number of strong video-editing apps for iOS the easiest to pick up and use is iMovie for iPhone 4+, iPod 4+, and iPad 2+. The app runs $4.99 in the App Store or can be purchased at a discount for an entire class.
The iMovie for iOS app allows you to quickly create movie files from the following assets:
- Add photos from your camera roll and reorder them, edit their duration on screen and the Ken Burns effect to add motion.
- Record audio narration for your digital story directly into iMovie. Generally it’s easier to record your script FIRST and then change the duration of clips afterwards.
- Introduce video clips or other media, either recorded directly to the device or imported using the Apple Camera Connection Kit.
- Finally, export an HD copy of your movie back to the Camera Roll or directly to YouTube. Since most images are higher resolution than HD video, you should be able to export a 720p or 1080p version without noticing pixelation.
Jul 3, 2012 | Gallery, News & Events
This summer we’re putting the finishing touches on our Year One Report, providing an inside look at our work with students, faculty and educators from around the country in our first year. One interactive feature in the report will be a virtual tour that allows those unable to visit us in Abilene a glimpse of the new facility.
Mathew Bardwell, a media production specialist in the Learning Studio, produced the virtual tour and Nathan Driskell, another specialist designed the map overlay along with the rest of the iBook. Step inside and enjoy this unique walk through our facilities.
Open the Virtual Tour
Jun 22, 2012 | FilmFest, News & Events
Thanks to student media specialists in the Learning Studio, the FilmFest archive is now online. The blog contains lists of participants and winners going back to 2004 with links to all films on the FilmFest Vimeo channel.
The blog is built on the same WordPress system used to support class blogs and portfolios on campus. Student specialists are available in the Learning Studio for those working with campus blogs for the first time.
FilmFest Archive
Past Winners
For those who haven’t been going to FilmFest since the beginning, here are a few past winners.
Jun 18, 2012 | News & Events, Storytelling, Students
This summer the Learning Studio worked closely with students in ACU’s first Summer Academy. High school students from around the country joined us in Abilene for 9 courses that included Digital Media, Film & Faith, and Photography.
Students in select classes worked with faculty and media production specialists for training in photography and audio and video editing. The main photography students with Nil Santana worked with Canon 60D DSLR cameras from the checkout pool. Each student was issued an iPad for submitting content via course blogs and producing final media projects in Dr. Kyle Dickson’s Film and Digital Media classes.
One unique feature of the courses in the first session in June was a 4-day, 2,000 mile visit to three World Heritage sites in New Mexico and Colorado. Fifty students and faculty members toured the Taos Pueblo, Mesa Verde cliff dwellings, and the Carlsbad Caverns producing images and video that would later be submitted as part of digital stories.
Under the clear sky of Colorado, Nil and Kyle also offered an evening of lightpainting that students from all courses were invited to attend.
The Learning Studio was honored to be part of the teaching and support for a group of excellent students. Thanks to Dr. Kristina Davis and the Honors College for including us in their inaugural summer.
Sample Projects
Students from the Film & Faith class analyzed a short scenes from one of the assigned films for the Mise en Scene project. Here are a few of the Hitchcock films they looked at. Images were cut together with audio narration using iMovie for iPad.
The Birds
Rear Window
Strangers on a Train
(*Screenshots from each film were used under Fair Use as an educational, non-commercial use.)
May 7, 2012 | News & Events, Students
We love seeing what you create in the Learning Studio! That’s why from now through Wednesday, we’ll give you a coupon for a free drink at Starbucks when you bring us class media projects you created using the Learning Studio. We’d especially love to see video projects, but illustrations, design, photography and audio projects are also welcome (the higher the quality, the better).
Bring as many files as you want to the Media Assistance desk in the Media Lab, and one of our assistants will hook you up with a free drink.
The fine print: Limit one drink coupon per person. Eligible projects must have been produced for an ACU course. ACU ID required to receive coupon. Coupon good through May 18, 2012 at the Learning Commons Starbucks. Not valid at other Starbucks locations.
