Filming on your smartphone

Tips for filmmakers on how to get the most out of your smartphone.

(Reblogged from BBC Academy)

Smartphones mean that everyone can be a filmmaker.

Arthur Haynes is part of the BBC Production Talent Pool and is a seasoned smartphone filmmaker. In this video, recorded on a smartphone (iPhone 5), Arthur shares his tips for filming on your smartphone.

"My advice is to go out there and have a play. You never know what you might create."

– Arthur Haynes

Setting up

1. Set your phone to airplane mode so that you don’t have any interruptions when recording.
2. Adjust your brightness. Set it to high so you can see clearly what you’re filming.
3. Always film in landscape so that the format is set correctly when you playback.

Now for the actual filming…

Before you start filming, think about what your story is and then think about the shots that will best tell the story.

1. Set the scene.  Have an establishing shot and make sure you introduce your characters to your audience pretty early on.
2. Don’t just stick to one shot. Use different types of shots to make your story more interesting.  Change the angle of the camera to give different points of view.
3. Zooming in when filming on your smartphone is a big no-no! It’s always best for you to physically move with the camera instead.
4. Blurry footage is of no use to anyone so make sure you focus before you start filming. Hold down the square box on your screen to focus on your subject.
5. Exposure - smartphones have this built in. Tap on your subject and then adjust your settings according to what you want.
6. There’s nothing worse than having great footage but having the sound let you down. Make sure you know where the microphone is on your phone so as not to cover it up when filming. If you’re filming in a quiet area then the phone’s own microphone might be enough…
7. …. But you can always use the phone’s headphones as an additional mic.
8. You'll want to stabilise your shots and limit movement so that you don't have shaky shots. Depending on what you’re filming, holding the phone in your hand might work. If you’re going to be filming for a while, you might want to think about leaning the camera on something or even etting a tripod and a mount.

Click here to watch the video.

No copyright infringement intended. For educational, non-commercial purposes only.

Labor Walk of Fame 4.2

Since the second term has come to an end, we want to congratulate those students who did best during these three months. And those are:

ESO 1A: Javier Pintos González (9.29)

ESO 1B: Laura Conde Lema (9.42)

ESO 2A: Sofía Lago Castro (9.13)

ESO 2B: Diego Rodríguez Riobó (7.77)

ESO 3A: Lucía Díaz Cameselle (9.62)

ESO 3B: Raquel Cordeiro Canosa (9.14)

ESO 4A: Álvaro de Prado Saborido (9.14)

ESO 4B: Marta Rivas Ramallo (8.46)

And the best overall ESO student of English in the 2nd Term is Lucía Díaz Cameselle, with an average mark of 9.62. Congratulations!

No copyright infringement intended. For educational, non-commercial purposes only.

Learn the Cockney accent with Jason Statham

Ok... We couldn't afford Jason Statham, so we got what we could afford! Learn aspects of the Cockney accent and even take a little test at the end!

No copyright infringement intended. For educational, non-commercial purposes only.

Bolsas de Inmersión Lingüística 2016

A Consellería de Cultura, Educación e Ordenación Universitaria convoca 682 prazas para realizar actividades de formación en linguas estranxeiras no ano 2016.

Poderá solicitar estas axudas o alumnado de centros sostidos con fondos públicos da Comunidade Autónoma de Galicia dos cursos que aparecen na seguinte táboa.

Acceso ao texto da Orde de convocatoria

Acceso ao cartel informativo

Acceso á guía para cubrir a solicitude (aplicación axudasle)

- Lémbrase a necesidade de achegar, xunto coa documentación, a fotocopia de todas as páxinas cubertas do libro de familia ou, de non dispor deste, da documentación que xustifique o número total de membros da unidade familiar.

- Para as personas que non empreguen a aplicación (que obrigará a cubrir esta información), indícase a importancia de facilitar, alomenos, un teléfono de contacto, procurando cubrir todas informacións indicadas na solicitude en letra lexible.

- No caso de remitir a solicitude vía Correo Postal (o Anexo I debe selarse e datarse por Correos), o enderezo de envío é:

Consellería de Cultura, Educación e Ordenación Universitaria

Dirección Xeral de Educación, Formación Profesional e Innovación Educativa

Edf. Administrativo de San Caetano s/n

15781 – Santiago de Compostela (A Coruña)

 Prazo aberto dende o 29 de marzo ata o 28 de abril (incluído)

						Achega das familias (€)
	MODALIDADE	DURACIÓN	RÉXIME ALOXAMENTO	Nº PRAZAS	CUSTO POR PRAZA (€)	GRUPO A	GRUPO B	GRUPO C	GRUPO D
2º BACHARELATO	Inglés en Galicia	1 semana	Residencia	33	800	100	180	300	350
1º BACHARELATO	Inglés en Galicia	1 semana	Residencia	59	800	100	180	300	350
4º EDUCACIÓN SECUNDARIA OBRIGATORIA	Inglés en Galicia	2 semanas	Residencia	90	550	70	125	220	275
3º EDUCACIÓN SECUNDARIA OBRIGATORIA	Inglés en Galicia	2 semanas	Residencia	120	550	70	125	220	275
2º EDUCACIÓN SECUNDARIA OBRIGATORIA	Inglés en Galicia	2 semanas	Residencia	190	550	70	125	220	275
1º EDUCACIÓN SECUNDARIA OBRIGATORIA	Inglés en Galicia	2 semanas	Residencia	190	550	70	125	220	275
			Total prazas:	682

CONSULTAS

Web da convocatoria: http://www.edu.xunta.es/axudasle

Enderezo electrónico: axudasle@edu.xunta.es

Atención telefónica:  981957296 - 881997497 - 981957538 - 981546503

No copyright infringement intended. For educational, non-commercial purposes only.

2013 Best Graduation Speech, by Alejandro Penín

ESO 4 Students,

We give you here an example of a brilliant graduation speech by Alejandro Penín. In just 382 words, with acute wit and joyful humour, he has addressed all the points a good valedictorian speech should cover. Superb effort. Congratulations, Alejandro!

No copyright infringement intended. For educational, non-commercial purposes only.

2015 Best ESO 4 Graduation Speeches.

ESO 4 Students,

Here you are the two best 2015 graduation speeches, by Andrea Aguado and Andrea Cobo, so that you can get some ideas and inspiration. Enjoy both their contents and spirit.

ANDREA AGUADO OLIVEIRA

Good afternoon everybody! 

Thanks to all of you for coming. Teachers, here we are again. Parents, hi, mum and dad! And classmates, you are the best.

Eight years ago in third grade primary, I never thought I would be here standing in front of you giving my graduation speech, but now it’s very exciting for me to be here.

Write music, by Gary Provost

This sentence has five words. Here are five more words. Five-word sentences are fine. But several together become monotonous. Listen to what is happening. The writing is getting boring. The sound of it drones. It’s like a stuck record. The ear demands some variety.

Now listen. I vary the sentence length, and I create music. Music. The writing sings. It has a pleasant rhythm, a lilt, a harmony. I use short sentences. And I use sentences of medium length. And sometimes, when I am certain the reader is rested, I will engage him with a sentence of considerable length, a sentence that burns with energy and builds with all the impetus of a crescendo, the roll of the drums, the crash of the cymbals–sounds that say listen to this, it is important.

So write with a combination of short, medium, and long sentences. Create a sound that pleases the reader's ear. Don't just write words. Write music.

This Sentence Has Five Words on Vimeo.

No copyright infringement intended. For educational, non-commercial purposes only.

April Come She Will 2016

At LEZ we have posted 2 songs by Simon Garfunkel: I am a rock and 7 O'Clock News/Silent Night. We give you now another of their masterpieces, 'April Come She Will.' Whatever happened to poets and musicians like them?

April, come she will

When streams are ripe and swelled with rain.

May, she will stay

Resting in my arms again.

June, she'll change her tune,

in restless walks she'll prowl the night.

July, she will fly

and give no warning to her flight.

August, die she must,

the autumn winds blow chilly and cold.

September, I'll remember

a love once new has now grown old.

This brilliant, beautiful video clip illustrating the song is by a young American genius, Justin Ho. Keep his name in mind: Sooner or later he will become a very famous film director.

No copyright infringement intended. For educational, non-commercial purposes only.

April Fools' Day 2016

April Fools' Day or All Fools' Day is a day celebrated in many countries on April 1st. The day is named for the custom of playing practical jokes and hoaxes of varying sophistication on friends, family members, enemies, and neighbours, or sending them on a fool's errand, the aim of which is to embarrass the gullible. Traditionally, in some countries, such as the UK, Australia and South Africa the jokes only last until noon, and someone who plays a trick after noon is called an "April Fool". Elsewhere, such as in Canada, France, Ireland, Italy, Russia, The Netherlands, and the U.S., the jokes last all day.

Daylight Saving Time 2016

Daylight saving time (DST)—also summer time in several countries, in British English, and European official terminology—is the practice of advancing clocks so that evenings have more daylight and mornings have less. Typically clocks are adjusted forward one hour near the start of spring and are adjusted backward in autumn.

Graduation Speech: ESO 4 2015-16 3rd Term PBL Assignment

ESO 4 Students,

This is your PBL assignment for the 3rd term. All of you have to WRITE and DELIVER your GRADUATION SPEECH.  You have to imagine you are going to stand in the school Assembly Hall before your teachers, classmates, parents and guests at your ESO graduation ceremony (to be held on June 21st) and deliver your speech, which must be at least 350 WORDS LONG.

The best student will be offered the chance to deliver his or her speech at your graduation ceremony... in English!! Of course, he or she will get extra points in the final mark for that effort.

Spring 2016

Click here to enlarge image

No copyright infringement intended. For educational, non-commercial purposes only.

How do dogs "see" with their noses?, by Alexandra Horowitz

You may have heard the expression that dogs ‘see with their noses.’ But these creature’s amazing nasal architecture actually reveals a whole world beyond what we can see. Alexandra Horowitz illustrates how the dog’s nose can smell the past, the future and even things that can’t be seen at all.

(Reblogged from Brain Pickings)

We humans tend not to spend a lot of time thinking about smelling. Smells are minor blips in our sensory day compared to the reams of visual information that we take in and obsess over in every moment.

What are you thankful for?

No copyright infringement intended. For educational, non commercial purposes only.

Becas de inmersión lingüística «Vigo en inglés 2016» (programa Pilivigo)

O aloxamento

Os participantes residen, en réxime de pensión completa durante toda a súa estancia, con familias nativas escolmadas para a súa participación no programa.

As actividades

Despóis do xantar, realízanse diversas actividades, entre elas unha visita cultural a algún sitio de interese. Na fin de semana faise unha excursión dun día enteiro.

Atención 24 horas

Os estudiantes e as súas familias dispoñen dun centro de atención telefónica 24 horas para resolver calquer cuestión que lles puidese xurdir.

Clases de reforzo

Durante a participación no programa, os rapaces reciben clases de reforzo e perfeccionamento de lingua inglesa.

Requisitos

Os adxudicatarios da presente convocatoria serán os alumnos e alumnas, españois ou estranxeiros con tarxeta de residencia ou de estancia por estudos en vigor, de centros educativos do Concello de Vigo sostidos con fondos públicos que cumpran os requisitos que a continuación se sinalan:

1. Estar a cursar 3.º da ESO nun centro educativo sostido con fondos públicos do Concello de Vigo durante o curso académico 2015/2016
2. Ter aprobadas todas as materias de 2.º de ESO.
3. Ter obtido como mínimo unha nota de 7 na materia de Lingua inglesa nas cualificacións finais de 2.º de ESO.
4. Estar empadroado no Concello de Vigo, con vixencia mínima dende o 01/01/2016 , dato que será comprobado de oficio pola propia administración.
5. Non ter concedida, no ano 2016, outra axuda coa mesma finalidade.
6. Ter DNI/NIE, permiso de residencia ou pasaporte en vigor cunha vixencia mínima de 6 meses.

Deberán solicitar as prazas os representantes legais (pai e nai ou titor/a legal) dos alumnos e alumnas.

Documentación

1. Solicitude da praza debidamente cuberta e asinada polos solicitantes, segundo modelo que figura noAnexo I.
2. Fotocopia simple do DNI/NIE ou pasaporte en vigor do/a alumno/a solicitante (mínimo por 6 meses). No caso de alumnado estranxeiro, deberán presentar fotocopia simple da tarxeta de residencia ou de estancia por estudos e o pasaporte en vigor (mínimo por 6 meses).
3. Fotocopia simple do DNI/NIE dos solicitantes (pai e nai ou titor legal) que asinan a solicitude de participación do Anexo I.
4. Certificación académica orixinal e Anexo II, emitida polo centro educativo na que deberá figurar que o alumno/a está matriculado en 3º de ESO nun centro sostido con fondos públicos do Concello de Vigo no curso 2015/2016 e as cualificacións finais que deberá ter aprobadas todas as áreas ou materias cursadas en 2º de ESO;con mención específica da nota na materia de Lingua inglesa nas cualificacións finais de 2.º de ESO, que deberá ser como mínimo dun 7.
5. Xustificación de ingresos: Aquelas familias que non autoricen ao Concello de Vigo á solicitude de información fiscal á Axencia Tributaria, deberán presentar Fotocopia da última declaración da renda de todos os membros da unidade familiar ou certificado de estar exento/a emitido pola Axencia Tributaria.
6. Autorización asinada polo pai, nai ou titor legal, segundo o modelo que figura no Anexo III.
7. Fotocopia simple do libro de familia na que figuren todos os membros da unidade familiar ou documentación acreditativa da titoría legal e, de ser o caso, acreditar documentalmente outras circunstancias familiares considerando como tales: familia numerosa, pai/nai solteiro/a, divorcio ou separación, viúvo/a.
8. Certificado de discapacidade, de ser o caso.
9. Declaración de non ter concedida, no ano 2016, outra axuda coa mesma finalidade, segundo o modelo que figura no Anexo IV.
10. No caso de que o participante precise de atencións médicas especiais (por mor de alerxias, discapacidades, intolerancias, etc.), deberá presentar un certificado médico orixinal que así o acredite. .

Non serán tidos en conta nin valorados os requisitos alegados e non xustificados documental e correctamente tal como se indica, nin os que se aleguen fóra do prazo establecido para esta convocatoria nin os que conteñan emendas.

Pódense descargar as BASES DA CONVOCATORIA aqui.

En caso de ser notificado da adxudicación da praza definitiva, deberá presentarse, no prazo de 5 días hábiles, o Anexo V.

Cómo participar

Unha vez obtido o modelo de solicitude e demais formularios na oficina do programa VIGO EN INGLÉS ou na páxina web www.vigoeningles.org, deberán presentarse ditos formularios debidamente cubertos, xunto con toda a documentación requerida, no Rexistro Xeral do Concello de Vigo (Praza do Rei s/n).

O prazo de presentación das solicitudes será do 15 de febreiro ao 26 de febreiro de 2016, ambos inclusive.

Bases convocatoria

• Bases e convocatoria ordinaria 2016 para a adxudicación de prazas para a participación no Programa Municipal de Inmersión en Lingua Inglesa (VIGO EN INGLÉS 2016. Convocatoria Ordinaria) dirixidas ao alumnado de 3º de ESO de Centros Educativos do Concello de Vigo sostidos con fondos públicos.

Anexos

• ANEXO I: SOLICITUDE DE PARTICIPACIÓN NO PROGRAMA "VIGO EN INGLÉS 2016. CONVOCATORIA ORDINARIA".
• ANEXO II: CERTIFICACIÓN DO CENTRO EDUCATIVO.
• ANEXO III: AUTORIZACIÓN DO/A REPRESENTANTE LEGAL.
• ANEXO IV: DECLARACIÓN COMPLEMENTARIA DO CONXUNTO DE AXUDAS CONCEDIDAS PARA A MESMA FINALIDADE.
• ANEXO V: ACEPTACIÓN OU RENUNCIA DA PRAZA CONCEDIDA.
• Tríptico e cartel programa "Vigo en Inglés 2016.Convocatoria Ordinaria".
• Documento instruccións participación "Vigo en Inglés 2016. Convocatoria Ordinaria".

No copyright infringement intended. For educational, non-commercial purposes only.

A Chemical Romance, by Brian Bilston

 

No copyright infringement intended. For educational, non-commercial purposes only.

2016 Carnival, Lent, Shrove Tuesday (Pancake Day) & Ash Wednesday

Carnival

Carnival is a festive season which occurs immediately before Lent; the main events are usually during February. Carnival typically involves a public celebration or parade combining some elements of a circus, masque and public street party. People often dress up or masquerade during the celebrations, which mark an overturning of daily life.

Groundhog Day 2016

Groundhog Day is an annual holiday celebrated on February 2nd in the United States and Canada. A groundhog (Marmota monax) is a rodent of the family Sciuridae, belonging to the group of large ground squirrels.

According to folklore, if a groundhog emerging from its burrow on this day fails to see its shadow, it will leave the burrow, signifying that winter will soon end. If on the other hand, the groundhog sees its shadow, the groundhog will supposedly retreat into its burrow, and winter will continue for six more weeks. 

The holiday, which began as a Pennsylvania German custom in southeastern and central Pennsylvania in the 18th and 19th centuries, has its origins in ancient European weather folklore, wherein a badger or sacred bearis the prognosticator as opposed to a groundhog.

Blue Monday 2016

Hi there, Labor Students.

Today is Monday, but not just any Monday. Today is... Blue Monday!

Blue Monday is a name given to the Monday of the last full week of January, thought to be the most depressing day of the year as part of a 2005 publicity campaign by Sky Travel.

The concept is considered pseudoscience with its formula derided by scientists as nonsensical.

I'm Here to Create

Leo Messi has cemented his place as a phenomenon in football with a record fifth Ballon d’Or, the greatest acknowledgement of individual success in football. But it’s not the records broken, the trophies won, or the accolades which matter most. Messi is here to create:

Not here for the past... for the praise... the fancy suits... or the champagne flutes.

Not here for the celebrations.

And for the record, not here for number five.

I'm here to create.

He makes something out of nothing!

He creates magic!

No copyright infringement intended. For educational, non-commercial purposes only.

Who Brings Gifts to Europe? 2016

No copyright infringement intended. For educational, non-commercial purposes only.

The 3 Wise Men Didn't Have a GPS 2016

There is no historical evidence, but we can be quite sure that the 3 Magi did not use a GPS to find the stable in Bethlehem...

Life of Brian

Scene 2: Three Wise Men with Bad Senses of Direction

The sketch:

holy music

BABY BRIAN COHEN: crying
WISE MAN #1: Ahem.
MANDY COHEN: Ohhh!
whump
Who are you?
WISE MAN #1: We are three wise men.

Three Wise Men 2016

In Christian tradition the Magi (pronounced /ˈmeɪdʒaɪ/; from the Greek: μάγοι, magoi, usually translated as "wise men", although it probably meant "astronomer" or "astrologer"... that is why they were following a star), also referred to as the (Three) Wise Men, (Three) Kings, or Kings from the East, are said to have visited Jesus after his birth, bearing gifts.Traditions identify a variety of different names for the Magi. In the Western Christian church they have been commonly known since the 8th century as Caspar, Melchior, and Balthasar. In the Gospel of Matthew, the only one to describe the visit of the Magi, it states that they came "from the east" to worship the Christ, "born King of the Jews". Although Matthew does not mention their number, because three gifts are recorded as having been given to the Christ Child, traditionally there are thought to have been three Magi. The Magi, as the "Three Kings" or "Three Wise Men" are regular figures in traditional accounts of the nativity and in celebrations of Christmas.

New Year Resolutions 2016

A New Year's resolution is a commitment an individual makes to a project or the reforming of a habit, often a lifestyle change that is generally interpreted as advantageous. The name comes from the fact that these commitments normally go into effect on New Year’s Day and remain until fulfilled or abandoned.

Labor students: Are you making any New Year's Resolutions for 2014? Maybe working harder at school? Spending less time on Tuenti? Leave your comments and tell everybody what your resolutions for the New Year are!

New Year's Day 2016

"New Year's Day" is a song by rock band U2. It is on their 1983 album War and it was released as the album's lead single in January 1983. Written about the Polish Solidarity movement, "New Year's Day" is driven by Adam Clayton's distinctive bassline and The Edge's keyboard playing. It was the band's first UK hit single, peaking at #10 on the singles chart, #11 on the Dutch Top 40 and charting on the Billboard Hot 100 for the first time in their career. In 2004, Rolling Stone magazine placed the single at #427 on their list of "The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time".

31st December 2015: New Year's Eve

As you all know, in Spain we eat twelve grapes at midnight. The actual countdown is primarily followed from the clock on top of  the Correos building in Puerta del Sol square, Madrid. It is traditional to eat twelve grapes, on on each chime of the clock. This tradition has its origins in 1909, when grape growers in Alicante thought of it as a way to cut down on the large production surplus they had had that year. Nowadays the tradition is followed by almost every Spaniard, and the twelve grapes have become synonimous with the New Year. After the clock has finished striking twelve, people greet each other and toast with sparkling wine (such as champagane or cider).

26th December: Boxing Day 2015

Today is Boxing Day. No, it has nothing to do with the sport of fighting with the fists. This is the reason for the name:

A box, usually of earthenware, in which contributions of money were collected at Christmas, by apprentices, etc.; the box being broken when full, and the contents shared.

So, the name Boxing Day derives from the tradition of giving seasonal gifts, on the day after Christmas, to less wealthy people and social inferiors, which was later extended to various workpeople such as labourers and servants.

What if Virgin Mary Had Whatsapp? (2015)

THE DIGITAL STORY OF NATIVITY

How would the birth of Jesus be experienced through digital media such as Facebook, Twitter, Amazon...? Have a look at the video below:

No copyright infringement intended. For educational, non-commercial purposes only.

Christmas' Eve Dinner 2015

In Britain, turkey is the traditional dish for Christmas' Eve dinner. Enjoy it!

No copyright infringement intended. For educational purposes only.

Christmas Tube Map

(Reblogged from The Telegraph)

This festive Tube map will make you wish the Underground was open on Christmas Day.

If you look closely at this beautiful map, you will see that a few festive changes have been made. We all love a good alternative Tube map. There's a geographically accurate one, one which shows average house prices at each stop, one which points out the most haunted tube stations and even one which shows you how to climb Everest. 

Now, there's a festive tube map, with excitingly-named stations. How do you feel about We Three Kings Cross St. Pancras? Regent's Park has been re-named Treegent's Park. Oxford Circus is now Boxing Day Circus. Our favourite is Victo-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-ria. And Angel has been left out - as it is already festive. They could have bunged a 'Gabriel' on the end.The map was created by a Twitter user named Paul, for us to enjoy during the festivities. He made it to use on his Christmas cards. It's impressive that one man managed to come up with all these different names. Sadly, we cannot use the map on Christmas Day - as the Underground is shut.

No copyright infringement intended. For educational, non-commercial purposes only.

7 O´Clock News / Silent Night 2015

Recorded on August 22nd, 1966, "7 O'Clock News/Silent Night" is the twelfth and final track on "Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme", a 1966 album by Simon and Garfunkel. The track consists of an overdubbing of two contrasting recordings: a simple arrangement of the Christmas carol "Silent Night", and a simulated "7 O'Clock News" bulletin of the actual events of 3 August 1966.

8 Facts about Spain's 'El Gordo' Lottery 2015

The following article was published by PR Newswire on7th December 2010.

Christmas Carols & Songs 2015

A carol is a song of praise or joy, especially for Christmas. But it is also an old round dance often accompanied by singing.  The word was probably from Old French, derived from Latin choraula, which means "choral song".

Enjoy a selection of traditional Christmas carols and songs in English. Lyrics are included, so you can learn how to sing them!

Merry Christmas 2015

Labor English Zone wishes you the 

Season's Greetings

At Labor English Zone we know what present we want for Christmas!

West Jet Christmas Miracle 2015

The Canadian low-cost carrier, West Jet Airlines, devised an amazing plan to bring joy to its clients as Christmas is approaching. Have a look at the video to see how passengers were given the Christmas presents they asked for without having a clue of what was going on…

No copyright infringement intended. For educational, non commercial purposes.

40,000 Homeless People in Spain

No copyright infringement intended. For educational, non-commercial purposes only.