Developing Video Training Modules for Teachers

[xitaqua]

Alivia,

Thanks for the comments !!!!.

In regards to the tip #1 "Videographer as a mentor." :

I meant to mean someone that do this a profession to be a mentor for the team, it could be a TV reporter or a wedding videographer or even other teams who has done this before and has sucessfully produced, edited and distributed videos.

I think video distribution phase is one of the aspects that more information is needed. YouTube is a great way to experiment with "video distribution".....we have gained a lot insight by watching our statistics of BEMRC videos and the 2 videos we have released so far.

We got a mini-grant from MSTA St. Louis Chapter, and with a matching grant from BEMRC we plan to develop Training Videos for teachers in Missouri. If your team would be interested in participating, send me a private e-mail.

Thanks,
Marcos.

[ebarker]

As in most professions the apprentice model works great. Great for engineering, law, medicine, woodcraft, ironworks, etc.

My intent in the statement "Videographer as mentor" - Find someone that has professional experience in broadcast, media production, or even a good video teacher at school.

Periodically run clips by them and ask them to comment. I suggest wearing 'iron pants'.

When I was a teenager I did some radio work. The pro's would review the tapes with red pencil and copy in hand. It wasn't pretty at first but you learn a lot.

Mentoring by professionals encompasses all areas, not just robot building.

[Alivia]

Originally Posted by ebarker

My intent in the statement "Videographer as mentor" - Find someone that has professional experience in broadcast, media production, or even a good video teacher at school.

Thanks for the clarification! As I said, I wasn't completely sure what was meant, so I apologize for the confusion. I'm glad to hear many people feel the same way about the video aspect of FIRST as I do. And I full-heartedly agree--any professional (or even average person who has knowledge in the subject) is a great asset to teach others.

Keep on documenting, teams!

[xitaqua]

Hello All,

It is very neat that today's technology has advanced so much that using low cost video camera (<$200), we can shoot professional quality video.....yeah...yeah I know the quality of our videos so far are far from "professional", technology alone is not enough !

Does anyone has a flip video camera ?. I am curious to hear from others their experience shooting videos and uploading to youtube using this type of camera. The goal is to be able to put these short videos (less than 5 minutes videos) in less than 30 minutes including shooting,editing and uploading.

So far we have done two videos following the same format :
1) external shot moving into the building.
2) internal shot in the building.
3) 2 interviews: Why robotics competition ?. What makes a good mentor ?

Cheers,
Marcos.

[DonRotolo]

Originally Posted by xitaqua

technology alone is not enough

A well-designed and edited video clip shot on a $150 camera can have far more impact than one shot on the finest equipment available, if poorly designed or edited.

Of course, the opposite is also true: Good equipment in good hands can produce spectacular work.

Remember the audience: If it's YouTube, then NTSC resolution is usually fine.

Finding someone to mentor you through the video process would be excellent. Remember that most people are proud of their skills and are happy to share. Even a still photographer can add a lot of value - do you have a local newspaper who might send a photog over to talk about it?

Alivia: Yes, of course one can hand-hold; pros do it all the time. Amateurs are best advised to try to avoid it whenever possible. Shaking cameras just get people sick. Great advice though!

[xitaqua]

"Remember the audience: If it's YouTube, then NTSC resolution is usually fine."


Good point !. The audience is teachers in Missouri who are interested in coaching robotics teams, specially targeted toward new teachers. The hope is to have a 30 minute powerpoint presentation in which also shows 3 videos of folks talking about why robotics competition is a beneficial activity to students and 3 videos of folks talking about what makes a good mentor. Total presentation to be 30 minutes.

I think if teams do not own a camera already, might as well spring for another $50 and get an HD Camera such as the flip-video, you might never know when you might the extra capability.......

[DonRotolo]

Indeed, shoot in the highest resolution you can afford.

====
Diverging slightly: About 5 years ago, I was in the audience at work, where our FIRST regional director was giving a presentation looking for help with a local team, and he had a video maybe 10 minutes long that was quite good, IIRC a professional piece from FIRST. Ask your FIRST management, maybe they have something that can be leveraged.

[xitaqua]

Originally Posted by Don Rotolo

Diverging slightly: About 5 years ago, I was in the audience at work, where our FIRST regional director was giving a presentation looking for help with a local team, and he had a video maybe 10 minutes long that was quite good, IIRC a professional piece from FIRST. Ask your FIRST management, maybe they have something that can be leveraged.

Yeah I am awaiting for the PBS Documentary to see if we can leverage anything.... I mentored one of the teams in Wentzville, MO which was filmed.

In the meantime I would like to get the perspective of other adults that have not been filmed yet. I think your idea of asking "FIRST Management" is a good one, it is neat to hear all different perspectives, here is what we are looking at right now :

Why robotics competition ?
1) School Principal
2) Company Senior Executive
3) FIRST Management

What makes a good mentor ?
1) College Students that is a mentor.
2) Professional Enginner Mentor for a Rookie Team.
3) Seasoned Mentor - Mentored more than 2 different teams.

[Al Skierkiewicz]

Sorry I didn't see this earlier. Numero Uno...You can't operate a palm recorder handheld. Please use a tripod. I am surprised no one talked about lighting. Don't place your subjects with their back to a lighted panel or window. Don't have them wear bright clothes like a white shirt and don't let them wear geometric patterned clothing. It will play havoc with the pickup devices. If you can, two lights work well. A flooded light off to the right or left of the subject and a spot from behind but not pointing at the camera. The front light adds definition to the face by adding some shadow and the spot from behind adds definition and sets the subject away from background objects by highlighting the head and shoulders. Interviews are normally head and shoulder shots. Anything further away gives the eye more to look at and be distracted and closer (head only) prevents the viewer from concentrating on the spoken part of the interview. Only zoom out to show a demonstration or to incorporate other objects or people in the shot.
As far as panoramic pans goes, I always caution people not to make it less than tens seconds. That is easy to count off in your head while you pan a room or a vista outdoors. Don't be afraid to reshoot a scene a couple of times while changing the camera angle, lighting or background. Tape is cheap compared to having nothing usable when you get back to editing.
Zoom to give a perspective, show relationship or to move in on the announcer.

[ebarker]

Originally Posted by xitaqua

Why robotics competition ?
1) School Principal
2) Company Senior Executive
3) FIRST Management

I don't know if you ever saw the 25 minute video here

It has some pretty good interviews from FIRST folks and company management.

[xitaqua]

Al,

Thanks for the tips.

In regards to lighting, what are your suggestions for putting something together, that a high school team could do on a budget ?

Cheers,
Marcos.

[Al Skierkiewicz]

Marcos,
Check with B&H Video. They have lot's of stuff and some may fit your budget. Many high schools have video/TV clubs that would allow you to borrow their stuff from time to time.

[xitaqua]

Thanks Al,

I was thinking thinking more in the lines of something you could buy at a hardware store. Something you can maufacture for $50 or less.......

Cheers,
Marcos.