In the April 2009 issue of Sensei's Pages we presented classroom ideas for video production in the Japanese classroom. In this issue we would like to pick up this topic again, in the wake of our inaugural Video Matsuri Contest 2009 which all the entrants helped to make such a great success.

   
   
　

Through the judging process we found that to make a good video, you need to focus not only on the story, language and performance, but also on technical aspects such as sound recording and camera work. You also need to take into account copyright issues.
In this issue, we suggest making a digital photo presentation using software such as ‘Photo Story' and ‘iPhoto' as a starter project for making videos. This will enable students to gain skills in making an audiovisual presentation, which will make it easier to make good videos later.

   
  What is a digital photo presentation?
  First, please watch this presentation.
 
My Day
Best Presentation (Junior Secondary Division)
Moreton Bay College (QLD)
  As you saw in this digital presentation, made using Photo Story, you can make a story by connecting pictures, which you can touch-up, crop, or rotate. You can also add visual and sound effects, soundtracks, and your own voice narration to your photos.
   
  Why a digital photo presentation?
 

We recommend making a digital photo presentation because
  it is good for organizing an outline
  Making an outline is the first step to making a video presentation. In a digital photo presentation, you lay out your digital photos to make an outline. Students can try various patterns of layouts and find the best one. Through this process, students can reconsider their presentation ideas and perfect their work.
  it is easy to record narration, so students can record in Japanese
  Narration and sound recording are very important aspects of video works. When judging the 2009 Video Matsuri Contest, we found some videos had very good ideas but the quality of audio recording was poor.
With some digital photo presentation software such as Photo Story, sound recording is very simple. You just plug in the microphone to your PC and record. Of course you can record your voice again if you make a mistake. This is a very good tool for recording in Japanese.
  you can type in titles and subtitles
  Again when judging the Video Matsuri Contest, we found that titles and subtitles are a very good tool for video presentation. When you make a video, you need to consider the audience. Subtitles make it easy for the audience to understand. In Photo Story, you can easily make titles and subtitles in Japanese and English.
  students can become familiar with copyright issues
  We also found that some entries used music which was copyright. This meant that we could not put them onto our website and consider them for an award. If your students want to use music in their video, they can make their own original soundtrack which is copyright free.
   
  How to use digital photo story software
  For how to use Photo Story, please go to the Microsoft website. http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/digitalphotography/photostory/default.mspx

For iPhoto go to the Apple website
http://www.apple.com/ilife/iphoto/#enjoy
   
  Tips for making a digital photo presentation
  Although the software is very user friendly, in the end it is not the software but humans who make a presentation!
Here are some basic tips for making a good presentation.
  speak clearly Although the visual image is very important in video presentation, spoken language is equally important for expressing your message. Speak clearly, and don't forget to use the microphone.
  use subtitles effectively Subtitles in Japanese or in English are a very helpful tool to emphasize or reinforce what you say. Pick up key words or key phrases from your presentation and show them as subtitles.
  effects are useful, but don't overuse them Sound effects and visual effects are a good tool for entertaining the audience, but be careful not to use them too much. If there are too many effects, they will take away from the content of the presentation.
  check the presentation from the viewpoint of the audience When you make a presentation, please check it from the viewpoint of the audience. A peer check can be done as a classroom activity,. Students can show their presentations to each other and make comments about how to improve them.
   
  Example topics and sample scripts for a classroom activity
  Here are some suggested topics and sample scripts for making a digital photo story.
 
(my) family 「私(わたし)の家族(かぞく)」　　　 download script
(my) day 「私(わたし)の一日(いちにち)」　　　　 download script
(my) town 「私(わたし)の町(まち)」 　　　　　 download script
(my) school 「私(わたし)の学校(がっこう)」 download script
Japanese folk tales 「昔話(むかしばなし)」    
   
  Suggested props and techniques
 
  • Costumes
  • Puppets
  • Soft toy characters
  • Manga
  • Kami shibai
  News – Video まつり 2010
  The Video Matsuri Contest will again be held in 2010!
Information and application form are uploaded on the website. Please check the site.
   
  This article is written by Koji Matsumoto & Cathy Jonak
　  
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