Assignment 2
Activity 3.11
I used Quicktime 7 Pro for this activity and an old version of Camtasia 2. I tried using Adobe Premiere Pro but I did not seem to be able to change the size of the stage effectively and export in the correct format. From what I researched the stage is standard for movie screens and the only changes that can be made are for widescreen. There were settings for mobile phones however the quality of the exported file did not seem suitable.
I was a little disappointed with Quicktime 7 Pro. I purchased the extended version for $45. There was a link to instructions but they really didn't explain the tools well. I used trial and error to combine my assets which I turned into movie files. This program is not something I would use often as there are very few controls. The effects were disappointing too. I would rather buy a newer version of Camtasia as it is very versatile and easy to use.
Download Quicktime player 7 (if needed). If your browser is not configured to read the following .mov files alternative access is provided on the "Click to play" under each movie.
Car in web movie format
Car movie 1
File format and size: QuickTime (284b .mov) (58kb .m4v) (Click to play)
Software used Quicktime 7 Pro (Effect created using Camtasia. Exported into Quicktime 7 Pro to add audio)
Car movie 2
File format and size: QuickTime (94b .mov) (58kb .m4v) Click to play
Software used: Quicktime 7 Pro with heading and film noise effect added.
For Car movie 1 I created the title effect using Camtasia effects. I saved it this as an animated gif. Using quicktime I combined the gifs into a movie file and then added the edited sound file. To combine the audio with the movie clip required some trial and error. The video was much shorter than the sound provided. I used Wavepad to edit the sound file to an appropriate length to match the car animation and kept adjusting the length until it looked perfect.
For Car movie 2 I used Quicktime alone using the trial and error method and used the film noise effect. Quicktime exports the files in web format and provides the code needed for inserting in the webpage. The file size is very small. I like the effect of providing an image for the webpage to sit on top of the movie file. As my first movie started with a black image, the poster image added to the effect on my page.
In both movies after adding the audio clip, the file was exported as a QuickTime (.mov) file. Quicktime 7 Pro creates the reference movie that automatically selects the best version for the device and internet connection.
Haiku in web movie format
File format and size: QuickTime (92b .mov) (257kb .m4v) (Click to play)
Software used Quicktime 7 Pro
The title picture used for this movie was created in Fireworks. I wanted an image that showed the endearing quality of my dog for the beginning of my movie. I didn't want to use any more effects as I didn't want to detract from the rest of the animation. I then added it to the animated gif which was converted to a movie file in Quicktime 7 Pro. I extended the audio at the beginning using Wavepad to match and sync with the animation and the new title frames. I then created a poster frame and exported for movie for the web as a QuickTime (.mov) file. Quicktime 7 Pro creates a reference movie that automatically selects the best version for the device and internet connection.
Embedding these movie files into the webpage was fraught with difficulties. I have used the exact code that Quicktime provide. On my laptop, my study desktop and the Mac my son uses the files read correctly. However at school many of the computers will not read the embeded file no matter what embed code I use so I have provided a (Click to Play) link in the event that the browser will not read the file and also a link to the Quicktime player needed.
Reflections
I am really pleased with the finished product. I feel the text, image, the animation and the audio combined together give the reader a better understanding and appreciation of the relationship between myself and my dog. At each step in the process of this assignment from the construction of the haiku text, text/image, animation, audio and finally movie, the story unfolds little by little to reveal what my dog looks like, where he lives, what he does, his personality and his relationship with me.
The difficulty encountered with embedding the quicktime files in web pages is annoying and has deterred me from using a similar technique in the future. When using quicktime movie files I will always provide a click to the movie in preference to embedding.
Skills gained
This was my first experience using Quicktime 7 Pro but not my first experience using video editing software. I have a better understanding of file formats for the web and the understanding behind the use of players to play these file formats. Quicktime 7 Pro gives users the opportunity to alter the quality of movies and plays High Definition movies. Because Quicktime 7 Pro provided the code for embedding the files into the webpage I originally thought this would make it an easy task for many people to use. However this code does not have cross browser support.
During this activity I improved my understanding of the difficulties of cross browser support for movie files. Understanding that these difficulties exist makes me aware that frequent testing of web content is needed across Operating systems and the browsers used by my audience. It may be necessary to provide links that enable the users to download players or files to allow them access to the content.
References:
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