Production in the Library

Have you been to the theater lately? Maybe to see a live-action movie like John Wick: Chapter 3? An animated movie like Toy Story 4? Or maybe something that dabbles heavily in both like Spider-Man: Far From Home? No doubt, the production quality was able to completely enthrall you. Compare modern films to ones of the past, and the change in technical quality is obvious. Even movies from just a few years ago are completely outdone by the movies of today.

This jump in quality is due to multiple factors. The software used to create these movies is progressing rapidly. They are becoming more powerful, easier to use and provide more useful features. In many cases, the software used by production companies is open source. This means they are free to use. Using open-source software gives studios the ability to invest more of the budget into work hours.

One software leading the way in the open-source animation community is Blender. Blender has released new versions that allow users to make full-length films with cutting-edge tools. Blender has also taken steps to make their software more accessible to individuals that are new to animation. These changes include things like shortcuts, functionality and light physics.

The live-action community has also been trending upwards in terms of quality and production speed. This is mainly due to new techniques in recording and improvements in the postproduction and editing strategies. Using newer techniques has allowed franchisees to put out movies at an impressive rate.

One example of a franchise taking full advantage of these strategies is Marvel. Since 2008, 23 Marvel movies have been released. The most astounding part is that 11 of these have been released since 2016! This means Marvel has released nearly three movies a year during this span.

University libraries are not new to providing production spaces to students. Gerardin New Media Center at Georgetown University Library hosts a variety of different resources for students to produce films. The main recording space is a large room equipped with a green screen and projector. They also have separate rooms for editing with high-powered machines and software. They also provide an individual space for audio production that can be used to create or modify audio.

The Media Commons at University of Illinois Library is also leading the way in film production spaces. The main recording space is has a full green wall with studio lighting and multiple microphones surrounding the stage. The room also has a switcher available to increase the number of modifications that can be made during the recording process. This reduces the amount of time the student needs to spend on post-production. Media Commons hosts all of their equipment in a single room and requires all post-production to be completed on the same session as recording unless the person is capable of doing the post-production on their machine.

The Edmon Low Creative Studios allow students to record their production in the Recording and Presentation Studio. This studio features a wall-mounted camera, green screen, smartboard and adjustable lighting. The students have the ability to record using the wall-mounted camera, their personal camera or a camera from the Tech to Go desk. The student can then take their footage and edit it on the desktop computers throughout the Edmon Low Library, or on the more powerful computers available in the Edmon Low Creative Studios such as the iMacs, which feature the video editing software Final Cut. This allows the room to be used specifically for recording ensuring it will be available for students as often as it can be.

As the movie and film industry continues to progress, so too will university libraries keep up with the constant changes. These resources allow students to prepare themselves for the fast-paced environment present in movie production today. They also give students another medium to express their creativity.

What resources would you like to see your library add to better prepare students to work in film?

Post by Jacob Hinchey, Emerging Technology Intern

Open Education Resources

Edmon Low was dedicated to library sciences. Upon arriving to Oklahoma A&M in 1940, he was knowledgeable on library systems, helped under-skilled workers, and offered a lot of creativity.

Low was not afraid to try different methods in order to provide a better system for the library. He advocated for an open stacks library, allowing students easy access to books rather than having to place call requests like many undergraduate libraries.

Open access is in the DNA of OSU’s library. Today, the OSU Library aims to provide the best experience for students by offering open access, now it’s in a digital form. Open Education Resources are instructional materials intentionally created to be free to students. These materials are licensed by author/creators to permit and encourage distribution, modification and retention.

Five OSU instructors adopted reviewed OER texts for fall 2018 course use, potentially saving OSU students over $36,000 in one semester. One instructor, Britney Mann, used an OER book for her first year seminar class last year and chose it knowing she could save her students money.

“We never had a book before in that class so that students didn’t have to spend the money,” Mann said. “The book makes it feel like a real class, and there are more opportunities to integrate technology in the classroom.”

This fall, a new group of staff and faculty have the opportunity to learn about OER through the OSU Libraries Open Textbook Incentive Program. The “Hack Your Syllabus” mini-grant will provide financial incentive and support. Participants will learn how to design a course around existing open textbooks, create interactive coursework and modify any syllabi or other materials for the transition to open textbooks. Each of the participants in the program will receive $750.

The open education movement can also help raise the quality of education for all students because instructors are better able to share and build on one another’s pedagogical innovations.

Craig Freeman, department head for the School of Media and Strategic Communications, found the resources helpful in the classroom.

“OER allows students to focus on the materials, rather than the price,” Freeman said. “Instead, I can help students learn through numerous resources and platforms, all while being able to edit the materials based on the class’ needs.”

Open Access saves time and money by allowing students to easily access curriculum anytime from a device for free. This is an advantage to today’s students, as it is common to access coursework from numerous devices.

“Gone are the days students have to carry their homework with them everywhere,” Freeman said. “Now, students can access it from their laptop, desktop, tablet or phone. This is a timesaver for our students.”

Mann also likes the accessibility of the materials.

“Students being able to easily access course materials really helps the learning process,” Mann said. “It’s also helpful for the instructor. Being able to edit content allows me to personalize it making it more relatable to the students.”

Kathy Essmiller, Open Educational Resources Librarian, is excited to share these resources with campus.

“This is a great opportunity for students to save money and for faculty and staff to customize their learning material,” Essmiller said. “In just the first decade of this century, 2.4 million American students either did not attend, or could not complete college because of the cost barrier. This resource can change that.”

OSU Librarians are available to assist applicants in locating OER or library-licensed content to replace current educational resources. Interested applicants can stop by or schedule an appointment.

“We want to help students see the value in materials beyond the price tag,” Essmiller said. “With open resources, we can do that. Through OER, the whole campus can benefit.”

To learn more and apply for the “Hack your Syllabus” mini-grant, visit info.library.okstate.edu/open/hackyoursyllabus.

Post by Lonna Freshley, communications and recruitment specialist for the College of Arts and Sciences.

Finding New Perspectives with Drones

Drones have transcended the label of hobbyist toy since their initial commercial availability in the mid-2000s. They are now a powerful tool for professionals in fields ranging from firefighting to biology.

A change of perspective can help solve problems and increase performance. This is what drones are made for. Drone technology over the years has improved to have more battery life, carry more weight and travel further distances. These improvements have pushed drones from recreational gadgets to necessary tools for many tasks.

Rescue professionals, in cases of missing people and natural disasters, are also using drones which allow them to search large areas of forest and mountain land looking for heat signatures from an aerial view. They also allow rescue agents to survey for the best route to access an area that may be inaccessible through normal means. These methods have reduced the time spent on these rescue missions while ensuring the rescuers’ safety.

While this information can make drones seem like they are no longer made as tools for entertainment or recreational flying, this sentiment could not be further from the truth. These advancements have also ushered in an era of drone racing and performances.

Improvements in the speed and agility of drones have led to the rise of drone racing, a new form of entertainment that allows pilots to test their skills by zooming through intricate courses. These drones can reach over 160 MPH (!!!) during these races.

Drones can also be used elegantly during complex visual performances, usually involving hundreds of drones equipped with LED lights. One of the most stunning performances was during the 2018 Winter Olympics, where over 1,200 drones were used to create a magical spectacle in the night sky.

All of these uses have led to universities taking an interest in the future of drones. From research to recreation, universities are trying to get this technology in the hands of students. While on a study abroad trip to Namibia, North Carolina State students used drones to observe ecosystems and animals up-close without disturbing their natural progressions.

Universities are also beginning to offer drones for checkout at their libraries. Campbell University and the University of South Florida allow students to borrow a drone. Both these universities are taking slightly different approaches to regulate drone usage. While both restrict the usage of drones on campus to educational purposes, Campbell is allowing students to check out the drones for 3 weeks at a time and encouraging them to fly off-campus. USF requires students to have a qualified reason to check out a drone.

The Edmon Low Creative Studios provides students with the ability to hone their flying skills through DJI’s simulation software in the virtual reality suite. The simulator uses a real drone controller and an advanced physics engine to provide legitimate practice controlling a drone. By piloting drones in a virtual space, students avoid the possibility of damaging expensive equipment, while still preparing them to pilot drones in the real world.

Drones will likely become more accessible on college campuses as new uses are developed. The future holds promises of instant package and pizza delivery by using drones. These ideas only scrape the surface of what can be accomplished using drones and some creativity. Let us know how you would like to see drones used at your work or college!
Post by Jacob Hinchey