G5’s for sale, Blender interest group, Relative Syncronicity

1) Relative Synchronicity: black and white images and coloured sound  – July 20 – August 1, 2009
$60 includes 1 roll of b+w film (2 1/2 mins), with hand-processing and video transfer, hands-on soundtrack workshop where you will learn the elements of sound shaping and manipulation and post-production facilities.
A two-week workshop.
Week 1: shoot a roll of b+w super 8 film and edit it in camera.
Week 2: create a digital soundscape using manipulated sound for your film.
The film will be projected and the sound played in relative synchronicity at a special screening in Week 3   For more information, or to register, contact Kirk technical@media-net.bc.ca

2) Blender interest group
The first blender workshop was held on Sat July 4th and the Blender interest group and discussion will be held here at MediaNet on Friday July 17th. All members with an interest in Blender are invited to drop in and share their tips and insights into this full features (but sometimes complicated) 3D animation program
3) Interested in taking an Intro to Final Cut 1 day hands on seminar this summer? Let me know and I will try to schedule one for a Sat or Sun soon. I need 5 people to commit to a date before I can confirm the workshop

4) MediaNet G5’s for sale
We are selling  our Dual G5 Mac Pro Suites (all have firewire 400 and 1 x firewire 800 ports)
* Dual 2 GHz Power PC – 2.5 Gig ram, DVD Burner, ATI Radon 9600 Pro Video Card, 2 x 160 gig internal drives, keyboard and mouse.  $800
* Dual 2 GHz Power PC – 2.5 Gig ram, DVD Burner, GeForce FX 5200 Video Card, 1 x 500 gig internal drive, keyboard and mouse  $800
* Dual 2.7 GHz Power PC – 2.5 Gig Ram, pioneer DVR-109 DV burner, AH Radon 9600 Video Card, 250 gig boot drive, 500 gig spare drive, Keyboard and mouse  $850
* 2 x Samsung CRT 997 monitors – free to first G5 purchaser who wants them
also
PowerMac G4 2.8 GHz, 320 meg sdram, ATY rage 128 grapics card, 120 Gig internal drive, DVD rom, firewire 400, Acer G772 CRT monitor, Keyboard and mouse $125
** offered to MediaNet members first – unsold will be placed on Craig’s list July 15th.

Call 250-381-4428 between 9 and 2 weekdays or 9 to 12 on Saturday for more info or just leave a response

considering fall and winter workshops 09/10

Here are some of the workshops we are considering for Fall and Winter. If you have a suggestion or an request for a workshop please let me know. If you would like to give a workshop in an area where you have some expertice phone or email me and we will discuss who, what, when and why!
Not all of these workshops/seminars will be offered so your feedback, either by email or on the tech blog is really appreciated.
Cost for the 2.5 hr semiar programs will be $5, cash or volbucks. Cost for other programs will be announced. Scholarships requests and/or payment with volbucks will be considered but will depend on program costs.
Programs like EcoDoc and Experiment are offered in additon to these workshops and Cat is putting together a schedule of artist talks and presentation programs.

Activist Video Workshop (1 Day)
Richard Boyce, environmentalist, anctivist and filmmaker presents a half day workshop on activist filmmaking. Beyond making documentaries, Richard has used video and media to motivate, in court cases and as part of activist strategy
Basic colour correction    (2.5 hours)
Intro to the colour wheel and some basic colour correction techniques in FCP and FCExpress
Basics of Audio (3 parts x 2.5 hours)
A Three Part Course. Part 1 is the Theory of Sound and How We Hear. Part 2 is practical focusing in sound gathering and micing techniques. Part 3 concentrates on some post production tools found in Final Cut
Blender (multiple sessions) (Doug Jones) (this workshop will be starting in July)
An ongoing exploration of the professional level animation program Blender. Part demonstration and part mutual support, participants meet twice a month to lean and discuss Blender techniques
Blogs and podcasts (2.5 hours)
learn to blog and podcast video and audio using the popular free services of WordPress and Blip TV as well as YouTube
Burning Music, Data and DVDs    (2.5 hours)
Learn the differences between data and playback DVDs and CDs and how to create burn them in a Mac environment
FCP – compositing    (2.5 hours)
get started layering and compositing special effects in your video
FCP – the Motion Tab    (2.5 hours)
Understanding the motion tab and how you can us it to manipulate your video including croping, distorion, time remaping (slow and fast motion) and more.
FCP – Video Filters    (2.5 hours)
Get acquainted with the diversity of Video Filter special effects in Final Cut Pro and Final Cut Express
FCP Tips and Tricks – Scott Amos    (2.5 hours)
tips, tricks and techniques from one of Victoria’s most prolific filmmakers, Scott Amos
Final Cut Pro comprehensive
Meeting one evening a week for ten to thirteen weeks (or intensively over 2 weekends) this course will cover the official Apple approved Final Cut text
Interview Techniques(2.5 hours)
A one evening seminar on how to get the best from your interviewees
Intro to Final Cut
A one day seminar specially designed to give you the basic tools you need to get started in FCP. From importing your footage to basic editing to exporting your project back to tape or for the internet
Intro to Live Type
a two hour introductory seminar designed to get you started creating professional looking titles in the Live Type program
Intro to Motion
a two hour introductory seminar designed to get you started creating professional looking motion special effects
Intro to Soundtrack and Audio processing    (2.5 hours)
An introduction to the integrated audio finishing program Soundrack with the emphasis on “roundtripping” in FCP, noise reduction and sound processing
Lighting and Cinematography with Cyrus Block
Cinematograher Cyrus Block picks topics from his wide ranging experience as a cinematograher from lighting techniques to camera lenses and filters.
Mini Doc one (or two) day workshop
Start with a story idea in the morning. Refine it, shoot it and edit it for the “6 o’clock news”. A 3-7 min mini doc. One day of high pressure or 2 days for a little more consideration
MN Cameras & basic techniques    (2.5 hours)
White Balance, focus, gain and iris. Learn about MediaNet cameras and some some basic shooting techniques
MN lights and basic techniques    (2.5 hours)
Learn about some basic lighting techniques and become familiar with MediaNet’s lights
MN mics and Techniques    (2.5 hours)
Learn basic micing techniques and mic differences while becoming familiar with MediaNet’s array of mics
Motion comprehensive
A Multi Week program using the Apple approved text to become a confidant user of Apple’s Motion program
Multi cam in FCP    (2.5 hours)
Discover the editing advantage of using multi cam techniques when you  are shooting with multiple cameras
New Members    (2.5 hours)
all new members must attend this orientation about MediaNet, MediaNet equipment proceedures and some basic equipment safety
Preparing and using Photos in FCP    (2.5 hours)
Take your photos into iPhoto, photoshop or the photo editor of your choice maximize them for FCP. Use the Ken Burns effect or crop and distort them in FCP/E
Soundtrack comprehensive
A Multi Week program using the Apple approved Text to become a confidant user of Apple’s sound finishing  program Soundtrack

May 8 bulletin

MediaNet Bi-Weekly Tech Bulletin  Fri May 8, 2009

1) iMac for Sale
2) Blender animation workshop
3) Experiment! starts Saturday – space still available – some seminars open to all
4) MN workshops in planning stage – suggestions
5) U Vic calls for videographer  (more info in the attachment)

***************************************
1) iMAC for Sale
2.16 GHz Core 2 Duo processor, 2 GB 667 MHz
DDR2 SDRAM memory, NVIDIA GeForce 7600GT video
card with 256MB VRAM, 250 GB harddrive plus two
external drives – 500 GB and 250 GB PLUS Final
Cut Express installed and Final Cut Pro 5.0.1   $1550
Contact Chris Gower-Rees at 250-588-8138 or
mailto:chris@phungai.com

*******************************************
2) Blender animation starts in July
Part workshop, part interest group the Blender animation program will start in July and meet twice a month. The first meeting will be a  workshop led by MediaNet member Doug Jones and the second meeting will be a progress meeting to share tips and solve problems.
The first five topics will be run as stand alone so we can allow for some intake of new faces.

Sculpting & Retopo,
Modeling with meshes
Texturing, Materials, Lighting
Animating/ Armatures
Game engine
Video editor & Green screen
Soft/ hard body physics

******************************************
03)   Experiment!
Starts Tomorrow

There is still space in the program for last minute participants. Learn about and produce an Experiment in Film and Video. MN members $150, non members $175

OR

Just come out to learn about experimental film from speakers like our own Peter Sandmark, U Vic’s Lianne McLarty, Rick Raxlen and Scott Amos. Take a look at the schedule below

May 9 – EARLY AVANT GARDE CINEMA, 7 pm, (Community Arts Council of Greater Victoria, G-6 1001 Douglas St.) Peter Sandmark, Executive Director of MediaNet, former teacher of film production at Concordia University, will introduce present films and lead a discussion of experimental aesthetics. Titles include works by:  Fernand Leger,  Man Ray, Willard Maas,   Marie Mencken, Sidney Peterson,  Maya Deren,  Stan Brakhage,  and Bruce Bailie.

May 10 – 1 pm, MediaNet office, Grace Salez, Media artist and video art instructor at University of Victoria, will give a presentation on personal experimental works and performance art, and lead an exercise with cameras. (Open to EXPERIMENT participants only).

May 10 – 7 pm, (Community Arts Council of Greater Victoria, G-6 1001 Douglas St) Lianne McLarty, Professor of Film Studies at the University of Victoria,  will talk about contemporary experimental film/video in Canada, and present several experimental films.

May 11, 12 – 7 pm, MediaNet office.  Kirk Schwartz (MediaNet Technical Director) – Presentation and workshops on post-production and video editing, using superimposition and compositing techniques.
(Open to EXPERIMENT participants only).

May 14 – 7 pm, (Martin Batchelor Gallery, 712 Cormorant St.) Rick Raxlen, filmmaker and former teacher of film production at Concordia University, will give an artist’s talk on 40 years of experimental filmmaking, and show several of his film works.
May 16 – 7 pm (Community Arts Council of Greater Victoria, G-6 1001 Douglas St.) Scott Amos, MediaNet Technicican, filmmaker and teaching assistant at University of Victoria.  Presentation on collage experimental films and the use of film in video.
**********************************
4)the fall 09 and winter 10 workshops are in the planning stage. Have a workshop suggestion? A workshop need? leave a comment for me
***********************************************
5) U Vic is looking for a Videographer. leave an email address for me and  I’ll mail  you the PDF of their requirements

workshop update

Burning Data and Movies to DVD
Sat March 21  – 1 PM  $5 members $15 non members
Get to know the difference between Movie DVDs and Data DVDs and when to burn the best type for your needs
instructor: Kirk Schwartz

Voice Overs and Voice Recording
Using QuickTime Pro and Final Cut on the Mac or on an external recorder
Tues March 24  – 7 PM  $5 members $15 non members
Learn the best voice mic techniques as well as how to record voice overs using QuickTime pro or right into Final Cut
instructor: Kirk Schwartz

Members Orientation                     Sat 4 April – 1 PM
all members are required to have attended a membership orientation before being granted equipment access. Please register in advance

Production Forms and Releases
Tuesday 7 April – 7 PM  $5 members $15 non members
Understand the basic forms and releases you require to make sure you can show your work to the public anywhere, anytime.
instructor:  Kirk Schwartz

Basic Music Composition for Video with Ryan Bresser
Wed April 15  -  7PM
Award winning composer and filmmaker Ryan Bresser will lead you through the basics of creating music for your video with a focus on the creation possibilities (loops and recording) in Garage Band and Soundtrack

MediaNet Cameras
Sat 18 April – 1 PM  $5 members only.
Learn about how to best use the variety of cameras MediaNet has to offer. For new members or as a refresher for current members
instructor: Kirk Schwartz

MultiCam shoots and basic multicam editing
Sat May 2 – 1 PM   $5 members $15 non members
Learn how to set up your multicam shoot and then how to put it all together in Final Cut.
instructor: Kirk Schwartz

Members Orientation                   Tues 5 May  – 7 PM
all members are required to have attended a membership orientation before being granted equipment access. Please register in advance

Experiment
an unusual program for unusual filmmakers
Sat May 9 to Saturday May 30.  Members $150  Non Members $175
A three week learning and production program to experiment with a variety of forms and techniques. Participants will have the opportunity to expand their filmmaking horizons through a variety of seminars and workshops. Works created through the program will be screened on Sat May 30 and may be distributed on the internet.
instructors: various

Engaged Body: Live Art, Performative Video          June 21-28
Registration $400 before March 1, $600 after March 1
The Engaged Body is a week-long intensive workshop focusing on “Live Art”- performance art as embodied actions and performative works. Taught by educator and performance artist Judith Price

Dance for the Camera  July 18 to 31
registration- Before 1 April $1,100 – after 1 April  $1,300
Dance for the Camera (DFTC) is a two week Intensive Summer Program for choreographers, filmmakers, and dancers facilitated and mentored by award winning choreographer, filmmaker, curator, educator and recipient of the 2006 Guggenheim Fellowship, Ellen Bromberg.

Jan to May workshops

Upcoming workshops at MediaNet – Jan – May 09

Blog and Podcast (for free) using Blip TV and WordPress
Sat Jan 17  – 1 PM        $20/$15 members – limit 5
A hands on workshop where you will create your own Blip TV channel for video and audio and your own WordPress blog for blogging and podcasting your video and audio.
instructor – Kirk Schwartz

Grant Writing with Peter Sandmark
Sat Jan 31  – 1 PM   $5 members only
Just in time for the Canada Council – how to write grants with MediaNet’s grant guru Peter Sandmark. Call to register. You should have a project or outline of a project for which you wish to make a grant application
Please register in advance

Membership Orientation
Sat Feb 7  – 1 PM
Please note that members who have not attended an orientation will have their equipment privileges restricted after this time

Photos for Video
Tues 10 Feb  – 7 PM   $5 members $15 non members
Learn how to properly size and format photos for your video as well as basic motion techniques and the “Ken Burns” effect for video
instructor – Kirk Schwartz

Shooting your Project in HD
Sat Feb 21 – 1 PM   $5 members $15 non members
Learn the basic work flow for shooting your video in HD – how to capture it, what to do with it and how to export it for computer, internet and DVD
instructor  – Kirk Schwartz

Membership Orientation
Tues March 3 – 7 PM
all members are required to have attended a membership orientation before being granted equipment access. Please register in advance

Burning Data and Movies to DVD
Sat March 14  – 1 PM  $5 members $15 non members
Get to know the difference between Movie DVDs and Data DVDs and when to burn the best type for your needs
instructor: Kirk Schwartz

Voice Overs and Voice Recording
Using QuickTime Pro and Final Cut on the Mac or on an external recorder
Tues March 24  – 7 PM  $5 members $15 non members
Learn the best voice mic techniques as well as how to record voice overs using QuickTime pro or right into Final Cut
instructor: Kirk Schwartz

Members Orientation
Sat 4 April – 1 PM
all members are required to have attended a membership orientation before being granted equipment access. Please register in advance

Production Forms and Releases
Tuesday 7 April – 7 PM  $5 members $15 non members
Understand the basic forms and releases you require to make sure you can show your work to the public anywhere, anytime.
instructor:  Kirk Schwartz

MediaNet Cameras
Sat 18 April – 1 PM  $5 members only.
Learn about how to best use the variety of cameras MediaNet has to offer. For new members or as a refresher for current members
instructor: Kirk Schwartz

MultiCam shoots and basic multicam editing
Sat May 2 – 1 PM   $5 members $15 non members
Learn how to set up your multicam shoot and then how to put it all together in Final Cut.
instructor: Kirk Schwartz

Members Orientation
Tues 5 May  – 7 PM
all members are required to have attended a membership orientation before being granted equipment access. Please register in advance

Experiment
an unusual program for unusual filmmakers
Sat May 9 to Saturday May 30.  Members $150  Non Members $175
A three week learning and production program to experiment with a variety of forms and techniques. Participants will have the opportunity to expand their filmmaking horizons through a variety of seminars and workshops. Works created through the program will be screened on Sat May 30 and may be distributed on the internet.
instructors: various

Stay tuned for announcements of more member facilitated workshops to be announced
www.media-net.bc.ca

Blog and Podcast for Free

Power to the People – Blogging and Podcasting are for Everyone

Do you have something to talk about? Do you have a message to get out? If you have access to a computer and an internet connection you can tell your story or make your point on the internet and it won’t cost you a penny!

Everybody has heard how effectively Obama used the internet to get elected president of the United States. But the tools he used can be used by everyone.

Maybe you’re not running for president or prime minister. Maybe you are a community group that has a newsletter. Put your newsletter on a blog and your members can access it anytime they want. Better yet, they can make comments and ask questions on the blog.

And what if you just have a message to get out. Put it on a blog and make your voice heard. Blogs are the 21st century speakers corner. In the old British tradition, Speaker’s Corner was on the north east corner of Hyde Park and anyone could “get up on a soapbox”, air their views and try to convince other people to see things their way. A blog on the internet is a speaker’s corner to the whole world! And it’s there for free.

But maybe you just want to keep in touch with family and friends. A blog is a great way to let others know about what’s happening with you, whether its about your recent fishing trip or your recent wedding. Of course, the blog is still a window to the world and you should be careful of publishing the intimate details of your life. Think of it like publishing events in an old time community newspaper or the births, weddings and social news in a local paper.

The exciting part about blogging these days is that it’s not just about words. It’s about audio and video and pictures!

You can post your photos free to Flickr and share them through your blog. You can upload your video and audio to Blip.tv and have the audio and video appear automatically on your blog. You can even put youtube videos on your blog. All for no cost!

And simply by checking a couple of options on your blog you can automatically turn it into a podcast that others can subscribe to.

Centres like MediaNet, part of the Quadra Community, offer workshops and tools for helping you get online.

So, express yourself. Make your voice heard!

Equip Task Force Agenda and links

Discussion of Programing requirements and budget vis a vis equipment needs

Cameras
a) HV30 (review at camcorder reviews) replaces PD 100 and GS200 (and why we are staying with mini dv for smaller camcorders for now)
b) Major camera  – When to buy – now, this fall, next year
- what to buy  Sony Z7U, PMW EX1, other alternatives (Some other camera coparisons thanks to Chris Ruffell for the link)
c) intermediate camera HVRHD 1000U, HVRA1U, FX1
d) other alternatives

Computer requirments
a) lease of 5 iMac
b) lease or buy new tower/station  – (matrox card info) and  matrox unit and monitor for colour correction
c) other equipment – hdv walkmans, other

Software requirements and upgrades
a) AfterEffects – Adobe production suite for mac
b) other software

Grip/lighting equipment
a) lighting – is our current stock adequate
b) grip equipment – needs and desires

Other Equipment
a) projector and/or screen
b) wide screen hd tv
c) Blue Ray read/write burner

MediaNet equipment discussion

The discussion of  equipment selection priorities, strategies and what are MediaNet’s most current needs, is in full swing (and thanks to MediaNet member Chris Ruffell for jumpstarting the debate).

There are a couple of things to bear in mind as we progress through these issues.

1) the debate has 2 edges – equipment purchasing strategy: eg. when in MediaNet’s operating cycle do we most need a new camera and who does it serve and how does it further our aims; secondly, when we get to the aquisition point, what is the best piece of equipment to fulfill our needs

2) As an organization funded by the Canada Council our decisions and discussion must be shaped by the CC’s funding of MediaNet and we must do our best to work realistically within those boundaries.

3) We have a responsibility to serve all MediaNet members and equipment discussions must take into account the full range of member needs as well as the needs of the programing MediaNet put on for it’s members.

Now, with that in mind, let me share a couple of general observations about Equipment pressure and needs. The HD cameras, whether the higher end Sony Z1U and FX1 or the Canon HV20, are in heavy demand. We are experienceing increased pressure for the less expensive outreach cameras for youth and colaborative programs with organizations like the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria and some schools. As well, program initiatives at MediaNet must be taken into account – including Dance for the Camera, the Engaged Body and the “Eco-doc” project we are working on for the fall.

so, with all that in mind, lets start talking. I will post some of the comments here and all of the comments somewhere.

thanks

K.

A few useful links

I’ve been promising for a while to copy out some of the more useful links I know about – so here they are. It’s not a comprehensive list, just a starter list but if you have a couple of favourite really useful links please let me know and I will post them on the MediaNet home site

Apple tutorials online

Final Cut Studio 2 suite
http://www.apple.com/finalcutstudio/tutorials/
Apple’s own site with some basic video tutorials about the entire FCP Studio Suite

http://digitalcommons.psu.edu/some useful tutorials from the Penn State University on all aspects of Digital Film making
http://www.kenstone.net/fcp_homepage/fcp_homepage_index.html
A “Must Visit” site for anyone using FCP and creating digital film

Final Cut Pro users Groups
are extreamly useful for getting your questions answered and  for tutorial material  and articles about all aspects of FCP

Vancouver   -   http://www.vfcpug.org/
LA final Cut users Group  -  http://www.lafcpug.org/

DVCafe – part of the dvshop site is  full of useful info and articles and also useful for checking out Canadian  prices for a variety of equipment http://www.dvshop.ca/dvcafe.html

DVD burning and DVD Studio Pro – lots of the user groups have articles about DVD burning as well but here are a couple to get you started http://www.kenstone.net/fcp_homepage/fcp_homepage_index.html#dvd
http://www.apple.com/finalcutstudio/dvdstudiopro/

DV production and resources – some great sites for learing about and coming to understand digital filmmanking

http://www.adamwilt.com/
http://www.dvuser.co.uk/index.php
http://www.dvshop.ca/dvcafe/canada/canfilm.html
filmmaking.com (article links are at the bottom of the page) http://www.filmmaking.com/

camcorder links
-great site for consumer level camcorders http://www.camcorderinfo.com/
http://www.sony.ca/view/homepage.htm

Mac links
http://www.themacattack.us/

http://guides.macrumors.com/

Podcasts – are a great new resource. Just open up iTunes on your computer and go to the iTunes store and do a search for a term like “Final Cut Pro” or “Soundtrack” or “photoshop” and you will be surprised by the number of free podcasts available.

update and mini-doc workshop details 19 Nov 2007

Upcoming workshops update

Mon 19 – composition for digital stills with MediaNet member and award winning photographer Passia Pandora
Sat 24  – 9 am to 6 pm One day Mini Doc workshop (see below for details)
sun 25 – 7 to 9 PM Doc interest group – presentation by Chris Gower Rees
Tues 27 – 7 – 9pm personalizing your video with Z1U settings with Alejandro Valbuena

Sun 21 – MediaNet closes for Christmas – be sure to make your bookings for equipment well in advance

Final Cut Pro Lab – intro or project consultations
may be booked on Thursday mornings or Saturday mornings with Kirk. Priority will be given to members who have not had a recent booking.

Member Rick Searle is looking for someone to log and transcribe taped interviews for Ekostv.com. This is a paid position requiring strong keyboarding skills. Contact Rick at Rick.Searle@ekostv.com

Mini-doc workshop Details and outline

The purpose of the mini-doc workshop is to create a short news style documentary in one day.

This means shooting and editing in a very limited time period. In order to make sure that you come out of the day with a doc you can be proud of (even if you want to work on it more later) Rick and Kirk believe you must plan your doc. Please answer the following questions and send them to kirk at technical@media-net.bc.ca – Cost for the workshop is $25 members (CineVic members get the MediaNet member rate)  or $60 non members.  MediaNet members may use Volbucks to cover the cost of the workshop.

Examples of videos produced at the last mini-doc workshop can be viewed on the MediaNet Edgecasting site http://www.edgesfestival.com/edgecastvids/minidoc/minidocworkshop.htm

Please answer the following questions and return them before the workshop

Subject – what is your doc about?
(if you don’t have a subject in mind check out a local newspaper and find something that interests you – it needs to have a local angle – look at Jacob Zehrs minidoc asking if music downloading in hurting local music stores – international subject with a local angle)

Focus -
in one sentence, what is your story about (this may be harder than it looks and we will help you with it if need be)

Who will you interview - will you interview an “expert” – what questions will  you ask ?

How will you tell your story if you can’t get the interviews you want the most ?

What actuality will you need?
what street shots/ cutaways/ action shots will help the progress of your story (ie. if you are doing a construction doc will you need shots of constrution – Where can you get them on a Saturday?)

Do you plan on doing a a “standup”  or voiceover for continuity and linking the parts of your doc together? (for an example please look at the Michael Korican or Jacob Zehr docs)

Do you need to use “stock” or previously recorded footage?
we strongly discourage the use of previously recorded footage in this workshop but some “B” roll or otherwise obtained footage may be allowed

For some other examples take a look at these videos on the Ekos TV site
Robert Bateman
Solar powered Car  http://www.ekostv.com/node/352
Geothermal heating http://www.ekostv.com/node/344

or visit MediaNet’s Documentary Interest Group page for more links  http://www.media-net.bc.ca/docinterestgroup/docinterestgroup.html

see you at the workshop and good shooting

K.