Common Craft Blog
The Tools of Our Trade (analog version)
By leelefever on December 13, 2007 - 11:47am
Like our videos, the tools we use to make them are quite simple. Below is a quick tour of some of the non-electronic elements of our productions...
The photo below represents a near-complete selection of the tools we use almost everyday to create illustrations and videos. You can view the photo below with "notes" on Flickr.com.
Because neither of us brought video production/scripting/storyboarding experience to the table, we've tinkered our way through and created a couple of resources that help. One is our thumbnail storyboards. Once a script is written, the first draft of visuals are done on small squares. This one is from Blogs in Plain English.
Of course, we couldn't do what we do without paper. We go through more of it that I would have ever imagined. It's nothing fancy - just HP inkjet paper. And yes, we recycle the waste.
OK, this is a electronic, but still fits. We couldn't be as productive without coffee and have fallen in love with our Keurig coffee maker. It makes a consistent cup of great coffee or tea anytime.
I see this as one of the iconic tools we use - a traditional paper cutter. Sachi is better than me with the scissors, but neither of us can cut a straight line. This does it right.
I spent too long with my art supplies spread all over the house. Finally I invested in a toolbox. Now it's like my own portable bag of tricks.
You might have noticed more color in the videos. We invested in some Tombo watercolor brush pens that I love to use. We have a set of color pens and a set in shades of gray. Inspiration from Nancy Margulies.
This looks kind of gross, but it's putty and we use it in almost every shot to stick paper to the white board.
Of course, Amos is a part of everything we do (see photo above). One hair at a time, he appears in every video.
We're very big believers that we don't need big investments in production to make our videos. We'd rather invest our time in developing what matters most - the script.
Thanks for the peek
Great stuff, guys. We appreciate the work and the peek behind the curtain.
What matters most
And you do an excellent job on those scripts, too. These are great videos.
Human Figure
What's the poseable human figure for? Do you use it for drawing the people, or maybe to hang your scissors? :)
The Human Figure
Other than making it do rude gestures, I use the figure to get the perspective right when drawing a new character for a video. Without it, Sachi would spend a lot more time posing.
Appreciation
I was introduced to you Commoncraft by a colleague in a "learning to use Web2.0 for librarians" or something like that. I had explained blogs, wikis, delicious, etc., to my head librarian, but she didn't "get it" till she saw your common english presentations. Thank you. Since then I have been enjoying your blog. You are showing me that meeting people such as as yourselves are the benefits of social networking, Thank you again.
Fantastic Job
I have sent many people of my own to this site as it always does such a fantastic job explaning some of the many online concepts out there. Thanks for the great work!
Cool!
Ah, I fell in love with Tombo markers too! I treated myself to two different sets of colors and have been using them since I added graphic facilitation to my bag of tricks (also inspired by Nancy M!) You can see an example of a sketch I did last week to prepare for being on a panel http://www.flickr.com/photos/choconancy/2101949141/in/set-72157603414525...
the kiss principle
If I understand that right, you spread the word of the kiss principle, like "keep it simple and small". Think your success makes it look right, I like your videos, too.
My favorite out of the displayed tools is your Keurig :-)
Nice and Easy
Hey guys, just wanted to let you guys know that I stumbled across this site this morning whilst sipping the first coffee of the day. I was immediately impressed. Simple but effective. Even someone from down under is able to follow the simple teachings of web guru’s such as yourselves.
Cheers guys
good job!
Hi there! I'm a Swiss English teacher. I' ve just found your page and I think you do a great job. I'm sure I will have a chance to use one of your videos in my classes! Your English is very clear and simple. That's perfect for my language learners! Keep up the good work!
Adrian from Bern, Switzerland
Keurig!
LOL, did you know that "keurig" is a Dutch word? It has a number of meanings like: great job, nicely done, or neat :-)
your writing
i am just being curious: are you left-handed?
i really love the work you are doing, and how you reflect on your relationship with the dog. he seems to be a really nice fellow.
.~.
Great Job Gentlemen
I just wanted to say - great job gentlemen! I visit your site frequently have have found your videos very, very useful. They sure make life much easier!
Keep up the good work!
Thanks for Sharing
I love your videos. I use them with my students all the time.
I have wondered what you use to make them b/c I would love to have my students make their own about math concepts.
Thanks for sharing your tools.
Question, if you don't mind:
What do you use to support your video camera? Is it a tripod pointed directly down?
Tripod
Yes, we point the camera straight down from the top of a tripod. It's a balancing act, but works! :)
Sneak Peek
Thanks for the sneak peek and the great work! Your videos are very intuitive and very helpful to say the least. There is definitely no other resource on the web that can explain some of these "concepts" as well as you folks do.
Awesome Man
Hi This is an awesome site. I went to a workshop and found this and tons of other goodies. QUESTION: How can I create mini lessons like this for the classroom. I don't have a whiteboard (is this necessary) but I do have powerpoint with ossetian speakers and sound along with a digital camera.
Are you cutting out pictures and placing them on the board. It all seems so quick and seamless.
Again fantastic work.