Multimedia production involves a cycle of editing a story, distributing it and then tracking the audience size and reaction. Below is a list of tools and services, given by medium, that support those steps. The list is not exhaustive but serves to highlight the major technologies and services in use at Duke. The media covered are:
Audio
Editing
Audio production services include Duke Media Services, Duke Creative, Duke Technical Services, the Multimedia Project Studio and local freelancers. Two popular audio editing tools are Audition and Audacity. Audio can be captured with an iPod using a microphone attachment; some digital flash recorders are designed to make high-quality recordings. For equipment suggestions, see AV Capture/Edit Packages from the Office of Information Technology. In order to brand a piece as coming from Duke, use the Duke Video Elements opening and closing sequences (NetID required).
Distribution
Audio files can be delivered via the Duke iTunes site or streamed from your website using DukeStream. Audio pieces can be promoted with emails, advertisements, links and word of mouth.
Tracking
Administrators of Duke iTunes “albums” receive weekly viewership reports. Webpages with links to audio segments can be tracked with Google Analytics.
Example
Duke Chapel produces audio recordings of sermons and concerts, which are distributed by streaming and the Duke iTunes site.
Video
Editing
Video production services include Duke Media Services, Duke Technical Services, the Office Of Information Technology’s Multimedia Project Studio and local freelancers. Two popular video editing tools for the Macintosh are iMovie and Final Cut Pro; Adobe Premiere or SONY Vegas is often used on Windows PCs. Popular digital video cameras are made by Sony and Cannon, among other manufacturers. For equipment suggestions, see AV Capture/Edit Packages from the Office of Information Technology. In order to brand a piece as coming from Duke, use the Duke Video Elements opening and closing sequences (NetID required).
Distribution
Video segments can be delivered via a Duke YouTube channel, the Duke iTunes site and/or by embedding them in your own website and using the DukeStream streaming server. Videos can be promoted with emails, advertisements, links and word of mouth.
Tracking
YouTube provides total views for each video on an ongoing basis. Administrators of Duke iTunes "albums" receive weekly viewership reports. Web pages with links to videos can be tracked with Google Analytics.
Example
"Duke on Camera" is a "web video" series that focuses on news and feature stories within the Duke community. The videos appear on the Duke Today website and Duke’s YouTube channel, as well as on other sites. One Duke on Camera video shows how candidates for the Duke mascot are chosen.
Slideshow
Editing
Audio-photo production services include Duke Media Services, Duke Photography, the Office of Information Technology’s Multimedia Project Studio and local freelancers. Popular slideshow editing tools are Soundslides, Powerpoint, Keynote, Camtasia, SnapZ Pro and Flash. The Flickr web site allows for onlineproduction of slideshows.Audio can be captured with an iPod using a microphone attachment; some digital flash recorders are designed to make high-quality recordings. For equipment suggestions, see AV Capture/Edit Packages from the Office of Information Technology. In order to brand a piece as coming from Duke, use the Duke Video Elements opening and closing sequences (NetID required).
Distribution
If a slideshow is converted into a video format, it can be delivered via a Duke channel, the Duke iTunes site and/or the DukeStream streaming server. Slideshows on Flickr are hosted on that site and can be embedded into other web sites. Slideshows can be promoted with emails, advertisements, links and word of mouth.
Tracking
Webpages with links to slideshows can be tracked with Google Analytics.
Example
A slideshow tells the story of 15 Duke students investigating zooplankton and other sea creatures aboard the research vessel Corwith Cramer.
Data Visualization
Editing
Tabular data (like a spreadsheet) can be graphed on the Swivel web site. Geographical data can be presented as an annotated map using GoogleMaps and Google Earth. Where available, faculty-generated charts, graphs and maps can also be included in videos and slideshows.
Distribution
The Swivel website allows users to graph, compare, share and comment on data sets. Like Google Maps and Google Earth, these online visualizations can be embedded into your web site or blog. Charts, graphs and maps can bepromoted with emails, advertisements, links and word of mouth.
Tracking
The Swivel website displays total views for each data set. GoogleMaps does the same for custom maps. Webpages with links to animations canbe tracked with Google Analytics.
Example
A Duke Research story on global fishing policy includes a Google map with labels.
Animation
Editing
Duke Media Services and the Office of Information Technology’s Multimedia Project Studio can assist with animation. Popular animation tools include Motion, After Effects and Flash.
Distribution
Animation files require users to provide their own distribution mechanism. If a slideshow is converted into a video format, it maybe delivered via a Duke YouTube channel, the Duke iTunes site and/or the DukeStream streaming server. Animations can be promoted with emails, advertisements, links and word of mouth.
Tracking
Web pages with links to animations can be tracked with Google Analytics.
Example A story about an experimental thymus transplant uses animation to explain the procedure.
Quiz/Game/Survey
Editing
The Office of Information Technology’s Multimedia Project Studio can assist with producing interactive games. A popular interactive tool is Flash. A tool for conducting online surveys is ViewsFlash.
Distribution
Quizzes and games require users to provide their own distribution mechanism. Surveys are hosted by the ViewsFlash system. Quizzes, games and surveys can be promoted with emails, advertisements, links and word of mouth.
Tracking
ViewsFlash keeps track of survey responses. Web pages with links to animations can be tracked with Google Analytics.
Example
To help explain research on how the familiar metric of "miles-per-gallon" can mislead consumers, the Fuqua The MPG Illusion website challenges viewers to calculate fuel efficiency gains.
Blog
EditingTwo popular blog tools are WordPress and Blogger. They include instructions for adding text, photos and videos.
Distribution
Blogs can be promoted with emails, advertisements, links and word of mouth. Cross-posting with other blogs is a way to increase traffic.
Tracking
Blog tools include tracking features.
Example
Professor Mark Anthony Neal writes the New Black Man blog with commentary on contemporary African-American culture.
Social Networking Site
Editing
Facebook is the most popular social networking site on campus (for now!). The site lets you set up personal profiles, organization pages and events. Then you make "friends" with other Facebook users. Facebook supports videos, blog posts and audio files. Another social networking site in use at Duke is Ning.
Distribution
Facebook automatically updates your "friends" each time to add an item to your Facebook page.
Tracking
Facebook event invitations include an RSVP feature.
Example
Duke Performances uses a Facebook page to promote its events to students.
