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: CS4 CS5 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: CNN Heath Care Bill Heath Care Bill WSJ Haiti Damage Las Vegas Sun Construction Deaths Construction 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) Wix.com Dipity.comDipity.com (timelines)

Flash: Tips  Use it sparingly.  Storyboard first!  Give yourself enough time!  Get a jumpstart with templates. Template Example: Flashmo.com