TCRIM 101 & 225: Selecting Multimedia Tools: Multimedia tools
Where to Start
No matter what type of final project you are going to create, you are going to develop the story you want to tell over the last few weeks of your course. These options all differ from a research paper, because they seek to engage your audience through storytelling, which is grounded in your research and knowledge.
Picking your medium
How do you decide which medium to pick? Well, here are some strengths and things to consider for each one:
- Multi-media presentation: Are you a visual storyteller? Would what you want to discuss benefit from including graphs, photos, or video clips? Consider a multi-media project! This can range from a recorded presentation in Microsoft Power Point, to a video using Adobe Final Cut or WeVideo.
- Podcast episode: Do you like to discuss your ideas? Do you want to connect with the general public? Consider creating a podcast episode! This can be a simple audio recording, or include an introductory song and sound clips to make it sound like your favorite podcast.
- Written narrative: Do you love writing? Are you interested in connecting withe people through written media, newspapers, or magazines? Consider a written narrative!
(Many thanks to Erika Bailey for this content!)
Multi-Media Presentation
A relatively easy way to create an engaging visual presentation with a tool you are likely to be familiar with already is to use Microsoft Power Point! It entails recording narration and slide animations and then saving your presentation as a video. In contrast with recording your presentation on something like Zoom, if you make a mistake while reading your narration, you only have to re-record a small chunk at a time (a huge time-saver!).
Here are some other options available to you as a UW student:
- UW SitesCreate a UW-associated Wordpress site. You can use this to embed photos, videos, and other multimedia content alongside written text.
Photo tools and resources
- PIXLR
A simple Photoshop-like editor. Best for adding typography, stickers, borders, and/or playing with filters and effects - UnsplashOver 1,000,000 openly licensed, high resolution images.
- Flickr Commons
The key goal of The Commons is to share hidden treasures from the world's public photography archives. Includes photo albums from international museums and archives. - Wikimedia CommonsA companion site to Wikipedia, this contains openly available photos. Search "Tacoma" to see what's available.
- The Gender Spectrum CollectionThe Gender Spectrum Collection is a stock photo library featuring images of trans and non-binary models that go beyond the clichés. This collection aims to help media better represent members of these communities as people not necessarily defined by their gender identities.
Take it further!
- NPR Podcast CompetitionEnter your podcast in NPR's College Podcast Competition and it could win $5,000!
- Preserve this PodcastPreserve This Podcast! is an Andrew W. Mellon grant-funded project hosted by the Metropolitan New York Library Council (METRO) to help podcasters protect their work against the threats of digital decay.
Video & audio tools
- UWT Digital Storytelling ResourcesIf you want to learn to use a video editing software, there are lots of options available to you as a UWT student.
- AudacityAudacity is a professional, open-source software that lets you edit audio. Plus, it's free!
- Audacity TutorialsThere are tutorials on how to do almost anything in Audacity. I recommend the first three on this list: "Editing an Audio File," "Your First Recording," and "Mixing Voice with Background Music."
- WeVideo
Capture, create, view, and share movies with the WeVideo online video editor. - Com-Phone Story Maker
A free app to help you combine photos, text, and audio.
Reserve a podcasting/digital storytelling kit
- Reservation formIncludes audio recording equipment and a digital camera.
Bonus: Adding Sound Clips/Music
Sound and music are an important part of what makes podcasts so engaging. What sound clips or music could you include to amplify what you want to say? When could you use a dramatic pause, or moment of silence? This interview with NPR's composer's and producers and Radiolab talk about how they effectively use sound and music in a podcast. Don't forget that if you are not using your own sound/music recordings, that you have permission to use the clips.
Resources
- UWT LibraryYou can contact your liaison librarian (me!) any time to schedule a 1-on-1 appointment.
- Teaching & Learning Center: Writing CenterWriting consultations are collaborative—we work with you to support your ongoing learning of the writing process. We are here to help you improve as a writer on many different language and communication projects.
- Multimedia LabThe Multimedia Lab is available for students, faculty and staff to develop enhanced presentations and multimedia projects with video, audio, digital photos and graphics.