Pre-Ramble on Android Video Creation Tools

Those of us on the Android side of the fence may feel pangs of envy when looking at the software apps of the iOS world. With good reason, there is some wonderful, functional creation apps in that realm.

However, for a multiplicity of reasons, we are Androidians. And with some of the new inexpensive smartphones and tablets about to flood the market there are going to be millions more Android users.

People want to create and they will use what they have in their hands. I think it is time to go a little deeper into Android video creation tools.

Before you can create a video or a visual story you have to be aware of equipment issues. The equipment issues are directly connected to the apps. It can happen that you download an app that cannot work with the device.

Some apps will work better on a phone than on a tablet and vice versa. Many will require an active connection to the Internet via Wi-Fi or phone service. You want to know this before your install anything.

Things to Be Aware Of

Operating System 
There are different versions of the Android software. The current version at the time of this posts is Jellybean 4.2 and climbing. If your operating system is Gingerbread 2.3 or older back to Eclair 2.0 you are probably locked out of many of the current video creation apps.

For people on older operating systems you may have to look at web apps for creation software. I will add some of those apps as a resource.

Intended Device
Many of the applications are intended for a specific device, such as a smartphone. It might work on a tablet but it wasn't necessarily designed for tablet users. Before installation read the details about the software.

Your Device May Not be Up to Snuff
That smartphone you got at a great price might be just what you need for Facebook or Twitter. It might not be able to handle some of the video creation or story telling tools in the market place.

In the coming months, major manufactures will release 2nd tier versions of their tablets. Something has to give to get that lower price point. Single CPUs, lower resolutions and cheap body builds come to mind.

I've seen $99 tablets in office supply stores that are going to get some of the Frugalistas thinking about buying it. (Don't do it!) In addition, there are Asian vendor knock-off tablets that are using the Android phone operating system inside of the tablets. Not the same thing as the operating system designed for a tablet.

The CPU is what is going to snag most people. Your device might only be able to do one thing at a time. And it will do it slowly. That El cheapo phone or tablet can cost you time and frustration.

For example:

On my knock-off tablet, I have Android 4.0 using a phone version of the operating system with a single CPU/core processor.

• Plays .mp4 movies well. 
• Low demand apps works fine.
• Connecting to the Internet, slow but crashed if web site has multiple things going on. 
• Some browsers do not work, or cannot display videos from YouTube and other sources.
• High demand apps crashed on regular basis.

Don't Go Chasing Waterfalls
There are other Android app vendors markets besides Google Play and Amazon. If you are not an experienced user or you don't want to invest time learning how to remove malware stick with the know app stores.

As a rule, I like going directly to a vendor's web site. I also check out the app store reviews.There should be some type of public presence of the app. Has it been reviewed by a tech magazine or web site? Are people grumbling about it in Android forums?

If something goes wrong you have a backup and restore feature on your device?

You do back that stuff up, right?

My point in all of this is I want you to know what your device can and can't do before you get started creating.

Other Posts of Interest

• At Last, Vine for Android
• Right to Record Police Officers Revisited
• Creating Simple Channel Art, Part 1
• Home Page for Mobile Users

Citizen News Using Vine Videos

It has been a heck of a week. The news events of the past three days in the United States (and I use that term loosely) has been incredible. I just wanted to mention how Vine was used to report a specific event in Austin, Texas.






This is one of many Vine videos that were recorded to document the events in the Texas State Senate. There may have been local reporters and journalists there but many of the videos were recorded with Smartphone devices.

I bring this up because none of the nation news media mentioned, looked at or even acknowledge the 13 hour filibuster of State Senator Wendy Davis. CNN went with cupcakes, I believe.

The filibuster lasted 13+ hours; you'd think any one of the broadcast or cable news channels could have mention it with a 30 second status clip per hour? Naw, that would get in the way of some D list celebrity PR problems.

Many people watched parts of the event via YouTube Livestream in addition to the Vine video recordings. There was also UStream reporting.

Now, I am not suggesting that mainstream media use Smartphones as reporting tools. Goodness knows I disagree with the Chicago Sun-Times decision to fire their entire photography staff. Look at the results of that boner.

But if the mainstream news media choose to ignore major relevants news stores then we shall pick up the slack.

It is on.

Other Posts of Interest

• Samson Meteor Mic for Audio Recording  
• Adding A Beep Tone to Mask A Cuss Word  
• Home Page for Mobile Users

Instagram Video for Andriod and iOS Users

There seems to be a need to create social video sharing apps. I need to hook up with a cultural anthropologist to get a perspective on why this is happening at this time.

This is a CNet First Look video on the Instagram video feature:




More details about the new feature:

• Android user need Android 4.1 to use the video app
• Apple users who have devices that run on iOS 5 or later are good to go.
• Videos can be three to 15 seconds in length. You can delete but not edit (trim, snip or cut) videos.
• You can apply filters to correct or enhance the video and there is video stabilization.
• As with photo Instagram you can share to Facebook, Twitter, Flickr, Tumblr and Foursquare. 

I can't seem to confirm if the video is .mp4 or if you can take it off of a device and work on it later. When I find out I'll let you know.

It isn't perfect. Folks on both operating systems are complaining about the multiple bugs that cause the software to shut down, not record or freeze. Audio is kinda dingy too. It will be worked out in time.

I really like the 15 seconds of recording time. If you can color correct using the filters I'm liking it even more.

I'm not liking the fact that certain new organizations think this is a replacement tool for professional news gathering. Send a rookie into a story with just an iPhone and Instagram?

I see trouble. Some news stories need more time.  A skilled videographer. A desire not to reach for low hanging fruit.

I will suppress this rant for a later time.


Other Posts of Interest

• Audio Recording Tips for Mobile Devices
• Samson Meteor Mic for Audio Recording
• Project Imaginations 2013 Film Contest
• Home Page for Mobile Users

In This Corner, Cinemagram

I just want to take a moment to mention Cinemagram. This app might get lost in the micro video short attention span theater but I would be remiss if I do not mention the software.

You get four seconds to create a video. Yes, four seconds. This does not mean that you can't create anything. You just have to work harder. Get those creativity juices flowing. Punch in a filter or two more than normal.

I will tell you that I tried to post a Cine on this blog. It did not work. There was a ribbon of video but not the full container for the video. I tried for 20 minutes to figure out why the embedded video did not completely appear.

Time is up. Moving on.

Some people would say that Cinemagram is closer to an animated gif than true video. I say what does it matter. You can save the video as an .mp4 file. String enough of those video together and you will have a body of work.

Cinemagram is available in the Apple iTunes Store or the Google Play store.

Psst, Android folks,

There may be issues depending on your specific device. I would read the reviews before installing on your phone, tablet or media player. 


Other Posts of Interest:

• In Search of Android Tablet Video Specs
• Audio Recording Tips for Mobile Devices
• Paolo Tosolini's Mobile Gear Tips Video
• Home Page for Mobile Users

Quick and Subjective Mobile Video Editing Apps List

BlogNow Chat is a way for folks to talk about blogging issues, creativity and whatever else comes down the road. You can peep in on the Facebook page to learn more.

https://www.facebook.com/BlogNowChat?fref=ts

A few days ago I participated in a #BlogNow Twitter discussion about blogs, photos and videos. Folks were asking about good video mobile apps. I put in my two cents. It is a subjective list because I wanted to only suggest known vendors that have a viable product. And it is just my opinion.

I tried not to link to an app that has no public track record, has major complaints about it (meaning that the dislikes far exceed the likes) and doesn't cripple the program in order to get you to pay for the to "pro" version.

One more thing. I am on the Android side of the fence at the moment. Just waiting for one more price drop before I go Apple. Or Windows. Or Ubuntu.

Android Video Editing Apps 

 

Not anywhere as cool as iOS apps but there is hope. Many of the current Android video apps are just trimmers; not video editing software.

There are two worth a look at:

Magisto Video Editor http://www.magisto.com

WeVideo (Beta) http://pages.wevideo.com/android-beta for Samsung and Google Nexus devices. Read the limitations on the free service and the terms of service before using.

iOS Video Editing Apps

 

You can go beginner to Pro/Am on the iOS mobile platform. There are editing apps, apps that support filmmaking and those apps that can help filter your way to greatness.

Animoto has a mobile app http://animoto.com/blog/company/mobile-video-iphone-app-update
Cinefy http://www.cinefyapp.com/
Lumify http://www.lumify.me
Magisto Video Editor for iOS http://www.magisto.com  or Apple App Store
Pixoral: Free but ad sponsored, $1.99 for premium version http://www.pixorial.com 
YouTube Capture http://www.youtube.com/capture

Windows Tablets

 

This is the first out the gate; hopefully there will be more  Magix Movie Edit Touch form Microsoft App Store 

Web Based

YouTube Video Editor http://www.youtube.com/editor

I tried to stay with entry level, easy to use software for novice users. I lean toward free but have no problems and issue paying for a quality app.

Other Posts of Interest

• A Glance at TouchEdit for iPad
• Think About In-Camera Editing for Mobile Devices
• Making the Case for Intentional Vertical Videos
• Home Page for Mobile Users

The Forge and Eric Lim

This has been a week of people telling stories. Most of which almost wants to make me give up on the human race. I have to remind myself that we are not long out of the cave.

One of the powers of film and video is to help people see a different perspective. By telling our stories, we can let people know that they are understood and not alone.

Sometime you can't save the one you love but you can help people who need to know the message.




Eric Lim lost his sister due to suicide. He wanted to do something to help others that suffer from depression. You can read about his story on Mashable.

There is a supporting web site called For Anybody Hurting where you can get more information about the film, how it was made and, if you are so inclined, purchase the sound track by Austin Wintory with proceeds to be donated to the National Suicide Prevention Hotline.

I know that there have been movies, films and videos that help me save myself. Through laughter, craft of story or a great performance that moved my heart.

So yes, there will be stories of small people doing incredibly stupid things. Unkind people. People who should be shunned but won't be. Not being deliberately cryptic just don't want to give the fools of the week anymore publicity.

Besides, there will be new fools of the week next week. But there are good people doing wonderful things. We need to hold on to that each and every day.

I say this often; tell your story.

Other Posts of Interest

• KMDC Digital Storytelling Tutorials
• The Short of the Week and We Will Forget
• Pcth The New Way to Tell and Share Stories
• Home Page for Mobile Users

Project Status Report #1 - Memory Project

If I have been somewhat distant from this blog it is because I took a self imposed pledge to make a mini series of videos/memories/poems...I don't have a good name for it yet.

I do love poetry. I like reading it, seeing it performed and I thought by now there would be a lot more poets taking advantage of web video. As many of you know, I've recorded some of the poets in the Los Angeles area. This is a good thing but I've wanted to get my two cents into the game.

So I came up with an idea. To have a short memory piece about an object or a change that I notice. Nothing grand, nothing wham bang. A time marker if you will.

Because of work and school schedule it has been a ball and chain to execute.  I literally have to put it together bit by bit. There have been flops, failure and brain freezes.

 So I think it is time to share where I am so far and see if that kicks me near the finish line

Stage One - Preparation

I wrote out outlines, scribbles, doodles 3x5 cards and watch cartoons. (I gotta lay off the Batman/Justice League stuff.) There are notes with ideas and thoughts about how to do this.

Stage Two - Writing

I wrote one page on what I wanted to do. That was the easy part. Writing down the bones was the killer. The idea has to be transformed from the mist to substance. No more B/S time.

I manage to B/S quiet a bit but I wrote the structure of the video mini series.

Stage Three - Design Template Ideas

This is why I was looking at cartoons, for color information, style and transition information. I also looked at junk mail for the colors used, had a spell of looking at 1930s movie trailers - there is good in those flicks. I looked at good and bad PowerPoint presentations.

Stage Four - Asset Collection

I have been taking photos and videos of the objects that I want. I have found a few at the Library of Congress, Internet Archive and other public domain sources. And yes, I have printed out my source pages so there is no question where I got my visuals.

I have recorded audio narration and located a music source.

I am currently stuck in Stage Five, Assembly

Follow the script right? Well yes. It does make it easier. But then you get ideas or the ones don't quite work.

Next time, working around the blocks.

Other Posts of Interest

Creating Tools for Logos for Your Video Id Bug

Pixlr for Creating Simple Channel Art

Home Page for Smartphone and Tablet Users

A Mini Rant About Finding Video Podcasts on iTunes

I just installed iTunes after a long break. I found my long lost Nano and it was time. One of the reasons I used iTunes was to find both audio and video podcasts.

I don't know why I bothered. Most of the video podcasts, if you can find them are from broadcast or traditional providers. This doesn't make them not worth watching. There is good content.

But there is a reason people flocked to YouTube and the part of that reason is Apple's institutional barriers about user generated content. 

Really, not talking about the dog and kitty types of videos. I'm talking about the kind of place it could have been that would have programs like Feminist Frequency, The Young Turks or Adventures in Woodworking.

Don't get me wrong. You still can set up a iTunes podcast. Reading the FAQ kinda tells you the you need to do the heavy lifting and then when you are ready let iTunes know and they will then evaluate your podcasts.

If it is acceptable, and if you have done the right things, your podcast is included into the iTunes system.

But that does not mean a user can find your show. I spent too much time trying to find specific kinds of video podcast content. It was either the fire hose or unrelated audio shows mixed in with a video search.

There is no effective way to discover new and current video podcasts. Or exclude older videos. Or exclude religious podcasts when I use the search terms creation or creativity. I don't want that content to go away. I just want a decent search engine inside of the podcasting area.

Other users probably want the same things. And maybe that is why when people think about viewing videos they think Blip.tv, Vimeo and YouTube and hardly every iTunes.

It did not use to be this way.

Home Page for Mobile Users

Thoughts About Making CameraBag 2.0 Demo Video

One of the things about making videos is that at some point you do have to create a video. I have a new project that is frustrating the heck out of me. I can't seem to give up. One of the reasons I won't give up is that the road to success is paved with failures that allow you to discover new tools and techniques.

I have been trying to place photos in frames or borders without success. I discovered this program called CameraBag 2.0 and it makes the process a lot easier. I told a friend about it and decided to make a video so that I could show him what I was talking about.




My tendency is to just go do it and be done with it. It never works out that way.

So, for the record, let me state what I should have done:

1. Take the time to write it out. I'm all for natural speech but I just scribbled my narration and improvised in spots. It could have been better.
2. Sound quality and music: The Meteor microphone works great. I prefer to have silence in the video. The birds that live in my neighborhood decided otherwise. The first time they started chirping I stopped recording. I was halfway through and those rascals stared up again. I was running out time so I kept going; hoping they would not be heard. I used the music to mask the birds.
3. Still getting use to Camtasia's Zoom and Pan feature. I think you have to make a conscious effort to remember the video is for the audience and they want to see want you are talking about up close. 
4. The transitions, still trying to find the right transitions for these types of videos. I prefer subtle but the Slide Right transition seem to work for this video. Need to look into the proper use of transitions for demo movies. 

I could sit here and list dozen more errors, boo-boos and "I wished I'd thought about it more before I did it."

The point I'm making is that you have to be willing to own your learning process. That means you are not going to be perfect each and every time you are developing a new skill. You have to work on it. You have to be willing to be okay before you can be perfect.

Other Posts of Interest

• Samson Meteor Mic for Audio Recording
• Adding A Beep Tone to Mask A Cuss Word
• When You Just Need A Trimmed Video
• Home Page for Mobile Users

Project Imagination 2013 Film Contest

If Ron Howard is popping up on consumer video sites it must be time for Project Imagination. This is a consumer film (video) contest using the concept of a picture tells a story. They give you the picture (theme) and you create the story.

You have from now until July 23, 2013 to create your cinematic take on the soul of a photo. Sorry international folks, this is a U.S. based contest sponsored by Canon.

You should check out the official rules of the project at the site. You need to read those rules because there are some surprises in that legalese that you want to know before you begin. 

On the creation/tech side you should know that:

• You need to record in the 16:9 widescreen aspect ratio that is no smaller than 640x360
• Keep it under 300MB in size and not a byte more.
• You do have latitude in the recording formats but I'd stick with mp4 if I was you.

This is a straight up traditional contest where not only do you have to provide your personal information but you need to be scrupulous about providing documentation about your project.

This means you need talent and property releases, no copyright content appropriation and no accidental or implied sponsorship of another company; meaning that you have to be careful about things like logos on t-shirts, shopping bags and pants pockets. Don't even think about using the neighbors dog or cat without the owner's permission.

This is why you will need to read the contest rules to that you don't eliminate yourself.

There is a Imagination YouTube channel that has tutorials and examples videos.  You can also access some of the same content and additional tips on the Community blog page.

Check it out if you think you have a idea that fits the spirit of the content.

Other Posts of Interest:

• Animation Test - Working Through A Project
• Going Mobile Firefox OS Video Contest
• Sound Effects - What Is Royalty Free?
• Home Page for Mobile Users

A Look at New Media Rockstars

The creators of web video cannot wait for Variety and Extra to catch up to the happenings of new media content creators. Yes, every once in a while there will be a mainstream report about a sale of a web video series to a company like Disney or Viacom but you don't get the daily deets about actual performers or the change from independence to an influx of carpetbaggers and (some, not all) opportunists.

Who are the creators? What companies are inserting themselves as middle people? How much money do YouTubers make?

This is where New Media Rockstars (NMR) comes in handy. They interview the people and the changing new media environment. It isn't just about the creators of web video. There are posts about should you go solo or sign with a  network?

Will Yahoo buy DailyMotion? Hmm, this might be an instance where folks wouldn't be all that upset about a purchase. 

I seem to have a lot of questions but then again there is a lot of content to review at the site. And many that is the value of a web site like this; to cut the fluff and talk directly to the people that are hip deep in this ever changing experience.

If you have some time, give it a read.

Other Posts Of Interest

• HitREC Looking for User Generated Content
• Working Through A Project - Animation Test 
• A Bit of Inspiration from the Good Line 
• Home Page for Mobile Users

At Last - Vine for Android

The squeaky wheel finally got heard. Vine for Android is now at the Google Play Store.

It is a bit buggy at the moment. When you take on the various devices running Android OS there is going to be a bit of a shake down period.

Here is what you need to know. You have to be running Android 4.0 or higher. For the time being, the Front facing camera doesn't work but you have the ability to zoom.

Please don't digitally zoom. Zooming with you feet is okay. Optical zoom is okay. But not digitally.


Other features are being rolled out so give it a few days or weeks before there is perfection. You can visit the Android Vine page for status updates.

Six seconds isn't a lot of time but there are many people using Vine videos and being creative with the format.

If you need a bit more time to savor off line or you want to work on your video later it saves video in the .mp4 Quicktime video format.

Go forth and add your fruit to the Vine.

Quick Glance at Magix Movie Edit Touch for Windows Tablets

I discovered that there is a new video editing app for Windows 8 tablets from Magix.  I grumble a bit being on the Android side of the fence. It seems like it has been an eternity waiting for a functional Android video editing application. As the seconds become minutes and then become years.

Since my cheapo Android tablet is about half expired I'm willing to pay attention. This is a commercial for the new app from Magix:





You can trim and edit, add effects, create slideshows and save to a memory card.  This app runs on Windows 8 and RT and can be found in the Microsoft App store.

I have no idea if the promise matches up to the reality. But there is a new slate called the Acer Iconia W3 8 inch Windows tablet that has been released for about $380-ish or so. 

Temptations, surrounded by temptations.


Other Posts of Interest

• Right to Record Police Officers Revisited
• Quick Look at Muvee Turbo Video Stabilizer 
• WeVideo Android Editing App in Beta
• Home Page for Mobile Users

Reminder on Shot Check List for Event Recording

It is indeed a beautiful day in the neighborhood. The sun is shining. People perambulating about the town square and there is music, food trucks and motorists honking horns as the pedestrians take over.

It doesn't matter if you use a smartphone or a camcorder; you want to show folks what you saw and make it interesting. To the extent possible, consider using this method as a guideline to record a view of the event.

Now, granted if you are recording a music act and they are 10 feet above you then you might not get their hand plucking the guitar. But you might get a shot of the drummer banging away, a fiddler in mid-bow or the movement of the symbols.

If you want to cut down on your editing time using this as an in-camera editing guide would not be a bad thing.

I might have linked to this before, Journalism instructor Mindy Adams has a example of how to use the 5 Shot Check List. She says to go at least 10 seconds per shot and who am I to quibble?

Other Issues

• Stay safe, meaning secure your belongings. Do not take what you can't afford to lose. Travel light.
• Be considerate. If the person does not want to be recorded pull up and walk away.
• For U.S. readers, recording in public is allowed if you are on a public street or sidewalk. If you recording at a city event you do not need permission to record what happens on the street or the people walking by.
• If however you cross the street and walk onto private property, i.e. a mall parking lot, a store, or an alley then you could be asked to stop recording or leave. Don't kick up a fuss, just go.
• Security People that are not police officers: Most are okay people. Some are jerks. Listen to what is being said but keep your distance if you encounter a jerk.
• Police officers. Be alert, know where they are in relation to your body. Scope out exit paths. Be respectful.  Should something (bad) happen and you have recorded it then you to make decisions. Your safety is the most important thing followed by removing yourself from the area so that you can upload the video.

That should keep you busy. But I'm forgetting something. Oh, yeah, make sure you are charged up, have extra batteries, memory cards, water, wear comfy shoes and scope out multiple restroom options.

Other Posts of Interest

• Professor Lih's 5-shot Check List 
• Know Your Photography Rights Video From ACLU
• Bound by Law Duke University's Comic on Fair Use
• Home Page for Mobile and Tablet Users