Digital Video Editing

It was been an enlightening last few weeks of exploration with Digital Video Editing. Every year new issues and challenges arise. I seem to remember NEVER having issues when we used the old digital recorders with iMovie software!

While flip cameras do offer a fast and simple way to put together videos using flip software, the proprietary nature of the tool requires a bit more practice and experience when combining the flip captured videos with Windows Movie Maker. The challenges experienced during the practice videos were varied. Some issues could easily be resolved:

1. Save the flip video clips locally on the computer to be used during the editing process.
2. Complete all three steps of the video process: import videos, edit clips, Finish movie (the rendering stage in which all the pieces are put together, compressed, and made into a .wmv file.
3. Save the project file when you first open Windows Movie Maker, and SAVE FREQUENTLY!
4. Be sure that all pieces to be imported (video, pictures, music) are saved in the same place locally on the computer where the project file. Files saved on flash drives or on the Flip video and then imported into Movie maker itself may appear to be imported. However, as you work with these files you will notice the BIG RED X that eventually takes over your 'imported' clip. Panic ensues!
5. Consider--Are the clip formats compatible with Movie Maker? Flip creates .avi files. For importing purposes it is important that you choose to import the correct file format from the drop down list.

Other issues remain a mystery. Can Movie Maker only handle a certain amount of imported material and then starts replacing perfectly edited clips with the BIG RED X? Could it be that out of all the computers that could be chosen, Group N used the computer that simply wouldn't play fair?

These mysteries make the process of Non-Linear Editing particularly frustrating for use with K-12 students but most likely can be resolved by proper implementation planning (i.e. testing out the equipment that will actually be used).

Lori Rothman, a 1012 Loudoun cohort ITSer, developed a cheat sheet for using Windows Movie Maker that is quite useful. She actually created the document as part of her Desktop Publishing project last summer. She graciously shared her document with me and I will be sure to send all 1012 ITSers a copy.

After I introduce DV editing and ITSers have had the opportunity to explore the use of the tool, I always make a list things to consider for next year. On my list this year:
1. Explore other video camera options. Any suggestions?
2. Require certain elements to be included in the practice video to provide practice in editing and creating a movie with a variety of media: images, free published video clips, free audio, free music, other .....
3. Possibly having one group create the treatment and the script and pass it off to another group to actually film. I think this would work well in Semester 2 with the video joke assignment since ITSers do not have as much invested in the content as they do during the Advocacy project.

Any other considerations?