Sending Audio/Video File?

There is a free and very easy-to-use online service which allows us to send very large audio/video. This is what you need to do:

• Go to https://www.yousendit.com/
• Click on ‘Sign up’ in the top right corner of the screen
• In the ‘Compare Plans’ columns, choose LITE Free Single User and click on ‘Sign up’
• Enter your e-mail, your name and choose a new password.
• Confirm password.
• On the next screen you can read “Congratulations. Your account has been created”
• Click on the green ‘Send now’ button Enter  e-mail address of the person you want to send to thefile to (e.g rnyaole@daystar.ac.ke) in the ‘To:’ box
• Write your name and ‘audio file’ in the subject line.  A message is optional.
•  Click on ‘Select file’ and choose your audio file from your documents on your computer
• Ignore the pay-per-use options Click on the green ‘Send it’ button on the bottom of the page.
• Done

Why not give it a try?
Rosemary

WANGUI J. MBUGUA 08-1033 PROGRAMME CRITIQUE

WANGUI J. MBUGUA                      08-1033         PROGRAMME CRITIQUE

INSPEKTA MWALA

This is a weekly show that is aired on our very own Citizen Television each Monday at 7.40 to 8.00 pm.

It explains as teaches the society of the day to day workings of a police officer and the crime in the society and gives a solution to it.

The main characters are Dennis Mwabili whose career began very early when he was part of the Vitimbi family who until today has a show. He is the “Inspekta” who deals with all sorts of crime yet he brings out the comedy in the whole scenario.

Episode 1: a man tells his wife that he is off to his rural home but in actual sense he is going out to meet his lover.

The sound in this episode was very clear using sound effects at the editing stage to create a mood of suspense and deceit when the man is found out by his wife. The man is arrested and he is taken to the cell and the camera shots for his arrest killed the man because the cut him at the waist. The camera moved back to focus where we see the man having an argument with his wife the camera men use the panning system to take shots for this episode..The lighting is good and there are no shadows.

Episode 2: Inspekta Mwala arrests a woman who has kidnapped a baby.

In this episode there were hitches, there was no lead room and headroom for the characters and they seemed like they were squeezed on screen. The camera seemed zoomed out and due to some wind in the background at an outside scene the sound was distorted. The lighting was good as we had no shadows. The editor would have checked on the sound issues.

Episode 3: a man who delivers tea to the officers at the Police Station is caught stealing a phone.

Like every society there are some black sheep. At the Kona Mbaya police station a trusted personnel, Murio who delivers to the officer’s tea is caught stealing a cell phone. The shots on this episode were very clear though I think at the editing they missed to put a scene because the story does not end. We are shown Murio getting arrested but we do not get to know what the outcome of the events is. The lighting is good but there was a bit of shadows especially on the wall of the cell where Murio is locked in. 

Episode 4:   Inspekta Mwala is battered by his wife.

This episode was very educative firstly because it’s showed that this is a vice that we as society need to curb. The lighting was good it even brought out the wounds that Mwala had incurred during the battering. There were no shadows at any one point. The camera movements must have been trucking because the camera showed an almost three dimensional scene of his being battered. The sound is good and even has the extra hidden sighs and background noise that aids one to know what is going on even before we see it.

Episode 5: trouble in an estate due to noise pollution.

This scene shows people living in a plot and their land lady comes to evict them because they are misusing the electricity and a class four child calls the police to report that he is being disturbed by the noise that is never ending. The police come to the child’s aid and even stop the tenant and landlady battle. The lighting is good very suitable seeing as it is an outside episode that. The camera is on a crane at some point as they show the police coming into the plot to bring calm and as they make their arrests. The sound is effective though the words are at time blown away. The clips are in sync with the sounds.

Episode 6:  the main police dog Rex gets lost.

This is a very hilarious episode because it stars with a very distraught Inspekta and you would think that it is an actual human being that has gone missing because of the great seriousness this is taken with. The lighting is effective and the sound brings out each and every emotion that the episode has. The sound is exemplary and the camera shots are mainly panning. The only problem is that the editing was not done comprehensively because some scenes have errors that would have been removed at the editing stage.

Episode 7:  civic education for the Referendum and Constitutional process.

This episode was very crucial seeing as it brought out the aspect of the rights of the citizens when it comes to the law enforcers who for a long time have been accused of harassing citizens. The lighting in this episode was good though compared to other episodes it was not as good the problem might have been that the episode was mainly shot in the outside using very many civilians. The editing was carefully done bringing out the relevance of the constitution in the whole episode. The camera was panning horizontally due to the many characters in most of the scenes.

Episode 8: kidnapping in Kona Mbaya

This episode depicted the kidnappings that were on a rise in the country. It also showed ways of curbing the crime and safety measures that should and ca be taken by the families and police. The shots in the episode were too bright with some seeming discolored. There was a problem of white balancing. The camera was placed on a crane and truck. The lighting was okay and so was editing.

Episode 9: this episode showed the referendum process on the actual voting day.

The episode covered the lines and the people who turned up for voting in Kona Mbaya where they were given adequate security. The shots were clear and a variety of movements, trucking, panning and crane were used for the camera. The editing was great seeing as it incorporated the constitution theme for the period. The editing and lighting were good enough.

Episode 10:  the recruitment of new officers.

This episode showed the process and the recruitment of police officers based on merit in a period where there were discrepancies with the recruitment with some saying there was a lot of bias. The episode mainly used panning movements with long shots and short lens shots. The editing and lighting were good considering it was a shot with a number of people and in the open.

SUMMARY:

Inspekta Mwala is a local production that mainly teaches the society on daily hustles faced by law enforcers and the crime, ranging from petty theft to serious theft that civilians face.

It depicts solutions and with each episode, the producers try to relate it to an ongoing situation in the country giving a solution t it and a means to curb the crime. The only challenge they face is that the time that is given to each episode at times is not enough hence they rush it which results to in cohesiveness in their shots and hence no understanding by the audience. The lighting in this production compared to previous ones is very clear and the camera movements too. The editors are very keen and there are rarely mistakes in the editing.  

inspekta mwala critique

WANGUI J. MBUGUA                      08-1033         PROGRAMME CRITIQUE

INSPEKTA MWALA

This is a weekly show that is aired on our very own Citizen Television each Monday at 7.40 to 8.00 pm.

It explains as teaches the society of the day to day workings of a police officer and the crime in the society and gives a solution to it.

The main characters are Dennis Mwabili whose career began very early when he was part of the Vitimbi family who until today has a show. He is the “Inspekta” who deals with all sorts of crime yet he brings out the comedy in the whole scenario.

Episode 1: a man tells his wife that he is off to his rural home but in actual sense he is going out to meet his lover.

The sound in this episode was very clear using sound effects at the editing stage to create a mood of suspense and deceit when the man is found out by his wife. The man is arrested and he is taken to the cell and the camera shots for his arrest killed the man because the cut him at the waist. The camera moved back to focus where we see the man having an argument with his wife the camera men use the panning system to take shots for this episode..The lighting is good and there are no shadows.

Episode 2: Inspekta Mwala arrests a woman who has kidnapped a baby.

In this episode there were hitches, there was no lead room and headroom for the characters and they seemed like they were squeezed on screen. The camera seemed zoomed out and due to some wind in the background at an outside scene the sound was distorted. The lighting was good as we had no shadows. The editor would have checked on the sound issues.

Episode 3: a man who delivers tea to the officers at the Police Station is caught stealing a phone.

Like every society there are some black sheep. At the Kona Mbaya police station a trusted personnel, Murio who delivers to the officer’s tea is caught stealing a cell phone. The shots on this episode were very clear though I think at the editing they missed to put a scene because the story does not end. We are shown Murio getting arrested but we do not get to know what the outcome of the events is. The lighting is good but there was a bit of shadows especially on the wall of the cell where Murio is locked in. 

Episode 4:   Inspekta Mwala is battered by his wife.

This episode was very educative firstly because it’s showed that this is a vice that we as society need to curb. The lighting was good it even brought out the wounds that Mwala had incurred during the battering. There were no shadows at any one point. The camera movements must have been trucking because the camera showed an almost three dimensional scene of his being battered. The sound is good and even has the extra hidden sighs and background noise that aids one to know what is going on even before we see it.

Episode 5: trouble in an estate due to noise pollution.

This scene shows people living in a plot and their land lady comes to evict them because they are misusing the electricity and a class four child calls the police to report that he is being disturbed by the noise that is never ending. The police come to the child’s aid and even stop the tenant and landlady battle. The lighting is good very suitable seeing as it is an outside episode that. The camera is on a crane at some point as they show the police coming into the plot to bring calm and as they make their arrests. The sound is effective though the words are at time blown away. The clips are in sync with the sounds.

Episode 6:  the main police dog Rex gets lost.

This is a very hilarious episode because it stars with a very distraught Inspekta and you would think that it is an actual human being that has gone missing because of the great seriousness this is taken with. The lighting is effective and the sound brings out each and every emotion that the episode has. The sound is exemplary and the camera shots are mainly panning. The only problem is that the editing was not done comprehensively because some scenes have errors that would have been removed at the editing stage.

Episode 7:  civic education for the Referendum and Constitutional process.

This episode was very crucial seeing as it brought out the aspect of the rights of the citizens when it comes to the law enforcers who for a long time have been accused of harassing citizens. The lighting in this episode was good though compared to other episodes it was not as good the problem might have been that the episode was mainly shot in the outside using very many civilians. The editing was carefully done bringing out the relevance of the constitution in the whole episode. The camera was panning horizontally due to the many characters in most of the scenes.

Episode 8: kidnapping in Kona Mbaya

This episode depicted the kidnappings that were on a rise in the country. It also showed ways of curbing the crime and safety measures that should and ca be taken by the families and police. The shots in the episode were too bright with some seeming discolored. There was a problem of white balancing. The camera was placed on a crane and truck. The lighting was okay and so was editing.

Episode 9: this episode showed the referendum process on the actual voting day.

The episode covered the lines and the people who turned up for voting in Kona Mbaya where they were given adequate security. The shots were clear and a variety of movements, trucking, panning and crane were used for the camera. The editing was great seeing as it incorporated the constitution theme for the period. The editing and lighting were good enough.

Episode 10:  the recruitment of new officers.

This episode showed the process and the recruitment of police officers based on merit in a period where there were discrepancies with the recruitment with some saying there was a lot of bias. The episode mainly used panning movements with long shots and short lens shots. The editing and lighting were good considering it was a shot with a number of people and in the open.

SUMMARY:

Inspekta Mwala is a local production that mainly teaches the society on daily hustles faced by law enforcers and the crime, ranging from petty theft to serious theft that civilians face.

It depicts solutions and with each episode, the producers try to relate it to an ongoing situation in the country giving a solution t it and a means to curb the crime. The only challenge they face is that the time that is given to each episode at times is not enough hence they rush it which results to in cohesiveness in their shots and hence no understanding by the audience. The lighting in this production compared to previous ones is very clear and the camera movements too. The editors are very keen and there are rarely mistakes in the editing.  

Video Programme Critique- "Citizen News at 9"

The general presentation, on both Friday and Saturday is clear as Karigoh Ng’arua takes anchorage, while ‘Sunday Live News at Nine’ is presented by Julie Gichuru. Monday news has two anchors Michael Njenga and Catherine Khasavuli. These news anchors are eloquent in their speech. Karigoh starts off by walking onto the platform in all of the shows and she stops at a particular point beside a glass table. While Catherine and Michael start off in their seats. The lighting, sound, shots and movements do not change much in this production as it is constant, and a repetition. All that changes is the main subject’s attire and make up. Julie Gichuru comes in, in what they call studio B. Here she interviews guests. Throughout the weeks anchors are changed and switched. Through out the week news anchors are changed but the procedure is routine.

Lighting: It is not perfect as I notice a shadow formed behind Karigoh; this could mean that the back light is not bright enough; rather the intensity is not strong enough to kill the formation of a shadow. For the outside interviews it is clear as the camera person is using natural light. You can tell that he has used the white balance. Another problem is when Hon. Raila Odinga is talking it is really dark and the camera person realizes as it suddenly becomes bright. The Sunday production is just as well lit, where most shots were taken during the day thus shadows are minimal as the camera person and the subject both stand in the sun.
On Monday News at Nine, Catherine Khasavuli is focused on with the screen at the back it creates a false image of extreme light. At the end of each production the studio lights fade away until it is totally dark.

Shots and Movement: At the beginning of the news broadcast the camera person does what is known as a follow shot of Karigoh. He then takes a two-shot of two cabinet ministers seen talking in the news highlights. Back at the studio, the camera person zooms in at Karigoh when she begins to talk. He then zooms out in order to capture the image on the screen while still capturing Karigoh speak about the news showing on the screen. He then pans left to get a better shot of the screen and Karigoh. He centralizes these two subjects which I believe qualifies as a two-shot. I feel like even though the two shot is actually of a living thing and a screen that the camera person leaves too much head room above Karigoh. Another impressive shot is the aerial view shot of land below as the news reporter talks of land grabbing issues. The camera man does another follow shot leaving sufficient nose-room as Karigoh walks to the visual screen. Most of the shots taken in the interviews are bust shots and over-the-shoulder shots. The Sunday News at Nine Live shows a wide-view shot is taken of Julie Gichuru after she has given the news headlines. The shots are mainly bust shots in the Monday ‘News at Nine’; this is due to the continuity of interviews. A knee shot is taken of one of the field anchors as he speaks on the new constituencies. There are very few shots where the camera person is tilting or panning the camera to fit the subject into the frame of the camera and even then, they are not as obvious. It is as though the camera is set and then the subject placed in front of it.

Sound: Sound is not as clear as it should be. There are a lot of breaks in speech, and delay in the reception of sound. Also we keep hearing Karigoh flip the pages of her script. This indicates that her lavaliere microphone is very sensitive and picks up sound easily. The sound during the Sunday production is somewhat worse as their voice break in between words and sentences, making it hard to hear what the people are saying. Some of the reporter relayed news sound very rushed; as though the speed of her speech is artificially increased. It seems that the main problem is just breaking in sound waves at some point in all the productions. No echoes or feedback is had in any of the microphones.

Visual Editing Techniques: The visual aids they use are well cued. For example, at the bottom of the screen where there is a constant display of news; business news, forex exchange reports, international news, as well as sports news. The use of the “CW” that appears to be floating on a screen in the background is well placed. Other visuals include the names of the news anchors and interviewees. These are shown well and are on time: they appear in time with the picture of the subject. These visual effects are definitely added as the news is edited and presented. A few scenes are however not well edited, for example on the 12th of November, a man bends to pass in front of the camera, so that he is not seen but he is still visible to the viewer. The use of transitions is visible when they change from one scene to another, this helps show continuity in the story.

Conclusion
You can tell throughout these productions that those that do the lighting and shots and movements are very talented and have studied the right way to work the equipment necessary. The sound is the only thing that seemed to constantly have a problem from the microphones picking up unnecessary sound to the anchors not being heard clearly.

Missing Assignments

The following have not handed in their semester Assignments:

A) Audio
1) JoyAdams Munene 09-0786
2) Carolyne Kiambo 09-1567
3) Cynthia Nyokabi Maina 09-1742
4) Syeve Waguwa 09-0936
5) Waithera Valentinw Mburu 09-0797
6) Emmaculate Kanainza 09-1182
7) Erick Weru Muriuki 07-1429
8) Mercy Kamau 08-1429
9) Samuel Kuria

B) Video
1) Joy Mwendwa 09-0805
2) Wairimu Wambui 09-0709
3) Claire Kariuki(Empty DVD) 07-1024
4) Winnie Chepkorir (Empty DVD) 09-1152
5) Nyambura Ndung'u 09-1231
6) Caroline Wanjiru 09-1567

Remember to pick your CDs/DVDs from my Athi campus office. You may also come for progress feedback, if need be.

Video/Audio Assignments!

I believe all is well even as you sit your end year exam. I have finished grading your audio/video assignments. Most of you have progressed quite well in terms of broadcast techniques. Your microphone and camera handling techniques are quite impressive.

However, there are a few cases of lack of proper focus in telling a story. Remember, each time you set out to report any newsworthy event, identify a story angle that would be of interest to your target audience.

Remember, this was a foundation course. Make use of the skills you've learnt in other courses e.g. COM 361, COM 365, COM 466, among other broadcast related courses. If you would like us to discuss your progress, feel free to come to my office or contact me on rnyaole@daystar.ac.ke. Make an effort to pick your CD/DVD from my office.

Pass all your exams and enjoy the festive season as well!

Tusker Project fame

Tusker Project Fame 4

Tusker project fame is a programme that is aired daily from late October. It comes at 8.30-9.00 pm in weekdays, 8-9 pm on Saturdays and 7.30-9.00 pm on Sundays. The programme is mainly sponsored by Kenya Breweries Limited. It natures young potential singers young have the ability and passion to sign and puts them in a competition where the winner among them walks away with5 million Kenyan shillings, a whole year collage sponsorship and health insurance. This competition has drawn many to compete and work hard due to fame and the grand prize for the final contestant.
The weekday shows mainly show hat the contestants have been doing through out the days to improve their talents and also to bond.
Programming
The programme is aired daily on Citizen Television in Kenya.

1) Weekdays - 8.30-9.00 pm. This show updates us on what happens in the academy on daily basis.
The updates are usually helps the audience try to know which contestant is serious in the house and who is joking or is not serious with the competition.
It also shows how the contestants are relating with one anther and how bonding with the other contestants is affecting him or her in performance and participation in the house.

2) The Sunday show. This is a live show from the tusker academy. There are judges, teachers, two host contestants and the audience in the house.
The contestants usually sing a singe song that they have been practicing during the week to the audience, teachers and the judges.
The professional judges will judge and put the weak four performers of the night on probation to work on the song again and perform better come Saturday.

3) Saturday show. This is the eviction show. The contestant that were put on probation the previous Sunday have a chance to sing again on the stage and one of them will go home that same night
One of the contestants will be chosen by the east African public by voting through sms, the second one is chosen by the teachers and the third one will be chosen by their fellow contestants. The fourth one has no choice but to go home. There is usually an eviction party to bid good bye and success to the contestant going home

Lighting
Lighting in the academy is of high-quality. The lighting in the house in the weekly shows is a bit dull but it is good for in door lighting.
During the performances the lighting is excellent. There are light all over the room that the contestants are performing in showing a good and bright mood and atmosphere. These lights of different colors brighten the whole house and the stage where the contestants are performing making the contestants feel like superstars while on stage.
The many lights that are there kill shadows such that they do not appear at all when the contestant is on stage, in the audience, judges and even the teachers.



Microphones and sound
Microphones are commonly used to boost ones voice when talking. Sound is the most important aspect and too in the house. The contestants have lavaliere microphones that they put on daily so as they can be heard well in the house. When the contestants are doing live shows the host, judges, teachers and have hand held portable microphones.
Though is has been improved, the judges used to use the same microphone to say their opinions after the performances. I really don’t think that it is hygienic or even appealing to the eye for a viewer. Sharing of microphone for judges can e irritating for the judge or even the audience watching live.
Sound from the live band that they use in their performances is adorable. They have good instrumentalist who enjoy their work bringing out high quality beats for music.

Recording
The contestants have been using Cds with songs that they are going to sing for practice purposes. This helps them memorize the songs at their own free tie and pace too. They have cd players that help them in listening at the music when they practice.
The commercial that come in between the show were recorded longtime a go and they are used to sell the tusker brand.
All show that are performed or any other happening in the tusker academy are recorded for future references. The daily shows are recorded and editing is done to give an interesting 25 minutes show daily.
Camera
Camera work is the most crucial work that the activity in the whole academy. There are so many cameras in the academy that help detect any misbehavior in the house. . They are also used to capture the different events that happen in and outside the academy. They are very circuital equipment because they also help in capturing the live sows that we watch in the television.
The most commonly used types of camera shots are the long shot and medium dots. The long shots are mostly used in live shows to show the contestants singing and the audience too. The long shots in the live show go hand in hand with the aerial shot that shoe the people in the house from above their heads. Long shots are also used to show how the contestants relate wit one anther during their free time, when the show is starting to show the dressing of the host and the contestants.
Medium shots are mostly used in the house as the teachers and the students relate. They are also used in the live show to show the teachers and the judges as they re giving their opinions. They also use the medium shot to show the expressions of the contestants as they are performing.


Dressing
Generally, the dressing of the contestants, host and the teachers has been superb. The contestants have been dressing according to the theme of the night.

Nyambura Monicah Ndung’u
09-1231