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Research Guides@Tufts

CSHD: Video Remix Project

Media Management Tips

Media management encompasses the organization of media assets from research and writing through sharing and archiving.  Below are some best practices for keeping track of files as you work on your project.

 

Box

We recommend creating a shared Box folder to store all your digital assets.  You can share this folder with the members of your group and your professor and TA. iMovie files do not save on box without creating a zip file.  See the instructions below for how to backup your iMovie library.

 

USB Flash Drive or External Hard Drive

You can also purchase a small 16gb USB drive to save files and move your project file around between computers.  You can specify the location and name of the library/project prior to starting your project and set it to your groups shared USB drive so you can edit on any computer.  For help, see Starting Your Project below for step by step instructions.

 

Organization

 

Staying organized is essential as you collect and create various assets for your project.  Organizing and naming all your files will help make collaborating smoother.  Above is an example of how you can stay organized during this process.

 

Backup

Always backup your media and project files in at least two locations!  It’s important to always back-up your media and project files in case your computer crashes or hard drive malfunction. All machines in the DDS are wiped weekly.

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Backing-up Your iMovie Library to Box

Unfortunately, Box does not properly save or backup iMovie Libraries. Using Box as a backup requires that you zip your iMovie library.  To do this simply find your iMovie Library (by default it is located in your Movies folder and named iMovies Library), right-click and select Compress iMovie Library.  

This will create a .zip file.  Move this file to Box as a backup.  You can add the date to the filename so you don't accidentally overwrite a previous version.  

 

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Find Content Online

Required movie excerpts

The excerpts you must incorporate into your project can be found on the course canvas site under Files.

Finding Images

 

When looking for images to include in a multimedia project, it is important to be aware of how resolution and compression can impact the aesthetic of your piece.  Resolution is the number of pixels running horizontally and vertically in your image.

The standard resolution for a project that combines video, image and audio elements is HD (1920x1080).  If you don't want your image to have artifacts, make sure the files you download are at least 1920 pixels x 1080 pixels.  Using Advanced Search functions typically allow you to narrow your results by resolution. 

 

 

Finding Video

If you don't want your video to have artifacts, make sure the files you download are at least 1920 pixels x 1080 pixels.  You can check your files resolution by opening in a media player or video application and checking the properties of the video.  

Some websites that allow download of videos also give the option for different formats, for example y2mate (be careful not to click on click bate!).  Since these files are usually heavily compressed, downloading the larger file type typically (not always) means it will be less compressed.  

Finding Audio

When looking for audio to include in a multimedia project, it is important to be aware of how format and sample rate can impact the quality of your audio.   Mp3 files compress sound files while .wav files are uncompressed and can store higher quality audio. 

The standard sample for a project that combines video, image and audio elements is 48kHz.  It is important that you make sure all of the files you download and record are the sample sample rate.  You can check your files resolution by opening in a media player or video application and checking the properties of the audio file.

Writing a Script

Thinking through the following questions can help frame how you approach remixing your video clip:

  • Who is your intended audience?  What is your objective with this video?
  • What is the current tone of the excerpt you are working with?  How will your new edit engage with that tone?  Will it heighten or undermine it?  
  • What editing strategies will you employ to convey your message?  Will you record a voice-over track to guide your audience through your argument or will you use strategies like juxtaposition or repetition to showcase the subtext already present in the work?

     

Format

Creating a storyboard can help you organize your ideas before you even open an editing application.  The template below will help you keep track of timing, video, audio and notes connected to each scene.  

Feedback and Critique

Giving and receiving feedback is a valuable way to practice listening and speaking critically in order to nurture a community of growth.  Below are a few tips for going into a critique.

Giving feedback

  • Make sure you are clear on the intentions of the maker.  It's not helpful to simply give feedback that is only about the decisions you would have made.  If you aren't sure what the makers intentions are, ask!
  • Be specific! When giving feedback, back up your comments with examples from the work.  

Receiving feedback:

  • Know what you like about your piece ahead of time
  • Don't preface your work with too much unnecessary context.  
  • Articulate what you already know isn't working for you after others have given their feedback
  • Be open

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Starting your Project and Importing Media

Before Starting

DDS can help support a variety of editing software, including Adobe Premiere and FCPX, but the method we recommend is using iMovie for ease of use. 

Udemy offers a range of online tutorials and has two classes to support learning the basics of iMovie:

Below is also a quick overview the basic tools in iMovie that will help you to complete this project.

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Interface

Creating a New Library

  • Open iMovie
  • In the Media tab, navigate to File > Open Library > New
  • Navigate to your Project Files folder on your External Drive (you would save to your own computer if you aren't using a public lab space like DDS)
  • Next to Save As, name your library "NameOfYourProject Media"
  • Save

   

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Importing Media

  • In the Media Tab, locate the Library you just created.  You should see a file with today's date.  This is an Event.  It functions like a folder and allows you to organize your media.
  • Right-click on your Remix Library and select Create New Event.  Organize your footage into Video, Audio and Images Events.
  • Select the Video Event and click the Import Media button.
  • Select the footage you wish to import.  Make sure the correct Event is selected under Import To.
  •  Click Import Selected.
  • Repeat this step for any Audio or Image files you wish to bring into your project.

            

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Creating a New Project

  • In the Project Tab, click the New Project button and select Movie.   A Project is where you edit your assets together and build your movie.
  • Before starting to edit, select the Projects button to return to the Project page.  This will prompt you to name your Project.  Name your Project "ProjectName_Project". Make sure your project is saved inside your recently created Library.
  • Click OK

  

      

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Video Editing

Selecting & Duplicating Files

  • To select the entire clip, simply click on the media file in the Event Browser and drag the file to the timeline
  • To select only a portion of the clip, hold R on your keyboard and drag your mouse
  • To add the clip to the end of your sequence, select the + button located in the lower right corner of the clip
  • To duplicate a clip, simply copy and paste the clip in the timeline

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Split your Clip

  • To split a clip, select the clip in the timeline, place the timeline indicator where you want your edit
  • Select Modify > Split Clip or use Command + B

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Inserting, Replacing and Cutting Away

Insert
  • To breakup a clip with a new shot, drag the desired media over the shot in the timeline until a green + button appears. Release.
  • Select Insert from the drop-down menu

Replace
  • To replace a clip with another, drag the desired media over the shot in the timeline until a green + button appears.  Release.
  • Select Replace, Replace from Start or Replace from End to choose how the replacement will occur.  Selecting Replace from Start or End will preserve the duration of the original shot.

Cutaway
  • Place the cutaway shot just above the video clip already on the timeline to create a new layer.  During playback, iMovie will show the top most clip.

 

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Adjusting Volume

  • To enable Waveforms on your timeline go to Project Settings > Show Waveforms

  • Audio files that are attached to your video files will show underneath the picture in your timeline in blue
  • To adjust levels, move the horizonal white bar up and down
  • Move the white circle at the head and tail of a clip to add a fade in/out

  • Double-clicking the clip activates the effects control panel. Select the audio icon and click Auto to have iMovie bring your levels to what it thinks are normal levels.  Make sure your levels don’t peak (turn red). Red indicates your audio will be distorted.

Detach Audio

  • To move an audio file independently from the video file, right-click and select Detach Audio.  

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Audio Editing Tips

  • Use room tone to fill gaps in your recording

  • Remove all clicks, pops and distracting audio

  • Set Volume just on the edge between green and yellow

Sound Design

  • Think of the piece as a whole and find ways to highlight themes through sound
  • Create depth by layering sounds

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Sharing

Exporting

Steps for exporting your project will vary depending on the editing application your group selected.
Recommended export settings:

  • Resolution: 1920x1080
  • Format: mp4

If working in iMovie:

  • Navigate to File > Share > File
  • Set your Resolution to 1080p and your Quality setting to setting to High
  • Select Next
  • Save your file to your computer or external drive 

•Custom Size: If you need to output a custom size, navigate to File > Share > File and select Quality > Custom.  Here you can change the bitrate to adjust the final size. Note: the smaller the file size, likely the more compress your file will be. 

Uploading to Canvas

Once you have exported your video project, you will need to upload your file to the Canvas course site.  Below are two guides for uploading the file first to your individual media gallery and then sharing that uploaded video with the course.