Matt and Dennis often use a Flip camera, one of the more popular and less expensive options out there.
You can use a digital still camera to shoot video, but keep in mind that the quality won’t be as high, since it’s primarily designed for photos.
Before going out on a shoot, check two things: battery life and available memory. You can’t shoot if your battery is dead or your memory is clogged with older videos. (The Flip has no accessible memory card — you must dump footage to your computer to free up space, delete it or no shoot.)
They use basic video editing software that usually comes standard with computers: Windows Movie Maker and iMovie for the Mac.
With the Flip, proximity is important for good audio. The model Matt showed off had a mono microphone (Flips have no audio input jack).
Besides YouTube and Vimeo and other video sharing sites, you can also post your videos to AL.com to reach the hometown audience.
Breaking a long video into a series of shorter ones (around 2 minutes or less) can yield higher numbers of views.
To have a home for each video, embed it on one of your Web pages or within a blog post. Then, you can write a headline and some explanatory text for maximum search engine optimization (how users find it through Google).
It’s our first morning meeting, and it’s going to be an eye opener.
Matt Cuthbert and Dennis Pillion of AL.com will show you how they shoot, upload and promote videos, and how you can, too. Ever wonder how you can use video to tell a story or promote a brand on your site? Learn how in our Nov. 17 workshop at Shift Workspace downtown.
Matt is the senior editorial producer and has been with AL.com for 11 years. He oversees the site’s entertainment and living sections, acts as a liaison with the state’s three largest newspapers, manages the community blogs and writes a couple of his own.
Dennis is a sports producer and has been with AL.com since 2007.
7-7:30 a.m. – networking
7:30-8:30 a.m. – presentation
Invite your friends and colleagues in media (print, broadcast, online, etc.), public relations, advertising and marketing.
Note: You must RSVP for this event. Admission is $10, which includes coffee and pastries
$3 (which entitles you to “$3 off coupon” at the door)
Ready to Mellow out?
It’s the Media of Birmingham October networking mixer at Mellow Mushroom, in Five Points South. Grab a beer or other beverage, and jump into a conversation. It’s 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 20.
Drink specials:
$2.50 Pints
$4 Jaeger
$4 Gran Marnier
Invite your friends and colleagues in media (print, broadcast, online, etc.), public relations, advertising and marketing.
Note: You must RSVP for this event. Admission is a paltry $3. Registered guests will receive a “$3 off coupon” at the door upon sign-in.
O Kafés, 2901 Second Ave S., Pepper Place, Lakeview[map]
Free
What’s wrong with your industry? And more importantly, if you were the boss, how would you fix it?
Now it’s up to you.
We’ll have four-person table discussions on how you would fix problems in your industry, whether it’s marketing, print journalism, TV news or anything else. Share, learn and take away some ideas for your boss.
Mellow Mushroom, Inverness Corners, U.S. 280 and Valleydale Road, Hoover [map]
Free
Short notice, but big fun. Come on down to Hoover for Tuesday’s Summer Mellow Mixer. We’ll be at Mellow Mushroom upstairs in the party room, because, well, that’s where the party is.
Note: We’ll be in Inverness, not the Five Points South location.
Join us downtown any time between 5:30 and 7 p.m. Invite your friends and colleagues in media (print, broadcast, online, etc.), public relations, advertising and marketing. Our thanks to the folks at Mellow Mushroom for helping set up this event.
Maybe you’re a rogue. Maybe you’re a twit. Maybe you’re just a media professional looking to connect.
Join us downtown at the new Rogue Tavern any time between 5:30 and 7 p.m. Invite your friends and colleagues in media (print, broadcast, online, etc.), public relations, advertising and marketing.
Happy hour specials? Yes.
High-gravity beers? Yes.
Food? If you buy it, sure.
Is there an e-vite? No.
Is there a twtvite? Yes. So if you’re on Twitter, feel free to RSVP on the official Twtvite and let your Twitter friends know.
(But no RSVP required for this event. But if we know you’re coming, you get a shiny pre-printed name badge! Leave a comment to RSVP.)
The hops have been freed. We shall enslave them again … in our tummies.
Join us on Southside at The J. Clyde any time between 5:30 and 7 p.m. Invite your friends and colleagues in media (print, broadcast, online, etc.), public relations, advertising and marketing.
Note: You must RSVP for this event. Admission is a paltry $1. You can pay with your credit card or e-check via Paypal.
(It all goes to Eventbrite, none goes to Media of Birmingham.)
Join us downtown at the Redmont Hotel at the newly renovated Rooftop Bar. We’ll have great specials for our MOB friends:
Free appetizer for the first hour
$3 domestic beers
$5 wine
$5 mixed drinks
Special thanks to the Redmont Hotel for sponsoring this event.
Join us any time between 5:30 and 7:30 p.m. Invite your friends and colleagues in media (print, broadcast, online, etc.), public relations, advertising and marketing.
Note: You must RSVP for this event. Admission is a paltry $3. Then, bring your ticket for $3 off your drinks.
It’s Earth Day Eve. Carols, presents, cards, stockings, but let us not forget the true meaning of Earth Day with these simple rules:
Please reuse all banter and small talk.
Save your beer bottles for funky vases.
Keep the hot air to a minimum.
It’s the Media of Birmingham April networking mixer at the Barking Kudu in Lakeview. Enjoy Happy Hour prices and specials, whatever they may be.
Join the MOB any time between 5:30 and 7 p.m.
Anyone in media, advertising, PR and Web should stop by — please tell your colleagues, friends and enemies to join us. Complete details are available on the EventBrite invitation.
Welcome to Media of Birmingham, a networking group in Alabama. We meet on the third Tuesday of every month, and we welcome professionals in journalism, advertising, public relations, new media and marketing. Membership is free.
Murdoch, imagine we are nose-to-nose w/ my hands on your cheeks, make this, & make it fast : http://bit.ly/8jBOFc2 hours ago
Please RT + let's get it made! Murdoch, imagine we r nose-to-nose w/ my hands on ur cheeks, make this, & make it fast : http://bit.ly/8jBOFc11 hours ago
All news websites — except those associated with magazines or broadcast media — now eligible for Pulitzers http://tr.im/Grrb (RT @NiemanLab) 13 hours ago
