To Ginny
In thinking of what you said about someone copying your work, I certainly understand. I do video production, but most of my work is someone else's and even in some projects where I would have wanted them in public domain, I was stopped, and the projects were formally copyrighted. I wonder though what would happen if ALL graphic work was public domain, for example, I want to do an advertisement on puppies, go to some collection websites of prior puppy work, copy pieces of what I need, and then put the finished product in the website for someone else to use it (while getting a commission for my work). I think that the biggest problem is the way that people want a commission not only when the do the work, but also for the rest of their lives. Many times, I almost feel embarrassed when I see one of my prior works, as I know that my skills have grown since then, and maybe I don't want to be represented or paid for those prior works.
Well, overall this is a hard issue and it would take a major overhaul of our system to change (and many visits to the supreme court). Let's see what happens...
Showing posts with label WK1. Show all posts
Showing posts with label WK1. Show all posts
Saturday, May 7, 2011
Wk1 Reading: Blog Post to JeVaughn Jones
To JeVaughn
I see that you regard music as an essential part of culture, so I would like to ask this question. Let's say that Trinidad's copyright laws were the same as in the US (check this link http://www.cott.org.tt/index.php), and that there was a small community that sings folkloric and traditional songs in the streets every day. One day, someone passes by and listens to this music, gets interested in it and chooses to record it, and then copyright it in the US. What would be the ethical view of this? I wonder if music is that unique (not sure if that's the right word for this) that people could get into trouble for "borrowing" a good music sample. I understand that musicians should be compensated, but as in some of the videos we watched and in the article we read, there are middlemen that take most of the money, and do unfair things to people who enjoy music. Let's have a world free of corporate copyright!
I see that you regard music as an essential part of culture, so I would like to ask this question. Let's say that Trinidad's copyright laws were the same as in the US (check this link http://www.cott.org.tt/index.php), and that there was a small community that sings folkloric and traditional songs in the streets every day. One day, someone passes by and listens to this music, gets interested in it and chooses to record it, and then copyright it in the US. What would be the ethical view of this? I wonder if music is that unique (not sure if that's the right word for this) that people could get into trouble for "borrowing" a good music sample. I understand that musicians should be compensated, but as in some of the videos we watched and in the article we read, there are middlemen that take most of the money, and do unfair things to people who enjoy music. Let's have a world free of corporate copyright!
Wk1-2 DB Quickies: DIY Classroom/Presentation Solutions
Copy from Discussion post
I usually setup a small production rig when interviewing or getting live events (in my small business of creating documentaries; does this count as tech in the workplace?). I setup a Canon 60D camera (or an equivalent rented HD camera), I connect a Zoom H4n audio recorder, and with that I either connect lavaliers (mics that clip to your shirt), or a combination of shotgun (long range) and cardioid or condenser (short range) mics. I have some soft box LED lights, some fluorescent lights with umbrellas, and other LED stackable lights. I have some computers that I take on the field to do live shoots, if they are longer than half an hour. I have even invested in a green screen and stand to do studio presentations. I try to keep up with what I need in every situation, but it is not cheap sometimes.
I can understand how many schools wouldn’t have the necessary equipment, or have outdated equipment that can’t be fixed if broken. One thing that I have noticed though, is that some equipment could be reconditioned to do some AV or tech tasks, but because there is no one to do those conversions, the equipment is thrown away or put in auction. For example, in a college I used to work in, there was a BetaCam Sony camera that could still take good video. The tapes for it were hard to find and you usually needed a very expensive deck to ingest the material, but the camera had a firewire port, and after testing, I found you could capture video that way. But after giving the suggestion, the camera was put into auction anyways, because it was “too much trouble.” The ironic thing was that when we became short of one camera, we rented that same camera we had, and it had a small computer hooked to the back (I think it was a Mac Mini but I’m not sure). So it’s sometimes good to check on what you have, and see if it can be re-purposed.
I usually setup a small production rig when interviewing or getting live events (in my small business of creating documentaries; does this count as tech in the workplace?). I setup a Canon 60D camera (or an equivalent rented HD camera), I connect a Zoom H4n audio recorder, and with that I either connect lavaliers (mics that clip to your shirt), or a combination of shotgun (long range) and cardioid or condenser (short range) mics. I have some soft box LED lights, some fluorescent lights with umbrellas, and other LED stackable lights. I have some computers that I take on the field to do live shoots, if they are longer than half an hour. I have even invested in a green screen and stand to do studio presentations. I try to keep up with what I need in every situation, but it is not cheap sometimes.
I can understand how many schools wouldn’t have the necessary equipment, or have outdated equipment that can’t be fixed if broken. One thing that I have noticed though, is that some equipment could be reconditioned to do some AV or tech tasks, but because there is no one to do those conversions, the equipment is thrown away or put in auction. For example, in a college I used to work in, there was a BetaCam Sony camera that could still take good video. The tapes for it were hard to find and you usually needed a very expensive deck to ingest the material, but the camera had a firewire port, and after testing, I found you could capture video that way. But after giving the suggestion, the camera was put into auction anyways, because it was “too much trouble.” The ironic thing was that when we became short of one camera, we rented that same camera we had, and it had a small computer hooked to the back (I think it was a Mac Mini but I’m not sure). So it’s sometimes good to check on what you have, and see if it can be re-purposed.
Wk1-1 DB Quickies: DIY Classroom/Presentation Solutions
Copy from Discussion page
I’ve never taught in front of a classroom (other than in the military to fellow soldiers) so I don’t have any moments in which I had a problem with AV (audio/video equipment). But I did a short internship in which I had to check all the AV in a community college, and we always had to setup the ELMOs and projectors for the professors. Many times, the filters got clogged in the projectors, and one time the bulb went out and I had to wait in the middle of a class until it was cool enough to change (I still got a little burned). The ELMOs were better behaved and we had very few problems with them. There were smartboards also, but as long as the cables were good, they were ok. I have some training and certifications to handle these equipments, so if I would ever teach in front of a classroom, I have the confidence to fix the issue right away. But who knows, I’m sure there will be a new technology that I won’t know how to fix, but if I have access to their technical manuals, then it’s a matter of finding the time in the classroom…
I’ve never taught in front of a classroom (other than in the military to fellow soldiers) so I don’t have any moments in which I had a problem with AV (audio/video equipment). But I did a short internship in which I had to check all the AV in a community college, and we always had to setup the ELMOs and projectors for the professors. Many times, the filters got clogged in the projectors, and one time the bulb went out and I had to wait in the middle of a class until it was cool enough to change (I still got a little burned). The ELMOs were better behaved and we had very few problems with them. There were smartboards also, but as long as the cables were good, they were ok. I have some training and certifications to handle these equipments, so if I would ever teach in front of a classroom, I have the confidence to fix the issue right away. But who knows, I’m sure there will be a new technology that I won’t know how to fix, but if I have access to their technical manuals, then it’s a matter of finding the time in the classroom…
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
Wk1 Wimba: Introduction
One thing that I got from the Wimba is how close to being done I am. And also how much work I have to put into my Action Research as my cycle 2 didn't end up as I expected. Because I have no way to survey or quantify my data, it seems like it needs a lot more, or I would have to widen the scope of the issues to other institutions (it deals directly with my work department and my co-workers). It seems like week 4 will be a nightmare of hard work... I hope I'm prepared, as this month is very busy (I have two graduations to tape, four commemoration videos to make, and a training session to become a trainer in a new learning management system). I wish I could take a month off of work, but a co-worker went on emergency leave to Norway, and won't be coming back until June 29... my graduation (hopefully). Otherwise, it was good to see and hear everyone again, and to meet the new professor. Too bad there is a three hour difference, and my work ends late many times.
As mentioned in prior posts, copyright is a stinging issue for me (and for many of my classmates as well). This is not only from a user's standpoint, but also from a creator's standpoint. One quote from the reading's Ted.com video (with Larry Lessig) is about a generation of law breakers, that because of their creative impulses, they have to accept the fact that they have become law breakers, being an active part of society. This shocked me as I started to think about my life before this EMDT program. I'm a part-time independent producer and filmmaker, and I know of the pain of creating something (in this case, documentaries about local events and social change), being paid a sum of money for a signature, and then not see that creation again... All in the name of copyright. What about being sued for putting a portion clip in YouTube that YOU created with your own camera (and with permission slips made to you)? I'm glad the cases dropped, or maybe I wouldn't even be here...
Well, I hope I can find the time to get in a Wimba (even though that would mean staying at work), and participate in some of these talks. Thanks.
As mentioned in prior posts, copyright is a stinging issue for me (and for many of my classmates as well). This is not only from a user's standpoint, but also from a creator's standpoint. One quote from the reading's Ted.com video (with Larry Lessig) is about a generation of law breakers, that because of their creative impulses, they have to accept the fact that they have become law breakers, being an active part of society. This shocked me as I started to think about my life before this EMDT program. I'm a part-time independent producer and filmmaker, and I know of the pain of creating something (in this case, documentaries about local events and social change), being paid a sum of money for a signature, and then not see that creation again... All in the name of copyright. What about being sued for putting a portion clip in YouTube that YOU created with your own camera (and with permission slips made to you)? I'm glad the cases dropped, or maybe I wouldn't even be here...
Well, I hope I can find the time to get in a Wimba (even though that would mean staying at work), and participate in some of these talks. Thanks.
Wk1 Reading: Copyright Issues
Greed is what makes us sick; fear is what keep us from finding a cure...
-David Cheng
There are so many things in the world that are happening with copyright..., and the way it has held and stiffened our potential, it should be considered a crime of the highest order. While we (this applies to many countries, but I'm referring to the USA) fight for censorship, we still haven't recovered from the weakening of the "press" and the powers they used to give us. Many companies don't fear the "press" anymore, ...because they own it.
I loved the clips, specially the Ted.com one, and the Remix Culture one (a logo of my Alma matter, Temple University's Media Education Lab appears in one of the pamphlets at 2:08). I think they make you think about the future of copyright, and the urge to fight before everything is off limits, and everyone becomes a pirate.
I apologize if I sound like I'm venting, but this is the issue that broke my dream of becoming a journalist (I studied journalism, and changed it to communications). I went to "The Philadelphia Inquirer" for a short internship, and after being explained what I could do and not do (can't disclose this), I just picked my things and left. This became my fastest internship ever. But I hope that enough pressure can be put to some of these corporations by the next generations, that eventually they will let go and give us our uncensored, free of permissions free speech expression. But to other matters...
There is this case at work that baffles me, and maybe I should ask a lawyer about this, but I put it here anyways, and please let me know what you think. I work in a media and online course department, in a community college, which produces courses and also videos for broadcasting and other purposes. Sometimes I need a stock photo for an internal video (one that won't circulate outside of the institution). We have some web designers that have subscriptions for some of these stock photo websites. When I go to one of them to ask for a photo, they tell me that the license is in their personal name, and that only they can use the photos. I then tell them, we not only work for the same educational institution, but also in the same department. There is no money made for some of these videos, and not even students will see these videos. They say they can only use the photos for their own projects at work, and can't even accept collaborators in their projects, or this would be a copyright violation. If the college paid for these subscriptions, then shouldn't they be open to their employees? I tried to read the copyright notices, and couldn't find much clear information as to confirm or debunk this. Since then, I just take a Canon 5D MkII and the college car, and go take my own pictures for the videos. Neither my supervisor nor the media managers want to take sides on this issue either. Would this fall in fair use if I take a picture (that is crucial to complete the video) that my co-worker used for a similar project and use it? Is this something that would merit a lawyer? Let me know what you think, thanks.
-David Cheng
There are so many things in the world that are happening with copyright..., and the way it has held and stiffened our potential, it should be considered a crime of the highest order. While we (this applies to many countries, but I'm referring to the USA) fight for censorship, we still haven't recovered from the weakening of the "press" and the powers they used to give us. Many companies don't fear the "press" anymore, ...because they own it.
I loved the clips, specially the Ted.com one, and the Remix Culture one (a logo of my Alma matter, Temple University's Media Education Lab appears in one of the pamphlets at 2:08). I think they make you think about the future of copyright, and the urge to fight before everything is off limits, and everyone becomes a pirate.
I apologize if I sound like I'm venting, but this is the issue that broke my dream of becoming a journalist (I studied journalism, and changed it to communications). I went to "The Philadelphia Inquirer" for a short internship, and after being explained what I could do and not do (can't disclose this), I just picked my things and left. This became my fastest internship ever. But I hope that enough pressure can be put to some of these corporations by the next generations, that eventually they will let go and give us our uncensored, free of permissions free speech expression. But to other matters...
There is this case at work that baffles me, and maybe I should ask a lawyer about this, but I put it here anyways, and please let me know what you think. I work in a media and online course department, in a community college, which produces courses and also videos for broadcasting and other purposes. Sometimes I need a stock photo for an internal video (one that won't circulate outside of the institution). We have some web designers that have subscriptions for some of these stock photo websites. When I go to one of them to ask for a photo, they tell me that the license is in their personal name, and that only they can use the photos. I then tell them, we not only work for the same educational institution, but also in the same department. There is no money made for some of these videos, and not even students will see these videos. They say they can only use the photos for their own projects at work, and can't even accept collaborators in their projects, or this would be a copyright violation. If the college paid for these subscriptions, then shouldn't they be open to their employees? I tried to read the copyright notices, and couldn't find much clear information as to confirm or debunk this. Since then, I just take a Canon 5D MkII and the college car, and go take my own pictures for the videos. Neither my supervisor nor the media managers want to take sides on this issue either. Would this fall in fair use if I take a picture (that is crucial to complete the video) that my co-worker used for a similar project and use it? Is this something that would merit a lawyer? Let me know what you think, thanks.
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