Animoto

Process

I created this movie using Animoto, an online application that will take photos and music that you choose and creates a very professional presentation for you. I used travel images that were available on Animoto to simulate a road trip slideshow. I enhanced a couple of slides by adding captions and spotlighting them.

Purpose

By using Animoto, I was able to create a very professional video that looked much better than if I had used PowerPoint.The professional effects really made the video pop.

Possibilities

Although Animoto is very professional, if you want to make a video longer than 30 seconds, there will be a fee involved.  Overall, it is very easy to use and I would definitely use it again.  Additionally, it would be very easy to teach a beginner how to use this program.

Zoo

Process I created my Zoo Movie using Photo Story.  To do this I brought in images of my animal, which was a kangaroo, and altered them with the effects settings.  I further enhanced them by choosing the start and end points of each image and choosing transitions to make the movement from image to image more smooth.  I created the music in the program and I chose it because it was instrumental and it wouldn't distract from the movie.

Purpose

We used Photo Story  for this project because it is easy to use and has many interesting effects available to the user.  This individual customization is what makes Photo Story unique.  It was very easy to use.
The purpose of putting a zoo page on the Snowed Inn site it to enlighten the user to the many animals they could see if they visited the zoo.  By putting a movie on the site we increase the appeal because it helps the visitor visualize the experience better. 

 Possibilities

Being able to customize each image made the Photo Story look very unique and really personalized it.  If I could do it differently, I would increase the length of time each image was available to make the text easier to read.  A list of other animals available at the zoo would really enhance the webpage.  I could create this again faster because I would know how the controls work and I could definitely teach a novice to make this movie because it is very user friendly.  

Reflect PowerPoint -> WMV

Process

To create the Amenities Movie, I used Microsoft PowerPoint and converted it to a movie (WMV file).  I started by adding images that represented the different amenities available on each slide and then wrote a small descriptor under each one to explain what each slide meant.  I enhanced the slides by adding a background to give the PowerPoint a more cohesive look and including transitions between the slides and animations for the words.  I got the music from Mrs. Rice's music folder and I selected it because it was peaceful and didn't distract from the images.

 Purpose

I used PowerPoint to make this movie because it is a very convenient and quick tool to use.  It is very user friendly and easy to understand.

By putting an Amenities Page on Snowed Inn, we allow the prospective visitor to  get a feel of what a stay at Snowed Inn would mean.  It also makes it very clear to the customer just what to expect or look forward to during their stay.  My movie was calm and relaxing, and it lends appeal to Snowed Inn by letting people know that a stay at Snowed Inn is the perfect vacation to take to unwind.

Possibilities

Overall, using PowerPoint was very easy and convenient, but adding music created a problem for me.  The music file that I chose was too long for the project and I had difficulty making it mesh well with the rest of the movie.  I should have chosen a shorter music file.  Other elements that could be added to the web page to enhance it could have been links to more information about the individual amenities.  Now that I have made this once, it would be much easier to make it again because I am more familiar with it now.  It would be very easy to train someone to create this movie.

Living Zoo

Visit Our Zoo at Kid's Biology!

Click here to listen to animal facts all about the Kangaroo!!

Maplequotes

If you're interested in hearing a great funny quote, click here.

Convince Me!

Old Time Radio Comedy
Author:  This is a series of reruns from old radio shows
Date: This podcast posts sporadically, but does post at least once every two weeks.
Category: Comedy
This podcast does a very good job of tickling your funny bone and bringing you back to a bygone era

Sounding Out The City
Author: Rob Fragoso
Date: Weekly
Category: Music
The host is very entertaining and the music is good as well.

Podcasting

Podcasting is basically an audio blog that can be about anything you want.

In order to follow a podcast you need to subscribe to it.  Subscribing to a podcast can be done through either iTunes or and outside host website.

Subscribing through iTunes and podcast directories involves two different processes.  On iTunes, the podcasts were well organized and had an easy to find "subscribe" button.  This is the simpler of the two ways to subscribe.  If you go through a different website, such as Podcast Pickle, you have to find the rss feed for the podcast and then copy and paste it into iTunes.