NEWS

ACE EM SIG September 2002 Newsletter

Hello All,

Just a quick note to let you know that the pink boa and film festival headdress (Joanne Littlefield creations) were formally transferred to me as the new Electronic Media SIG chair in Savannah, Georgia two weeks ago. And on to the news from the Savannah meeting...

While the overall attendance in Savannah may have been a bit lower than other years, the Electronic Media SIG had good numbers. Twenty-four members attended our hour-long annual meeting which had some lively discussions about where the SIG should be heading in 2002-03. Those that signed the list were: Robert Lewis-Kentucky State, Lynn Ketchum-Oregon State, Artis Ford-Mississippi State, Doug Edlund-Tennessee, Bobby Soileau-Louisiana State, Tobie Blanchard-Louisiana State, Brad Beckmon-Idaho, Karen Vines-Penn State, Chad Davis-Texas Tech, Cindy Akers-Texas Tech, Dale Layfield-Clemson, Barb McManus-Iowa State, Gabrielle Minnich-Virginia Tech, Randy Stith-Virginia Tech, Jason Hutchens-Virginia Tech, Bruce Sundeen-North Dakota State, Karen Cronin-Virginia Tech, Allan Schmidt-Iowa State, Mark Shute-Maryland, Larry Jackson-Kansas State, Alberto Hauffen-University of California/Riverside, Randy Nemitz-Ohio State, Joanne Littlefield-Arizona, Patrick Holian-New Mexico State.

­The Application The group was strongly in agreement that the C&A application needs some revision, specifically concerning the section which requires applicants tosupply documentation on the outreach and/or effectiveness of the submitted entry. While this is certainly important, the general consensus was that our work should be judged solely on the production/storytelling quality of the piece itself, not its distribution. Points were made that 1) time and budget often do not allow for evaluation 2) many EG-SIG members are not involved in the promotion, tracking or distribution of our work. I hope to get this changed by the time the C&A applications are distributed in December.

The Judges Overall the group was fairly pleased with the judges from last year's C&A. If you have any specific complaints, please send them to me pronto. Also, if you have any recommendations for new judges send by Sept 15 as I have to submit a final list by month's end.

The Classes Rather than adding more classes, I suggested revising some of the existing classes. They are: 1) V. Electronic Media-Audio, Class 28 and VI. Electronic Media-Video, Class 31 -- change from 'public service announcements' to include all spot production (promotions, paid spots such as university recruitment commercials, etc). 2) VI. Electronic Media, Class 33 -- change from 'non-credit educational video production' to 'information and non-credit educational videos.' This would allow productions with a more informational than educational slant to be considered. Please send comments by Sept 15.

There was much discussion about having hands-on demonstrations rather than speaking presentations at the next national. In June 2003 ACE will be held in Kansas City. These are the events we hope to offer:

Breakout Sessions. Our SIG, like all others, will be allotted three, 45-minute breakout sessions. These will be presented by Electronic Media SIG members but the Savannah group voiced the need for 'tell & show' demonstrations (ie. video or radio clips presented followed by 'hands-on' demos). The group also recommended topics that accommodate low budget/low personnel situations. Ideas suggested: 1) Expensive camera looks for $150. 2) Keeping it digital -- Minidisc audio production. 3) Let There Be Light -- using three or less sources for effective video lighting. 4) DVD production - how to do it. 5) Photoshop for Video Producers By Video Producers. Nov 15 is the call for proposal deadline. More info will be forthcoming.

Guest Workshop Leader. SIG members also expressed a need to bring in an outside expert to do a half-day, hands-on production workshop, but someone who would address the low budget/low personnel theme. The event would need to precede the conference start or occur on the last half of the last day of ACE/Kansas City. It may also have a nominal charge to cover costs. I am pursuing ways to get this funded by ACE as I think it may have a good draw beyond our SIG. Please send names by Oct 1 of experts who could conduct a worthwhile workshop.

Combined Session Bob Rost, chair of the Distance Education & Instructional Design SIG spoke with me about our SIG teaming with his for a video streaming demonstration. It is unclear at this time if this is in addition to our three breakout sessions or in lieu of one. Your opinions please by Sept 10.

Film Festival It was agreed to continue our film festival (occurring about every other ACE national meeting) in Kansas City. Joanne Littlefield (Arizona) has agreed to organize this.

All ACE SIGs have been asked to submit a concise mission statement. It appears that the organization wants something like a short, inclusive paragraph about who we are and what we do. Please send suggestions by Sept 15. Vice Chair Larry Jackson and I will be hammering something out by Sept 22 and give everyone a few days for final comments. We have an Oct 1 deadline to ACE.

Weather permitting, I will be sending on a Electronic Media-SIG newsletter the first of every month. It will be much like this one, informing members of timely issues facing our SIG. I hope to have these available and archived on our web site. The headline font, Chicago, was chosen in honor of our just-ousted SIG chair, Joanne Littlefield. Joanne's hometown is the Windy City. Mil Gracias for all your help, Joanne, during the last two years!

Please respond to the following:

Combined session for video streaming

_____ I would/would not attend this session.

_____ I want this session only if it is does not eliminate one of the EM-SIG breakout sessions. Yes or No?

C&A judges. Recommendations for new judges

C&A classes. Comments on revising classes.

EM-SIG Mission Statement. Suggestions.

Guest Workshop Expert for ACE/Kansas City. Submit names, background & contact info.

Submit idea for break-out session

EVENTS