SEEING the BIG PICTURE Auclio-VISWU Techniques for Interpreters
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SEEING THE BIG PICTURE Auclio-VISWU Techniques for Interpreters By Mark E. Hundhammer Michael Gross and Ronald Zimmerman, Editors UW-SP FOUNDATION PRESS, INC. UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN STEVENS POINT STEVENS POINT, WI 54481 Approved by the Graduate Committee of: Professor of Environmental Interpretation Professor of Environmental Education r. Ron Zimmerman rector of Schmeeckle Reserve Preface This manual is for natural resource_ professionals interested in developing audio-visual programs. It will provide useful information to everybody who wishes to use audio-visual programs to enhance their interpretive efforts. As the challenges of resource management became increasingly demanding, it is imperative that interpreters have the ability to communicate with the public not only the intrigue of the natural world, but the responsibilities of good land stewardship as well. The more interpretive skills you have to share your knowledge of and enthusiasm for the environment with others, the greater our quality ofliving will become. Professionally prepared audio-visual programs can inspire the general public to take a deeper interest in the environment. The manual is organized to allow readers to select part or all of a chapter to meet their audio-visual program needs. The first chapter reminds us that most people learn best when many senses are involved, especially seeing and hearing. Chapter 2 provides a framework for planning audio-visual programs. This serves as a basis for all the other chapters. Chapters 3 - 6 detail how to produce an illustrated talk, an automated slide-sound program, a video, and how to use computers to enhance your interpretive efforts. The methods presented are geared primarily toward those with limited budgets who will produce "in-house" audio-visual programs. i Acknowledgements This manual is the result of many dedicated and persistent friends and colleagues who believed in me and would not let the project go unfinished. My parents; who first encouraged my education, have given me both roots and wings. My graduate committee; Dr. Michael Gross, Mr. Ron Zimmerman, Dr. Randy Champeau, and Dr. Larry Riggs, have patiently encouraged me to keep plugging on the manuscript. My follow graduate students; whom I shared many good times with and who inspired me with their multitude of talent. And to Marjorie; who has firmly encouraged me to believe in who I am and pursue my dreams to the fullest. To these people, and many others, I am forever indebted. ii CONTENTS Preface ................................................................................................................................ .i Acknowledgements ......................................................................................................... .ii Chapter One: ...................................................................................................................... 1 Interpreting Through Sound and Pictures - Your Visitor Thinks Visually Chapter Two: ...................................................................................................................... 3 Planning: A Creative Process Chapter Three: ................................................................................................................. 11 Illustrate Your Words - Speaking With Slides An Illustrated Talk: Mount Saint Helens Chapter Four: ................................................................................................................... 50 Multimedia Showtime -Automate It! Rusty, The Red-Tailed Hawk Chapter Five: .................................................................................................................... 70 Sound and Motion Together - Making the Video Transition Teton Science School Chapter Six: ....................................................................................................................... 92 The Control is in Your Hands - Desktop Presentations The Modern Alpinist Appendices ....................................................................................................................... 96 A. Ecological Concerns B. Copyright Laws C. Audio Visual Equipment Suppliers References ...................................................................................................................... 111 Bibliography .................................................................................................................. 114 iii 1 INTERPRETING THROUGH SOUND AND PICTURES Your Visitor Thinks Visually I suspect that the child plucks its first flower with an insight into its beauty and significance which the subsequent botanist never retains. - Henry David Thoreau A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words Effective interpretation involves peoples senses. For best communication, information should be seen and heard at the same time. Audio visual presentations are a powerful interpretive tool. Good audio visual media involves and engages the audience, clarifies material and is professional. It may also increase public program attendance. The University of Minnesota and the 3M Corporation evaluated the persuasive role of visual support for speakers in a 1986 study. Presenters using visual aids were perceived by their audience to be more concise, better prepared, more professional, more interesting, and to make better use of supporting data. In fact, presentations supported with visual aids were found to be 43% more persausive than unaided presentations. Imagine... Dazzling your audience with a 12 projector multi-image production of Ozark Mountain history; inspiring visitors with a spectacular motion picture featuring the geologic story of Alaska's Portage Glacier; retrieving and organizing any of the 54,000 slides stored on a laserdisk at Fountain Valley School (CO); advertising the unique features of the Teton Science School with a videotape; orienting visitors to the plight of grizzly bears in Yellowstone National Park with a slide-tape show; or, presenting an illustrated slide talk to a local sportsmen's club. Each example represents an interpretive use of audio visual techniques. Enhance VISitor Perception As an interpreter, your primary purpose is to enhance your visitors experience. Share colorful stories ofreal places and true life characters. Every visitor should depart your program with memories, information, and insight. The uniqueness of a site should come alive in your audio visual programs. Everybody receives information differently. Roughly 60% of your audience recalls visual images most vividly; 30% are auditory learners, remembering the spoken word best; and 10% are kinesthetic, preferring to physically touch something (Hooper, 1976). When planning audio visual programs, place the greatest emphasis on visuals and a lesser emphasis on the verbal. If possible, incorporate objects and props. Viewer activated programs will be most attractive to the ten percent who like to push red buttons. · What Sound and Pictures Can Do for You Visuals aids communicate dramatically. Research shows communication is largely dependent on sight followed by sound, smell, touch, and taste. Young children learn visually. They are stimulated by the motion of an overhanging mobile. When sitting on a parents' lap, they learn to "read" by first recognizing pictures, then words. Ask a five year old to spell "happiness," then ask her to draw it. The differences are significant. Adults too, are visual learners. Hooper (1976) and Fazio (1986) believe we remember 10% of what we read, 20% of what we hear, 30% of what we see, and 50% of what we see and hear simultaneously. We remember: Hearing Seeing Seeing and Hearing It's Up to You Natural resource professionals should have strong public speaking abilities, solid writing skills, and proficiency in operating audio visual equipment. Each of these are integral components of effective audio visual interpretation. Use audio visual programming in a variety of ways to communicate more effectively with your audience. The three most popular uses of audio visual programs for natural resource professionals are: 1. Orientation to a specific site. The dramatic movie Voices in the Ice provides a vivid history of Portage Glacier at the Chugach National Forest Begich-Boggs Visitor Center. 2. On site use with interpretive programs. Daytime visitors to Death Valley National Monument have a difficult time believing anything can survive in the scorching desert heat. With an illustrated talk, you can visually describe the desert as a thriving community at night. 3. Off site use for schools, fundraising, clubs, education, and public relations. Audio visual technology is rapidly evolving and revolutionizing the way we receive information. The recent explosion of electronic media has produced a generation that expects and demands polished audio visual programs. Quite simply, interpreters must meet audience expectations with quality programming. A Cookbook, Well Sort of This handbook offers some suggestions and recipes to help you produce audio visual programs. Think of yourself as a chef. Blend these audio visual techniques with some creativity into new and exciting offerings. Much of this book focuses on helping those with a modest budget. It will offer techniques for producing "in-house" audio visual programs. 2 2 PLANNING: A CREATIVE PROCESS If you fail to plan, plan to fail. -Terrie Cooper Success is a result of preparation. Poor preparation leads to poor performance. Too often, we launch into an interpretive program without doing our homework. Sweat beads up on our brow