If you haven't heard of donorschoose.org it's a fascinating project. The idea is that teachers write up a small pitch for whatever they need. Then, potential donors get to read throught the ideas and choose which one(s) to donate to.
People can also make a list of pitches - called a challenge - then send it out to others. Kind of a cool Web 2.0 philanthropy. So here's a cool challenge from a Venture Capitalist in NYC, Fred Wilson. The coolest thing about it is not that people are asking and getting what they need for technology projects in the classroom. The coolest part is what those projects are. It's a neat snapshot of iTeachers at work.
Sunday
Hands Free Logging and More
This handy tool came up at a conference I attended last week.
DV Log-X FireWire Videologger for Macintosh OSX
is a set of software tools that can come in very handy when working with students. (As we all know, they don't always take the best notes while shooting.)
The most basic version of the software: DV Log detects when your camera starts/stops and uses that information to make a very basic log that you can import (with some difficulty) into Final Cut Pro or many other software titles.
The most advanced version: HD Log Gold lets you save your logs in a Final Cut Pro format (XML) and also adds features like spell check and search functions.
Which version is best for you depends on the complexity of your projects and your budget. But I recommend you download the Demo and give it a try. In my experience, even the most basic version can be a handy tool for quickly scanning tapes and noting which clips are where.
DV Log-X FireWire Videologger for Macintosh OSX
is a set of software tools that can come in very handy when working with students. (As we all know, they don't always take the best notes while shooting.)
The most basic version of the software: DV Log detects when your camera starts/stops and uses that information to make a very basic log that you can import (with some difficulty) into Final Cut Pro or many other software titles.
The most advanced version: HD Log Gold lets you save your logs in a Final Cut Pro format (XML) and also adds features like spell check and search functions.
Which version is best for you depends on the complexity of your projects and your budget. But I recommend you download the Demo and give it a try. In my experience, even the most basic version can be a handy tool for quickly scanning tapes and noting which clips are where.
Thursday
Apple takes an old idea and makes it their own...
You may have heard of the 24 hour film festival. Well, now Apple brings us the Insomnia Film Festival, another instant movie contest. Unfortunately it's only for High School and College students. But it should be a lot of fun. A lot of tiring fun!
Friday
Scholarships for Film Students
A great little collection of college funding for kids who are interested in making movies.
Fresh Films
Fresh Films
Another List - This One From Self-Reliant Filmmaking
A lovely low cost list of helpful software. Consider it a buffet for the fall semester - what will you take back to your table?
21 Mac Shareware Applications for Filmmakers
21 Mac Shareware Applications for Filmmakers
Thursday
The Documentary Project
The Documentary Project
was a beautiful program for refugee youth in New York. They have put together this website to document their process
was a beautiful program for refugee youth in New York. They have put together this website to document their process
Wednesday
Some Phenomenal Resources
Read/WriteWeb has published the most amazing list at
Filmmaker's Tool Kit: Creating a Movie with Web 2.0
It's actually a much better article than I thought it would be. Instead of the same old list of craigslist-myspace-blogger there's links to everything from Backstage for casting to Storyboarding Software to how to FindSounds when your editing.
Overall, a great list of helpful resources for us and our students.
Filmmaker's Tool Kit: Creating a Movie with Web 2.0
It's actually a much better article than I thought it would be. Instead of the same old list of craigslist-myspace-blogger there's links to everything from Backstage for casting to Storyboarding Software to how to FindSounds when your editing.
Overall, a great list of helpful resources for us and our students.
Saturday
Special Effects on the Cheap
A great DIY how to Make (and Use) Your Own Green Screen
over at MacLife. Not only do they give a step by step for planning and building the background, but they also go through the post-production.
Looks like a great classroom project...
Lesson planning for teachers, Mac style
Planbook is an innovative software tool that helps you to do your lesson planning on your Mac. The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) gives it a good review, but what I noticed (and liked) about it was the ability to attach files inside the software. So, for example, I can link that 'Camera Basics' handout for Monday's class in the plan - instead of trying to figure out where to paste it in my MS Word document.
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