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

Unlocking Creativity

New opportunities to use innovative technologies

In a world full of rapidly-developing technology, it can be overwhelming trying to keep up. But the Edmon Low Creative Studios makes it easy for you to stay in the loop. In addition to utilizing and growing your creative abilities, you can gain hands-on experience with a variety of technologies that can benefit you in your respective career paths.

The Creative Studios hosts a plethora of innovative technology that you can access year-round: 3-D printers, virtual reality suites, the recording studio and more! And these resources are not only for academic use. You can use them for personal projects, too. Explore your creativity in a whole new way.

While I may not be the most tech-savvy person on campus, I have definitely learned a lot and ventured out of my comfort zone in the Creative Studios. By using equipment that I have checked out at the Tech to Go desk, I’ve been able to push myself creatively and gain skills I did not yet have.

More recently, I checked out a camera to work on a few personal projects. I am a novice photographer, but it is something I’ve always wanted to explore more. I took home the camera, snapped a few shots and uploaded them to my computer. I can assure you, they looked much better than my amateur cellphone photography.

And while I am continuing to dabble in the land of digital photography, I also hope to venture into videography. The Tech to Go desk has camcorders available that I plan to test out soon.

Another aspect of the Creative Studios that I love are the 3-D printers. Seven 3D printers are available to bring your designs to life. Whether you’re an aspiring architect, artist, interior designer or engineer, students in various fields may benefit from this technology. The possibilities to what you can create are limitless. Jewelry, furniture models, a miniature Edmon Low Library (this may or may not have been done already) and virtually anything you can dream can be printed.

For the more musically-inclined students, there is a small recording studio available. You can reserve the room and use the Yamaha CP40 Stage Piano, the Presonus Studiolive 16-channel Audio Mixer and the Audio Technica Direct-Drive Professional Turntable. Maybe you’ll create the next hit song of 2018.

If you’ve ever dreamed of starting your own podcast or TV show, reserve the Recording and Presentation Studio and get started. Or check out a microphone or a recorder and work from home.

High-powered Macs and PCs are available for use in the Creative Studios. Edit your photos, videos, podcasts or whatever masterpieces you’ve created.

If the thought of using any new technology sounds at all frightening, don’t worry. The employees in the Creative Studios are knowledgeable and friendly. They are always there to help you figure out any issues or answer questions. You can also find a few equipment and software guides on the Creative Studios website.

Whether your passions lie in music, designing, broadcasting, photography or more, when you visit the Edmon Low Creative Studios, you will walk away inspired. I know I did.

Posted by Jenny Berry, electronic communications intern

DSLR Cameras: The Newest Edition to Edmon Low Creative Studios

Yes, you read that correctly.

Edmon Low Creative Studios has added three DSLR cameras to its collection of Tech to Go. The cameras are available for three-day checkout and come with a battery charger, a USB cable and an SD card. There is also additional tech gear that can be checked out on an "as needed" basis.

DSLR cameras are the perfect way to step up your photography game. But how?

Teryn Moorman, a junior at Oklahoma State University majoring in strategic communications, has a DSLR camera of her own. She received her Canon Rebel T6 in December 2016 and has gotten good use out of it since then.

"I definitely use it a lot in the summer when traveling. I took it to Barcelona this past summer and got to capture some wonderful memories," said Moorman. "I use my camera for things like trips, fundraisers and sorority events such as Bid Day."

DSLR cameras are ideal for capturing memories and milestones in a high-quality snapshot. The advanced technology of DSLR cameras makes an iPhone camera pale in comparison. DSLR cameras are not only great at capturing cherished moments, but also for taking class projects to the next level. Many major programs, such as strategic communications and multimedia journalism, consist of project-based classes. DSLR cameras are the perfect resource to guarantee the best results for assignments and even portfolio work.

"I had to create a brochure about OSU for my graphic design class, and the professor strongly encouraged us to take our own pictures," said Moorman. "My camera was perfect to use for that assignment."

If you're considering purchasing a DSLR camera, or if you're interested in learning more, be sure to head to the Edmon Low Creative Studios in Room 105 to use them for yourself.


Posted by Tatum Wallace, Electronic Communications Intern for OSU Library Communications

Solar Eclipse Unifies OkState Campus

The first day of school. It's a day that is usually pretty hectic as students, faculty and staff adjust to their new schedules. OSU resembles a beehive on this day, as all the busy students buzz around campus buying books, socializing with friends and figuring out what building their next class is in. It's a day of excitement and adventure, two things most students embrace fully as the typically uneventful summer months come to a close.

August 21, 2017, proved to be even more exciting than any other first day of school, well, ever. For the first time in over 20 years, a solar eclipse was set to take place that afternoon. 

The frenzy surrounding the eclipse was astounding. All over the country, people were eager to view this fascinating astronomical event. However, there were many experts who expressed that looking directly at the eclipse, similar to looking directly at the sun, would cause eye damage. NASA warned that the eclipse should only be viewed through solar filters or hand-held eclipse viewers.

Students were eager to view the eclipse but had concerns about where to watch it and how to view it correctly. Luckily the OSU Library offered three safe ways of witnessing the eclipse. A viewing party took place that Monday afternoon from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Beverly Clerico Plaza, where students could view the eclipse through filtered glasses or with a larger projection. And for people who may have had class during that time, the event was livestreamed on OState.TV as well as the OSU Facebook page.

The Library passed out the 200 pairs of eclipse glasses at 11:30 a.m. However, students began lining up outside hours before the event was set to start, eager to get one of the 200 pairs of glasses. Quickly it became apparent that 200 pairs of glasses would not be a sufficient amount, as the expected 400 people tripled to well over 1,200 attendees. The growing crowd was no problem for the OSU Cowboys, as many people began showcasing the friendly Cowboy spirit by sharing glasses with those around them. The 360 view of the Beverly Clerico Plaza during the eclipse provides a firsthand look at the amount of people out and about that afternoon.

In addition to eclipse glasses, OSU Library used one of its telescopes during the viewing party. The telescope was a great way to look at the eclipse in a public way, as opposed to personal glasses. Students surrounded the telescope to get an enlarged view of the eclipse as it was projected on to a shaded flat surface.

There are four types of telescopes offered at the library's Creative Studios, as well as astronomical binoculars. Students are welcome to check any of the telescopes out for up to three days at a time. Telescopes are one of many categories of tech gear available at the Edmon Low Creative Studios. 

The solar eclipse was also livestreamed on OState.TV and the OSU Facebook page for those unable to see it in person. Within 24 hours, the Facebook livestream reached nearly 70,000 people around the world. Viewers from Australia, Ecuador, Spain and Botswana tuned in to watch the event in realtime. OState.TV uploaded the rebroadcast of the solar eclipse to their website. 

The eclipse peaked at 1:06 p.m. in Stillwater. On any ordinary day, campus is usually quiet around that time. People are either briskly walking to class or hiding indoors to escape the summer heat. However, a rare solar eclipse was more than enough reason for people to migrate outside. Students and faculty members could be seen sharing viewing glasses and discussing the eclipse with one another, bonding over shared interest and curiosity.

With every new year comes new supplies, a new workload and a new routine. It's not every day that a first day of school includes a rare solar eclipse, though. On this day, the hustle and bustle of the first day seemed to come to a halt as members of the OSU family found common ground through knowledge and innovation.

What did you think of the event? Comment below to share your solar eclipse experience.

Posted by Tatum Wallace, Electronic Communications Intern for OSU Library Communications

E-Comm Intern Reviews GoPro

I, the Electronic Communications intern for Edmon Low Library Communication Services, recently took it upon myself to follow our own advice and rent something from the Tech to Go desk. I rented a GoPro Hero4, which came in a protective case that also held a remote, a tripod, several cases, two batteries, a charger and numerous screws to attach the camera to a selfie stick. I was surprised by the amount of items I got and astonished they trusted me with it all. After all, I walked away with an armful of technology in exchange for my student ID information.

I chose the GoPro because I wasn’t aware the Edmon Low Library offered them until I became a member of the faculty; similarly, any student I asked also had no idea they were available. The GoPro has gained widespread popularity in recent years for its ability to capture images that larger digital cameras and smartphones simply cannot capture as well. GoPros have also become known for their versatility and adaptability in filming action shots.

The GoPro can film narrow, medium or wide shots, giving you the option of exactly how much you want to capture in a photo. You can see in this photo inside Edmon Low Library that the bookshelves look warped; that photo was taken on the medium setting. By switching the view, you can alter how the images look to fit what you are wanting.

The famous GoPro look is a fish-eye shot, which shows a wide landscape in a panoramic view. This product isn’t ideal for family pictures, but it gives images a neat, angular aspect that would normally require a special lens for an average digital camera.

On our journey through Edmon Low Library, we primarily used a selfie stick attachment to capture footage. Unfortunately, the remote control was inactive, but that was but a minor setback. GoPro has its own smartphone application that acts as a remote, library and settings hub. When the camera is on, you are able to see exactly what the camera is capturing on your phone, which is incredibly useful if you don’t have a GoPro screen. You can use the app to take your photos then view and edit them once they are in the library. It is also an alternative to using the buttons on the actual camera.

The GoPro camera itself has three main buttons. The top button is the shutter used to capture pictures and begin regular or time lapse videos; it also works to activate wifi. The button on the front is the on/off feature, and a smaller button on the side is for changing settings, such as wifi connectivity and view preference. One thing I had an issue with was the default shot setting, which placed the camera in video mode when turned on, so I often started videos when I meant to take one shot.

The only other problem I had during my three day ownership was the quality of the photos. It may have been due to the protective casing, but the majority of my photos came out a little blurry. I look forward to renting a GoPro again soon to determine whether it was user error or equipment malfunction.

Overall, I was thoroughly impressed with the easy operation and unique photos. I would highly recommend a GoPro to anyone who wants to document any type of outing or event without hauling around a bulky (and potentially vulnerable) DSLR camera. With its various cases and attachments, GoPros go beyond normal cameras and provide unbeatable footage, whether that be strolling around a library or hiking through a rainforest.

It may take some practice to get your best shot with a GoPro, but it is much easier to master than a typical DSLR. After the initial process of discovering its uses, I found the GoPro to be a simple and useful gadget, and I hope you will too. When you are planning your next adventure, put the GoPro Hero4 at the top of your packing list, and don’t forget to check it out from the Tech to Go desk in Edmon Low Creative Studios. Watch this step-by-step tutorial for more detailed instructions on how to operate a GoPro.

Do you have any neat GoPro ideas or stories you’d like to share? Comment below!

Post by Jennifer Barnett, E-Communications Intern for OSU Library Communications