February 27, 2012 • 12:14 pm 0
My friend, Liam Johnson, produced the extensive time-lapse video during his trip back to Los Angeles from Houston, Texas. He used 2 GoPro Sport cameras in time-lapse mode to capture a photo every few minutes. The video is comprised of over 50,000 individual photos.
Enjoy the trip!
See the GoPro Sport camera on Amazon.com
Filed under: In The Field, Member, New Media, Video, YouTube
October 12, 2010 • 8:10 pm 2
From Careers in New Media with Douglas E. Welch
After 6 years of podcasting and a deep immersion into the New Media world I find myself wondering if we all need to stop listening to New Media pundits and just GET ON WITH IT!
As with any new trend, meme, idea, service, product, whatever — there will always be those who think themselves experts in exactly how it should be done. You must post 1.4 Twitter messages each day, each being only 120 characters (to allow for Retweets and blog 2, 500-word blog posts each day, each with a call to action and comments specifically written to your target niche., etc, etc, etc.
Talk about sucking the life out of something!
My own advice, which you are — of course — free to ignore, is to “DO” New Media in whatever way seems fit, in whatever method seems fun or useful, on whatever time frame fits your schedule, directed at whatever audience you care to address. JUST DO IT!
Following too much advice can be more damaging than following too little. Each new pundit, each new expert hones and grinds New Media in their image. They take all that was new and exciting about New Media and turn it into yet another widget that can be commoditized and sold. They reduce the power of these new tools down to a lowest common denominator that seeks to serve everyone, but only seeks to serve them with mediocrity.
What good is it if you simply get better and better and doing what everyone else is doing? If you use New Media tools like everyone else in the crowd you become just one more anonymous figure within that crowd. New Media gives us the ability to stand out from the crowd, find our audience and make a difference in the world. Why squander it being the same as everyone else?
Every new idea goes through this phase? Goth was cool and edgy, now it can be bought in the mall. Punk music was loud and downright dangerous, now its commoditized just like Top 40 pop. Blogging used to be cool and cutting edge, now many do it with the same energy and excitement as a burned out accountant might bring.
Start with yourself when you develop your New Media projects. Sure, you can find some interesting ideas among the pundits, but when the advice starts to make everything look the same you would do better to think about how you can make your work different. Different is where new things happen. Different is where big success lies. Different is what keeps you from being swallowed by the big ocean of mediocrity.
What do YOU want out of New Media? How are YOU going to achieve it? What are YOU going to do? After all, if you are just going to do the same as everyone else — why do it at all?
September 29, 2010 • 11:28 pm 0
Friend of New Media Interchange, Grant Baccioco, producer and actor in The Radio Adventures of Dr. Floyd posted this excellent video tonight and I wanted to share it here as an example of the pro-quality work people can turn out using today’s New Media tools.
In this entry for the GoDaddy Commercial Contest, Undead Brad and Undead Fred use GoDaddy to insure a steady supply of “Brrrrraaaaaaaaiiiiinsssss!” for them and their zombie buddies.
September 4, 2010 • 12:39 pm 0
This post originally appeared in Careers in New Media…
I find WordPress easy to maintain and manage and the number of plugins available for it make it quite extensible, even for someone like me who really isn’t a programmer, although technology-savvy. I do like having my own install of WordPress on my own web host, as opposed to having my blog hosted elsewhere — at least for my own personal blogs. I do use WordPress.com extensively for other, shared project blogs, though. I even have one blog still hosted at Blogger.com, where I started.
Speed is more a function of your web host and the number of plugins/features you have installed on your WordPress site. As with anything, installing too much cruft can slow it down. I find that the amount of traffic you have is more a concern than the actual software though. WordPress has caching plugins available to help in high-load environments., though, so that can help if you have a really popular web site.
I don’t find I have to “watch it like a hawk” to keep it running. In fact, I don’t think I have ever had a problem with WordPress other than those I have caused myself through badly configured plugins or themes. You should be able to maintain WordPress by yourself, as typically it only involves clicking a few buttons and waiting for the upgrade. In fact, I always recommend that bloggers know how to control and maintain their own blogs, rather than relying on someone else — especially if that person is charging by the hour for basic maintenance.
The new automated upgrade utilities built into WordPress make it almost a plug and play environment. Most web hosts have a one/two-click install for WordPress, making it even easier.
Overall, I like WordPress, both self-hosted and hosted at WordPress.com. It serves me well and I regularly recommend it to others.
Do you have a question? Why not drop me a line? Use the Comments link above, send email to me@douglasewelch.com or call the voice mail line at 818-804-5049
Filed under: Elsewhere, Member, New Media, Opinion, Question and Answer, Software, Wordpress
September 3, 2010 • 11:31 am 0
This post originally appeared in Careers in New Media…
Enter WordPress Database Backup, a free WordPress plugin available from austinmatzko.com.
On each of your self-hosted WordPress blogs, download and install this plugin and then activate it via the WordPress Dashboard. Once installed, you can force an immediate backup that can be downloaded to your local computer or, and I prefer this method, an automatic backup which wakes up and then emails the backup file. I keep a separate Gmail account just for this purpose.
Now, whenever there is a WordPress upgrade, I check to make sure there was a recent automatic backup and then proceed with the upgrade, secure in the knowledge that all my content is safe.
Do you have a question? Why not drop Douglas a line? Use the Comments link above, send email to me@douglasewelch.com or call the voice mail line at 818-804-5049.
Filed under: Elsewhere, Member, New Media, Question and Answer, Real World Example, Wordpress
August 30, 2010 • 12:18 am 0
Originally from Careers in New Media with Douglas E. Welch…
Over the last couple of weeks, I have been asked this question more than a few times, both face-to-face and via email/Twitter. The on-going privacy policy battles with Facebook have turned off a lot of people on the large (and growing larger) service, but for the foreseeable future, if you leave Facebook, you might just be reducing your social media effectiveness.
First, let me say that I haven’t had a large problem with Facebook privacy settings for two important reasons.
For most people, you want (and perhaps, need) to be on Facebook for one very important reason…it is where the people are. In shear numbers, Facebook far outweighs any other social network and will continue to do so for the foreseeable future. Removing yourself from that mass of people will limit the effectiveness of any social media campaign, both person and professional, that you might care to create. You need to connect with the quorum of people that exist on Facebook to spread your message as far as possible. Deleting your Facebook account might make your feel better, but your online relationships and business will suffer.
Will Facebook always be the big event in town? No. History has shown that companies ebb and flow over the years and sometime, somewhere, someone will create a new and better service and will do to Facebook, what it did to Myspace (and others). Until then, we all need to “dance with those that brought us.”
That said, if you want to continue to have private conversations via Facebook, you need to look elsewhere. Facebook has shown every indication that they will be “public by default.” Even if you manage your Facebook Privacy Settings perfectly, you will be exposing your “private” updates to any number of people. Look towards closed email lists or other services which promise closed communications and leave Facebook for your public-facing activities. Remember, though, that even then information can leak out of these so-called “private” realms very easily. A forwarded email, a Twitter message, a casual mention by a fellow group member over the phone show you just how fragile privacy can be. In some cases, the only way to truly private about something is to be the only person who knows about it.
You need to engage on Facebook, publicly, if you want spread your message and thoughts to the widest audience possible. Move your private conversations elsewhere. Facebook isn’t going back so you need to do what is best for you.
July 19, 2010 • 9:29 am 0
NMI Member, Tracy Pattin at Sizzlecaster.com, produced this video on the opening of the new Don LaFontaine Voice Over Lab. She produces lots of videos like this, highlighting special events and producing testimonial videos for events and individuals.
Could your produce a video like this for your product, event or company? It is easier than you might think and can have quite an impact.
July 18, 2010 • 10:53 am 0
This post originally appeared in Careers in New Media, written by NMI Founder, Douglas E. Welch.
We recently returned from a trip to the UK and I took several videos while we were there. The 2 videos below show 2 different methods of presenting a location to your viewer.
The first is this time lapse video of a “flight” on the London Eye. It seemed to me that presenting clips from the slow moving ride, or posting the entire ride in real time wouldn’t really give the feeling that I was looking for.
To capture this footage, we immediately placed our Flip Mino HD on a table top tripod on the floor of the capsule. You may notice that there was at least one time when we adjusted the few, but for the most part the video was just captured as we enjoyed the view. The movement of the boats and cars offers a nice contrast to the slow movement of the Eye itself.
In order second video, we did the opposite. Instead of speeding up time, we slowed it down…at least figuratively. Using the concept of a “long picture” I took 3 views of Stonehenge, again using the tripod, but rather than moving around like most videos would, these are 2 static shots.
I believe this gives a great feeling of what it would be like to be sitting there on the grass with us. The audio was captured from a group who were chanting nearby and I thought this added an important element, too.
You can see more examples of these “long picture” videos in this Places UK: Cardiff Bay and Water in Millard Canyon.
Videos don’t have to be like every other video on the Internet. Experiment with movement, stillness, profiles, interviews and any other videos that you can imagine. You never know what you might discover.
Filed under: In The Field, Member, New Media, Tips, Video
July 2, 2010 • 7:59 am 0
NMI Member, Jungle Jenny Michaels recently posted this great example of how to use New Media to “get your message out!” You can find more great content on her web site at JungleJenny.org.
Jungle Jenny visits Tango the cheetah at Project Survival’s CATHAVEN Fundraiser in Hollywood, CA. Jenny talks to Wendy Debbas (CATHAVEN President), Dale Anderson (CATHAVEN Founder) and Davis Brimberg (fundraiser, event organizer) about the importance of wild cat conservation. Then we get up close and personal with Tango and learn some cheetah fun facts!
learn more about CATHAVEN at: http://www.cathaven.com
Filed under: Community, In The Field, Member, Sampler, Show, Video
March 24, 2010 • 9:24 pm 0
NMI Member, Tracy Pattin, interviews Douglas E. Welch on social media and new media
I appear today on the VoiceRegistry podcast, speaking on social media and new media. The interview will appear in 2 parts — linked below.
Podcast-New Media/Social Media Strategies for Voice Actors
Douglas E. Welch is a New Media/Social Media Consultant and pioneer podcaster.
His early work in the theater prepared him well for a life of speaking and teaching about technology, computers and New Media and the amazing benefits they bring into our lives. Douglas spent 5 years at Walt Disney Imagineering, but eventually struck out on his own and has been working as a freelance consultant for almost 15 years. Douglas is also the founder of New Media Interchange (http://newmediainterchange.com), a free group dedicated to bringing the power of New Media to everyone. You can find links to all of Douglas’ projects on http://DouglasEWelch.com.
Filed under: Audio, Elsewhere, Member, New Media, podcast, Show
January 31, 2010 • 10:06 pm 0
From New Media Tea Time…
“Where high tech meets low tech for tea and chocolate. Part 2 talking with the amazing Douglas Welch about Ning communities, how he set his up and how the rest of us can do so too.”
January 29, 2010 • 2:04 pm 0
From the New Media Tea Time web site…
“Our resident New Media Expert, Doug Welch (DouglasEWelch.com) is back! Hosts Tracy Pattin and Danielle Gruen talk about eBooks and eBook trends (good news!) widgets, websites, blogs, themes, and of course tea!”
December 28, 2009 • 2:50 pm 0
I had a great time recording 3 episodes of New Media Tea Time on Friday with Tracy Pattin and Danielle Gruen. Here is episode 3. You can watch it below or subscribe to the New Media Tea Time podcast in your RSS Reader.
December 24, 2009 • 9:59 am 0
NMI Member and longtime fellow podcaster, George Starcher has posted several great technical videos to the New Media Interchange Community Site and I will be highlighting them here in the blog, too.
This first one deals with recording a podcast “double ender” — a remote interview where each person records there end of the conversation and then it is assembled in an audio editor to create a high quality interview.
George is a fellow member of the the Friends in Tech podcasting group, too.
Filed under: Community, Member, New Media, New Media Tips, podcast, Show, Software, Technology, Tips, Video
December 21, 2009 • 11:30 pm 0
On Sunday last, NMI Founder Douglas E. Welch, held his 4th Annual LIVE Reading of Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” and the audio is now available for your holiday pleasure.
Douglas says, :”I think this would be great listening while steaming your Christmas pudding, cooking your Christmas goose or enjoying that refreshing “bowl of steaming bishop!”
Listen to the 4th Annual LIVE Reading of Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” from DouglasEWelch.com
You can also watch the video captured live on uStream.tv.
Watch the 4th Annual Reading of Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol”
Filed under: Audio, Community, Elsewhere, Events, Live, Member, New Media, podcast, Show
December 21, 2009 • 10:19 am 0
I have been a member of Friends in Tech, a technology podcasting group, for years and each year we put together several holiday specials specifically for our “Geek-minded” listeners. This year we produced a geekified parody of “A Christmas Story”.
Over the years we have developed a workflow that allows everyone to record their parts separately and then several members, acting as the editors, assemble the final production with music and sound effects. This allows us to put together a complete presentation in just a few weeks, even though we are scattered all over the country.
We also bring in special guest voices from the podcasting community to “share the love” among our fellow new media producers. If you are looking for a project for your group, an audio play can be a great place to start. It energizes your people and also reaches out to the community to increase your visibility. — Douglas
Listen to A Geek Christmas Story
“Mattie Stevens, a young boy of the early 80’s, dreams of owning a Commodore 64. He sets out to convince everyone this is the perfect gift. But, along the way runs into opposition from his parents and everyone around him including old Santa Claus”
Written By:
Kreg Steppe and Douglas E. Welch
Produced By:
George Starcher – Typical Mac User Podcast
Victor Cajiao – Typical Mac User Podcast – – Typical Shutterbug Podcast
Steve Holden – Tech News Radio – Jersey Boys Podcast – AztecMedia.net
Cast of Players:
Narrator: Kreg Steppe – Technorama
Harvey Stevens: Dad – Kevin Devin
Mandy Stevens: Mom – Susie Murph – How to Grow your Geek Podcast
Mattie Stevens: Son – Daniel Devin
Sandy Stevens: Little Brother – Spencer Holden
Curtz Eisenberg: Friend to Mattie – Harrison Steppe
General Beringer: General – Douglas E. Welch
Lieutenant: Steve Holden – Tech News Radio
Mrs. Little: Katie Floyd – Mac Power Users Podcast
Santa’s Helper: Chuck Tomasi – Chuckchat.com
Santa: Larry Pesce – Pauldotcom.com Podcast
Judge: Victor Cajiao – Typical Mac User Podcast – Typical Shutterbug Podcast
Andrew Carnagie: Andy Helsby – Absoblogginlutely!
J.P. Morgan: Grant Bichocco – Mr.Grant.com
UPS Guy: Paul Asadoorian- Pauldotcom.com Podcast
Skipper: Rylie Starcher
Tip of the Hat to the old Christmas Commodore 64 Demo
Previous FiT Holiday Specials:
This has been a Friends in Tech Production.
Filed under: Audio, Community, Member, New Media, podcast, Show
December 18, 2009 • 9:49 pm 0
I had a great time recording 3 episodes of New Media Tea Time on Friday with Tracy Pattin and Danielle Gruen. Here is episode 2. You can watch it below or subscribe to the New Media Tea Time podcast in your RSS Reader.
December 8, 2009 • 10:14 pm 1
One of the great uses of New Media is education. Not just standard, school and college-based education, but genuine, person-to-person, master-to-apprentice-style learning. In this vein, I present NMI Member, Tracy Pattin and one of her excellent shows, Voice Registry Blog and Podcast. In this show, Tracy focuses on the realities of voiceover work by interviewing some of the biggest names in the industry.
In this show, Tracy interviews Bob Bergen and Bill Holmes on physicalizing while performing voiceover.
Check out this sample show and then subscribe to the blog directly or using iTunes.
iPod Ready Video
December 6, 2009 • 3:34 pm 0
I had a great time recording 3 episodes of New Media Tea Time on Friday with Tracy Pattin and Danielle Gruen. The first episode has just been released. You can watch it below or subscribe to the New Media Tea Time podcast in your RSS Reader.
Filed under: Community, Elsewhere, Member, New Media, podcast, Sampler, Show, Video
November 17, 2009 • 12:41 pm 0
NMI Founder, Douglas E. Welch, speaks at PodCampAZ 2009 in Phoenix, Arizona on “My Podcast Process.”
Links mentioned in this presentation:
Listen to the entire presentation (55 Mins)
Filed under: Arizona, Audio, Elsewhere, Events, Member, New Media, Show
New Media Interchange 