Well creations are happening which means I usually find needs, desires, or ways to use stuff to make content creation and assembly at a next step.
I watched a video cast – Audio Master Class by Leon Cych on organizing your equipment for video shoots and how to get the best sound etc. with minimal and inexpensive equipment recommended by @johnjohnston. Many of the tips are things I have done before – but like everyone I forget my organization and just dump stuff together. Which then means I go into org-mode. (BTW – I can’t wait to go to the new Container Store in town – but waiting as long as I can- could be huge budget damage!)
Also looking at how an educator or student is ready for digital capture and creations to practice and apply learning. As I create my own stories, there is always a part of me that thinks thru how students can use as well as how educators could apply in their own learning and in the learning environments of their students. Organization can save a lot of time and headaches. It also lets one focus on the activity. I am one for learning by futzing – but good futzing means you do learn to manage as much as you can so that you can futz on higher level things. Organize to futz at higher order skills seems like a good goal.
Getting the stuff manageable:
I have each piece in a ziploc bag-wouldn’t cool nylon bags be snazzy! – but hey zip bags are easy, see thru and replaceable) I have 10 bags now. Each has labeled what is in it and a number. I know I have 10 bags. Why? because when you are out somewhere the last thing you want to lose is that one little do-hickey thing-a-ma-bob. This way I find my stuff, but when packing up I know I don’t leave anything behind. If you are fortunate enough to have more than one set up for class us – label with a letter and a number. Bag A – Bag B etc. With a quick glance you can make sure and remind students to match all their items for an equipment check. When you really want to get fancy – metal rings work great for attaching cheat sheets and directions. Remember to include photos for clarity in directions and fewer words. No one reads when they are in an active situation, but they will look at pictures.
Repurposed a former laptop tote. Has a place to put my iPad as well. Backpacks work great for class set ups – everyone has old ones somewhere.
The only thing missing is the tri-pod. Right now I use a great tripod – it is actually an antique. Way cool – but heavy and not as portable as I would like. So for my Christmas list – a flexible, lightweight and hopefully colorful tripod. 🙂
Can’t wait to go out and begin a shoot. Watch out family – the story interviews are about to begin.
Contents of my Video Pack:
- iPad Mount with lens adapter and boom mic mount capacity
- wide-angle and zoom lens for iPad – attaches to mount
- boom mic – with stand, cables, filter
- Lapel Mic
- Green Screen hanging clips (shower hooks and command strips)
- Green Screen cloth
- phone and iPad mounts
- 2 grips/table clamp tripod
- misc. audio cable, mount instructions, micro fiber cloth for cleaning
- extra batteries for boom mic
Still need to add a tripod…..
I am using TouchCast app on my iPad for capture as well as the standard Camera/Video app.
Another app I us is Fuse by TechSmith when working with others who use a video server such as Eduvision by JDL Horizons.. This equation allows for immediate upload to a server – great for student assignments or professional development, coaching and mentoring of educators who want to capture their practice.
Next will be doing a similar clean up of my DSLR camera bag for lenses and external flash with remote.
What do you do to organize or make sure you get the best when out capturing content?
