Using Audacity to edit

To edit all my audio files I am going to be using the program Audacity.

Audacity is a free, easy-to-use audio editor and recorder for Windows, Mac OS X, GNU/Linux and other operating systems. You can use Audacity to:

Record live audio.

Convert tapes and records into digital recordings or CDs.

Edit Ogg Vorbis, MP3, WAV or AIFF sound files.

Cut, copy, splice or mix sounds together.

Change the speed or pitch of a recording.

While it may be free, it does not mean that this is not a useful and detailed program to use. It has many of the features of a paid-for program with the added bonus of it being free. Having used it a number of times in the past, I am confident I can edit together a well made documentary using Audacity.

Discussion Boards

After my Intertim Crit, one of the questions asked was whether or not there would be a discussion forum as part of my website.

To be honest, the thought had not crossed my mind whether to include one when first coming up with the idea but I have since put some thought into the idea and believe it could be very beneficial for the website.

It’ll give the website a more community-based feel, people viewing the site can interact with one another and share stories and experiences.

I have found the following website that you can sign up for and open your own forum for free: http://www.proboards.com/ – it will be better to get a free forum at first as you can never know whether the discussion board will be a hit, whether people will sign up and it will have lively discussion so it would not be a logical or clever idea financially to pay for a more in depth forum if there are only a handful of people using it.

Another option could be forming a partnership with an existing web forum – I could link to the site from mine and may even in exchange have my own forum section based around my website.

Recording Device: Marantz PD660

For recording my interviews and voiceovers, I shall be using the Marantz PD660 recorder:

Solid State Technology

The PMD660 is the newest generation of “Flash Recorders”. By storing audio data on Compact Flash (CF) media cards, all of the mechanical hassles of tape recorders are gone forever-as are the costs of servicing and maintaining them. Solid State Technology makes the PMD660 less vulnerable to bumps, vibrations, and sonic deterioration over the long haul. Not only that, but CF storage allows you to choose from several recording formats, and makes transfer to computers a snap.

I have used this machine many times before, so I am more than comfortable using it.

Facts to use on domestic violence

Using this very boring looking document I have been able to find a load of official facts and figures on domestic violence towards both men and women:

With the help of the document, I have found the following facts to put on the website and also hopefully into the documentary:

Figures show that most domestic violence is committed by men against women.
Other facts from the Government:
One in four women will be a victim of domestic violence in their lifetime.
One in six men will be a victim of domestic violence in their lifetime.
89% of those suffering four or more incidents of domestic violence are women.
One incident of domestic violence is reported to the police every minute.
On average, two women are killed by a current or former male partner every week.
How common is domestic violence?
2 women are killed every week by a current or former partner.
Domestic violence accounts for 16% of all violent crime.
1 in 4 women will experience domestic violence in their lifetime.
20% – The percentage of women in England and Wales who say they have been physically assaulted by a partner at some point.
30% – The proportion of cases of domestic violence that start during pregnancy.
52% – The percentage of child protection cases involving domestic violence.
54% – The percentage of UK rapes committed by a woman’s current or former partner.
70% – The percentage of children living in UK refuges who have been abused by their father.
75% – The percentage of cases of domestic violence that result in physical injury or mental health consequences to women.
90% – The proportion of domestic violence in which children are in the same or next room.

Facts about domestic violence towards men

Since the age of 16.

(1) One in five (20%) men have experienced domestic abuse since the
age of 16 and this equates to 3.2 million men

Three in ten (30.2%) women have experienced domestic abuse since the
age of 16 and this equates to 4.8 million women.

(2) Men make up 40%* (two in five) of the victims of domestic abuse
See (1) – Ratio of 20% and 30.2%

(3) 17.1% (1 in 6) of men have experienced domestic abuse by their
partner (partner abuse) since the age of 16 and this equates to 2.7
million men.

26.7% of women have experienced partner abuse since the age of 16 and
this equates to 4.3 million women.

(4) Two in five* (39%) men have been a victim of domestic abuse by their
partner (partner abuse) since the age of 16

(5) 8.1% of men have been victims of ‘severe force’ by their partner
since the age of 16
12.9% of women have of men have been victims of ‘severe force’ by their
partner since the age of 16

(6) Two in five* (39%) of victims of severe force by their partner have
been men

(1) 4.5% of men experienced domestic abuse in 2007/08 and this
equates to 727,000 men.
6% of women experienced domestic abuse in 2007/08 and this equates to
958,000 women

(2) 4.1% of men women suffered domestic abuse by their partner
(partner abuse) in 2007/08. This equates to 641,000 men.
4.9% of women suffered domestic abuse by their partner in 2007/08. This
equates to 770,000 women.

(3) 1.4% of men were victims of severe force by their partner in 2007/08
1.5% of women were victims of severe force by their partner in 2007/08

(4) Nearly as many men* as women (48% : 52%) had been victims of
severe force perpetrated by their partner in 2007/08).

These facts are extremely informative and interesting, so some of them are thought provoking and quite shocking – good to use in the documentary.

Headers and Pages for the website

From thinking over what I want to use as content on my website along with researching into other domestic violence websites, I have come up with the header titles and content of pages I want to use in my website.

HOME – self explanatory, this will be the home page of the website. It will be informative but not too cluttered. It will feature a brief overview on what readers can expect from the website along with any latest news and a quick link to the latest media content on the website. Along the right hand side panel there will be a media highlights column with 2 or 3 media highlights that viewers can again view with a single click. With media content a large and important aspect of the website, the readers must be able to know of and be able to stream/download the files as quickly as possible and easily as possible.

ABOUT – This page will give a brief description of who I am, why I am making the website and what I intend to do with the website.

INFORMATION – This is where the facts and figures about domestic violence will be, such as who are effected, what can be done, where to go if you need help.

MEDIA – All media will be stored on this page. Links to download and/or stream content and of course, my documentary.

INTERVIEWS – Text interviews and witness statements of victims of domestic abuse.

LINKS – website links to other domestic violence websites or useful places to contact.

CONTACT – How to contact the website.

Also included and linked to from every page is a BROWSE THE INTERNET SAFELY page in which readers can learn how to keep the sites they visit secret by clearing their browsing history/cookies.

Email to Refuges / Professionals.

<!– @page { margin: 2cm } –>Here is a copy of the email I have sent to Haven Coventry, The Bridge and Valley House Association in hope of gaining people for my documentary.

To whom it may concern,

I am in a student from Coventry University making a documentary on domestic violence and am contacting you with the possibility of having a counsellor on camera, for only a few minutes, giving their professional opinion on the subject.

We would like the person on film to answer some questions on the topic, giving information on who you are, what help you offer those suffering from domestic violence, etc. – I will be able to show you a full list of questions beforehand.

As it is such a sensitive subject, I am not looking to film any of the guests in the refuge though, if possible, would like some footage of the actual refuge showing the facilities available, etc.

I am flexible with my time but am looking to film within the next week or two, at a convenient time for you. Including setting up the equipment, filming the interview and any other shots – I expect the shoot to take roughly around 2 hours.

I am hoping that you will give this request some consideration and be a part of my project which will also be showcased on a website I am designing giving further information on domestic violence.

I look forward to your response, thank you.

Yours sincerely,

Kieran Moore

Hopefully I shall receive replies from these places fairly soon so I can make decisions on who to film, and on what dates.

Post to gain contacts

I have found a number of message board groups around the subject of Domestic Violence and I hope they will have people who will be able to appear in my documentary, here is the post I have sent out to try and find people.

Hello, I am a Media Production student from Coventry, in my final year and I am hoping to produce a website and documentary on Domestic Violence. This will specifically look at those who have suffered in the West Midlands area and how and where they can contact those who can offer help.

I will concentrate on victims stories, including how they got help and how their life has improved since. I will also be interviewing professionals who help these victims including councillors and a Domestic Violence Liaison Officer.

What I am asking if for volunteers for those to be showcased on this website and/or in the documentary. Either it be an on-camera interview, an audio-only interview or a text interview through email. Obviously as this is a very sensitive subject if you are wanting to contribute but not wanting to be filmed on camera, the audio and email interviews are a good way to help the cause yet keep your identity private.

I am looking to film within the next 2/3 weeks, I am very flexible with times and dates and would travel to you and film you in an environment that is comfortable. The audio and text interviews could be arranged for whenever suits you best, so if you could help that would be great.

Please get in touch with me via facebook message or email at kieran.moore22@googlemail.com if you are wanting to be involved or have any questions.

Thank you,

Kieran Moore.

Hopefully over the coming days/weeks I hope to hear back from potential interviewees.

Using Dreamweaver

For my website design, I am using the programe Adobe Dreamweaver CS3.

A comprehensive Web site authoring program for Windows and Mac from Adobe. Dreamweaver is a sophisticated authoring package that is noted for many advanced features. For example, site designers can seamlessly move back and forth between visual and HTML modes. Dreamweaver was originally developed by Macromedia, which was acquired by Adobe in 2005.

What I like about Dreamweaver, as a reletive novice using HTML and css websites, you are able to view the website page you are designing and the HTML code side-by-side, this is great to see what you are editing and changing in real time if you are coding but there is also the option to use the Dreamweaver interface to do this work for you.