Workflow instruction website at DVinfo.net

Devin Termini · August 2nd, 2009, 09:52 AM

Hi folks,

Not exactly sure if this is the right forum, but this does deal with FCP editing and workflow issues.

I'm working on an educational website for students which would supplement their in-class instruction. This website focuses on editing, workflow, and media management. Right now it is still very much a work in progress. Undoubtedly I'll be making changes while you are on the site. I'd like to open it up to "peer review" to see if the rest of the video community agrees with the content on the site. I would appreciate any comments that you folks could provide.

If you see something that does or doesn't look right, leave comments here. The information on the site is an amalgamation of sources that I've found on the internet, magazine articles, and technical books. In video it seems that there are eight answers to any one problem, I just want to provide the students the best solution for them.

Workflow - Workflow Home

Shaun Roemich · August 2nd, 2009, 10:05 AM

Minor niggle: using Safari as a browser on a Mac, the drop down text for the items that contain no info at this time AND the resource links are encroaching upon the menu bar at the top.

Robert Lane · August 2nd, 2009, 01:56 PM

As Shaun points out the site lacks most of the content slated in the menus so it's too early to give any relevant critiques.

It's a good concept, consolidate common information into a singular source but you may find the task more daunting than expected. When I gathered all the materials for the MacHDWorkshop I put together last year (which may come back again later this year) it took months of compiling all the info I had stuck in my head along with info I published for clients or on the web. Even then it was a huge task to then create a natural flowing structure so that the info was easily found and naturally resolved into it's sub-categories. (whew).

Keep up the work and hit us up again when it's more than 3/4th's completed.

Mitchell Lewis · August 3rd, 2009, 11:57 AM

What would be an AWESOME online resource, would be a site that tests/reviews and gives suggestions on the usage of the the various video codecs on the market right now. There was a site that did this a while back, but it's very outdated now.

Robert Lane · August 6th, 2009, 10:06 PM

You'll be getting your wish soon, Mitchell. Keep an eye out for "Go-Go-Godzilla" to rear it's ugly green web-site in the near future.

As far as the older site you referred to: I believe the owner of the site and his wife hit the lottery - literally - and he's given up his gear and clients to live the high-life in quiet seclusion. That's the word on the street anyway.

Shaun Roemich · August 7th, 2009, 09:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Robert Lane

Y
As far as the older site you referred to: I believe the owner of the site and his wife hit the lottery - literally - and he's given up his gear and clients to live the high-life in quiet seclusion. That's the word on the street anyway.

Wow, if I hit the lottery, I'd buy more gear... and then shoot whatever I wanted to, with non-Royalty Free music JUST to have lawyers to talk to on a regular basis... <tongue planted FIRMLY in cheek... well, at least about the Royalty Free part>

Noah Kadner · August 7th, 2009, 06:41 PM

Have you considered using MediaWiki instead of whatever it is your using to build that site? It's easier on the eyes, encourages collaboration and is something any kid of today is already familiar with.

MediaWiki

-Noah

Devin Termini · August 11th, 2009, 10:01 PM

Thanks for the input on the site. I'm still working on it when I get some free time, hopefully I'll be done soon. If you have any comments or requests, just post them here!

Liam Hall · August 12th, 2009, 03:05 AM

To be honest, it's a mess.

Where are the work-flows?? I just see a bunch of random facts and confused definitions. There's nothing there that would help a student navigate their way through a production. Sorry, but I think you need to start again and be clear about what you need to explain to students.

Devin Termini · August 12th, 2009, 08:24 PM

Hi Liam.

This is a work in progress. I had hoped to be further along at this point, but just haven't had the time lately. The workflows are coming, but not in the way you think.

The workflows won't be as simple as: do [process #1], then [process #2], and [process #3] to make a DVD. While this is a straightforward and simple way to get students to make a DVD, we want students to understand why they are doing those steps in the process.

For example we want to express to the students that they can manipulate the DVD encode settings to obtain better image quality. And in doing so, they need to understand bitrate, GOP settings, dialogue normalization, interlace/deinterlace, etc.

August 3rd, 2009, 11:57 AM	#4
Mitchell Lewis Trustee Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Kennewick, WA Posts: 1,124	What would be an AWESOME online resource, would be a site that tests/reviews and gives suggestions on the usage of the the various video codecs on the market right now. There was a site that did this a while back, but it's very outdated now. __________________ Sony EX3, Canon 5D MkII, Chrosziel Matte Box, Sachtler tripod, Steadicam Flyer, Mac Pro, Apple/Adobe software - 20 years as a local videographer/editor

August 12th, 2009, 03:05 AM	#9
Liam Hall Major Player Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: London, England Posts: 969	To be honest, it's a mess. Where are the work-flows?? I just see a bunch of random facts and confused definitions. There's nothing there that would help a student navigate their way through a production. Sorry, but I think you need to start again and be clear about what you need to explain to students. __________________ Writer-Director-DOP www.liamhall.net

August 2nd, 2009, 09:52 AM	#1
Devin Termini Regular Crew Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Mount Pleasant, MI Posts: 177	Workflow instruction website Hi folks, Not exactly sure if this is the right forum, but this does deal with FCP editing and workflow issues. I'm working on an educational website for students which would supplement their in-class instruction. This website focuses on editing, workflow, and media management. Right now it is still very much a work in progress. Undoubtedly I'll be making changes while you are on the site. I'd like to open it up to "peer review" to see if the rest of the video community agrees with the content on the site. I would appreciate any comments that you folks could provide. If you see something that does or doesn't look right, leave comments here. The information on the site is an amalgamation of sources that I've found on the internet, magazine articles, and technical books. In video it seems that there are eight answers to any one problem, I just want to provide the students the best solution for them. Workflow - Workflow Home

August 2nd, 2009, 10:05 AM	#2
Shaun Roemich Inner Circle Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Vancouver, British Columbia (formerly Winnipeg, Manitoba) Canada Posts: 4,088	Minor niggle: using Safari as a browser on a Mac, the drop down text for the items that contain no info at this time AND the resource links are encroaching upon the menu bar at the top. __________________ Shaun C. Roemich Road Dog Media - Vancouver, BC - Videographer - Webcaster www.roaddogmedia.ca Blog: http://roaddogmedia.wordpress.com/

August 2nd, 2009, 01:56 PM	#3
Robert Lane Go Go Godzilla Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Scottsdale, AZ USA Posts: 2,823 Images: 15	As Shaun points out the site lacks most of the content slated in the menus so it's too early to give any relevant critiques. It's a good concept, consolidate common information into a singular source but you may find the task more daunting than expected. When I gathered all the materials for the MacHDWorkshop I put together last year (which may come back again later this year) it took months of compiling all the info I had stuck in my head along with info I published for clients or on the web. Even then it was a huge task to then create a natural flowing structure so that the info was easily found and naturally resolved into it's sub-categories. (whew). Keep up the work and hit us up again when it's more than 3/4th's completed.

August 6th, 2009, 10:06 PM	#5
Robert Lane Go Go Godzilla Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Scottsdale, AZ USA Posts: 2,823 Images: 15	You'll be getting your wish soon, Mitchell. Keep an eye out for "Go-Go-Godzilla" to rear it's ugly green web-site in the near future. As far as the older site you referred to: I believe the owner of the site and his wife hit the lottery - literally - and he's given up his gear and clients to live the high-life in quiet seclusion. That's the word on the street anyway.

August 7th, 2009, 06:41 PM	#7
Noah Kadner Better than Halle Berry Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 435	Have you considered using MediaWiki instead of whatever it is your using to build that site? It's easier on the eyes, encourages collaboration and is something any kid of today is already familiar with. MediaWiki -Noah

August 11th, 2009, 10:01 PM	#8
Devin Termini Regular Crew Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Mount Pleasant, MI Posts: 177	Thanks for the input on the site. I'm still working on it when I get some free time, hopefully I'll be done soon. If you have any comments or requests, just post them here!

August 12th, 2009, 08:24 PM	#10
Devin Termini Regular Crew Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Mount Pleasant, MI Posts: 177	Hi Liam. This is a work in progress. I had hoped to be further along at this point, but just haven't had the time lately. The workflows are coming, but not in the way you think. The workflows won't be as simple as: do [process #1], then [process #2], and [process #3] to make a DVD. While this is a straightforward and simple way to get students to make a DVD, we want students to understand why they are doing those steps in the process. For example we want to express to the students that they can manipulate the DVD encode settings to obtain better image quality. And in doing so, they need to understand bitrate, GOP settings, dialogue normalization, interlace/deinterlace, etc.