Today’s Lineup:

• Link o’ the week• Prof. Nick Mills: Washington Program• Flash• More on Audio Editing• Team Meetings

What is Flash? A program used to

create multimedia for the web.

Most animation and “special effect stuff” is created with Flash.

Latest version: CS4CS5 due out in April!

Prior to Flash …

Web sites:

Text-heavy

Limited animation.

Relied on “print style” static graphics – maps, charts, graphs

Flash has a Bad Rep

Steep learning curve.

Takes to long to produce stuff.

It’ll crash/slow down my browser.

Flash Fans

Makes web & news more interactive.

New forms of storytelling.

It’s cool!

Why Do We Care?

Flash:

1. Integrates multiple media(video, still photos, sound, animation)

2. Takes advantage of the web as a medium.

How Does Flash Work?

User side:

Browser plug-in (Flash player) displays Flash files.

Developer Tool:

Authoring application used to create content.

Flash Formats .fla (Native format) .swf (Runs in browser) .flv (Flash video)

User Interface: This leads to….

This:

How is Flash Used in Journalism?

Many news organizations use Flash to produce multimedia packages.

Quizzes Timelines Audio Slideshow Interactive maps,

motion graphics

Examples:

CNNHeath Care Bill

WSJHaiti Damage

Las Vegas SunConstruction Deaths

Flash: Some Caveats

Generally not a “rapid production” tool.

A short piece can take more time than you think to produce.

You may never use Flash at work!

You WILL likely work on a team project that includes a Flash package.

Flash: Do I have to use it?No: You can use “Flash Alternatives.”

Programs that hide it.

Example: Soundslides

Web-based apps that do it for you:Wix.com (web sites)

Dipity.com (timelines)

Flash: Tips Use it sparingly.

Storyboard first!

Give yourself enough time!

Get a jumpstart with templates.

Template Example:

Flashmo.com