China Stories

Lunch at the L.A.B.

19th September 2008, Flora

I'm just about to take some time off doing research on China and head down to the L.A.B. (Learn @ BBC Scotland) for a very exciting 'learning lunch'. A learning lunch is when someone with a particular skill gives up their lunchtime to teach that skill to other people. At the session today we're going to learn about filming and editing films and animation. Lots of departments in BBC Scotland have learning lunches as it's a good way for everybody to share knowledge, and they're often good fun too - I'm sure this one will be!

I'm hoping that I'll be able to put what I learn today to good use in the China site. Jo, who runs the L.A.B. has already made a couple of good suggestions about how I might be able to do some user testing using my new skills. I'll let you know all about it after I'm back...

So much to learn, so little time.

19th September 2008, Flora

Well, we fitted a lot into an hour!

I now know (theoretically) how to chop and crop film, how to fit it together again in a timeline, how to add titles, credits, effects (like a ripple over the whole screen), graphics and audio! It was a lot to take in, but fortunately I'll have a chance to go and practise over the next couple of weeks.

Now that I've done the tutorial, I'll be able to help out at the L.A.B. when groups are visiting to create their own films and animations. Lots of folk from all walks of life come in to use the L.A.B. - schools groups, adult literacy groups, special needs groups, youth initiative groups and community groups to name a few!

I'm also looking into Jo's idea of using the L.A.B. facilities to do some user testing for a personalisable area of China Stories where our visitors will be able to make their own web pages about China. Maybe we'll even end up inviting some groups in to create some L.A.B. pieces for use in the China Stories website, who knows?

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