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To return to previous page, please click here Luxury item Rear controls for studio cameras Add a third camera Post Production: Increase the number of post-production editing stations and perhaps the complexity of the editing software. One editor for every 2 or 3 students in a class is a good goal to work toward. Major software systems like AVID Media Composer and Final Cut Pro are constantly becoming more affordable At this point, adding more units is still better than upgrading to ultra-expensive units. The more hands-on time the student has, the more productive and the more experienced he becomes. A system to duplicate your work (event videography) for sale: This might be a small DVD duplication system. Several are on the market. It is not recommended that you duplicate videos on the DVD burner built into your NLE editor. You do not want to wear out that burner! Talk to your systems designer about his/her recommendations. It may be that a small 4 at-a-time burner is perfect for you or you may elect to go with the robotic ones which can do 200 overnight. Level 3 Suggested Product: · News magazine, talk shows, extended ENG work on location or EFP of longer works. This might include video yearbook and school-based enterprise which would include event videography for clients. · Live telecasts. Increase the quantity and quality of everything above. · Install the equipment and cabling necessary to send out a feed from control room cable to permit LIVE telecast from studio in to the school’s closed circuit system and/or addition to airing taped newscasts. What is described below is a no-holds barred studio facility. Consider it a goal to work towards – remember that old adage about your reach exceeding your grasp? Broadcast Television Studio A state-of-the-art facility will include a studio complete with at least three cameras/tripods/dollys, green or blue screen for chromakey effects, cycloramas and curtains, teleprompters, wall jacks for mic cables which connect to the audio mixer in the control room, a studio monitor, make-up area, equipment storage area as well as facilities for set construction and set piece storage, audio narration booth. A lighting grid with ample lighting instruments as well as the control dimming board necessary to operate the system will be present. Control Room The control room is configured with a production switcher, intercoms, 16+ multi-channel audio mixer, video special effects generator, character generator, mics and audio interfaces, intercoms, and electronic graphics for both live and taped programs. It will also have available a music library, and a duplication system. Additionally, the control room will have waveform and vector scope gear, test signal generator, and many camera, preview, program, and confidence monitors. Non-Linear, Post-Production Suites Non-linear editing suites complete with audio creation software and digital media mastering capabilities. There should be at least one editing suite for every 2 students. All editors may be networked to a server so that all video/audio material is accessible from any station. ENG Kit Electronic News Gathering setup for field production: ENG production and post-production of news programs is usually done with camcorders and other portable equipment. This will include Cam, Mic (boom, handheld, wireless), XLR adapters, light kit, tripod, field monitor, batteries and charger. The goal is one ENG kit for every 4 students. Remote Location Recording Multi-camera setup gear that can be used for both live and taped events coverage: The multi-camera setup would also require audio mixer and video SEG as well as a master recorder connected to the output of the SEG and audio mixer. Program Distribution System This system will allow for school-wide in house broadcast. It may also provide for capability to uplink to a cable system viewable by the general public. Finally, it may provide for the ability to podcast programming produced by the facility. Again, your trusty systems designer can help you navigate this technically complex minefield and achieve amazing results at economical costs. Production Truck A production truck allows you to have a studio on wheels and is used to produce events off site with a full studio setup. Examples would be athletic events, plays, and other special events. WARNING: before pursuing this particular option be certain to determine the liabilities involved for the school system and you if students are riding in or (horrors) driving this truck!!! Don’t be surprised if you are told that students can not be in the truck at all unless it is stationary. They must be transported separately to the locations. Consider the following tips for making your life easier: 1. Insulated lunch boxes make outstanding padded cases. 2. Igloo coolers are more rugged and offer topnotch protection for a variety of items. 3. Take $100.00 and a go to Radio Shack to buy every connector you recognize and some you don’t. 4. Use $6.00 to buy a fishing tackle box to store all those connectors. 5. Spend $10.00 for a sunshade (the kind with the foil-like surface on one side) for your car windshield. When they’re not in your car, they make a great reflector to bounce light from or to take away the ghastly shadows that are present outside in direct sunlight. 6. Can’t afford portable monitors for your cameras? A number of companies make LCD monitors that can attach to your camera’s shoe. 7. Never go on a remote shoot without a copy of the page from the yellow pages for Radio Shacks in your area and at least $20 in your pocket. Murphy’s Law dictates that he will visit your shoot sometime – be prepared! 8. Do not buy headphones for your portable cameras. Your kids already have them for their portable electronic devices. If you buy headsets, they will sprout legs and disappear! 9. Invest in hard shell cases for cameras once you move up from the inexpensive camcorders. It is money well-spent.
Phillip L. Harris taught Television Production for 34 years in Fairfax County, Virginia, before retiring in June ‘06. As a consultant, he helps to design curricula and build production facilities throughout the country. His students produced Focal Point, a 30 minute weekly magazine as well as operated Digital Wave Productions, a school-based TV production enterprise earning approx. $50K yearly to purchase new equipment. The motto of his class: “Doing the real thing, With the real thing, Training to be the real thing” is Phil’s teaching philosophy. In February, 2006, his high school textbook Television Production (http://g-w.com/products/detail.asp?id=253) was published by Goodheart-Willcox, Co., Inc. (Available in the SVN OnLine Store) Also, that year, his program received an “Exemplary” rating by the National Dissemination Center for Career and Technical Education at The Ohio State University. Phil is passionate about sharing his successful curriculum and facility design tips with fellow TV broadcasting instructors and, to that end, is a session presenter and contest judge at many conferences (SIPA, JEA, STN, ITEA, and ACTE to name a few). He can be reached at 703-975-7038 or at pharris11@cox.net.
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Enjoy this article? You might find these related topics helpful also: School Video Production-Equipment and Technology Making Money with your Video Production Department Building a Middle School Studio Lighting a Middle School Studio Middle School Studio goes LIVE
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Build a Studio, Purchase Equipment: Part 3 |
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April, 2008 |