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Resources

Preparing for a Scala Production

Scala isn't for everyone. We recommend Scala presentations only for those ABWE personnel who are fairly confident and comfortable with using a Windows-based computer. Although, it doesn't take a lot of computer "know how" to use Scala, you don't want to be going through your "learn to use a computer" learning curve while you are depending on Scala, or any computer-based presentation, as your main missionary presentation.

We know from experience that it will push us hard to complete your Scala presentation in two weeks (ten working days). Scala productions are more time-intensive, for example, than 35mm slideshow productions. Thus, if you have previously had a slideshow presentation produced in the Media Department, you'll find that production procedures are considerably different for Scala productions. Therefore, we trust that you will take these steps to preparing for a Scala presentation very, very seriously. If you will do your preparation work thoroughly, as outlined below, we'll do our best to complete your presentation during your two-weeks stay in Harrisburg. Otherwise, without thorough preparation on your part prior to your arrival in the Media Department, we make no promises as to when the presentation might be completed. Please remember that there will probably be a production scheduled the week following your production. Completing a production "over run" usually isn't as simple as "just finish it next week."

Step 1: Check Computer Requirements for Scala Programs

What kind of computer is needed to run a Scala program well? Obviously, more powerful computers will run Scala programs better than those with less processing power and memory. Yet, Scala presentations do not require high end computers. There are, however, some minimal configuration requirements, which can be found on the Scala website.

The amount of video RAM is a key feature, when it comes to implementing some of Scala's more sophisticated transition effects. If you are purchasing a new system, we recommend that you buy the largest amount of video RAM that is available to you.

If you are purchasing a new laptop to use with a Scala program, look for models that have an ATI Rage Mobility video card with 4 or 8 MB (or more) of video memory. These work better than the Neomagic video cards, although those will work with Scala too.

Step 2: Order and Install Scala IPlay Studio Program

Order Scala IPlay Studio ( and the latest free "service pack").

We recommend that you order the shipped version, which comes with the program files on a CD-ROM and also with a printed manual. This product sells for $59. Install Scala IPlay Studio on your computer and run the sample scripts that come with the program in order to test the program for compatibility with your computer.

Step 3: Prepare Your Images for Use in a Scala Presentation

All images used in Scala programs will have to be scanned, unless they were shot with a digital camera. Scanning through conventional methods (that is, with our department's slide and flatbed scanners) is a very time consuming process, requiring several days of work for the typical number of images (150-200) used in a Scala program. Due to time constraints associated with a Scala production, it is crucial that we by-pass the conventional scanning processes as much as possible. Here are three ways to assist us, ahead of your production time, with the digitizing of images.

Digital Camera

Generally, we recommend the Kodak Picture CD or Kodak Photo CD options (see below) over the digital camera option. With the Picture CD and Photo CD images, you have the advantages of using a regular SLR 35mm camera, which has a better optical system than those of consumer level digital cameras.

Images shot with a digital camera are, in essence, already scanned. If you choose to use a digital camera there are some vitally important issues that you must understand.

Avoid completely the highly compressed settings for .jpg files! Choose the highest quality/lowest compression scheme in .jpg.

If you are working with .jpg files, do not save them multiple times. Every time you save a .jpg file, quality is lost.

Choose, when you shoot, a pixel dimension (so called "resolution") that is equal to the pixel dimension (640 x 480, 800 x 600, or 1024 x 768) that you want to use in your Scala presentation.

To be safe, you should contact the Media Department for clarification on these and other issues before using a digital camera for your presentation.

Kodak Picture CD

You can take your original slide or print film (not previously processed negatives, prints, or slides) to any Kodak processing center in the US and have them processed (professionally scanned) onto a CD-ROM. You'll also get prints or slides of those same images. We strongly recommend this process . It is the fastest, cheapest, and best way to get lots of photos into a good quality digital format.

Be sure to use a Kodak Picture CD process. Don't be tempted to use Seattle FilmWorks or some other lesser quality process. Also, any process that puts your images onto a 3.5" floppy disk will not be satisfactory.

Learn more about the Kodak Picture CD process.

Be sure to do this well enough in advance of your production that you can have them with you when you arrive in the Media Department.

Kodak Photo CD

This is an entirely different process, as compared to the Kodak Picture CD. You can send your mounted 35mm slides to a Kodak Photo CD processing center and have them professionally scanned onto a CD-ROM.

We recommend Imagers of Atlanta, GA as the processing center of choice. You can learn all about this process from their website:
http://www.imagers.com/photocd/

We strongly recommend that you send any slides, that you want to use in your Scala program, to Imagers prior to your coming to ABWE. Notice, on their site, the turn-around times for their services.

Up to 100 images fit on a single disk, thus it is most cost effective to send slides in increments of 100.

It is much better to have too many scans, rather than too few. Specific image choices can be made during the production week. We suggest that you send all slides that you think you may use in your presentation to Imagers for Photo CD processing.

We highly recommend that you send your slides by Federal Express (FedEx) or UPS. The U.S. postal service is less reliable, thus there is a higher possibility that your slides will be lost in the U.S. mail than by one of the private delivery services.

The first day of your production, you'll select images from our Media Department slide library, if necessary. We'll send those to Imagers for Kodak Photo CD processing using the 24 hour turn-around option.

Use the enclosed Imagers job order form or print a form from their website. http://www.imagers.com/photocd/

Any photographic prints used in your presentation will have to be scanned in the Media Department. Thus, use photo prints only as a last resort for your presentation images. If you have photo prints, we prefer to use the negatives of those prints if you have them. Also, we do have some digital image collections in the Media Department to supplement your own collection of images.

Step 4: Write the Script

With Scala presentations, there is no such luxury as "I'll wait to write my script when I get to Harrisburg." If you don't arrive with a finished and polished script, the completion of your production during the two weeks allotted will already be in jeopardy.

The article,"Writing Media Program Scripts, should help you with this very important task.

Step 5: Make Sketches of Graphics Needed

If you will need maps or other graphics to help visualize your script, plan those prior to your production time. Draw a simple, but understandable, sketch of each graphic that you will need. This will allow a Media Department graphic artist to begin working on your graphics as early as possible in the production process.