DIGITAL MEDIA DEVELOPMENT

Learn about digital photography, Photoshop, audio and video production, and DVD authoring.

Basics of Digital Video Cameras

Final Cut Express

Digital Video Best Practices

Media for Moodle, PowerPoint or the Web

Adobe Photoshop Short Courses (Please read pre-requisites carefully)

    Photoshop Level 1

    Photoshop Level 2
    Photoshop Level 3

Working in the Television Studio

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The Basics of Digital Video Cameras

This session is an introduction to the digital video cameras that are available for check out to Smith College students, faculty and staff. Participants will learn the differences between MiniDV format and Digital 8 format and how to properly handle and operate these general-use video cameras. Participants will learn how to load a video tape, zoom, use a tripod, and pan and tilt. We will also explore audio options with different types of microphones and review the Center for Media Production’s (CMP) equipment loan policy.

Prerequisites: An interest in learning the basics of digital videography.

Instructor: Jeff Heath

Date: Wednesday, September 16th
Time: 3:00 - 5:00 PM
Location: Center for Media Production


Workshop Objectives:

• Participants will learn the proper handling and effective use of CMP’s video camcorders.
• Participants will learn basic camera moves, using a tripod for stabilization.
• Participants will understand the CMP’s equipment loan policy.

Instructional Content and Learning Activities:

Presentation Outline (PDF)

Related Links:

http://www.smith.edu/its/mservices/equipauthor.htm
http://www.smith.edu/its/mservices/equiploan.htm
http://www.mediacollege.com/video/camera/

To register for this workshop, click here.

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Final Cut Express

This session is an introduction to the digital video editing techniques of Apple’s Final Cut Express software. Using the official curriculum of the Apple Pro Training and Certification Program, participants will learn to organize project elements, capture video and audio, mark and trim clips, apply transitions, add text, and explore various export options (tape, DVD, web).

Prerequisites:

• Experience recording analog or digital video.
• An interest in digital video and/or a desire to begin a digital video project.
• Familiarity with Mac OS X windows, toolbars, and dock.

Instructor: Kate Lee

Date: Friday, September 25th
Time: 1:00-3:00 PM
Location: Seelye B3

Workshop Objectives:

• Provide an overview of Final Cut Express features and interface.
• Describe and demonstrate how to import digital video.
• Provide hands-on activities for participants to learn basic editing techniques – drag and drop editing, marking in the timeline, adding filters, text and transitions, and importing audio files.
• Demonstrate export options (tape, web, DVD).

Related Links:

Smith College ETS FCP Tutorials
Apple Final Cut Pro Support
Ken Stone’s Final Cut Pro
Final Cut Pro Newsletter

To register for this workshop, click here.

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Digital Video Best Practices

This session guides participants through the entire digital video production process. Learn how to develop story ideas, and script and storyboard a production. Practice camera moves, positions and angles, and learn best practices for composing a shot. Discover the money shots used by professionals and incorporate them into your own productions. Learn how to select contributors for your productions and how to shoot a multi-angle interview with one camcorder.

Workshop Assumptions:
Participants should have an interest in digital video and/or desire to begin a digital video project.

Workshop Requirements:
Participants must bring their own camcorder. Equipment may be reserved at the Center for Media Production.

Instructor:  Kate Lee

Date:  Tuesday, October 13th
Time: 10:00 am - 3:00 pm
Location:  Seelye B3



Workshop Objectives:

• Review video genres.
• Develop and research a story idea.
• Provide hands-on activities for participants to learn camera shots, positions and moves, framing composition, and money shots.
• Shoot professional interviews with contributors.
  

Presentation Outline (PDF)

To register for this workshop, click here.

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Media for Moodle, PowerPoint or the Web

Whether you are making video or audio clips for your course or website, or using media in Powerpoint and want to post your presentations to Moodle, you need to process your media correctly for use over the web.  Come learn about resolution, screen size, compression, file types and other tidbits that will help you get great web-based results.

Prerequisites:

• Basic computing skills such as select, drag, drop, cut, and paste.
• Awareness of copyright rules applicable to commercial video.

Instructor: Jo Cannon

Date: Wednesday, September 30th
Time: 7:00-8:30 PM
Location: Seelye B3

OR

Date: Tuesday, October 6th
Time: 4:00-5:30 PM
Location: Seelye B3

To register for this workshop, click here.

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Adobe Photoshop Level 1  

Learn the basics of Photoshop. Explore the tools and layers palettes and learn the basics of image manipulation. We will explore many filters that Photoshop has to offer and learn how to save images in different formats for different uses.

Prerequisites: Basic computer navigation knowledge.

Instructor: Frank Citino

Date: Tuesday, September 15th
Time: 2:30 - 4:30 PM
Location: Seelye B3

Workshop Objectives:

• Provide an overview of Photoshop’s interface.
• Learn to use Photoshop’s tools to manipulate digital images.
• Learn what different file types are available and what they are used for.

Instructional Content and Learning Activities:

Presentation Outline (PDF)
Presentation Handout (PDF)

To register for this workshop, click here.

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Adobe Photoshop Level 2  

Photoshop 2 will expand on many of the concepts from Photoshop 1. We will continue with a more in depth look at the tool palette, layer compositions, screen vs. print resolution, and graphics for DVD's.

Prerequisites: Basic Photoshop knowledge and at least 6 months experience using Photoshop.

Instructor: Frank Citino

Date: Tuesday, September 22nd
Time: 2:30 - 4:30 PM
Location: Seelye 411

To register for this workshop, click here.

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Adobe Photoshop Level 3   

In this session we will cover layer masks, adjustment layers, channels, masks, and selection techniques. Please feel free to bring a project that you are currently working on so that we can brainstorm design ideas.

Prerequisites: Basic Photoshop knowledge and at least 6 months experience using Photoshop.

Instructor: Frank Citino

Date: Tuesday, September 29th
Time: 2:30 - 4:30 PM
Location: Seelye 411

Workshop Objectives:

• Provide an understanding of masking, selection techniques, adjustment layers, and the channels palette.
• Provide Photoshop users who are currently working on a project an opportunity to brainstorm design ideas with other Photoshop users.

Instructional Content and Learning Activities:

Presentation Outline (PDF)
Presentation Handout (PDF)

To register for this workshop, click here.

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Working in the Television Studio

This session is an introduction to the video studio and studio equipment available to faculty and students. Much of what we see on television today originates in the studio. The studio is the center of production for news, talk shows, soap operas and many other types of programming. This workshop will provide you with an overview of how to produce a television show in the studio using studio equipment. Smith College is fortunate to have a spacious 24' x 28' studio with a 15' ceiling and lighting grid, floor lighting, and a blue chromakey curtain. Connect the studio with the College’s private cable television channels and we have the ability to broadcast our own programming over the college’s cable TV system.

Prerequisites: An interest in learning about studio television operations.

Instructor: Jeff Heath

Date: Wednesday, September 23rd
Time: 3:00-5:00PM
Location: Center for Media Production


Workshop Objectives:

• Provide an overview of the Smith College video studio.
• Describe and demonstrate how to use the video studio.
• Provide hands-on activities for participants to learn studio operations by creating a news segment.
• Discuss possible uses for the video studio.

Instructional Content and Learning Activities:

Presentation Outline (PDF)

Related Links:

http://www.cybercollege.com/tvp_ind.htm
http://www.seanet.com/users/bradford/bluscrn.htm

To register for this workshop, click here.


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