MediaStorm’s Guide to iPad Compression for the Web

With the advent of Apple's new iPad, cross-platform multimedia producers have an opportunity for an additional means of distribution. Much has been made of the iPad's functionality, and its limitations. But there's little actual documentation on the best way to encode for this device, particularly from Apple. The following steps outline MediaStorm's compressions settings for web-based iPad playback. That is, this is our best practices for creating H.264 QuickTime files for the web. To begin, open Compressor. (Note: If you don't have Compressor, part of Final Cut Pro Studio, you can also use QuickTime Pro 7, available from Apple for $29.99.) In Compressor's Settings window (command-3), click the plus button on the right side. Choose QuickTime movie. A new custom setting will appear in your window named Untitled QuickTime Movie. Double click it to open the settings in the Inspector window. In the Name field, rename the setting. Make sure to include…

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MediaStorm welcomes Shreeya Sinha

We are excited to welcome Shreeya Sinha as our Summer 2010 intern. Shreeya uses storytelling to bridge human divides and shed light on media dark issues. She spent 7 months reporting the effects of psychological trauma in gangs and their victims. She's written about life along the poverty line in New York, investigated the transparency of oil revenue flows in developing countries and reported on socioeconomics in Israel and the West Bank for The Carter Center. Shreeya won the 2010 Foreign Press Association Award for her dedication to international journalism. In addition to Shreeya's work, she has helped produce several shows at CNNi in New York, CNN-IBN and CNBC-TV18 in India. At The Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting, she helped develop social media outreach to conflict zones. She was raised in India, Nigeria, Zimbabwe, Vietnam, Bangladesh, and the foothills of the Indian Himalayas. She holds a M.S. in Journalism from Columbia's Graduate…

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Job Opening: Star Tribune seeking Director of Multimedia

The Director of Multimedia is responsible for leading the Star Tribune’s content generation efforts in still photography, video and other emerging visual storytelling techniques. As a member of the newsroom’s management team, he or she will oversee the work of a staff of 25 photographers, videographers and editors. He or she has a strategic responsibility in setting standards for how our visual media is presented in print, on our site and on other platforms and channels. He or she will guide visual storytelling efforts in daily and enterprise coverage and will coach and train journalists throughout the newsroom on producing multimedia content. The Director of Multimedia is responsible for supervising and coordinating the continued photo-, video- and audio-gathering training for photographers, reporters and other news staff. He or she will shape, articulate and champion the vision for multimedia storytelling at the Star Tribune. The Director of Multimedia will track and evaluate the…

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MediaStorm Advanced Multimedia Workshop accepting applications for July 17-23, 2010 Workshop

There are still a few spots open for our upcoming Advanced Multimedia Reporting Workshop, to be held in New York City July 17-23, 2010. Application deadline is May 16, 2010. This is a workshop for seasoned storytellers who have professional multimedia experience and are looking to further expand their multimedia storytelling capabilities. Applicants should have a working knowledge of audio recorders, video and still cameras and non-linear editing software. This is not an introductory workshop. Participants will be working at a fast-paced professional level, moving from story concept to a completed multimedia story in 6 days. We will be holding two more Advanced Multimedia Reporting Workshops in 2010: Workshop Seven: July 17-23, 2010 – Application Deadline: Sunday May 16, 2010 Workshop Eight: November 6-12, 2010 – Application Deadline: Monday September 13, 2010 Projects from previous workshops are available here. "For so long I have been wanting to learn the tools and process…

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Pierre and Alexandra Boulat Grant accepting applications

Applications are now being accepted for the Pierre and Alexandra Boulat Grant. Deadline is June 30, 2010. Formed in the memory of Pierre and Alexandra Boulat by friends and family after the death of Alexandra Boulat in 2007, the Association seeks to keep the spirit of father and daughter alive through making their work available to the public and creating an annual grant to a photographer and sponsoring the education of young photographers. This 8,000 Euro grant will be awarded to a photographer covering a social, economic, political or cultural issue in a journalistic manner to "produce a story that has never been told but that the photographer cannot find support for within the media." The grant will be awarded this fall at Visa pour l'Image in Perpignan, France. For more details and to download the application form, go here: http://www.viiphoto.com/association.html

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