Turner Experts Share Video-over-Web Tips

Turner Broadcasting’s team of new media production, photography and communications experts provided ample advice at the IABC Atlanta’s Technology Special Interest Group meeting this week.  Walking the talk, the Turner folks not only provided different examples of videography equipment for us to see and handle, but also they streamed the meeting live -- capturing the presentation and Q&A from attendees using handheld flip cameras, while encouraging those of us present to the do the same.



It was an information-packed few hours on Turner’s campus as we learned the best techniques and tools for doing web-based video storytelling. I was the first one to ask about lighting– a key concern of mine as I have been accustomed to the painstaking lighting set ups from professional shoots in my years in corporate communications.

Dennis Bassarab

“The web is more impactful with tighter shots,” noted Dennis Bassarab, Emmy-award-winning videographer and director of photography for Turner Studios. Bassarab advised us to remember that a person’s eyes can capture an image much better than the sensor in any camera.

Lighting Key

“There are some simple lighting paradigms – your foreground should be brighter than your background; you try to get lighting that is pleasant and fills the face out. Not harsh lighting – you don’t want to see shadows in the background.”

If you have a flip camera, the first thing you look for is where the light is coming from. If there is a window, you open the blinds and let the natural light hit your subject. “Nature is your light. Use that. If you have overhead fluorescents – they’re not great, but you can use a white tablecloth over a chair or some kind of reflecting material to bounce light in. Use your desk lamps – those are great because they’re low,” Bassarab advised. 



David Broyles

David Broyles, manager of Technical Operations, whose role includes overseeing Turner's Digital Media Group and the DVD Authoring Group, reiterated that editing and encoding video depends on what you have to work with – namely, “good lighting and good audio.”



To Stream or Not to Stream?

David Kennerly, manager of New Media Production & Development, said one of the big things you need to decide is how do you want to capture video – by streaming it live (which requires compression) so people can watch it on demand, or to capture and encode it at your computer later? How you answer will dictate what technology you use. Encoding for streaming is ideally at 750 kpbs, although 500 kpbs is also good. Kennerly recommends dual bit rate streaming where you have two streams (one at 500 kpbs and one at 200 kpbs).

David Kennerly



Turner is moving to the Flash format for all their video compression (in fact, 30 percent of all video files are Flash). The H.264/MPEG-4 standard for video compression is where the industry is headed, the Turner officials said. Not surprisingly, Windows Media Player is among the most prevalent players used on the market today.

Quick Time Pro got high marks for supporting MPG-4 formats and affordability. Others referenced included Premiere, Final Cut, Media Composer and Sony’s Vegas Pro.

What You Need to Get Started

To get started with your own video storytelling over the web, here's a basic list of what you need:

• Video camera
• Lighting kit (there are some inexpensive options and a house lamp or two can do wonders)

• Microphones (lavaliere wireless mics are great)

• Editing platform ( For Mac, consider FinalCutpro, Premiere, Media Composer, iMovie, etc.; for PC, consider Premiere, Media Composer, Vegas)

• Encoder

  FinalCut, Premiere, Media Composer, Vegas and other editing platforms can encode. Dedicated encoders include QuickTimePro, Sorensen Squeeze, Adobe Media Encoder, TMPEG Encoder.

If you want to do inexpensive live video on the web, Kennerly advised that you buy a DV camera with a FireWire output and a laptop with a FireWire input. You also need to open an account with Livestream or Ustream (Livestream offers an option to stream to iPhones).

Kennerly said there are also ways to create more professional video streams. On the low end, you can transmit video using a digital DV signal over FireWire directly into a laptop. He described this approach as "a clean, easy way to capture live video for streaming to sites like Ustream or Livestream." Another option is to use an analog signal over RCA (red/white/yellow) through an external “Break Out Box” like a Pinnacle FireWire or USB capture device. This method is effective to get live video out of most vcameras, including older ones, into almost any computer with a USB 2.0 port. It also comes with software for editing and creating titles.

"Don’t forget webcams and internal cams in laptops for 'talking head' type scenarios – if you light well and get a decent microphone, this is an increasingly acceptable, inexpensive way to go," he said.

In the mid range, you can use a capture card installed in a PCI slot inside your PC, like an Osprey 230 or 300. Kennerly noted that this option is a good way to capture higher-quality video, and the card comes with some cool software that gives you options for overlaying logos on your video. Alternatively, you can invest in a higher-end external FireWire device such as the Canopus ADVC-110.

For high-end video efforts, consider an SD capture card installed in a PCI-X slot inside you PC, like an Osprey 540 or 560, or an HD capture card installed in a PCI-X slot inside your PC, like a Blackmagic Decklink or an Osprey 700. AJA also makes good cards for Macs and PCs.

Encoding Software
At this point you will be ready to encode software for live streaming. Kennerly pointed out that sites such as Ustream, Livestream, and Justin TV "offer their own proprietary encoders that are good for small, homemade shows, and they offer some flexible options." He said you can stream for free if you can tolerate the advertising. "These sites also act as your video server and CDN (content delivery network) – they are very good options for getting live video on the web quickly."

You have a number of media encoder options beyond those proprietary options. For instance, Windows Media Encoder 9 is a free download from Microsoft. A positive of that encoder is viewers can watch a stream simply by clicking on a link, and WME offers lots of production tool, while a negative aspect is that some Mac users have trouble viewing WMV streams.

Flash Media Encoder 3.1 is a free download from Adobe. Kennerly said a plus for Flash is that it is easy to view for Windows and Mac users, and is now viewable on Android devices. On the negative side, Flash files are difficult to edit (offering very limited production tools). In addition, viewers have to watch Flash in a player embedded on a web page, or in a player like VLC. 

Video Servers - Windows and Flash Good Options

Running your own video server, continued Kennerly, can be difficult unless you are very tech savvy, but Windows and Flash both offer good media servers.  A plus -- running your own server is good for small viewing audiences. A negative -- viewers will be reaching in and “touching” your server, so you can’t reach large audiences without crashes. Getting an account with a Content Delivery Network (CDN) is the best solution for serving live video to large audiences. SimpleCDN is an inexpensive CDN, while bigger CDNs like Akamai, Limelight, and Highwinds offer many packages and services. Peer-to-peer streaming services such as Octoshape are an increasingly relevant way to deliver live video.

Embedding Video on the Web -- HTML Skills a Must

To embed a video player in a web page, Kennerly advises that you either learn HTML or hire someone who knows it. Windows Media Players, which play live MMS streams, are easy to embed. Flash Media Players, which play live RTMP streams, are harder to embed. Open source players such as Flowplayer and JW player are available, but they require serious coding skills.

Online Sites for Bargain Hunting, Knowledge Building

The Turner speakers also recommended the following online resources to learn more and to get tips on video shooting for the web:

• CreativeCow.com --  a great place for novices and experienced video creative people

• B&H.com – for excellent deals on cameras and other products 

• Cinematography Mailing List, or CML-- a free exchange of ideas with 16,000 members strong where you can gain access to some 20 different lists by specialty area

Book Review: Are You a Modern-day Queen Esther?

Yesterday I attended my first BiblioBabes meeting – the monthly book club of members of Women in Technology. The focus of our discussion was Connie Glaser’s and Barbara Smalley’s book, What Queen Esther Knew—Business Strategies from a Biblical Sage.


Glaser, an Atlanta-based gender diversity expert, told me in advance of the meeting that she loved the story of Queen Esther as a child. “But hearing it again as an adult made me realize that the lessons of the book are as timely and resonant as they were 2,000 years ago. For someone who has been writing and researching issues on women and leadership for over two decades, this was an epiphany!”

“Queen Esther transformed herself from an orphan girl in exile to the most powerful woman in the Persian Empire. How did she do it? By being a brilliant strategist, a persuasive speaker, and a courageous risk-taker -- yet all the time remaining true to her principles and ethics. The themes of the book – leadership, integrity, overcoming adversity - resonate as powerfully today as they did two millennia ago,” she says.

The 17 book club participants universally enjoyed the read, and discussed the book’s implications to their own journeys as women in business in smaller group breakouts.

Sandra Hofmann, WIT board member and president, noted the greatest truth of Queen Esther’s story is having the courage of your convictions. The story of Esther begins around 400 B.C.E., in the third reign of King Ahasuerus. The king became displeased with his queen and embarked on a four-year search for her replacement. The most beautiful maidens were brought to the palace for the king’s consideration and one of them was Esther, an orphan who was being raised by her older cousin Mordecai and who kept her Jewish origins secret. She eventually was selected as the new queen after proving her poise, worth and loyalty. Her mettle as a risk taker and strategist came later when a key figure in the kingdom maneuvered and used deception to get the king to agree to have all the Jewish people massacred. Esther – through a well thought out strategy – was able to deliver her people from death after revealing the true plot as well as her own Jewish heritage to the king at a special banquet she arranged.

The book, rich with examples of modern-day Esthers, illustrates how critical risk taking and leading are at critical moments that can define your character. The book also delved into the importance of understanding an organization’s culture, being privy to the grapevine and cultivating mentors.

“There were so many things that struck a chord in me,” says Carol Fowler, a district sales manager for an enterprise call center provider.

As a history buff, I would have enjoyed more details around the historical context of Esther’s life and struggles, but nevertheless found the book’s practical advice immediately applicable.



Margaret Anderson and Carol Fowler.

 In discussing the importance of mentors, Margaret Anderson, a VP with SAP Labs, cited a recent Harvard Business Review article that points out that women need more sponsors than simply mentors (the difference is a sponsor goes beyond giving feedback and advice and uses his or her influence with senior executives to advocate for the mentee – something that men have a much better track record of doing for one another). The interviews and surveys cited in the article suggest that high-potential women are over-mentored and under-sponsored relative to their male peers—and that they are not advancing in their organizations.

Anderson agrees: “We as women have no lack of mentors; what we’re lacking are sponsors -- people who can promote you.”

More modern-day Esthers will be explored at the December meeting of BiblioBabes, as we discuss WIT’s forthcoming book, CLIMB, Women Leaders n Technology Share Their Stories of Success, scheduled for release in mid October.

DragonCon 2010: NYT Bestselling Writers Tell All

DragonCon held Labor Day weekend in Atlanta was more than a visual smorgasbord for SciFi enthusiasts as their favorite characters took over four downtown hotels. For writers, it offered some exciting opportunities to hear from the best genre writers in science fiction and fantasy.
On Sunday I checked out a session, “NYT Bestsellers Tell it All,” on how to help boost your book to the NYT Bestsellers List. The panelists are all bestselling authors, who talked candidly about their writing journeys. None of them struck gold immediately, and all of them shared stories of battling their own inner critics that got in the way of their success.  "Perfection is an unattainable goal" was a message that was loud and clear to this writer.

Star Wars Jedi Academy Triology Author Kevin Anderson: Prolific and Connected 
 

Kevin Anderson, who gained fame writing for X-Files and as a co-author of the Dune prequels, penned the Star Wars Jedi Academy trilogy that was the three top-selling science fiction novels of 1994 and the bestselling SF anthologies of all time.  He noted that all the featured panelists are prolific writers who  interact with the fans at book signings and other events.

“We still work a lot, are fans and write like crazy.” He criticized his profession’s tendency to turn on bestselling authors such as Stephenie Meyer, author of the Twilight series, and Dan Brown, author of The Da Vinci Code. “I want to stand up for these authors because they are pleasing a lot of readers,” he says (way to go, Kevin!).

Anderson himself has more than 11 million books in print worldwide but considers Lonesome Dove, the 1985 Pulitzer Prize-winning western novel written by Larry McMurtry, his all-time favorite read. The best writer’s advice he ever received was from Dean Koontz who told him that the first million words you write “is all practice and if you get paid while you’re practicing then great. But, don’t expect that you really know how to be a writer until you’ve written a million words, which is about 10 novels or so. I’ve written about 10 novels and I’m still learning.”

Anita Blake Series Author Laurell K. Hamilton's Advice: Don't Give Up

Laurell K. Hamilton, the NYT bestselling author of Meredith Gentry novels and the acclaimed Anita Blake: Vampire Hunter Series novels, says her Anita Blake novels were rejected 200 times by editors in the late 1980s, when she was told repeatedly that the vampire genre was dead. Publishing houses liked her book but didn’t know how to market it, she said until finally Penguin/Putnam Books picked it up.

“I am living proof, folks, don’t be discouraged. If you believe in what you are doing, keep doing it,” says Hamilton, who learned she cracked the top 50 book list on USA Today not from her agent her publisher, but from another editor who had earlier rejected her work.

Hamilton recalls attending a writer’s workshop at a smaller science fiction convention where she brought in a short story and short fantasy novel. “The (workshop) didn’t make me a better writer but at the end of the weekend I was a better editor of my stuff,” she recalled. “Sometimes it is not that you aren’t good at writing; sometimes it’s that you are not good at seeing what’s good in your writing and that comes with practice. That short story I edited after that workshop was the first thing that sold for me. Her advice is simple: “don’t be overly critical of your work; take out as much as you can and send it out, knowing what markets you are sending it out to, and keep sending it out.”

Panelist Jim Butcher, author of The Dresden Files, a fantasy/mystery series-turned SciFi TV program about a private investigator and wizard in Chicago, said it took nine years before his first novel was published. He offers some great organization advice for the beginning novelist on his blog site (see: Putting it All Together.”)

Sherrilyn Kenyon Overcomes Vampire Rejection to Find Dark-Hunter Following 

Paranormal writing pioneer Sherrilyn Kenyon, a NYT bestselling author of The Dark-Hunters series (among others), has claimed the coveted #1 spot 12 times in the last two years. She recalls how no editors or publishers wanted to publish a vampire book – she took their feedback and altered her characters into “daimons." She also created guardians of humanity in the form of Dark-Hunters and hasn’t looked back since.

Kenyon, who has eight brothers, says she lives in fear of her family coming to book signings. Her favorite authors are British science, horror and fantasy writer Tanith Lee and David Drake’s Hammer's Slammers series of military SF stories and novels.

Jonathan Maberry Shares Two Books that Changed His Life

Jonathan Maberry, a NYT bestselling and multiple Bram Stoker Award-winning author of both non-fiction and fiction, recalls at age 14 reading two books that changed his life – the 1954 novel by Richard Matheson, I am Legend, which was later made into a film starting Will Smith, and Ray Bradbury’s Something Wicked this Way Comes, about the harrowing experience of two 13-year-old boys when a nightmarish traveling carnival comes to their town.

“Those books did more for me than any writing class,” says Maberry, whose first published book was a college textbook on martial arts who later moved into writing about the occult and paranormal. Maberry’s account of his first NYT bestseller was particularly entertaining – it happened after being tapped to write the novelization of The Wolfman to coincide with the movie’s re-release in 2010.
“I got a call out of nowhere from someone at Universal who told me they were remaking The Wolfman and would I be interested in adapting it into a novel,” recalled Maberry, who was very professional on the call but inside was “doing the stupid dance.”  Maberry wrote the book having never seen the movie. He said that the script didn’t have a lot of detail and the studio told him to “write a novel.’ He did, and the book got better press than the movie.

Memorable Advice:  Pay it Forward

Maberry says he received great advice from writer David Morrell, author of 28 novels, a few years ago when he said, “Writing is about art but publishing is about business. If you are going to get anywhere…become a businessman who writes. That was great advice and it genuinely helped my career.” In the same conversation, he told him to always pay it forward by helping every other writer you can find even if they are just taking up a pencil for the first time “because the industry needs more good books.”