Today was our 4th and final class for AVID. Today's topic was using AVID to edit the audio - setting levels, balancing multiple tracks of audio, and trimming the clips to achieve the best, overall effect. I am really looking forward to applying what I have learned to the footage that I shot last week!
In addition to our class on AVID, we went back into the radio studio to learn more about NexGen. Specifically, we learned how to load things like the commercials and sweepers that we recorded using Adobe Audition into NexGen so that we can use them in our show.
While this may not sound like a very productive 4 hours, that is because there are a lot of little details that were covered during the classes. Both video editing - whether with AVID or Final Cut - and NexGen are loaded with important details that need to be addressed properly. With regards to NexGen, it is pretty simple to add spots, songs, etc. to the program. However, if the details are glossed over it will make things much harder for everyone in the future. Losing an advertising client because the wrong spot played because you failed to enter the right information while loading the spot into NexGen would not go well for your career. With AVID, proper attention to the details is important. Adding cross-fades between clips or peppering in too many effects could make or break your presentation.
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Commercial Break
Half of our class time today was spent 'building' a radio commercial and half was spent delving further into AVID editing software. My half of the class - the same group that is working on our radio final - started with the commercial while the other half worked on AVID.
Because one of our number was absent, we had 8 in our group. We were further paired off and presented with sample scripts to use for our commercial. Because we had four pairs and only two studios, we had to take turns in the studio. While we waited our turn, we searched the files for sound effects and music beds to play behind the dialog. Once in the studio, my partner and I took turns at the mic reading our parts of the script. I had the 1st and 3rd line and my partner had the 2nd and 4th. I went first at the mic and simply read both of my lines over and over until I was comfortable that we had at least one good reading of both lines to work with. My partner then did the same. When we loaded our tracks into Adobe Audition, we set to editing them down and applying effects. Our target was to end up with a 30 second spot. Our script called for part of it to be read in a 'monster truck voice' so we added an echo effect to that part. To all the dialog - including the 'monster truck' spot - we added a filter that gave kind of a tinny sound quality to our voices - Audition calls it 'Supermarket Speaker.' Once we were done adding the music bed and the effects, we had what I thought was a very professional sounding commercial - especially for our first attempt!
After a short break, we switched to the AVID class and learned quite a bit about editing effects into our video packages. It is pretty amazing what we can do with one or two clicks of a mouse! While this portion of our day was not hands-on, it was great to see AVID in action.
Because one of our number was absent, we had 8 in our group. We were further paired off and presented with sample scripts to use for our commercial. Because we had four pairs and only two studios, we had to take turns in the studio. While we waited our turn, we searched the files for sound effects and music beds to play behind the dialog. Once in the studio, my partner and I took turns at the mic reading our parts of the script. I had the 1st and 3rd line and my partner had the 2nd and 4th. I went first at the mic and simply read both of my lines over and over until I was comfortable that we had at least one good reading of both lines to work with. My partner then did the same. When we loaded our tracks into Adobe Audition, we set to editing them down and applying effects. Our target was to end up with a 30 second spot. Our script called for part of it to be read in a 'monster truck voice' so we added an echo effect to that part. To all the dialog - including the 'monster truck' spot - we added a filter that gave kind of a tinny sound quality to our voices - Audition calls it 'Supermarket Speaker.' Once we were done adding the music bed and the effects, we had what I thought was a very professional sounding commercial - especially for our first attempt!
After a short break, we switched to the AVID class and learned quite a bit about editing effects into our video packages. It is pretty amazing what we can do with one or two clicks of a mouse! While this portion of our day was not hands-on, it was great to see AVID in action.
Finals already?
Even though we have 6 weeks to go, we spent Monday's class working on our radio final. It sounded crazy, at first, but once we realized that we only have 4 talk radio classes (including yesterday's class), to put together our final project it all of a sudden made sense.
Our class was divided in half so that we would have two, smaller groups. Each group will produce a one hour long radio broadcast. The format is to be that of a morning talk radio show with a maximum of 12 minutes of music for the hour (this restriction is in place because it would be too easy to just do an hour full of music). Our group has nine students - each with their individual roles to play in the broadcast. Mine is that of the board operator. I will be responsible for making sure every one has a live mic when needed, prerecorded spots and commercials are heard as programmed, and more. In addition to my duties during the live performance, I will be doing some prerecorded voice overs for commercials and sweepers and I am planning to conduct an interview for one of the spots.
We need to include commercials for a couple of reasons: one, we need to work them into the program using NexGen so that they are nicely spaced throughout the hour and two, we need to actually create a minimum of three original commercials as a team using Adobe Audition.
This is going to be fun!
Our class was divided in half so that we would have two, smaller groups. Each group will produce a one hour long radio broadcast. The format is to be that of a morning talk radio show with a maximum of 12 minutes of music for the hour (this restriction is in place because it would be too easy to just do an hour full of music). Our group has nine students - each with their individual roles to play in the broadcast. Mine is that of the board operator. I will be responsible for making sure every one has a live mic when needed, prerecorded spots and commercials are heard as programmed, and more. In addition to my duties during the live performance, I will be doing some prerecorded voice overs for commercials and sweepers and I am planning to conduct an interview for one of the spots.
We need to include commercials for a couple of reasons: one, we need to work them into the program using NexGen so that they are nicely spaced throughout the hour and two, we need to actually create a minimum of three original commercials as a team using Adobe Audition.
This is going to be fun!
Thursday, March 24, 2011
A Great Finale to a Great Week!
Yes, I am aware that today is only Thursday, so it might seem a bit odd that I am claiming this week to be over. However, my classes at the CT School of Broadcasting run from Monday through Thursday. So my second full week of classes is now in the books.
This week started off with us continuing our on-hands learning of Adobe Audition. Next, we moved on to working with both AVID and Final Cut Pro for editing video footage. I have done some editing of some videos that I shot with my personal camcorder, but the software I have is nothing compared to what AVID and Final Cut Pro can do! I am really looking forward to getting in and really working with these two programs.
In addition to our exploration of AVID and Final Cut Pro, we were introduced to NexGen - the software used by radio stations for programing their daily play lists.
Today was the icing on the cake! Today we spent time in one of the radio studios doing some work with NexGen and doing some talk-over work. Our instructor, Kevin Johnson (no relation) from Mix 93.1, had us head into the studio one at a time and take a turn performing a 'talk break' on mic. We can't actually broadcast over the air from this studio, but the others in the class can hear what we do. Most of us in the class (we number only 19, total) were pretty excited about getting into the studio.
Following our foray into the studio, we switched gears. Our instructor for the second half of our class was Joe Zone, the sports director for WFSB in Hartford. Joe threw a lot of great information our way - though I didn't have to take a lot of notes. The next time that we meet with Joe Zone we will be getting on camera and doing our own sports broadcast.
This week started off with us continuing our on-hands learning of Adobe Audition. Next, we moved on to working with both AVID and Final Cut Pro for editing video footage. I have done some editing of some videos that I shot with my personal camcorder, but the software I have is nothing compared to what AVID and Final Cut Pro can do! I am really looking forward to getting in and really working with these two programs.
In addition to our exploration of AVID and Final Cut Pro, we were introduced to NexGen - the software used by radio stations for programing their daily play lists.
Today was the icing on the cake! Today we spent time in one of the radio studios doing some work with NexGen and doing some talk-over work. Our instructor, Kevin Johnson (no relation) from Mix 93.1, had us head into the studio one at a time and take a turn performing a 'talk break' on mic. We can't actually broadcast over the air from this studio, but the others in the class can hear what we do. Most of us in the class (we number only 19, total) were pretty excited about getting into the studio.
Following our foray into the studio, we switched gears. Our instructor for the second half of our class was Joe Zone, the sports director for WFSB in Hartford. Joe threw a lot of great information our way - though I didn't have to take a lot of notes. The next time that we meet with Joe Zone we will be getting on camera and doing our own sports broadcast.
Friday, March 18, 2011
First Day of Shooting
During class on Tuesday we were introduced to the cameras that we would be using in the field. Our class was ENG 1 (Electronic News Gathering). If you watch the local news, you are all familiar with the results of ENG. A reporter and camera operator - though sometimes it will just be one person filling both roles - will go to a location to record an event or interview on tape. Then they will edit the footage down to a suitable length for the news broadcast.
We were given an assignment to take one of the cameras and shoot some footage. There was no particular recommendation as to what we should shoot...just that we get something on tape. My kids are involved in a play and had a rehearsal today, so I decided to bring the camera and get some footage of that. I was also able to shoot about 10 interviews with some of the kids. All totaled, I got about 40 minutes worth of footage to work with once we start editing. I'll be recording again at next week's rehearsal. The director of the show would like to have a video chronicle of their rehearsal process and I am all too happy to have the practice!
After class on Monday, I have signed up for some time in one of the radio studios. I am really looking forward to getting in there and recording some demos and mock-promos for practice. I have the studio signed out for 2 hours, so I have a lot of time to play!
We were given an assignment to take one of the cameras and shoot some footage. There was no particular recommendation as to what we should shoot...just that we get something on tape. My kids are involved in a play and had a rehearsal today, so I decided to bring the camera and get some footage of that. I was also able to shoot about 10 interviews with some of the kids. All totaled, I got about 40 minutes worth of footage to work with once we start editing. I'll be recording again at next week's rehearsal. The director of the show would like to have a video chronicle of their rehearsal process and I am all too happy to have the practice!
After class on Monday, I have signed up for some time in one of the radio studios. I am really looking forward to getting in there and recording some demos and mock-promos for practice. I have the studio signed out for 2 hours, so I have a lot of time to play!
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
As of this writing, I am 42 years old (though, that will be changing in 4 days as my birthday is March 20) and I am going back to school. Classes actually began on Monday, March 14. I am back in school in hopes that I can break into the radio and television industry. As such, I am attending classes at the Connecticut School of Broadcasting.
The classes thus far have mostly been introductory classes - Monday was Intro to TV and today was Intro to Radio - I have enjoyed the experience.
My decision to go back to school - and to this one in particular - was based on the fact that I have always wanted to be involved in radio and/or television.
I'll keep you posted!
The classes thus far have mostly been introductory classes - Monday was Intro to TV and today was Intro to Radio - I have enjoyed the experience.
My decision to go back to school - and to this one in particular - was based on the fact that I have always wanted to be involved in radio and/or television.
I'll keep you posted!
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