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You do make some nice points about timing of slides and other elements during editing, but I’m wondering how easy it really is to figure that out as a novice. If all you’re trying to do is create something functional, then sure, it just needs to be readable. I think that a powerful video slideshow would probably have a lot more thought and expertise put into the timing and ordering of slides. I am all for amateur content production, but I don’t know if we can really throw around words like “powerful” for every amateur project. When I do attempt my first video slideshow, I won’t have expectations of it rivaling the author’s work.

However, nitpicking about “powerful” aside, I will say that it’s awesome that amateurs now have the access to tools for creating and collaborating. With enough practice and some raw talent, amateurs can definitely create very professional digital media.

I will have to eventually do a video tutorial on this. Thank you all again!

-Definitely keep the production and editing simple…and avoid the StarWipe transition! I generally think that the editing during the main body of the video shouldn’t be too overtly noticeable as it can disrupt flow and distract attention from your message (does anyone else get nauseous watching movies like Transformers?). Sort of like garbage collectors and the 3rd base coach in baseball…they are only noticed when they screw up!

-Matt wisely points out that music for amateur MCDM videos can make a strong educational fair-use claim, if in the unlikely event they are even noticed by bored lawyers. In addition to the music sources Matt suggested, there are a variety of more unique options beyond ripping your favorite Yanni or Coldplay CD or buying royalty-free “canned” instrumental tracks. For example, the web is awash in Crowdsourcable musicians who would like nothing better than to have their work presented to a wider audience, if only a classroom full of MCDMers. I’ve had some wonderful CD’s (such as http://www.andalus.com, which was especially useful during my years working on Middle East-related educational documentaries) sent to me with full permission, thanks to some stumbling around MySpace, etc.

Likewise, everyone must at least know someone who knows someone who is in a band that hasn’t hit the top 40 just yet. I just experienced a long-overdue eureka moment when I realized that some of my videos’ music needs could be filled by the extremely skilled harpist that lives in my house! (She does weddings, etc…anyone?) Even the worst harp playing sounds quite lovely, and she takes requests! Granted, live audio recording takes a bit of work unless you go the Flip route, but decent computer mic’s are pretty cheap and the MCDM/Comm department has the pro-level gear as well as plenty of current and former students (Brian Steel this means you!) who could offer advice to an ambitious aspiring audiophile.

-As for editing software, while I haven’t used them recently, I’ve heard good things about entry-level versions of pro software like Adobe Premiere Elements and Final Cut Express. Also, I’m quite sure educational discounts can make multimedia software prices quite reasonable.

http://www.bookstore.washington.edu/pdf/acad_software11_23_09.pdf