Category Archives: Communicating with scientists

Free Copies of The Scientist Videographer eBook Available at Smashwords

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In addition to Apple’s iBooks and Amazon’s Kindle, I’ve just published a copy of The Scientist Videographer at Smashwords. At the latter, you have the option to download the book as an ePub, pdf, Mobi, or txt file or to read it online.

For a limited time, I’m offering copies of the book at Smashwords free to anyone who agrees to review the book at any of the above distributors. All you have to do is send me a note that you agree (thescientistvideographer@gmail.com), and I will give you a promotional code to use when you check out. Already have a copy of my book? Consider writing a review and use the promotional code to give the book as a gift to a friend or colleague. This offer ends April 21, 2016.

Smashwords screenshot

Kindle Edition of The Scientist Videographer Now Available

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I’ve produced a text-only version of my book, The Scientist Videographer, which is now available at Amazon for Kindle. This Kindle version was created for those science professionals who do not have a device (iPad, iPhone, Mac) to read the iBooks version of my ebook. This new version has all the same information content as the iBooks version, but the interactive content (video, slideshows) is accessed through hyperlinks instead of being embedded in the book.

If you have a PC, you can also download the Kindle Reader app and view the book on your computer. The link to that app is on the main page for the book.

The Scientist Videographer-Kindle Version

Both the iBooks and Kindle versions contain new information and updated tutorials. For example, the iMovie editing tutorials have all been updated to reflect the most recent version of that software. I’ve also added a section called, “Should I Get Permission to Film”. If you have the iBooks original version, just open it in your iBooks reader and select “update”. The updated version (Version 1.2) will automatically replace the  original version (Version 1.0).

Ocean 180 Video Challenge

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The winners of the 2016 Ocean 180 Video Challenge will be announced next Tuesday (February 23, 2016) in a Town Hall panel discussion at the 2016 Ocean Sciences meeting held in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA.

I’m looking forward to being one of the panelists to introduce the video winners. If you are planning to be at the Ocean Sciences meeting, please consider attending the Town Hall, which will begin at 12:45 pm on February 23 in Room 217-219 in the Convention Center.

See the flier embedded below. You can download and share it with others.

Come and bring a friend to see some great science videos and hear discussions of how to use video to share your science with others.

Download (PDF, 5.77MB)

Nine Ways to Tell a Science Story

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Trying to tell a story about your science? Here are nine templates that can be used to craft your story (direct link in the event the player window below is blank):

 

7 Minutes of Terror (NASA) – How NOT to Bore Your Video Audience

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Scientists are increasingly using video to share their work with colleagues and the public, but struggle to make their information interesting and understandable. In the video review embedded below, I used the NASA/JPL-Caltech video, 7 Minutes of Terror, to discuss ways to improve science videos.

The NASA video provides several great examples of techniques to sustain viewer interest and to improve understanding and retention of technical information—in this case, it’s literally “rocket science”. I break down the NASA video to illustrate how the use of visuals, metaphors, non-technical language, and a 3-part story structure can help science video makers avoid boring their audience to death. Take a look:

If you find this review useful, please “like” my video on YouTube. Want more video reviews like this? Leave a comment here or on YouTube to let me know what you would like to see.