MediaStorm Guide to Crossfades

In my last post, 10 More Ways to Improve Your Multimedia Right Now, I wrote: Delete all dissolves between images...The eye sees cuts. When we look from one object to another, we see a blink. We don’t see one object then dissolve to another. A reader responded with a comparison: "Our eyes don’t see shallow depth-of-field [either], but that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t use shallow DOF when appropriate." I agree. So before I discuss when it's appropriate to dissolve between pictures, let's quickly revisit why doing so usually doesn't work. The problem is that crossfades create an unexpected middle image. In most cases, this intermediate picture, a combination of two hopefully strong ones, is both messy and confusing. There's no particular meaning to be gleaned from this superimposition. Now, repeat this between every image over the course of a three- to five-minute project, and it's not hard to see how exhausting it…

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Worth Watching

We've been stocking up for the new year, and have a great group of projects that we want to share. You can see previously featured videos here. 46. Put This On: LBJ Buys Pants Actual audio of President Johnson ordering pants. Fun animation but stick around for the words. Some suggestive language but remarkable nonetheless. - Eric Maierson 47. Johnny Cash Project Beautiful crowd-sourced animation - Jennifer Redfearn 48. America Recycled Brothers Tim and Noah Hussin hit the road on their recycled bikes. Beautiful coverage and narration. - Brian Storm Watch on their site: 49. Handmade Portraits: YOKOO Pascal Perich's elegant portrait of Yokoo for Etsy. - Brian Storm 50. Chimamanda Adichie on Ted Talks: The danger of a single story. Important to consider when documenting other cultures. -Jennifer Redfearn 51. Arcade Fire, "The Wilderness Downtown." This is the one everybody's talking about - Eric Maierson 52. Germans in the Woods from…

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Job Opening: Multimedia Supervising Producer, TODAYshow.com

TODAYshow.com is looking for a Multimedia Supervising Producer: You will, under limited supervision, lead in the creative and sophisticated editing and production of video, audio and still photographs using the highest journalistic, ethical, quality and esthetic standards. You will juggle multiple tasks simultaneously, working with the staff of TODAYshow.com, the TODAY show, and msnbc.com to formulate and execute coverage on deadline while staying within budget. Expertise in professional grade editing software for each medium, ability to train others and adaptability to new technology are all requirements. Mastery of industry tools and techniques and frequent innovation of processes, presentation and reporting of multimedia on site are important. As a supervising producer, you will be accountable for the quality and quantity of your team’s output, for mentoring other teams on best practices in video and photo production and editing, for planning and executing change initiatives in journalism, technology and collaboration, and for your staff’s…

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Job Opening: Multimedia Internship at Roubini.com

Roubini Global Economic's Editorial Department is seeking a multimedia intern with thorough knowledge of leading media production software and operating systems. You'll be working intimately with roubini.com's Senior Graphic Designer responsible for the design of the RGE website and all multimedia projects under the supervision of our Emmy Award winning executive editor. Interviews will include a real-time design and multimedia test. We ask for a minimum commitment of 30 hours per week for at least 6 months. The successful candidate will have the beginnings of a professional web portfolio and an interest in economics and international affairs. The internship is designed to provide maximum exposure to our multimedia offerings (distributed via Reuters Insider) as well as our web production unit. Training and mentoring is part of the internship, of course, but the successful candidate should be able to jump right into: * Advanced Photoshop Understanding the protocols for Print, Web, Video *…

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Read more about the article Apply now for 2011 Kalish Workshop, to be held June 20-24

Apply now for 2011 Kalish Workshop, to be held June 20-24

The 2011 Kalish Workshop will be held June 20-24, at Ball State University. If you're interested in becoming a better visual editor, you should definitely check this Workshop out. Faculty Member Scott Sines tells us more about what you'll find at this year's Kalish: There are jobs out there for multi-media producers. There are jobs out there for visual editors who have creative ways of curating, quality, User Generated Visuals. There are jobs out there for visual editors who can communicate across all platforms; mobile, tablet, web and print. And today’s reality is that many visual editors are working with freelancers. There are career paths out there for those editors who excel in these areas and Kalish 3.0 is designed to address these new opportunities in visual storytelling. For over 20 years we’ve been training editors, producers, photojournalists, professors and students in visual editing. There are nearly 1,000 Kalish alums working in…

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