WordPress slideshow

The slideshow function of WordPress allows me to present my still images in an interesting way. It ensures that all images are shown at a decent size and that each can have its own caption. The controls allow viewers to move through images at their own pace.

Unfortunately, despite trolling through forums and search engines I found no way to slow down the speed at which the slideshow runs if the controls are not being utilised. It seems that this is simply a customisation that WordPress does not accomodate. The speed at which the slideshow moves makes it near impossible to inspect the image and read some of the larger captions during the time it is displayed. Thank god for the manual control buttons!

This slightly unfortunate aspect of the slideshow function is not detrimental and I much prefer this style of presentation to the use of a thumbnail gallery.

Audio interview + slideshow example

Although not an official video clip, this Youtube entry is an example of how an audio interview can be complimented by still images in a slideshow format. The interview is quite professionally done and the audio is of a reasonable quality.

The ‘camera’ slides across images, zooming in and out in an attempt to hold the audience’s interest. This is certainly more effective than simply showing stationary images for a few seconds at a time but still feels a bit sterile by the end of the clip.

Possible alternatives would be to use the animated options in Animoto or even to show short sections of video throughout the documentary. It will be hugely important to ensure that there is a variety of imagery being presented. I want to have images of the intervewees, their completed artwork, their work in progress (action shots)… The more styles of image and quantity of images I have to choose from, the more options I will have for my final production.

Animoto

Animoto is shaping up to be useful good tool. Sample videos show some interesting ways to present images in a slideshow format, using graphical animations to keep the images lively and engaging.

One thing I can’t find on the website is an example of using interview audio over the top of the slideshow. This is something I will have to experiment with and further research before I create my final product.

One big perk is that Animoto is compatible with Instagram and iPhone, allowing me to tweak my documentary on the run. This is hugely advantageous as the nature of street art means I need to be able to capture images as soon as I see them, for fear of the art being removed or vandalised before I can adequately record it.

http://animoto.com/

Presentation possibilities…

Although the majority of the content in my documentary will be audio, I am determined to add the visual component of street art itself. To avoid the issues of cost, time and man power that would be needed to gather enough effective video, I intend to add images in some type of slideshow. This will also allow me to post the documentary on Vimeo and Youtube, two mediums that I can then disseminate through Facebook and Twitter, which will allow me to more effectively reach the Melbourne street art community.

This clip shows a slideshow of the work of Banksy, one of the most famous street artists in the world. The diversity of locations and reasonably short cuts for each image keep the clip engaging. These are things I will have to consider, particularly if I end up focusing on only a few artists in my documentary.