3 Things You Need for Your Production Studio This School Year
When school starts up again this fall, whether you’re teaching online full time, part time, or back in the classroom, remote productions are here to stay. Sending students out from behind the news desk creates a more compelling storyline. This affordable video gear and software will transform your ability to capture engaging shots and create professional productions. In comes the NewblueFX Titler Live, AIDA PTZ-X12-NDI, and Nimbus WiMi 6220 Wireless Transmitter.
Monotone is Monotonous: How to Fix a Lackluster Voice
If anyone has ever told you that you speak in a monotone, it’s unlikely they’re referring to how you sound in a conversation. In conversations, we’re required to listen, to think, to reflect, to respond. In contrast, memorized/read speeches and theatrical dialogue can segue into Dullsville Flats if you’re not attaching meaning to what you’re saying. Here are some tips on how to make your voice one that others will want to listen to.
Perfect Live Production Setup for Mixing, Switching, and Streaming
When your students are creating a live production, whether it’s your regular newscast or a special sports game for social media, you need an end-to-end IP solution that’s flexible, portable, and affordable. That’s exactly what you get with the Switchblade M7, Kiloview E2 encoder, and Skaarhoj Air Fly controller. Take a look at how each piece of gear works in the system.
10 Tips to Keep Your Acting Skills Sharp Between Shows
As of this writing, I’m empathetic to drama students around the world who are stressing about (1) what theatre will look like in the future and (2) when their next chance will come to tread the boards and hear applause. The worst thing to do right now is to do nothing. Just as practice, practice, practice brings athletes to a state of accomplishment in sports, a continued regimen of discipline and training can keep us at our best for that moment when the curtain once more rises.
Everything You Need in a Teleprompter for Student Videos
If your school uses Windows computers, listen up. All too often, school video production programs are forced to use equipment and software that’s designed for the pros. When this happens, students spend more time sorting through features they don’t understand than learning the concepts behind producing a newscast. The RUSHPROMPTER™ provides a simple and capable teleprompting solution that includes all the features students need at a price every school can afford.
Small Parabolic vs. Wireless Lapel Mic
When faced with the task of recording an interview, most people will turn to a lapel (lavaliere) microphone for capturing the audio. The small microphones are seen every day on television, and they are often used without our seeing them. They are the perfect solution, right? Well, not always. There are several drawbacks to lapel microphone that most people just learn to live with. Small parabolic microphones provide a new alternative to lapel microphones that may alleviate all of these issues.
Affordable Gear for the Content Creator
As a High School Media Arts teacher, I have access to thousands of dollars of gear in a TV studio. Students learn how to operate high-tech broadcast cameras, increasingly capable DSLR cameras, and switcher boards that allow us to film a real TV production. But there are two pieces of equipment I bought recently that changed the game for productions on-the-go.
Middle School Teacher Keeps His School’s Newscast Alive Remotely
Happy Valley Middle School’s Media Arts teacher Steve Oliver was quick to act when his school switched to the online model during the COVID-19 crisis. He runs the school newscast to help lift the spirits of his school’s community. With the help of teachers, he has successfully increased viewership, engaged fellow teachers and students, and provided a therapeutic outlet for himself and others. It is not too often that middle schools offer a media arts program let alone have a news cast. Stream Semester spoke with Steve about his unique middle school news cast.
Free Video Editing Software for Students
While your school computers might have the same video editing software like the pros, students don’t have the same access at home. Some students don’t even have computers. But that shouldn’t stop you from editing your films and newscasts remotely. We gathered our favorite free video editing programs for your computers and phones.
Ross Video To Put The Professional In Professional Development
Ross Video announced that they are going to do a 10-week “TechTalk” series. The series will feature presentations, videos, and webinars announcing their latest launches and much more. CEO David Ross said in their release - and I can certainly echo that Ross is known to - “commit a huge amount of effort to the show and always have an incredible number of announcements.”
The Best Intro to Switching Just Got Better - ATEM Mini Pro
On Friday, April 3, Blackmagic Design CEO Grant Petty used a 90 minute stream to present updates to the ATEM Mini, updates to the Hyperdeck Studio and Pocket Cinema Camera 4K and 6K, but the biggest part of the show for educators is the announcement and presentation of the ATEM Mini Pro.
Making Your Locations Read: Set Design Tips
When shooting in a gym, try to have a section of bleachers or a backboard within your frame. Thinking about interviewing a teacher? Make sure there is a blackboard or some desks behind them. Choose your background wisely when you are interviewing someone in the field. It conveys information and authenticity, even if you have to add some touches to make reality look more real.
Capturing Audio for Classroom Streaming
Presenting classes online is becoming more common every year. Streaming video of the instructor is quite easy, and using a wireless mic provides great audio from the instructor. In addition, it is rather straight forward to add a second camera to capture video of the students. The challenge, however, is to capture audio of student questions and interaction.
Streaming to a Pre-Created Facebook Live Event
If you randomly go live on Facebook, your audience is primarily determined by who’s online at that very moment. Of course, people who log in later can still watch the video, but you’re missing out on a prime engagement opportunity by not catching them while you’re still live. In fact, people engage with live videos at 6 times the rate they engage with pre-recorded videos. Your goal as a streamer is to drive traffic to your live video while it’s still live.
Audio for Live Streaming 101
67% of people say quality is the most important factor when watching a live video. Yes, that includes video and audio. Sometimes, audio quality is even more important.
What Video Production Careers Can I Get?
As a Video Production educator I often am asked, “How can I make money doing this?” That is a great question and worthy of an answer. Often times when people think of careers in Video Production their focus is narrowed into a small corner of the industry. In actuality there exists a wide gamut of jobs that are viable and realistic career options for those that wish to pursue them. This short article will list some of these options and hopefully pursue them in greater detail in the future.
The Gateway to Streaming: ATEM Mini
The following statement is not hyperbole…. The ATEM Mini is as close to a perfect switcher for someone who is just starting to stream as you will get. There. I said it…. As close to perfect as you can get. FOR SOMEONE NEW TO STREAMING! If you are new to streaming or have never streamed and your administration is forcing their hand a bit on you starting to stream, keep reading.
Tom White Unboxes the New V-600UHD from Roland
Our favorite sports editor/reviewer Tom White is at it again! Let's watch as he unboxes the newest product from Roland, the V-600UHD, perfect for the academic market.
Try a Tripod
A tripod's purpose can be described in the famous Three S Theory, which I just made up. Tripods keep it Steady, keep it Straight and keep it Smooth. Put a camera on a tripod and it will be steady. It won't bob, wave or float, assuming it's locked down. It will sit there like a rock until you get ready to move it. That's steady.
The Flimsy Shirt and Tipsy Tripod
This saying is true in many areas of life, including visual storytelling. Our tools extend beyond our cameras, lights, and microphones to the various tips and tricks that we acquire along the road of practice made perfect. These useful techniques become the difference between knowledge and experience, which yields wisdom. To this effect, here are some helpful hints that might assist you in becoming a little better with your tools.