Storms of 2008?

[Tony Lyza]

Hi everyone,
I've offered my services toward being the project producer for Storms of 2008. I think it's right to introduce myself and give a brief background.

I just graduated summa cum laude from Lake Central High School this past June. This spring was my third season of storm chasing here in the midwest. My most notable chases were September 22nd, 2006 in central Illinois and May 30th, 2008, also in central Illinois.

I'm not a majorly frequent contributor here, but this is a project that I see as very important. As president of my large National Honor Society group at Lake Central, I do have experience in leading large projects. I am immensely excited to have the opportunity to contribute to this project.

I have two main reasons for making this post. First off, I want to let everyone here know that you do not need to be a terribly well-known name to contribute to this project. If you are willing and able to lend your assistance to this project, please feel free to do so!

The other reason is that we really do need assistance. We are in great need of a lead editor to put together the final product after all the chapters are complete. We also really need chapter editors to produce each chapter. We really need these positions to be filled by the end of this month or else we will not be able to produce the project by the holiday season, the time during which we traditionally sell the most DVDs.

I will update this thread as the project moves along. If you are interested in any of the previously mentioned positions, please feel free to either contact me via PM or cell or contact Mick.

Sincerely,
Tony
219-613-6083

 

[Verne Carlson]

I would love to see this worthwhile project continue. It's probably one of the better things we can do as a storm chase community.

I'd like to continue as a video contributor, possibly chapter producer and running the booth at the Denver NSCC once again.

 

[Eric Flescher]

would like to contribute

I bought the 2007 version. I thought it was extremely well done and everyone that contributed from top down did a great job. Besides that it is a worthwhile cause and I think it is good for everyone on Stormtrack , working together etc.

I would like to contribute a video to fit into a chapter or at least part of chapter date video. My main reason it will give me "a kick in the pants" for integrating and trying out music, video and more with my 2008 highlights ( which is meager in comparison to what you all have- I was not able to bag a tornado this year

but caught some other nice storms )

I have edited/produced and sold 3 videos (using my mac hardware and software) after 3 total solar eclipses.

I want to get a good chapter done for my 2008 stormstuff so I can do highlights and more for my DVDs in the future.

Hopefully I will have at least one good chapter to contribute for 2008.

Hope that this project comes to creation.

 

[Jeremy Bower]

I would gladly help out on the administrative end in terms of marketing and promotion of the DVD when the project is finished. We did some great promotion here last year in Lincoln during the Central Plains Severe Weather Symposium and I know we would gladly promote and help sell the DVD at next year's event as well.

 

[Heidi Farrar]

Questions about being a chapter producer:

Mick says:

Chapter Editors / Producers – Individual Chapter Editors.


Responsible for gather video for your chapter.
Editing that video for your chapter

These two points I have no questions about as they are self-explanatory.

Separating the three audio files from your final project.

Could someone who has done this before elaborate on what exactly this means and/or involves?

Sending your final rendered files (Video and 3 - Audio files) to the Lead Editor.

I am pretty sure I know what this means, but I'd like to hear more about what it involves, i.e. is this done electronically, (FTP?), or by shipping off a DVD, etc?

Also, when "gathering video," what is required when it comes to a "release" on individual videos? I'm thinking of non-ST members here. For example, I have obtained video of the Feb. 5th tornado in my county (I know the guy who shot the footage); I have told him about the Storms of series, and he has graciously given permission for it to be used in the '08 video... but is that enough? Or does he have to sign a release or something?

 

[fplowman]

Questions about being a chapter producer:

Mick says:



These two points I have no questions about as they are self-explanatory.





Could someone who has done this before elaborate on what exactly this means and/or involves?



I am pretty sure I know what this means, but I'd like to hear more about what it involves, i.e. is this done electronically, (FTP?), or by shipping off a DVD, etc?

Also, when "gathering video," what is required when it comes to a "release" on individual videos? I'm thinking of non-ST members here. For example, I have obtained video of the Feb. 5th tornado in my county (I know the guy who shot the footage); I have told him about the Storms of series, and he has graciously given permission for it to be used in the '08 video... but is that enough? Or does he have to sign a release or something?

Three audio channels is referring to the original audio captured at the time of the event with the camcorder, the narration of the chapter in question, and the music.

 

[Heidi Farrar]

Thanks for your response on that question ... that's kind of what I thought it had to be referring to, but mostly I don't understand what is meant by "separating" them? Can anyone offer anything else about what that means? It might be better if this info is PMed to me, since I'm not sure if this thread was intended to be a "how to" ... but maybe that's something that is also helpful to others? I don't know.

I'm not totally unfamiliar with video by any means, but I am a relative newcomer. Almost all of what I've done so far has been something I have published to DVD for myself or friends & family, so when it comes to sharing files and stuff like that I need a little help. I do have a big interest in at least helping out with the Feb. 5th chapter, but I need to know a little more about what is involved and/or required before I can say with any certainty how big of a role I can play. If someone who has produced a chapter in the past could post here or PM me with sort of a run-down on what all is involved, as well as provide some details on what kind of capacity a person should have with their video editing software, etc. in order to be a chapter editor/producer, that would help big-time. Mickey's bulleted points are a great starting point, but I'm after a bit more elaboration. - Thanks.

 

[Mark Farnik]

The Importance of 'Storms of 2008' - Please Read...

After considerable thought, I have decided to take on the position as a chapter editor for the Storms of 2008 Project. In the event that a Lead Editor is not found by the end of this month, I am prepared to step up to the plate and assume that position.
But I'm making this post to say more than just merely announcing I'm on board with the project...

I'm also here to make a statement about this project and its tremendous importance to the storm chasing community:

I have been an admirer of this project since it's inception in 2004, and I think that the 'Storms of 20XX' Project has become more than just a showcase of the best chase footage of the year which just happens to benefit the American Red Cross - it has become THE goodwill ambassador from the storm chasing community to the general public. With each successive iteration of 'Storms of 20XX', the project has only increased its scope of polish, impact, sales and proceeds raised. With this 5th volume of the 'Storms of 20XX', the project stands on the cusp of evolving to new and unprecedented level of success and recognition.
But that all depends upon the willingness of the members of this community to take it on.
To let this project die now would be to let down the chasing community, the general public, and, most importantly of all, THE STORM VICTIMS WHO ARE AIDED BY THE PROCEEDS GENERATED BY 'THE STORMS OF 20XX'!

This year has born witness to some of the wildest and most destructive weather events in the United States in many years, and there are countless victims out there who need as much help as they can get from the American Red Cross... every little bit counts, and if 'Storms of 2008' doesn't make it off the ground, this sounds blunt, but we will have utterly failed both ourselves and the storm victims as a community.

We all have lives outside of storm chasing. That's a fact. I myself am a full time photography student, and I work part time as well. In addition, I have a pretty busy social life to contend with and maintain as well. We all have various priorities and obligations in the different aspects of our respective lives.

But we are all united on a common ground - a ground defined by our passion for storms. And that passion segues into a second passion - for the victims of those storms. The sales of the previous volumes of 'Storms of 20XX' speak for themselves.

Up until this point, a few of our fellow storm chasers have been able to handle this project. But it has grown into something so massive in scope that a few are no longer sufficient to bear this project to the magnificent fruition it needs and deserves.

The time has come for the torch to be passed on from the few to the many - but will we as a community accept this torch and carry it onward and upward to greater glory? Or will we stand aside and watch the torch slip from our grasp and the flame be snuffed out before its time?

I know that not everyone will be able to help with the 'Storms of 20XX' project. It would be amazing if everyone in the chasing community could pitch in with this project, but that of course is a completely ludicrous and utterly unrealistic expectation.

But if there's the chance that you may be able to spare even just a little bit of time to help this noble cause, please, I implore you, step forward and volunteer your services, whatever they may be.

I think that I'm just verbalizing what many of us have been and are thinking with this post, but for the sake of the storm chasing community, the general public, and most importantly the victims of the storms, don't let the tremendous potential of 'Storms of 2008' bust like a stoutly capped June afternoon in Nebraska...

 

[Bill Doms]

I'll do a chapter again this year (as long as someone else does the music track). Pretty slow season up here so may as well work with other chasers' video who actually saw some good stuff.

 

[Mickey Ptak]

Mickey's bulleted points are a great starting point, but I'm after a bit more elaboration. - Thanks.

Heidi and all,

I do understand there are many questions everyone may have. I am a little short on time at the moment but will answer your questions here on ST in detail tomorrow evening when I have a full evening to work with. However, if you need answers ASAP please feel free to call me from M-Sun 7AM to 7PM CST. It is much faster for me to talk than it is to sit down and articulate through writing. I never was good at that subject lol.

405-201-4476
405-227-3701

Mick

 

[Bob Hartig]

From what I've seen, the editorial roles all seem concerned with audio/video editing. But all audio narration depends on a written script, and it's here that I can help. I'd like to offer my service as a content editor. I don't see that role listed among the others or addressed by the various job descriptions. I think it's a vital role, and I'd like to propose that you add it.

Depending on the need, I can also write material or collaborate with others in developing chapter scripts. However, I think my best contribution would be to help ensure that the grammar is clean (not stuffy) overall, and that the style is consistent throughout the DVD.

 

[Shane Adams]

I'm happy to continue my perennial role as a video contributor. However, it seems to me that, lately, this project is mourned more than it's celebrated. For all the replies I've seen beckoning people to come forward and pick up the slack, I don't see much in the way of volunteers for the truly HEFTY workload areas involved in continuing this series. I'm getting the impression everyone wants to see this continue but no one wants to be "the man" and truly grab the reins. I'm certainly not volunteering, nor am I criticizing anyone for not "stepping up"...but for all the replies to this thread I'm just not getting the vibe that anyone really wants to take charge. That, IMO, is quite telling.

This project has gone from a noble idea to what is now expected...an obligation. It's outgrown its creators, and IMO, nobody's prepared to take this project on as the lead role. The more people get involved, the more complicated it becomes. There are many who are willing to wade but few (if any) that are willing to jump into the deep end. I have no problem with this; it's nobody's obligation to make this series happen. We don't owe anyone anything because we chase storms.

Before you all start freaking out on this post, think about it: we're less than 3 weeks away from the end of this series if the major roles are not filled, and most of them are not. Yet this thread keeps filling with posts of folks who are willing to deal with the lesser aspects of the project. IMO, truthfully, this reflects an overall "chase community" stance that the idea of this project has become more appealing than the actual work involved to make it a reality.

The same thing happened last year: there was no one to take on the main role until the 11th hour, and when that person stepped in, they saved the series. Despite that fact, they still received criticism for their work...and in turn, removed themselves from any intense involvement with the series on future editions.

Bottom line: lotta campaigners to keep this going, not a lotta people willing to do the leg work. Seems to me if there has to be a thread begging for contributors (lest the series fails) every year, there's not much passion for it other than the fact it's socially-appealing to lobby for a charity event.

 

[Heidi Farrar]

I am going to take a direct approach here and see if I can get some information flowing. I suspect that it is possible that many people have similar questions to which they'd like to have answers before stepping forward with offers to help.

Up front: I have a profound interest in producing the chapter for Feb. 5th. The events of Feb. 5th have been life-changing for me, and I continue to feel a need to do whatever I can to help the victims.

However, I have never been involved with a project like this before, so I am completely at a loss when it comes to the behind-the-scenes "How to" that is involved. I suspect that I am not the only member of Stormtrack who falls into this category, so there is a lot of potential for information sharing here. A few of you have PMed me about some of these issues, and that has been very helpful, but it has also caused me to need to ask more questions.

I cannot commit to being a chapter producer unless I know, definitively, that this is a task that I am able to accomplish given what I have to work with. I have the time and I certainly have the passion, but I am not about to say "Yes" to being responsible for a chapter that deserves such special attention unless I know I meet the other requirements. This isn't about half-hearted desire vs. complete commitment, it's about being realistic.

The goal with this post is not just to gain a genuine understanding of what is involved for myself, but to get some info out in the open so that others might be more people willing to help, since I suspect that the answers to these questions must not be that difficult to deal with.


Questions:

• What kind of video editing capacity is required for a would-be producer? What if someone (meaning any prospective contributor) has the basics to work with, such as Windows MovieMaker? Is it realistically possible for someone to produce a chapter using MovieMaker?

• Where or how does one obtain music for use in individual chapters? This comes with the general understanding that one can't just rip a track from a CD and use that for the Storms of production. (Some people may not know this.) I know that Melissa Moon has provided music in the past, and others have offered to help with this as well, but beyond that, what should a producer do to get music for their chapter? I find "royalty free" sites online but these sites all charge for usage. Is that to be expected? If not, where are the free music sites?

• In relation to the music questions, what about licensing? What does this involve, and who is responsible for making sure all the bases are covered?

Earlier, Mick stated among the chapter producer duties:

Separating the three audio files from your final project.

I still would like to know what it means to "separate" the three audio files? If this is a matter or ordinary audio editing (where you fade, mute, clip, etc., the (1)original video audio, (2)voice over, and (3) background music), then we're speaking the same language and it's no big deal. But the way it is now, it sounds like something else.

EDIT: I need to make it clear that I understand what these three files are ... I just don't know what is meant by "'separating' them from the final project." I don't know what else to say or ask about this, but going by the way Mickey expressed it in the "duties," it would seem (to me) that there is more to it than just knowing what they are and editing them accordingly, otherwise he wouldn't have singled this item out.

I've received some feedback in regard to these next items, but I'd still like to know more about what this involves.

Sending your final rendered files (Video and 3 - Audio files) to the Lead Editor.

• For the finished chapter-product, How should these files be sent? Is there an FTP site set up for collecting these? Is burning the final product to a DVD and then mailing it the way to go? Is it expected that a producer should have the capacity to email the final product? Are the audio files supposed to be sent separately?

Responsible for gathering video for your chapter.

• When gathering video from a chaser with multiple minutes of footage, how does a producer obtain, for example, 15 minutes of footage? That sounds like a huge RAW or AVI file. One person who PMed me said that miniDV tapes are often used for this? I would have no idea what to do with one of these since my camera is HDD. Is the file emailed in chunks instead of this or what?

On gathering video from anyone:

• What about the release form? I've been told that it will appear (in this thread?) sometime, but what happens then? Does it need to be signed, as in a paper document sent by mail, or is this something done electronically?

In the final analysis, I feel that I am completely capable of creating a chapter that would do justice to the Feb. 5th event. I own the entire Storms of series, so I have a very good feeling for what a chapter is "supposed to look like." But, at the same time, there are (quite obviously) a lot of unknowns for me in terms of how I get the needed footage in my possession, how to get the finished product to the next one up the line, and what my other responsibilities would be. All the enthusiasm in the world can't make up for a lack of knowledge, so I have to know more before I can sign on.

 

[Mickey Ptak]

• What kind of video editing capacity is required for a would-be producer? What if someone (meaning any prospective contributor) has the basics to work with, such as Windows MovieMaker? Is it realistically possible for someone to produce a chapter using MovieMaker?

Answer: Unfortunately Movie Maker will not allow you to export separate tracks. Thus you will not be able to render your video and audio tracks separately. There is software out there such as Adobe Pro, Sony Vegas, Avid Liquid, EditSudio Pro and I am sure there are many others. You have a week or so to do some research to see if anything on the market will work for you.

All of the Audio detail will be talked about in much more detail in on the SO2008 producers message board once things get going.

• Where or how does one obtain music for use in individual chapters? This comes with the general understanding that one can't just rip a track from a CD and use that for the Storms of production. (Some people may not know this.) I know that Melissa Moon has provided music in the past, and others have offered to help with this as well, but beyond that, what should a producer do to get music for their chapter? I find "royalty free" sites online but these sites all charge for usage. Is that to be expected? If not, where are the free music sites?
• In relation to the music questions, what about licensing? What does this involve, and who is responsible for making sure all the bases are covered?

Answer: The only way we can use any music is to have the SO2008 Release form signed by the legal owner of the music. This goes for anything we use that will end up on the final product, advertising, and such. This means that we can not use royalty free music that is on the web because we can not literally get them to sign our release forms.

We already have a few people that would be glad to create some music for chapters so there is no need at this time to worry about music.

• In relation to the music questions, what about licensing? What does this involve, and who is responsible for making sure all the bases are covered?

Extended answer: In the end it will be the Director and the Lead Producer who will be responsible for the end product. However, it is the lead producer responsibly to insure that all content on the finished product has a release form signed for that material. If there is no release form signed for that material either the material will have to be edited out or the entire chapter removed from the finished product. So it begins with the chapter producers to get release forms signed by every contributor for all the material that the contribute.


I still would like to know what it means to "separate" the three audio files? If this is a matter or ordinary audio editing (where you fade, mute, clip, etc., the (1)original video audio, (2)voice over, and (3) background music), then we're speaking the same language and it's no big deal. But the way it is now, it sounds like something else.

EDIT: I need to make it clear that I understand what these three files are ... I just don't know what is meant by "'separating' them from the final project." I don't know what else to say or ask about this, but going by the way Mickey expressed it in the "duties," it would seem (to me) that there is more to it than just knowing what they are and editing them accordingly, otherwise he wouldn't have singled this item out.

I've received some feedback in regard to these next items, but I'd still like to know more about what this involves.

Answer: I hope I can explain this clearly without getting to technical because each editing software does this differently.

I used Avid Liquid in 2007. The way I exported / rendered /separated my files where to simply mute two of the three audio track (Video, Voiceover, and Music). The one I wanted to export would be the one I did not have muted. So I would follow the step needed via the software and render the project as a .wav @ 48 mhz. Then I would do the other two audio track the same way and end up with three audio files /tracks.

Once this is complete you will send the Audio Editor all three separated audio files so he or she can normalized and finally render the final normalized audio into one file. Then he will send the final audio file to the Lead Producer so it can be used in the final project.

• For the finished chapter-product, How should these files be sent? Is there an FTP site set up for collecting these? Is burning the final product to a DVD and then mailing it the way to go? Is it expected that a producer should have the capacity to email the final product? Are the audio files supposed to be sent separately?

Answer: When you finish your chapter you can either send it via the web (on the S02008 server) or send it by mail on DVD(s) in a .avi or mpeg file format. You will only need to send the video file not the audio files because the Audio Editor will take care of that IF you get him your audio files.

• When gathering video from a chaser with multiple minutes of footage, how does a producer obtain, for example, 15 minutes of footage? That sounds like a huge RAW or AVI file. One person who PMed me said that miniDV tapes are often used for this? I would have no idea what to do with one of these since my camera is HDD. Is the file emailed in chunks instead of this or what?

Answer: Well with a lot of people shooting HD now so you would have to have a very good PC to edit that footage. The best thing to do in this case is see if they would be able to down convert the HD into SD then send it to you.

As far media to receive footage from contributors well that is up to you and what equipment you have for the import process. Some people shoot with miniDV or Hi8. If you do not have the equipment for those formats you will need to have them send you a .avi or mpeg file on a DVD or multiple DVDs, Blue-Ray disc (if you have a reader for that media). Please do not let them send you video on VHS or a rendered DVD. With both of those formats you will loose a great deal of quality.

On gathering video from anyone:

• What about the release form? I've been told that it will appear (in this thread?) sometime, but what happens then? Does it need to be signed, as in a paper document sent by mail, or is this something done electronically?

Answer: Yes everything that anyone (including all of those people involved in the project) contribute to the finished product needs to sign the release form. The release form must be filled out and signed by the contributor. This is what protect us from legal action if such would arise.

The chapter producer is responsible to getting the release forms filled out and signed for all material that is used in their chapter. If they can not get one signed we can not use the material period. No exceptions.

The contributor will be able to download the release form from the SO website. Once they have it filled out and signed they will need to mail it to you - the chapter producer. Once you have gathered all of the release forms for all of your material you will need to mail them to the Lead Producer so we can keep them on file.

I sure hope this help clear a few things up.

Mick
[/quote]

 

[Heidi Farrar]

I have questions, Mickey Ptak has answers. Yes, that will surely do; nice job putting up with that, and elaborating further from our coversation this evening. I am sure this will be extremely helpful to others who have been thinking it over also. I of course still have a couple of things I need to get squared away before I can claim any kind of larger role, but I can definitely do something to help out. But again, it is great to have this info to look at as a solid reference; the time you've taken to answer these questions is appreciated! ... Now we just need some people who know they're capable of doing the job to step forward and fill the critical positions.