Assignments

(This page has re-formatted the documents, and they are hard to read! Please download documents themselves to print out)

**Assignment I – Choose a Topic**

//(For each class, a more specific list of local or curriculum related topics should be suggested to help guide the research. EX: Townsend History Class: students might cover topics relating to the Little River Railroad, Cherokee history, Tremont, or Cades Cove. Some examples will be posted on another page)//

BRAINSTORM! Write down: (Use the topics list, library, or your own experience)
 * Choose a Topic:** Your topic should connect to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park or Region. Using regional books and the provided topics list, browse through, and see what catches your interest. If YOU find it interesting, you can make it interesting.
 * An old object that you’ve seen that interests you. Or a craft or occupation.
 * An old building or place.
 * A picture that you’d like to know more about.
 * A person you’ve met or heard about.
 * A place in the Great Smokies or region.
 * An event that happened. A story you've heard.
 * A science related topic.

1. My Topic:
 * __From your list, CHOOSE A TOPIC (it might change, it’s okay!)__**

2. Research I need to do:

3. I might want to interview…. (Ask around your family, neighbors, local diners, senior groups, veterans’ organizations, museums, park employees, teachers, churches, etc…)

4. My story takes place where?

5. Images I might look for?

6. What sounds or music might you look for?

//(Do a little digging around, if you cannot find anything related and you don't have a lot of time, maybe you should find another topic)//

[]storytelling [|www.pbs.org/nationalparks/for-educators/digital-storytellin][|www.storycenter.org] and [] [] [|www.storymapping.org] [] (student work) [|www.tennesseehistory.org/sampledocumentaries.htm#57] (student work)
 * WATCH SOME EXAMPLES!**


 * A list of suggested historical subjects / topics:**

People, Culture & Occupations Cherokee Railroaders Moonshiners Teachers CCC Workers War Veterans Road Builders Concientious Objectors Early Park Visitors Doctors Loggers Park Rangers Scientists Personalities Artists/Craftsmen Ministers/Healers

Places / Regions (relate back to the park if outside or not bordering) Cades Cove Greenbrier Cosby Big Creek Cataloochee Oconaluftee Fontana Deep Creek Cherokee Newfound Gap Sugarlands Elkmont Little Greenbrier Roaring Fork Gatlinburg Townsend

Buildings / Sites (“Look closely” – Place based unknown facts) Schools Cemeteries Churches Barns Homesteads Hotels Vacation spots Trees Trails Roads Chimneys Stone walls Mounds Places on Maps Old Houses Landmarks Rivers Lakes Dams Bridges

Artifacts Tools Books Pictures Machinery Kitchenware Rock piles Weapons Coins Catalogs Books Homemade Pots/crafts

Life Topics / Events / Communication Marriage Death Language Family Games Songs/Music Siblings Pets Chores Crafts Religion Moving Remedies /plants Recipes Transportation Shopping Illness Disasters Events Phones Radio TV Cleaning Embarrassing moments Gardening Bartering Segregation Conflicts Traditions Holidays Technologies Jokes Sayings Superstitions Tourism Conservation

**Assignment 2 – Computer Lab: Setting Up Files / Research**


 * __CREATE FOLDERS to store your Project__**

1. Create a NAME folder on the desktop where you can store all of the materials related to your digital story. Give this folder your name, something like “DarlinDigitalStory”. This will be where you store all your material. Remember to continually backup to your flashdrive or harddrive. Inside this folder: 2. Create a RAW Video Folder - This is where you will store your videos / audio. NEVER directly edit this material. Copy and drag to the Edits folder, or directly to Movie Maker or other software. 3. Create an EDITS folder - This is the folder where you will be putting all your material to be used in the story.

//Copy your NAME Folder and contents to your Flash Drive or Shared F:// Drive Folder!
 * __FLASHDRIVE OR F: //Drive//__**

Research names, locations, history, images, etc to fill in the context of the story. Be sure to take good notes on any items you choose to download. What is the URL address? Name of photographer? Collection that it comes from? You might need permissions.
 * __RESEARCH__**


 * __Images:__** Save scanned images in TIFF or JPEG format. When using for your story, change to JPEG or PNG. Give them short descriptive names, preferably with the subjects name or location. PNG, PICT and TIFF are good, JPEG will compress the image. Scans should be 200-300 dpi. Stock images width and height should add up to at least 1000 pixels. Example: 500x500, or 100x900. Keep copyright in mind!


 * __Interview Subject Names__** – Start a list of people you might like to interview!


 * Researching the Smokies and Surrounding **** Communities **


 * ONLINE RESOURCES (More than a thousand NPS archive photographs)**
 * [] (access our NPS images!!!) USE THIS LINK Or Click the Picture Below**


 * www.talkingtrails.wikispaces.com (join!) Go to the STUDENT HELP PAGE and LINKS PAGE for other awesome links!**



= **Assignment #3 - Prepare for an Interview** = (if your project includes one, if not, skip to Assignment #5)

Remember not to interrupt or talk over the interviewee, give them time to think and answer. Allow the interview to flow. Come up with questions specific to your topic and interviewee. Follow ups: What was that like? How did that make you feel?
 * SAMPLE INTERVIEW QUESTIONS (practice with teacher or friend) **
 * // Childhood //**
 * ** What is Your Name and WHERE did you Grow Up? ** ||  ||
 * What year were you BORN? ||  ||
 * Did you MOVE? ||  ||
 * What CHILDHOOD MEMORIES do you have? ||  ||
 * What was your FAVORITE TOY? ||  ||
 * What CHORES did you have? ||  ||
 * What was LIFE LIKE then? ||  ||
 * What type of CLOTHES did you wear? ||  ||
 * What was SCHOOL like? ||  ||
 * Did you have a NICKNAME or any FAVORITE SAYINGS? ||  ||
 * Who were your PARENTS? What were THEY LIKE? ||  ||
 * What is your BEST MEMORY? Your WORST? ||  ||
 * ** What CONNECTION do you have to the GREAT SMOKIES? ** ||  ||
 * // Adult Life //**
 * ** Where do you LIVE NOW? ** ||  ||
 * Where have you LIVED? ||  ||
 * Do you/Did you have a PARTNER? ||  ||
 * Where did you MEET YOUR PARTNER? Did you have CHILDREN? ||  ||
 * What FOODS did you eat? ||  ||
 * What was your FIRST CAR? ||  ||
 * What was your FIRST JOB? ||  ||
 * What kind of WORK did /do you do? ||  ||
 * What SKILLS/ARTS/CRAFTS/MUSIC do you know? ||  ||
 * How did you LEARN THESE SKILLS? WHO taught you? ||  ||
 * What TOOLS/ HOUSEHOLD ITEMS do you remember? ||  ||
 * Were you in the MILITARY? What are your STRONGEST MEMORIES? ||  ||
 * What LESSONS did you learn in your life? ||  ||
 * What LESSONS did you learn in your life? ||  ||


 * Is there anything else you would like to talk about? **

Who do they know that might make a good interview?


 * Thank you, I really appreciate your time! (you might also give a little gift, or send a thank you) **

(For your actual project interview... Prepare some questions)


 * Topic Questions: Your Topic **
 * Ask the interview subject to STATE their NAME and say WHERE THEY ARE FROM.
 * Remember not to interrupt or talk over the interviewee, give them time to think and answer.
 * Allow the interview to flow. Be respectful and interested in what they are saying.
 * Follow ups: What was that like? How did that make you feel?
 * At end: **Is there anything else you would like to talk about?**
 * ** Thank you, I really appreciate your time! **


 * // Skill Object //**
 * ** How long have you…. ** || What is this? ||
 * Where did you learn to….. || What is it used for? ||
 * Who taught you to….. || Can you demonstrate it? ||
 * Where were they from? || Where did it come from? ||
 * // (Other related questions here:) // || Who taught you how to use it? ||
 * // Place National Park //**
 * ** Do you have any strong memories about… ** || What connection do you have to the Great Smokies? ||
 * Where is it? || A certain place? ||
 * Does it still remain there? || Did you know someone who lived there? ||
 * Did it have another name? || Did you know anyone who worked there? ||
 * What was it like there? || Do any memories come to mind? ||
 * || What was it like then? ||
 * // Person //**
 * ** Do you have any strong memories about… ** ||  ||
 * Where did that take place? ||  ||
 * When? ||  ||
 * Did you learn anything from…? ||  ||
 * What were they like? ||  ||
 * // Person //**
 * ** Do you have any strong memories about… ** ||  ||
 * Where did that take place? ||  ||
 * When? ||  ||
 * Did you learn anything from…? ||  ||
 * What were they like? ||  ||
 * When? ||  ||
 * Did you learn anything from…? ||  ||
 * What were they like? ||  ||

Recording the actual interview: 1) Put your recorder on a tripod and frame the subject so that their face is not dead center with lots of ceiling. (think the "Rule of Thirds") 2) Check for lighting, weird lines or objects behind their head, or other distractions. Back lighting can work or not, check your picture! 2) Make sure the environment is quiet. Ask to turn off TVs, air conditioning, etc. 3) Test to see that you are recording, watch for red lights and moving numbers. Make sure audio is strong. 4) Sometimes a little table near the subject with a glass of water will put them to ease, and give them something to do between answers. **Assignment 4 – Storyboarding**

Name

__Write down your Story Topic:__

Think of the form of your story in four scenes: Intro ||  ||   ||   || Background ||  ||   ||   || Story ||  ||   ||   || Conclude ||  ||   ||   || Your Digital Story may have 20 different scenes, but you should think of an overall form when assembling your photos and video. 4 photos might be behind a childhood background story, 2 might be for a location description, etc... The photos do NOT have to be literal translations. (ex: a house when talking of a house, a war scene when discussing war) You might have a photo of a sky when discussing a hard time in someone's life for example.
 * ** Scene ** || ** Images ** || ** Sound ** || ** Narrative ** ||
 * **Scene 1:**
 * **Scene 2:**
 * **Scene 3****:**
 * **Scene 4:**

Now think what images, interview clips, sound can be included in your story, and start writing a draft narration.

**Assignment 5 - Write Your Narrative / Narration for Movie**

__**HANDWRITTEN!!! No Cutting and Pasting**__ __1) **Conduct research and select 10-20 photographs** that could help place the viewer into your story. These images do not need to be literal representations. EX: A civil war battle description might just have an image of the sky or smoke. Maps, old photos, landscapes are all possibilities. Be creative. This isn’t a thesis, only a “story”. You are giving your interpretation of a topic.__ __2) **Write your narrative first draft.** From your research, select elements that are important to you, and write from your own perspective. This should be 150-300 words, about one page. You can write in poetic or prose style, or as a documentary of facts. The style is your choice. Ex: From my research, I have a stack of photos, one of the bank of the river, a garden, the hot sun. Factual Narrative: Eliza Mays lived in Bryson City area, now within the National Park boundary, and there she farmed the hillside. Poetic Narrative: “She is from a land of okra, humidity and unexpected landmarks. The shore of the river is nearby is held together with the carcasses of cars, flattened to anonymity.”__
 * Assignment: Write a First Draft! Due _____**

__ **Assignment: Polish and Write a Final Draft** __

__ Read your first draft aloud, and see how it flows. Is it too broad a topic? How can you define it on a personal or emotional level. (EX: We can all find out the dates and places related to Abe Lincoln, but what MADE HIM TICK? What MAKES HIS STORY INTERESTING?) Read it to others. Ask them if they followed it easily. Make changes. Ask yourself "What is the MAIN POINT of this story, and try to highlight this. There should be an intro, and main body and a conclusion. __ __//**Now you can start typing!**//__

When setting up your document, make **paragraphs where you would naturally take a breath.** Read your story to yourself, and hit ENTER when you get to a natural stanza. This will help you record your narration more naturally.


 * Formatting:** Create document margins, where all the writing is on

< To do this, in Word, Page Layout >Indent> Right > and type in 3”.the LEFT side of the page, in a narrow band. (like this) This will allow space on the right to draw or notate images.




 * Assignment 6 - Record Your Narration **

__**Steps to Narrating Your Movie: FIND a QUIET SPACE**__

__**Sound Recorder (On Computer):**__ (connect microphone and headphones)


 * 1) 1. Open Sound Recorder: Click the START button>click all programs, search: Sound Recorder and Open.
 * 2) a. Press Record and speak into your microphone. Once you are finished with the recording for that slide—click stop. Listen back and adjust mic placement.
 * 3) b. Immediate save your recording as an AUDIO file to your folder, note different takes.

**__External Recording:__**If you have recorded with an external device, import Audio file from the device or jump drive to your folder (same one you used to save your pictures). Be sure it is saved in a proper format (aif., mp3, wma, wav…)

**__Using Audacity__** Download Audacity to computer and Open 1. Create a new project or Save an empty project. Remember, that if you don't save your project before you start recording or importing, that all recordings, edit and other files will be written to the directory set on the [|//Directories//] tab of the [|preferences]. 2. Check the preferences: Make sure your playback and recording device are set in Windows Sound Preferences. When picking a device to record from, make sure you've set up all the connections properly, such as plugging a microphone in to the **Mic Input**, and any other device in to the **Line In** of your sound card. Then check that the gain level knob(the amount by how much the input should be amplified) of the mixer of your soundcard is set right. 3. Hit Record That's it. You can now play around with your recording and explore the editing capabilities of Audacity. Remember that you can use the Undo function almost without limits whilst the project is open. If you need to record narration AND music, you can create a separate track and then drage your audio mP3 into the second track. Then you can manipulate placement, volume, etc., and export as a combined mp3.
 * Click on the red **Record** button ||  || to begin recording. ||
 * Click on the blue **Pause** button ||  || to pause the recording. Press it again to continue. ||
 * Click on the yellow **Stop** button ||  || to cease recording. The cursor will return to its previous position, before the recording was started. ||

**__Editing to Music (Narration) in Movie Maker 7__**

Click Add Music tab in toolbar.

c. Preview entire movie to be sure your sound moves appropriately with your pictures and no audio overlaps each other in a way that you cannot hear or are distracted from the narrative.
 * 1) a. Find the folder with your Audio files and click Open. Under Video Tools, click EDIT and then EDIT TO MUSIC.
 * 2) b. Adjust the length and volume using the Music Tools functions as necessary. (Click on Audio clip, the Music Tools tab will appear.)


 * Assignment 7 - Putting It All Together! Let's Start Editing **

Because so many schools already have Windows, chances are, they have Movie Maker or Photo Story software. Use Movie Maker if you will be adding video. Photo Story is better, and has better resolution, for still photographs. Some schools could even go with a Powerpoint. For this, we'll use Movie Maker. (More on that in the Technical Talk Page) I have basic instructions for both WindowsXP and Windows7. Microsoft also has some tutorials on their site, as does Lynda.com and Youtube.com

1. Click the START Button Icon at lower left corner of desktop screen, then ALL PROGRAMS 2. Open Windows Live Movie Maker (it may be hidden in Windows) 3. ** Import Pictures or Video ** (from the jump drive or saved folder which you used to save your pictures) 4. ** Add Narration ** (a separate sheet will be given with instructions to record and then add narration to your movie) 5. ** Edit your Pictures or Video ** in the correct order to properly illustrate your story 7. ** Create a Title **
 * __ Steps to Creating Your Movie: Windows 7 Movie Maker __**
 * a. Click ADD VIDEOS AND PHOTOS tab in toolbar.
 * b. Find the folder with your picture files and click OPEN.
 * c. Repeat until all pictures are on the storyboard on the Windows Live home screen.
 * a. Drag and drop (click and hold photo and move to location of choice) photos to the correct place in the storyboard
 * b. To change the length of time a picture is displayed: Click the segment you wish to edit. Under the Video Tools tab at the top of the screen, click EDIT and then adjust the Duration time by seconds.
 * c. To change Video length, under Video Tools click EDIT then Click the TRIM TOOL. You will see 2 Vertical Sliders under the video playback. You can move the beginning or end, to make the video the correct length. You will see the time change in the numbers. (New Clip/Old Clip). When satisfied, click the TRIM tab at the top of the page, and SAVE TRIM.
 * 6. ** ** Change Video Volume: ** Click clip to edit. Then VIDEO TOOLS and EDIT. You will see a VIDEO VOLUME on the far left. You can adjust it with the slider or mute. There is also a Fade In and Fade Out option, and you can select the speed.


 * a. Under the HOME tab, click TITLE
 * b. Type title. You can edit this with the TEXT TOOLS tab, and FORMAT. You can also animate your title, but don’t go crazy J . (The second box fades it in.)

8. ** Create Credits **

9. ** Choose Animations/Visual Effects **.
 * a. Under the HOME tab, click Credits
 * b. Type Credits (your name, school, music, thank yous, resource information, bibiliographies and acknowledgements)
 * c. Please add the JPEG for the NPS Digital Storytelling Project at the very end. (on flash drive or at talkingtrails.wikispaces.com/ go to the Student Help Page)

10. ** Add Music or Sound Effects ** (use Open Source Music & Effects ONLY)
 * Click Animations tab in the toolbar and choose transition of choice and set Duration time. Choose Pan and Zoom of choice. Continue for each slide on storyboard
 * Click Visual Effects tab on toolbar. You can choose more than one (like fade in & fade out by selecting the More Button, and then Multiple Effects. Then select desired effects, click ADD, and then APPLY). Choose photo effect for each slide on storyboard


 * a. Click the Add Music tab on the toolbar
 * b. Choose file source (if using from the net, you must first save the music as an audio file to your folder or jump drive)
 * c. Once Added, see instructor for editing instructions if needed

Printable Version

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 * __ Windows Movie Maker 2 (XP): Steps to Creating Your Movie __**

1. Click the START Button Icon at lower left corner of desktop screen, then ALL PROGRAMS

2. Open Windows Movie Maker (it may be hidden in Windows)

3. ** Import Pictures, Video or Audio ** (from the jump drive or saved folder which you used to save your pictures) 4. ** Add Narration ** (a separate sheet will be given with instructions to record and then add narration to your movie). To use built in Movie Maker narration: (not always possible)
 * a. Click Tasks Pane: Select IMPORT VIDEOS (or Music or Pictures) tab in taskbar.
 * b. Find the folder with your picture files and click OPEN. (or drag and drop)
 * c. Repeat until all pictures, video and audio are in the Collections area. (you can add more later)


 * a. Click the Narration icon in the timeline. Drag the playback to an empty spot in the timeline.
 * b. Click START NARRATION, and talk into microphone. Then click STOP.
 * c. To adjust, click the Narrate Timeline dialog box, and Show More Options.

5. ** Edit your Pictures or Video ** in the correct order to properly illustrate your story. Click back to the Collections pane, to show all the Videos, Pictures and Music.
 * b. Drag and drop (click and hold photo and move to location of choice) photos from Clip Collection Window to the correct place in the Storyboard.
 * c. To change the length of time a Video Clip is displayed: Click the segment in the Timeline you wish to edit. Press the spacebar to play to where you wish to SPLIT it. From the CLIP menu, choose SPLIT. Then use the ZOOM tool to enlarge the clip, RIGHT CLICK the part you don’t want, and then DELETE the part.
 * d. To change the length of time a PHOTO is displayed, click on that photo, and you will see little circles appear on the left and right end. You can grab and drag these to change the duration.


 * 6. ** ** Change Volume: ** Right Click clip to edit. Click Volume. You can adjust it with the slider or mute. There is also a Fade In and Fade Out option, and you can select the speed.

7. ** Create a Title ** **or Credits**
 * a. Under the MOVIE TASKS tab, click MAKE TITLEs or CREDITS. Choose where you want to add. After typing, click MORE OPTIONS for animations, color, etc..
 * b. Click DONE ADD TO MOVIE.
 * c. For Credits (your name, school, music, thank yous, resource information, bibiliographies and acknowledgements), follow same directions above.
 * d. Please add the JPEG for the NPS Digital Storytelling Project at the very end. (on flash drive or at www.talkingtrails.wikispaces.com on the “Student Help Page” link)

7. ** Choose Animations/Visual Effects **
 * a. Right Click on the Clip you want to add the transition to and choose Pan and Zoom of choice. Continue for each slide on storyboard. Less is more.

Printable Version = =



= **Creating a Map for Your Movie** =

1. Go to Google > Click on Maps > Then choose the view you with in the RH Upper Corner box (It might say Satellite or Traffic) I like to add Terrain (click Traffic, and check next to Terrain) but you might choose something else.

2. Type in your location (EX: Ledbetter Cr., Nantahala, NC) and hit enter. A pin will appear.

3. Use the Magnifying tool to get the right view (you want to get a sense of where it is, but still have detail.

4. Take a Screenshot: The "Print Screen" button may be labeled "Prt Sc", "Prnt Scrn", "Print Scrn", or similar. On most desktop keyboards and the keyboards of bigger laptops, the button is usually found next to the "F12" and "Scroll Lock" keys. (On laptop keyboards, you may have to press the "Fn" or "Function" key to access "Print Screen".)

5. To copy only an open window, click on the window to assure it is active, then press the ALT key and the Print Screen Key at the same time, then release both keys. 6. (For Mac: Command-Shift-3: Take a screenshot of the screen, and save it as a file on the desktop. Or: Command-Control-Shift-4, then select an area: Take a screenshot of an area and save it as a file on the desktop)

7. Next, open the application where you would like to paste the image. (Powerpoint or Paint works well. ) Paste the image by pressing the Control Key and the V key at the same time. The image should appear in your document. You can manipulate the image, and change the color of the background if desired. (Format>Background>Fill>Solid>Choose Color>Apply)

8. Save the Image: FILE>SAVE AS,>give it a title (EX: LedbetterCrMap.jpg) >Format>JPEG>SAVE (EX: LedbetterCrMap.jpg)

9. You can now drag this into your movie collections area for use in the movie!

Printable Version of Map Instructions