Video+Activity+One

Video Activity One media type="youtube" key="yFKlG37qUs0?hl=en" height="349" width="425" align="center" 1. I //gathered// copy-right free //Christmas images// from //Creative Commons//. 2. Next, I //imported// the //Christmas images// into //Windows MovieMaker//. 3. Then, I //dragged// the //images// into the //Video Timeline// to rearrange them in the correct order. 4. After the previous step, I selected the //Tools Menu, Titles and Credits// to insert a //title at the beginning// and //credits at the end//. I also added text to individual slides in the same manner. 5. Next, I selected the //Tools Menu// (again), //Video Transitions// and chose a //transition// to go between //each image// in order to help the video flow more smoothly. 6. Then, I explored //FreePlay Music// and found a copy-right free song, //Deck The Halls//. I //downloaded// the song and //saved// it as an MP3. 7. After the previous step, I opened //Audacity// to //edit// and //compress the song//, using only the parts I needed for this project. 8. Next, I //imported// an //audio/music file// (the one I just modified in the previous step) and //dragged// it into the //Audio/Music// part of the //Timeline//. 9. Lastly, I //compressed the file to view in Windows Media Player// and //saved// the video as KSmith_VA1.
 * Here are the steps that I followed in //Windows MovieMaker//: **
 * //File, Import into Collection, Selected the Christmas Images, Import. //
 * //Tools, Titles and Credits, Enter Text, Change the Title Animation, Text Font and Color. //
 * //File, Open, Found “Deck The Halls” in my saved MP3 files, Imported the Song into Audacity, Reduced, Edited, and Inserted Effects within the Song, Exported as MP3. //
 * //File, Save Movie File, Select Destination for File, Save Movie as KSmith_VA1, Open with Windows Media Player //

For this assignment, I decided to create a movie about the upcoming Christmas season using the program, //Windows MovieMaker//. I have explored this program in the past, but not in a thorough manner. Personally, I feel that //Microsoft PhotoStory// is a much better choice when creating a still image slide show because it is easier to use and arranged in a systematic way. Unfortunately, I encountered a few challenges while developing the slide show in //Windows MovieMaker//. One problem for me is that I start over several times because I am unhappy and discontent with the product when it is finished. I actually created three slide shows for Video Activity One, but that has nothing to do with the program. Overall, the layout of //Windows MovieMaker// was easy to use and contained clear directions relating to the tools and menus within the program. However, the biggest challenge that I encountered was when I inserted transitions between the images. I followed all of the steps – searched and found pictures on Creative Commons, imported those images into //Windows MovieMaker//, and included text on all of my slides. Lastly, I added transitions between the images which produced a significant problem. The transitions compressed all of my slides together causing the text to be displayed at the wrong times. For example, my first picture would show and then the word “snow” would be placed on the second slide, etc. Unfortunately, I had to manually fix the problem by arranging each slide, text and transition in order for the slide show to flow in an effective manner (which occupied A LOT of my time). Ultimately, I enjoyed the assignment and will definitely utilize this tool in my future classroom.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua','serif';">Challenges: **

<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua','serif';">Personally, I learned a great deal of information about the program, //Windows MovieMaker//. I became more knowledgeable about the features and tools within this program and how to utilize them in an effective and efficient manner. For example, I learned information on importing images, dragging those images to the timeline, inserting title slides and ending credits as well as text on each slide, choosing and editing music to complement the slideshow, adding transitions to help the slides flow more smoothly, and lastly producing the Windows Media file for everyone to view. In the past, I have used //iMovie// to create slide shows, but now I feel more comfortable and knowledgeable with //Windows MovieMaker//.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua','serif';">New Information Learned: **

<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua','serif';">Christmas Image: [] <span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua','serif';">Christmas Scene: [] <span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua','serif';">Christmas Lights: [] <span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua','serif';">Christmas Cookies: [] <span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua','serif';">Christmas Snowman: [] <span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua','serif';">Christmas Tree: [] <span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua','serif';">Christmas Santa Claus: [] <span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua','serif';">Christmas Snowy Scenery: [] <span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua','serif';">Christmas Gifts: [] <span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua','serif';">Christmas Decorations: [] <span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua','serif';">Christmas Manger: [] <span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua','serif';">FreePlay Music: MC Christmas Volume Three, Deck The Halls
 * <span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua','serif';">Sources: **