Sound Garden Storyboard
Best of Baltimore "Best CD Store" Awards
Customer reviews
3 Best Record Stores in Baltimore
Baltimore Musician: Dan Deacon | Article about Deacon
Article about Sound Garden and how it's affected by Black Friday
Article about Fells Point
Danity Kane Signing at Sound Garden - 9/29/07
**parallels to Empire Records
On Briggs - Chapter 8 (Shooting and Managing Digital Photos)...
- Pixels - PICTure ELement - visual representation of data
- Megapixel - one million pixels - measures power of digital camera
- 3 ways to shoot photo w/ light - natural light, flash only, flash and ambient light
- Important to remember: correct lighting, correct background, steady camera, automatic setting, fill frame, focus on one thing, get closer, go vertical, shoot action, resize, only edit copy of photo
- "Blogs without art are lame."
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Friday, February 22, 2008
Multimedia Story Research Part 1
Sound Garden in Fells Point Baltimore
Questions to ask:
How do you stay a float?
How do you distinguish SG in this digital music age?
Do you notice a difference in traffic now since before the digital revolution?
Do you notice a different in traffic patterns (type of consumers, ages, quantities, etc)?
DVD sales vs. CD sales
Ideas to roll with:
Baltimore and its special indie record shop - staying afloat among the big players.
Record and Tape Traders just got bought out?
City Paper's Best of Baltimore 10 years running
Keeping vinyl alive; in-stores
Official Website | Myspace | Press
Regina Spektor Live @ Sound Garden
Robin Thicke Live @ Sound Garden
Ben Kweller Live @ Sound Garden
Questions to ask:
How do you stay a float?
How do you distinguish SG in this digital music age?
Do you notice a difference in traffic now since before the digital revolution?
Do you notice a different in traffic patterns (type of consumers, ages, quantities, etc)?
DVD sales vs. CD sales
Ideas to roll with:
Baltimore and its special indie record shop - staying afloat among the big players.
Record and Tape Traders just got bought out?
City Paper's Best of Baltimore 10 years running
Keeping vinyl alive; in-stores
Official Website | Myspace | Press
Regina Spektor Live @ Sound Garden
Robin Thicke Live @ Sound Garden
Ben Kweller Live @ Sound Garden
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Sputnik, Multimedia Packages & Storyboards
On Small Multimedia Package: Sputnik...
- The multimedia package is very involved for something so small, so it's interesting to see the planning (the storyboard) that is involved. You can really see how much work goes into a project like this.
- On the package itself, I thought it was very well done. The introduction - the old television screen playing the intro movie - was a great, innovative touch. It was immediately attractive to a first time "clicker" like myself. Also, even though it didn't have much purpose, the audio of the satellites was a clever way to keep the package interactive. There was a lot of text, more than I would have liked to see (example - the time line), but the creator still kept it interesting with moving graphics and a fresh layout. Overall, I enjoyed this multimedia packages.
On Ward - Online Research and Reporting - (Chapter 3)...
- "Bottom up" approach to online research
- Gathering & dissemination: two main tasks for online journalists
- Gathering: finding info, finding people, checking info, analyzing info
- Another category - CAR: computer assisted reporting - data capture and analysis
- URLs, bookmarking, domains (geography, purpose of organization) - examples: .uk, .org, .net, .int (international orgs), .mil (US Dept. of Defense), .ac.uk (UK higher ed.), .co.uk (UK commerical), etc...
- Deconstruct potential story & look at component parts - what data, info, opinion might I need? What sites can I find this on, and can they be trusted?
- Meta data - part of HTML code (dogpile.com, infind.com) - example: search for audio files to stream or download
- Specific subject search engines: findlaw.com, healthfounder.gov
- engine math: + (and)/- (not) symbols, quotations, * - all words with root or beginning of word
- search email address: bigfoot.com, worldemail.com, people.yahoo.com
- newsgroups & mailing lists
Storyboard: Now a Major Circuit: Local and Touring Bands Recognize Baltimore's Thriving Music Scene
--> to add to storyboard: talk about what it takes for underground bands to book tours (intro, perhaps?), how tough it is to book out-of-state shows, the basics of booking shows/tours
And here's three songs I adore (and listened to while posting this blog update), just for kicks:
Third Eye Blind - "Losing A Whole Year"
Andy Hull (of Manchester Orchestra) - "Badges and Badges"
Team Goldie - "Hairodynamics"
- The multimedia package is very involved for something so small, so it's interesting to see the planning (the storyboard) that is involved. You can really see how much work goes into a project like this.
- On the package itself, I thought it was very well done. The introduction - the old television screen playing the intro movie - was a great, innovative touch. It was immediately attractive to a first time "clicker" like myself. Also, even though it didn't have much purpose, the audio of the satellites was a clever way to keep the package interactive. There was a lot of text, more than I would have liked to see (example - the time line), but the creator still kept it interesting with moving graphics and a fresh layout. Overall, I enjoyed this multimedia packages.
On Ward - Online Research and Reporting - (Chapter 3)...
- "Bottom up" approach to online research
- Gathering & dissemination: two main tasks for online journalists
- Gathering: finding info, finding people, checking info, analyzing info
- Another category - CAR: computer assisted reporting - data capture and analysis
- URLs, bookmarking, domains (geography, purpose of organization) - examples: .uk, .org, .net, .int (international orgs), .mil (US Dept. of Defense), .ac.uk (UK higher ed.), .co.uk (UK commerical), etc...
- Deconstruct potential story & look at component parts - what data, info, opinion might I need? What sites can I find this on, and can they be trusted?
- Meta data - part of HTML code (dogpile.com, infind.com) - example: search for audio files to stream or download
- Specific subject search engines: findlaw.com, healthfounder.gov
- engine math: + (and)/- (not) symbols, quotations, * - all words with root or beginning of word
- search email address: bigfoot.com, worldemail.com, people.yahoo.com
- newsgroups & mailing lists
Storyboard: Now a Major Circuit: Local and Touring Bands Recognize Baltimore's Thriving Music Scene
--> to add to storyboard: talk about what it takes for underground bands to book tours (intro, perhaps?), how tough it is to book out-of-state shows, the basics of booking shows/tours
And here's three songs I adore (and listened to while posting this blog update), just for kicks:
Third Eye Blind - "Losing A Whole Year"
Andy Hull (of Manchester Orchestra) - "Badges and Badges"
Team Goldie - "Hairodynamics"
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Homework - 02.13.08 (Ira Glass' Storytelling)
On Ira Glass' storytelling...
Ira Glass proposes two building blocks for storytelling: the anecdote and the moment of reflection. Anecdotes are a series of actions - one thing follows another - and this is where the meat of your story exists. When you jump from one action to another, the story keeps up its momentum so much so that even a boring story can sound interesting. Glass makes a poignant statement when he says that even the most exciting story can't be interesting if you don't know how to maintain this momentum. Glass also notes that it's important to maintain this by raising a question, and it's through the suspense of the answer that your audience pays attentions or "the bait," as Glass calls it.
The second building block Glass uses is what he calls the moment of reflection, which is like the conclusion to your story. If not done well, a moment of reflection gets lost and the story goes from engaging and exciting to bland. This moment needs to be GOOD. Glass also mentions that a story can have a great anecdote but a horrible moment of reflection, and vice versa. It is with the success of both building blocks that you have a good story, and this is what needs to be remembered when embarking on the storytelling process.
But even with these building blocks, Glass mentions that finding great stories is also part of the process. Time must be set aside to find interesting stories, and you have to actively pursue this goal. Good stories aren't always going to come your way, and this is something I see in feature writing and my column for The Towerlight. When pursuing a story, be "ruthless" and only bring about the good parts. Boring or dull (but perhaps partially important) parts of this story should be left out. Storytelling isn't about detail, it's about engaging the audience.
Practice makes perfect, Glass says, and he suggests working on a story a week until you get to a point where your stories are good, and not trying to be good (which is some I understand completely). This was also a great point. Starting off, your stories aren't going to be good (even with hard work), but your own taste - a taste that is refined and interesting - knows this. I see this often in my writing, and I think it's a great example of how even the most gifted of students aren't the most gifted of professionals. It takes practice and time.
On multimedia storytelling...
Key Points:
- Text, while not overwhelming, should be kept clear and concise.
- Navigation, interactivity and organization are hugely important to keeping your audience interested.
- Pick and choose what pieces of the story you tell, and your execution of their pieces is what collects interest.
- Find a way to keep your story deep and complex.
- It's important to let your users make decisions.
On Briggs - Reporting for the Web - (Chp. 4 & 6)...
Key Points:
- Data is OK. In fact, you can make it "thrive."
- Alternative Story Form - like The Oregonian - keeps the momentum of storytelling.
- Crowdsourcing and a strong reader network - community or collaborative reporting - is a great resource, and can often create its own story. This trend is used on many different faucets on the Web. Briggs used a good example with Proctor & Gamble website InnoCentive. The Internet reaction from music fans to big news about a band or a label can be a story in its own (example).
- Also important: time stamps and good headlines.
On Ward - Writing & Online Story Construction - (Chp. 4 & 5)...
Key Points:
- Write directly.
- Specific instead of generalized word choice, but simple words that are easy to interpret.
- Structure/lead is important.
- Clearly identify important elements of story and present them in effective way.
- Intro is crucial. Good intro is even more crucial. Same with headlines.
- Non-linear storytelling, embrace this interactivity.
- Operate in chucks and segments.
- Two-way model lets the audience respond and improve. Three-way model lets users contribute content.
Ira Glass proposes two building blocks for storytelling: the anecdote and the moment of reflection. Anecdotes are a series of actions - one thing follows another - and this is where the meat of your story exists. When you jump from one action to another, the story keeps up its momentum so much so that even a boring story can sound interesting. Glass makes a poignant statement when he says that even the most exciting story can't be interesting if you don't know how to maintain this momentum. Glass also notes that it's important to maintain this by raising a question, and it's through the suspense of the answer that your audience pays attentions or "the bait," as Glass calls it.
The second building block Glass uses is what he calls the moment of reflection, which is like the conclusion to your story. If not done well, a moment of reflection gets lost and the story goes from engaging and exciting to bland. This moment needs to be GOOD. Glass also mentions that a story can have a great anecdote but a horrible moment of reflection, and vice versa. It is with the success of both building blocks that you have a good story, and this is what needs to be remembered when embarking on the storytelling process.
But even with these building blocks, Glass mentions that finding great stories is also part of the process. Time must be set aside to find interesting stories, and you have to actively pursue this goal. Good stories aren't always going to come your way, and this is something I see in feature writing and my column for The Towerlight. When pursuing a story, be "ruthless" and only bring about the good parts. Boring or dull (but perhaps partially important) parts of this story should be left out. Storytelling isn't about detail, it's about engaging the audience.
Practice makes perfect, Glass says, and he suggests working on a story a week until you get to a point where your stories are good, and not trying to be good (which is some I understand completely). This was also a great point. Starting off, your stories aren't going to be good (even with hard work), but your own taste - a taste that is refined and interesting - knows this. I see this often in my writing, and I think it's a great example of how even the most gifted of students aren't the most gifted of professionals. It takes practice and time.
On multimedia storytelling...
Key Points:
- Text, while not overwhelming, should be kept clear and concise.
- Navigation, interactivity and organization are hugely important to keeping your audience interested.
- Pick and choose what pieces of the story you tell, and your execution of their pieces is what collects interest.
- Find a way to keep your story deep and complex.
- It's important to let your users make decisions.
On Briggs - Reporting for the Web - (Chp. 4 & 6)...
Key Points:
- Data is OK. In fact, you can make it "thrive."
- Alternative Story Form - like The Oregonian - keeps the momentum of storytelling.
- Crowdsourcing and a strong reader network - community or collaborative reporting - is a great resource, and can often create its own story. This trend is used on many different faucets on the Web. Briggs used a good example with Proctor & Gamble website InnoCentive. The Internet reaction from music fans to big news about a band or a label can be a story in its own (example).
- Also important: time stamps and good headlines.
On Ward - Writing & Online Story Construction - (Chp. 4 & 5)...
Key Points:
- Write directly.
- Specific instead of generalized word choice, but simple words that are easy to interpret.
- Structure/lead is important.
- Clearly identify important elements of story and present them in effective way.
- Intro is crucial. Good intro is even more crucial. Same with headlines.
- Non-linear storytelling, embrace this interactivity.
- Operate in chucks and segments.
- Two-way model lets the audience respond and improve. Three-way model lets users contribute content.
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
Online Presentation of the Second Chechen War
Here we have two examples of online presentation: a Wikipedia article and a multimedia story. Both are well done - the Wikipedia article is stocked full of references and clean language, and the multimedia story is artistically sound - but both are spinning two different approaches to telling the Chechen War story.
The multimedia story is an emotional, more personal account of the Second Chechen War. Pictures and stories with young kids, kids that served the military during the war, kids that serve dramatic lines like "You become like a savage," create a touching, dramatic story. Audio clips and interviews, a somber music choice, and even the use of color (black, red and gray) create a full experience rather than a simple batch of information.
While both hold great amounts of information, Wikipedia is what it is, and that's a formal explanation of the Second Chechen War, and formal explanation that cannot always be considered a credible source. Separately, I think that neither Wikipedia or the multimedia story cover the full spectrum of this experience.
A multimedia story like this one provides a great supplement to the Wikipedia page because it stretches beyond the standard facts. This way, a student or party interested in learning about the Chechen War can read a factual account and internalize an emotional approach. To enter into a subject with an open mind is key, but this can only be achieved with an open mind. By only referencing the multimedia story, the audience risks trapping themselves too much in the emotional aspect of the presentation.
When I was in middle school, and fights with my little middle friends were everyday happenings, I'd reach out to my mother as a vent source. I'd rant and rave and tell her about my issues, and she would always say "Look at the situation from their shoes." This being said, a complete (or close enough to complete) understanding of a school subject, a hostile friend situation, or the Second Chechen War can only be reached if you explore several approaches.
This applies to different multimedia stories as well, even the ones that may not weigh in as heavy on the heart or mind. (Baltimore Sun German Bakery article vs. Baltimore Sun German Bakery slideshow)
Oh, and Moms are always right.
Projects I Am Interested In:
Well Connected
Supervolcano
Islam in Europe
The multimedia story is an emotional, more personal account of the Second Chechen War. Pictures and stories with young kids, kids that served the military during the war, kids that serve dramatic lines like "You become like a savage," create a touching, dramatic story. Audio clips and interviews, a somber music choice, and even the use of color (black, red and gray) create a full experience rather than a simple batch of information.
While both hold great amounts of information, Wikipedia is what it is, and that's a formal explanation of the Second Chechen War, and formal explanation that cannot always be considered a credible source. Separately, I think that neither Wikipedia or the multimedia story cover the full spectrum of this experience.
A multimedia story like this one provides a great supplement to the Wikipedia page because it stretches beyond the standard facts. This way, a student or party interested in learning about the Chechen War can read a factual account and internalize an emotional approach. To enter into a subject with an open mind is key, but this can only be achieved with an open mind. By only referencing the multimedia story, the audience risks trapping themselves too much in the emotional aspect of the presentation.
When I was in middle school, and fights with my little middle friends were everyday happenings, I'd reach out to my mother as a vent source. I'd rant and rave and tell her about my issues, and she would always say "Look at the situation from their shoes." This being said, a complete (or close enough to complete) understanding of a school subject, a hostile friend situation, or the Second Chechen War can only be reached if you explore several approaches.
This applies to different multimedia stories as well, even the ones that may not weigh in as heavy on the heart or mind. (Baltimore Sun German Bakery article vs. Baltimore Sun German Bakery slideshow)
Oh, and Moms are always right.
Projects I Am Interested In:
Well Connected
Supervolcano
Islam in Europe
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