The American Motion Picture Institute announces its first online filmmaking course to launch in July, 2012. Registration opens June 1, 2012. Their Making Movies Like the Pros course includes casting, crewing, production paperwork, HD camera operations (camera included), locations and more. The course is designed to help amateur filmmakers, hobbyists and the general public make their own movies and videos using professional grade techniques.
Founded in 2002, the video production school formerly offered only industry career-directed workshops through partner, Dominion Films. However, under the new format, students are those wanting to create their own non-professional projects and upload them to YouTube and other social media channels and platforms. The mission of the video school is to raise the quality of videos in the social and viral stratosphere by arming beginners with professional tools.
The online classes draw from direct, real world production processes, using the experience of industry veterans for various parts of the course. What’s great is that students will have up to three months to complete the online certificate course. www.americanmpi.com.
Upon creating my multimedia article on homelessness for online publication, it was important that the public’s misconceptions of the homeless were changed and that people became motivated to help. The article, Paradigm Shift: Ten Things to Learn About Social Services and the Homeless, provided a glimpse behind the scenes of legislators, businesses and nonprofits working help change the homeless situation. As the research revealed one piece of information after another, I found myself wondering just how many people would make the decision to help someone after reading the article.
To gauge actual interest in my article about the issues of homelessness, Google Analytics and website statistics provided tracking information about visitors to the article on my website. The results revealed the need for broader marketing. The numbers would have been higher had more interest groups been included in the target market. More geographic locations can be included in future articles and the social service agencies discussed could also be included.
Overview graph of page visits over time. Google Analytics 2012
According to my tracking results, from January 19 through February 19, 2012, the data revealed ninety-one views across the website. There were forty-eight visits and thirty-seven unique visitors. Of the total visitors 77.08% were new. While the overwhelming majority of visitors was from the United States, one person viewed my article from Great Britain.
When it cane to actual engagement with the article, thirty-nine people remained on the page for zero to ten seconds, six people appear to have read, or skimmed, the entire article, spending between three and thirty minutes. The average of the latter group was about ten minutes. One person left a comment offering to forward the article link to his Facebook friends, which reinforced the importance of using hyperlinks in the article.
Finally, one might wonder if it makes sense to track what browsers people are visiting from, but, in my opinion, it makes sense when a variety of multimedia elements are used on the site, as was done in mine. Some tend to load graphics, videos and audio faster than others. At the top of the list was Firefox used by 68.75% of my readers, followed by Google Chrome, then Safari. Knowing my visitor preferences helps me craft articles better suited to their needs.
The next time you visit a website, take a moment to click on the links, not just because the author can learn about your preferences, but because you may also learn something in the process. I learned that people will visit a page when the information is informative, compelling, timely and when it appeals to a variety of learning styles. The video in my article received 10 views on You Tube, which means that people were interested in learning “Ten Things to Learn About Social Services for the Homeless.“
A movement is afoot in Houston, Texas to encourage the public to help those less fortunate. Individual citizens are taking up the cause of helping those less fortunate than they, as in the case of educator, Andre Blanchfield.
In cities around the country, homeless people are positioned on street corners asking passersby for help of some kind. These people are referred to by the National Alliance to End Homelessness as those who do not have a regular place of residence.
According to the website of the nonprofit organization, Feeding America whose employees work to feed the hungry, they state, “Although these individuals and families strive to secure adequate income, many are often unable to meet their own most basic needs, let alone find the time, transportation, education, and other resources needed to improve their situation.” (2011)
The numbers of homeless people have increased over the past years due to unemployment, foreclosures, lost wages, underemployment, substance abuse and mental illness. (Bureau of Labor Statistics , 2011)
Homeless people need water too...
This is where you, the public, can help. There is much that you can do. One example would be to buy a case of water and give each homeless person you encounter a bottle of water. There are other alternatives.
The people at the Don’t Almost Give website publish a list of sources that the public can use to be of help throughout the year. Visit their donor website.
Otherwise, take a stand, do something, help the homeless in March.
Copyright Release Agreement - Source: Dominion Films/ A biiba Howell
When it comes to protecting the rights of those who write and publish their work online, i.e. bloggers, reporters, citizen journalists, artists, reporters or journalists, one thing they can be sure of is the need for protection of their work.
A first step is to ensure protection by means of copyright. For seasoned writers, such as award-winning author and screenwriter, Dawn Greenfield Ireland, this means the registration of one’s work. “Everything I write has the copyright symbol on it and I spend the thirty dollars and send it to the Library of Congress because this registration is God for seventy-five years.”
According to the United States Copyright Office, those whose works are published online may obtain copyright protection upon publication. Such works “may consist of text, artwork, music, audiovisual material (including any sounds), sound recordings, etc. Copyright does not protect ideas, procedures, systems, or methods of operation (17 USC sec. 102(b)).”
Movie Poster for The Accident - Source: Dominion Films / Abiiba Howell copyright 2011
Normally, if someone is hired to create or produce a work and an agreement is signed to that effect, the benefit of the work may not inure to the benefit of the writer. Rather, it becomes the property of the employee or client. The types of agreements vary from employment contracts to ownership agreements. “Sometimes we have to sign a nondisclosure agreement,” says Ireland. “Many people don’t know that you do not receive credit for the work, in most cases and cannot use it top promote your career.” According to Ireland, it is imperative that agreements are clearly understood regarding ownership and use of the work, in advance. A work for hire simply means that someone has hired you to write something for them and they own the work, according to the United States Copyright Office.
The process for obtaining a patent for tangible elements is far easier than to obtain one for scientific purposes, as evidenced in an ABC Science online article which details the difficulties a company will have in securing a patent on a scientific process related to human genes. A New Zealand company wants to patent human genes. The government says that until the genes are used they cannot be patented. For mobile app developers, the test is to develop their apps, apply for the patent and use the apps.
Trademarks are, according to the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, a protection for a word, name, symbol or device….” These can protect the name of a writers blog, trade name and other symbol.
Retweet .. Help a homeless person. It could be you tomorrow.. According to Online Media Daily, a MediaPost.com(online publication, the City of New York is entertaining a proposal to grant press passes to blog publishers. The two-year passes are to … Continue reading →
When I think about releases in the entertainment industry, my thoughts are about agreements between two sides. Each side makes concessions for their own benefit. Oftimes those benefits are less than obvious.
According to author Fran Harris, “Hollywood is full of procedures, paper trails and protocol. You will be asked to sign releases, non-disclosure agreements, contracts and other legal documents more often than you think. Get used to it. It ain’t personal. If you’re the kind of person to get bent out of shape because someone asks you to sign a confidentiality agreement, don’t pursue Hollywood, you’ll be eaten up the first time out.” (Crashing Hollywood, 2002)
Source: Dominion Films 2011
Based on my own experience as a motion picture producer, the entertainment industry releases, when used as intended, cover most aspects of a project. However, to initiate and execute them with limited liability, it is important to be aware of the terms and requisite elements.
Each release should satisfy the following: a) an offer – this is usually a statement of each side’s willingness to enter into the agreement; an acceptance – this is where both parties consent to the terms of the release (the homeless person would sign the release); legal purpose or objective – the objective of the release or agreement must be for a legal purpose; mutuality – both parties must be in agreement on the final terms, with no counteroffers or changes of what is being agreed to; consideration – this states what will benefit or be a liability to the signer (homeless person); competent parties – this indicates that both parties are of legal age and are competent to enter into a binding agreement.
In the case of minors being captured on camera, as in the video below, the parents or legal guardians must sign a minor release.
Source: Abiiba Howell/Dominion Films, 2011
Unfortunately, some people see the homeless as nameless, faceless people. When asked about her thoughts on the homeless having their pictures taken and placed on the internet without their consent, or knowledge, Dalila Mebane says, “I don’t see that they have the same rights as the general public, and it’s unfortunate.”
According to the protections of rights inherent in the Texas Intrusion law, however, the homeless are entitled to the same rights to their likeness as anyone else. (Citizen Media Law Project. http://www.citmedialaw.org/search/node)
Photographing and posting images online of homeless people without their express permission, preferably in writing via a release, can constitute an invasion of privacy via an intrusion on seclusion claim. To be liable under such a claim, the public or reporter must have:
“Invaded the private affairs of the plaintiff;” “the invasion must be offensive to a reasonable person;” “the matter that the defendant intruded upon must involve a private matter:” and “the intrusion must have caused mental anguish or suffering to the plaintiff.” (http://www.citmedialaw.org/legal-guide/elements-intrusion-claim)
According to The Palm Beach News online edition, a Florida pastor has filed a lawsuit against The National Enquirer newspaper for publishing a story implicating him in the death of a missing girl. The pastor has filed a defamation lawsuit because the publication stated that he was “under police investigation” for killing the child “as part of a human sacrifice.” (October 11, 2011).
This further demonstrates the necessity for accuracy of information, as well as the obtaining of releases in every situation where someone is being captured on camera, quoted or recorded in conversations.
In my last article, I ended it with a question asking readers if they would help a homeless person if one asked them. I received no responses. As I pondered this fact, it soon became clear that had I widely published the article and promoted the fact that it existed, there would have been comments, possible forwarded links and maybe even tweets or re-tweets about the article.
This highlights the importance of engagement, which implies an emotional involvement or commitment on the part of the article writer and the audience. Without getting the content to the audience, there can be no engagement. In order for the engagement to be fruitful for the audience, there must be content that is both interesting, thought-provoking and visually stimulating. Interactive elements go a long way towards helping to maintain interest.
As in the 2008 presidential campaign, Mr. Obama’s use of social media avenues, coupled with requests for supporters to also engage their friends via Facebook, Twitter and their preferred social media.
Source: Communications Conversations
In publishing and promoting articles, it is important to know and understand key things about the viewers. For my topic of homelessness, I need to utilize various tools to know where my audience is based, where their interests are and what social channels they utilize. In short, engagement also relies on knowing the ways in which audiences communicate and where.
In evaluating resources to help interest more people in helping the homeless, tools such as charts, graphs, videos and other interactive elements go a long way towards attracting and maintaining reader interest.
In determining content for future articles, it is key to utilize tracking tools such as Site Stats by WordPress or Google Analytics that provide website visitor information. This information allows later publications to be tailored to the interests of the audience.
Who knows? You may also get stats about the interest people have in helping the homeless. Clearly, engagement is the way to go.
The world of reporting, as we have known it, has changed tremendously in the past decade. Due to the growth of emerging technology, the use of photos, infographics, videos and interactive elements now provide a more pleasing and comfortable user experience, thereby transplanting the often redundant and wordy paragraphs formerly employed by journalists.
To assist them, writers and reporters are using cellular phones, which have video capabilities, like the iPhone and android (alternative) devices, to capture footage in the field. The iPad and other tablet computers allow greater display sizes and the versatility to speak “face to face” with someone via applications like Skype, in real-time. These capabilities allow for greater speed in relaying information and the opportunity to enhance the story with images and video, while providing a more personal experience.
Source: dan-in-kenya.blogspot.com
According to the people at Mobile Active, mobile technology is a great tool for linking local remote areas with the larger villages in places like Kenya. Because access to computers and satellite towers are not as readily accessible, reporters (journalists) can shoot their video, add text and then upload the story when they leave the dropout areas. The story does not always have to wait.
In the motion picture industry, the uses of mobile technology are vast. Assistant Directors can edit and upload call sheets electronically on their tablets and store the information on a website for crew members to log in and download without having to print the document. They can use their phone devices to text, email and write blogs using applications such as WordPress.
Camera Assistants can load applications to their tablet which would allow them to document the shots, takes and scene numbers, while using a device, such as an iPad, in place of a motion picture standard slate. The job becomes both simplified and more efficient. One example is the iPad-compatible application, Movie Slate, which offers a full display sized movie slate that, when loaded, shows a keyboard for adding needed information.
In the role of Producer and Director, mobile devices can provide viable avenues for the real-time completion of location scouts, casting sessions, script revisions, budget approvals, hiring decisions and much more. Apps such as GPS, calendar planners, text editors and storyboards allow unprecedented flexibility and adaptability than ever before fo0r these roles.
For a motion picture Key Makeup Artist and department head, the timely reading and completion of production paperwork and keen attention to continuity issues are fundamental to maintaining a top-notch makeup department. Tools such as tablets and phone devices allow for quick, on-the go, on-location and on-set documentation that can be transferred easily, thereby enhancing productivity.
When conducting workshops to help others break into the motion picture industry, the luxury of emerging technology, such as tools for promotion via mobile devices and tablet devices (iPads and androids) have made it easier to teach, as well as promote the sessions via social networking and promotion sites.
Overall, journalists and anyone working closely with the public would do well to include mobile devices in their repertoire of tools and perhaps, pleasantly discover along the way that small packages can provide big delivery, when maximized.
The horror cult classic, the Texas Chainsaw Massacre that left audiences perched on the edges of their chairs in 1974, is rumored to be preparing a sequel. Although some of the original cast members will return, it is the stunt players, according to stuntwoman, Jody Haselbarth, that performed most of the daring and dangerous work.
In describing herself, the petite stuntwoman says, “I am a natural athlete, I have a strong background in dance, bareback bronc riding, gymnastics and bull riding.”
Haselbarth, who is a former member of the Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling (GLOW), has been a member of the Houston Stuntmen’s Association since moving from wrestling to stunts over thirty years ago.
Although she has not yet received a call to work on the Texas Chainsaw Massacre sequel, she is happy to share her experiences from the original one.
Joining her is longtime friend, and stuntman, Oscar Carles, who “got started just out of high school after learning some things from a friend..” The two recall a stunt at the one hundred year old Texas house that was a major player in the 1974 movie.
Happy to share the activities behind the scenes, Haselbarth offers sage advice.
Whether you choose to rent the 1974 Texas Chainsaw Massacre or wait for the latest sequel, one thing is for sure, there will be plenty of stunts behind the scenes.
In reviewing the subject of bonuses for oil company executives in the midst of the oil spill in 2010, referred to by CNBC.com as the “Crisis in the Gulf,” an exploration of other oil company bonuses revealed this to be a normal part of the oil and gas corporate culture.
When Transocean rewarded its executives in 2010 for maintaining a numerically sound safety record, they offered financial bonuses. Although the executives donated the money to help those injured in the explosion of the oil rig, CNN News says the company contends that the bonuses were deserved.
According to an article by ABC Good Morning America, when Exxon paid more than $400 million to former CEO, Lee Raymond in the form of stock options, security, transportation and retirement pension funds, it was for leading the company to the largest profit it had ever seen. The company profits totaled more than $36 billion.
Juxtaposed against the oil spill in the gulf of Mexico in 2010, despite the loss of income, worker injuries and possible long term health effects, deaths, loss of wildlife and devastation, the awarding of bonuses by oil companies shows no sign of being eliminated any time soon.
The American Motion Picture Institute announces its first online filmmaking course to launch in July, 2012. Registration opens June 1, 2012. Their Making Movies Like the Pros course includes casting, crewing, production paperwork, HD camera operations (camera included), locations and more. The course is designed to help amateur filmmakers, hobbyists and the general public make their own movies and videos using professional grade techniques.
