Internet Technology

Good morning again! :)

I have another question based blog today...

When was the last time Internet technology played a crucial role in a lesson learned? Tell us about it, and explain why it was an important and memorable moment for you.

The last time that Internet technology played a crucial role in a lesson I learned was probably this weekend. I learned how to use Final Cut Pro! I know that it isn't exactly internet based, but I will soon be (hopefully) publishing the final outcome of the lesson to my youtube page (as long as I don't get in any trouble with my production class).

I came to the editing lab totally unaware of how to use/do ANYTHING in Final Cut Pro. The only help I had was the cheat sheet given to everyone in my class about how to transcode raw footage, how to properly name your project, and how to export your project.
Transcoding raw footage just means making footage that you've filmed readable by Final Cut Pro, so that it can playback the film you have.
To name the project, we had to have our class and last name, along with what type of project the film was.
Exporting it was long and boring and I don't even remember it, so I won't try to explain it. :)

I had some help from the people in my group, but I was basically on my own to figure out how Final Cut Pro works. When I had trouble with the sound, my group partner, Justin, helped me figure out what to do. I watched over his shoulder as he googled how to convert a certain file. It was actually really very easy--you just had to rename the file to a WAV file! That's all!

I figured out how to add text/subtitles/templates, cut, add music, fix volumes, etc. I also learned how to do things like speed up the film (although I didn't use it--ha! Just imagine...).

After many long, grueling hours in the editing lab, I am happy to say that I made it out alive! I showed my project in class, and it appears that my hard work of learning how Final Cut Pro works paid off; they liked it! Even more, they said that I really knew my audience well. That is a true complement to me! Maybe they were just being nice... ;)

Now is the time that I share it with everyone. It is a documentary on the Catholic Newman Center on campus called "CCM" (Catholic Campus Ministry). I sat down with the woman in charge, Sister Rose, and we discussed CCM's history since she's been there, what CCM offers, and theology and science. It all relates back to what a college kid thinks/questions and ponders over.
I had a 3 minute limit, though, so it's very short. Buuuuut, I think CCM could potentially be proud of it; I believe it gives great insight to who we are as a community at CCM, and what we are about/do.

Another internet technology that is helping me learn something is the app called "Candy Crush". Although it is typically used as a form of entertainment, I feel as though I am learning strategy and problem-solving skills as well.
The point is to connect any three, four, or (if you're lucky) five matching pieces of candy. Connect three and they just disappear; connect four and they create one charged candy piece, that explodes a row the next time it matches with at least two other pieces of it's original nature; connect five and you get a donut, which you connect to another surrounding piece, and all of the pieces like that explode and disappear. You try to earn points, or get little fruit pieces to the bottom of the screen, or break through barriers, or a combination of any/all of these "missions". You can help your friends through Facebook by giving them lives (you accumulate a life every 20ish minutes until you have five lives...they disappear one with every failed attempt of a level), or helping them unlock the next episode. Shout out to my regular helpers, consisting of my mom, my brother, my cousin, and my ex-co-worker! :)
It's so addicting. I've only been playing for about two weeks now, and I'm already on level 50-something. Oops. No regrets.
But can you see how it is a huge brain exercise? It's almost like tetris (but way better).
It's gotten to the point where I see little pieces of candy lighting up behind closed eyelids before I drift off to sleep.... :)

The point of both of these stories is that the Internet can teach you a variety of new things! Either something specific that you need for your future job (Final Cut Pro), or something a little more lax that you could still use in every day life (Candy Crush). I know I've said it before in my life--and probably my blog--but I will say it again! I don't know what I'd do without the internet! I'm so excited to see how my future children and grandchildren learn--will they use the internet too? Without a doubt!

Until later,

xx
lizzie

What Do You Plan to do After College?

Good Morning!

This blog post will be dedicated to answering these specific questions for a potential scholarship:

What do you plan to do after college? How would you use the internet to help you excel in your occupation?

As many of you know, I have a travel list that I'd like to complete before I die. If you don't know, here is the link: 
My Not-So-Short List of Travel Destinations

But, after college I plan on working in the Film Industry. So, my dream job would be one where I'd need to travel to different locations of the world to film, and then come back to the U.S. for a few months until I finish editing that project and can begin my next. Or, I would also like to be hired by an international company, and create videos for their website(s) or youtube. 

A company I am specifically interested in working with is EF Tours--I've had a few experiences with them, and they appear to have a safe, fun, and diverse work atmosphere. EF stands for "Education First" and they are a touring company for high schoolers or college level kids, but both times that I have traveled with them there have been kids of all ages, and many adults along to "chaperone". I also have a friend, Maddie, who went on these trips when she was younger with her family, even though they were not affiliated with the school they traveled with. Typically on their trips, the group tours something historically significant in  the morning, and then break for lunch. While on lunch, you can go anywhere you'd like (they just ask that you stick with a buddy or two), and then explore the city you happen to be in all afternoon until the meeting time--usually around 3 or 4 in the afternoon. They travel all over to many different countries in Asia, Europe, South America, North America, Africa, and the South Pacific. The group leaders I had were both very fun and knowledgeable people, and they kept us safe and informed as we traveled. They will even relax with you when the day is done, or at meals, and talk about anything and everything--and both of my leaders loved to take pictures with all of us! Hmm. Maybe they need a multimedia filmmaker to accompany several groups per year on their trips... :).

The internet would help me excel in my occupation because I am very interested in multimedia on the web. I would love to be the multimedia manager for a company someday as well; maybe to ease my way into the world of filmmaking, and to use my Film Studies and cultural reference knowledge there.
The internet would also help me as I search for a job, or if I were to do research for a company on recent news happenings. The internet would also help me in my job field if I were to travel somewhere, and I needed to find out things about the culture, weather, language, modes of transportation, etc. of that country.
The internet is such a powerful tool for research and communication that I don't know what I'd do without it. I am constantly on my computer, or phone, throughout the day. Trying to find out a certain piece of information, or talking to a family member or friend from back home. I can't even imagine how other people lived from day to day without it (that would be an interesting experimental documentary...?)!

Anyways, I'm off to finish a project for my Intro to Film Production class. Final countdown begins. Only three weeks left (WISH ME LUCK! AHH FREAKING OUT).


I'll write soon... I promise this time! ;)
xx, 
lizzie