On May 23 I posted an entry about my first experience with digital storytelling, in a class at the Center for Digital Storytelling (CDS). The class did not include the production of a final version of a digital story; the last draft that students leave behind is cleaned up by the staff and a final cut mailed later, along with all of the source files. I received my stuff earlier in the week, and was a bit disappointed in the CDS "final cut." They made four changes: (1) inserted a promo at the end, (2) shaved 39 seconds off the length (from 4'49" to 4'10"), (3) sped up the final "It is what it is" text crawl, and (4) produced a smaller QuickTime movie (320x240 vs.720x480 of the draft). I don't mind change #1 at all, and changes 2 and 4 are OK (though slightly annoying), but #3 messes with an artistic decision, thus it ain't cool at all! Compare for yourself: Walt draft cut vs. CDS final cut. I'll have to take my source files &mdash which included a date change correction (May 18 -> May 17) that I made just before class ended but did not have time to render &mdash and create a true final cut....
Posted by wrjacobs at June 21, 2008 3:33 PMThanks for sharing your story, Walt. I agree with your opinion that shortening your final frame changes the artistic effect significantly. I can't see any reason that justifies making such a change--we're talking about a few seconds cut from the length, but the change in the impact of the piece is substantial.
How did they respond when you contacted them about this?
What will you do next with your digital storytelling skills?
Warm regards, Fred
my takes:
1) the promo was unobtrusive
2) fine at either length
3) i liked the faster text better (sorry!)
4) prefer larger videos