• New Media Boot Camp – slides
• Facebook 101– Why all the Buzz? – slides
• Podcasting and Government – slides
• Blogging to Reach an Audience – Does Anyone Care What You Have to Say – slides
• It’s all About Mobility – Reaching Audiences on the Go – slides
• Producing Video for the Web – Best Practices for Big Results – slides

“The really great thing about this feature, from our perspective as designers and developers, is how simple it is to accomplish and manage. If the timing is out or a caption is wrong, you simply change a few words or numbers in the XML file.”

“Apple's Compressor relies heavily on a service called Qmaster in order to work. Qmaster allows you to split rendering tasks across multiple machines in a render farm but it is still required even if you are only rendering on a single computer.The link between the two is so important that if the Qmaster service fails to launch, Compressor will be unable to submit batches. Should this occur, Compressor Repair checks for problems that could be preventing Qmaster from operating correctly. It checks for missing files, incorrect permissions, and attempts to manually start the qmasterd process.”

• "What is HD?"
• RAID

• Production
• Post-Production

• Distribution

• Material that has already been captioned for TV viewing
• Live programming
• Video that is "generally considered to be comparable to programming provided by multichannel programming distributors."

• Material that has already been captioned for TV viewing
• Live programming
• Video that is "generally considered to be comparable to programming provided by multichannel programming distributors."

Most video RSS aggregators will pull the most recent episodes of a show, which is great for news and magazine-style shows. But for story-based shows, viewers really want to start from the beginning, in order to follow the story arcs and character developments. When you subscribe to a show in Adobe Media Player, you can choose to either pull the N most recent episodes, or choose to pull N episodes starting with a specific episode, usually the first one. And of course you can change these settings, on a per-show basis, at any time.”
Be sure to check it out.

• Flash Video is getting really popular
• The Adobe Media Player will be easier for corporations, schools, and government to use due to Adobe's greater acceptance over Apple (and especially iTunes).
• The media player supports several models that are attractive to content creators
• The media player supports very rich statistics on media consumption
• The application is going to move onto all sorts of devices and platforms in the near future.
• If you are a podcaster... I predict the Adobe Media Player will have as great of an impact as iTunes did on podcast consumption.

• Lightweight and single-card format.
• Light Gray, certified to recommended Luminance
• Includes Black and White Spots
• Focus and Sharpness targets
• Sturdy and Easy to Pack (it even floats)
• Affordable

• After Effects Apprentice – Trish and Chris Meyer
  • After Effects @ Work – Focal Press
  • Broadcast Graphics on the Spot – Richard Harrington, Glen Stephens, Chris Vadnais
  • Creative After Effects – Angie Taylor
  • Creative Cow – www.CreativeCow.net
  • Xeler8r – www.xeler8r.com

• File sizes are approximately four times larger.
  • Download times are approximately four times longer.
  • Hosting and delivery costs are approximately four times greater.

Download mp3:
Distributing Video in Various Formats: How To Make the Right Choice (1:00:46 min 27.9 MB)

• Designed for studio and field applications
• 7.9-inch low-power, lightweight monitor
• Built-in waveform monitor
• Compatible with 1080/24 psf, 1080i, 720p, 480p, and 480i

• Podfading seems to be a minor problem at the moment
• The European podosphere is commercially less ambitious
• Podcasting is not only attracting "techies"
• Podcasting is about identity and relationship management
• Most are interested in sharing information and expressing of opinions

• Bring at least one alternative set of clothing.
• Herringbone, stripes, or small patterns do not look good on camera. Avoid vivid patterns, plaids, and geometric shapes.
• Please keep you’re jewelry simple.
• Do not wear bright white. Cream, eggshell, or light gray are preferred.
• Unless told otherwise, maintain eye contact with your interviewer throughout the interview.
• Relax.

• “Edit in the Camera.” Encourage short answers and come back to topics again. Better to focus on good, tight answers than trying to cobble together six takes to make your point.
• Avoid enumeration or the phrase “Like I said before.” It is highly likely that you will use only part of the answer (such as step three, without steps one and two).
• Ask leading, open-ended questions… being sure to ask a single question only.
• Don’t be afraid to stop and start over. Do not let an answer ramble on. Smiles and nods encourage subjects that they are ‘on-target’ and can stop trying to talk themselves out of a corner.

• Customize the Dock
• Change the look of the menu bar
• Use Widgets outside of the Dashboard
• Customize the default Save and Print dialogs in all applications
• Tweak Finder settings
• Run system maintenance scripts
• and access system utilities and system logs

• Tip of the Week – Thanks to Focal Press

• Podcasts – Back Episodes and New Subscriptions
• Forums – In partnership with Creative Cow
• Conferences – New Events and Notes from previous classes
• Blog – For all the latest news

• Migrating from another NLE
• Upgrading to Final Cut Studio 2
• Seeking a handy reference to raise your proficiency

QuickTime P2 MXF/DVCProHD Decode Components for Windows
For playing P2 MXF Files and QuickTime DVCProHD Files on Windows (see Read Me)
Download BETA 1.0.0 (Build 18) for Windows
Download Read Me
Download License Agreement

• Coby Rich – Sorenson Media
• Larry O'Connor – Other World Computing
• Richard Harrington – RHED Pixel
• Jon Schilling – CalDigit
• Marlon Braccia – Shiva Entertainment

It’s possible to trim on the fly. This way you can listen for an audio edit or look for a particular visual cue. Just make sure the Dynamic trimmimg checkbox is marked.

1. Enter Trim Edit mode, and press the space bar to cycle your trim. The sequence will play around your edit point and loop. The pre-roll and post-roll are set in the Editing tab of User Preferences.
2. When you reach the desired edit point, press the I key to move your In point.
3. Press the up or down arrow to move through the Timeline to your next edit point.

Like this tip? It comes from the book
Final Cut Studio On the Spot from Focal Press.

• Google Sites – basically a free on-line website creator.
• Celtx – free software that links to free shared web storage specifically for film and TV productions.
• BackPackIt – subscription-based team collaboration website
• BaseCamp – subscription-based team collaboration website
• Picassa Web – on-line photo sharing
• .mac account with iWeb – simple website creation with annual subscription for serving.

For the second year in a row, I'll be coming back to Europe to offer training. I'll be speaking at the NAB European Post-Production Conference on a variety of topics.

Sunday 26 October 2008

• Producing Video Podcasts: Key Lessons Learned

• Creating a Graphic Identity for Your New Media Projects
• Compressing Audio and Video for Web Delivery
• Getting it Live: Multicam Techniques

• A Sense of Perspective with Vanishing Point
• Seeing a New Light: Final Cut Pro Color Correction

• Creating Graphics for Avid Editing Systems
• Get the Most from After Effects CS3

• Addresses an issue with stuttering video and audio playback in certain USB devices.
• Fixes an issue in which certain attached hard drives may not show up in the Finder.
• Includes additional RAW image support for several cameras.
• Improves 802.1X behavior and reliability.
• Improves reliability when using Time Capsule.
• Fixes reliability issues with authenticated RSS feeds.
• Addresses compatibility issues with Aperture 2.
• Addresses reliability issues when performing a full restore from a Time Machine backup.

1. Inside Final Cut Pro select the sequence you want to export.
2. Choose File > Export > Using Compressor.
3. Inside Compressor select the setting you’d like to apply to the file. With the setting active, select the Inspector window and click the Filters tab.
4. Choose Timecode Generator.
5. Change the settings for the Timecode Generator as you see fit.
6. Apply the setting to the clip in the Batch window.
7. Submit the job.
   

Like this tip? It comes from the book
Final Cut Studio On the Spot from Focal Press.

• Arranging audio files on multiple tracks
• Making quick edits and applying fades
• Matching volume levels with a single command
• Removing unwanted noises and background sounds
• Adjusting tempo and pitch
• Recording and polishing voice-overs
• Adding effects and filters
• Previewing MP3 compression quality
• Easily creating customized music — without musical expertise
• With the new Adobe Sound Document file format you can take “snapshots” of your work-in-progress and undo changes made to your audio assets.

• When working in Premiere, don't forget about the search menu that you can use to locate the effects you want
• Change Color is a useful effect that you can use to target and adjust one color region of your video clip
• There are also Shadow/Highlight adjustment options in Premiere
• You can bring your video clips into Photoshop Extended and apply Photoshop effects to them
• Make video clips into smart objects so that Photoshop will treat them as a single layer
• After you have finished editing the video clip in Photoshop, go under the Export command and render the finished video
• Get more information from Richard at Photoshop For Video.com
• Use After Effects to make speed changes to your video clips. Remember, time is just another keyframe
• If you want further video training from Richard, you can watch his classes at Kelby Training.com, or see him live at Photoshop World this September in Las Vegas”

Project Scoping Document

• Project Name
• Executive Summary
• Background
• Project Scope (High Level)

• Project Objectives
• Deliverables
• Organizations
• Interfaces Required
• Assumptions
• Constraints
• Evaluation Criteria
• Risks
• Rewards
• Budgets
• Schedules (Due Dates)
• Project Team Readiness

• Key Roles

• Executive Sponsor
• Project Manager
• Business Experts
• Technical Experts

• Signature Lines - Sign Off “Charter”

Pick Your Power

Recharge Your Creativity and Craft • January 28 - February 1 • Playa Del Carmen, Mexico

Now in its third year, the Editors Retreat has become an annual gathering for the post-production elite. Highly experienced editors from the worlds of film, TV and video gather to network, exchange ideas, share tips and of course, have fun!

Past keynotes and attendees have included such names as Alan Heim, Sally Menke, Stuart Bass, Chris Franklin and David Helfand as well as Apple, Adobe and Avid experts and industry power users. Attendees have included representatives from HBO, FRONTLINE, MTV, Lockheed Martin, Harpo Productions and Telemundo.

Running for 5 days and 4 nights, the Retreat offers advanced sessions on post visual and audio techniques and features valuable insight into emerging trends and technologies. An equal amount of time will be devoted to discussing the creativity, craft and business practices of successful editors.

To ensure that only the best of the best attend, participation is subject to an application and screening process. Visit www.EditorsRetreat.com for the full schedule and more details.

WATCH THIS YEAR'S VIDEO

#6 – Layer Styles are your friend

1. Create a new layer and name it Flat. (It will be created by default right above selected layer.)
2. Press Option+[ (Alt+[) to select the layer below to be flattened.
3. Link to the layer named Flat.
4. Choose merge linked from the palette’s submenu.
5. Press STOP. (You can choose Option (Alt)+Merge Linked instead for targeted flattening).

#7 – Make it Readable

1. Choose View> Actual Pixels.
2. Press the F key twice to go to Full-Screen mode.
3. Press Tab to hide your palettes.
4. Stand up from your computer and look at it from the far corner of the room. How’s it look?
5. Press the F key and tab to return to normal.

#8 – Make it See Through

1. Turn off all layers you don’t want in the final graphic (including the background or placement image). Create a new (empty layer) and highlight it.
2. Hold down the Option (Alt) key, choose Merge Visible. A composite layer is now created.
3. Turn this layer off by clicking on the Eye icon.
4. Hold down the Cmd (Ctrl) key and click on the layer name in the layer’s palette. The marching ants should encircle the layer.
5. Switch to the Channels palette and click on the Save Selection as Channel button. Only have 1 alpha channel per document or your NLE will get confused.
6. Choose File>Save As to Save A Copy as a PICT or TARGA with an alpha channel included. Photoshop 7 users who need TARGA files should download the free update to fix a bug with transparency

#3 – Pick a cool font

• SERIF vs SANS-SERIF: Serifs are the little hooks on type. Serifed type (think Times) uses thick and thin strokes. Sans-Serif (think Helvetica) uses even-weighted strokes. Sans Serif usually reads better for video. If using serifed fonts, look for a bold or black version and avoid lines thinner that 3-pixels.
• Style: Write 10 – 20 words down that describe your video. Get input from your client too. Use these words for guidance when looking at fonts.
• Free or Paid: Free fonts (and overly cheap) fonts often have partial character sets. This may be an issue if you need special symbols (such as & ™ © or • ). You get what you pay for, but don’t worry, several independent font foundries sell great fonts for less than $25 per font.
• Keep it in the Family: Some fonts belong to families (regular, bold, black, italic, etc). This is useful as you can use one font family and mix styles. This leads to a consistent design in your titles. If you want to mix fonts NEVER use more then two fonts in a title graphic.
• Format: Many fonts come in different formats. Macs have historically used Postscript while PCs have used TrueType. Macintosh OSX can now read many “PC” true type fonts with no problem. A new format OpenType is also starting to pop up for sale.
• Kerning: Some professional fonts have had the spacing between characters carefully tweaked. This balanciong is called pair kerning. If your type appears improperly balanced you will need to kern it. Move between characters using the left and right arrows. Hold down the Option key (Alt key) and press the left and right arrows to tighten or loosen pair-kerning.

#4 – Use good color

• Avoid highly saturated colors. Bright reds and yellows will cause problems in video.
• Use contrasting colors; if you were to use a color wheel, these would be colors opposite each other. If you want to use three colors, draw a triangle on the color wheel. Digital Anarchy sells a great product called ColorTheory that makes it easy to pick color combinations for two or more colors.
• Pick up the Pantone book on color trends. This book offers interesting color combinations that always seem to end up the latest fashion.
• Mix light and dark colors to maintain contrast. Dark on dark and light on light are VERY hard to read.
• Use a contrasting edge on your type (such as a shadow or glow). This will improve readability.

#5 – Make it layered

• Use photos of textures in your bars. I often take pictures of light, reflections, lighting, water waves, etc. and mix these in with my graphics to add a natural depth. Simply place the texture above your bar and press Cmd + G (Ctrl + G) to group it. The texture is now applied just to the bar area below.
• Use blending modes to achieve better looks. This is perhaps Photoshop’s coolest feature. While you can pick them from a list in the layer’s palette, I find it easier just to experiment. Highlight the layer you want to blend, pick the move tool (V), then press Shift + + or Shift + - to cycle through blend modes. Experiment, have fun, trust me it works!
• Use layer masks to blend layers together. Use black and white gradients on your layer masks to create smooth transitions in mixing layers.
• Fill an empty layer above your bar with a solid color or gradient. Tint your bar by setting this layer to the Color or Hue blending mode.

#1 – Build It Right

#2 – Make a template

1. Have an empty document open sized for your editing system (see above).
2. Create a new (empty) layer, and name it Safe Title Area.
3. Select All by pressing Cmd+A (Ctrl+A).
4. Scale the active selection to 80% by choosing Select>Transform Selection, and then typing in 80% in the Options bar for width and height. Press Return (Enter).
5. Load red as the foreground color. Then choose Edit>Stroke and specify four pixels centered. This is the title safe area.
6. Lock the Safe Area Overlay layer by clicking on the Lock icon in the layer’s palette.
7. Save your work.

Recharge Your Creativity and Craft • January 28 - February 1 • Playa Del Carmen, Mexico

Now in its third year, the Editors Retreat has become an annual gathering for the post-production elite. Highly experienced editors from the worlds of film, TV and video gather to network, exchange ideas, share tips and of course, have fun!

Past keynotes and attendees have included such names as Alan Heim, Sally Menke, Stuart Bass, Chris Franklin and David Helfand as well as Apple, Adobe and Avid experts and industry power users. Attendees have included representatives from HBO, FRONTLINE, MTV, Lockheed Martin, Harpo Productions and Telemundo.

Running for 5 days and 4 nights, the Retreat offers advanced sessions on post visual and audio techniques and features valuable insight into emerging trends and technologies. An equal amount of time will be devoted to discussing the creativity, craft and business practices of successful editors.

To ensure that only the best of the best attend, participation is subject to an application and screening process. Visit www.EditorsRetreat.com for the full schedule and more details.

WATCH THIS YEAR'S VIDEO

• Standby Time – Up to 350 hours
• Talk Time – 6 additional hours on 3G | 12 hours on 2G
• Internet Use – 6 additional hours on 3G | 7 hours on Wi-Fi
• Audio Playback – 28 additional hours
• Video Playback – 8 additional hours

“The mDialog application is always available as a free download worldwide from Apple's App Store on iPhone and IPod Touch, or at www.itunes.com/appstore/ or click on the link on the mDialog site.”

1. Shut down the computer to avoid any improper dismounting of media drives.
   2 Isolate the suspected “problem” device.
2. Be sure to reseat both ends of the cable.
   4 If that doesn’t work, try swapping out the cable.
3. Continue to add devices until the problem recurs. Then repeat this cycle.

Like this tip? It comes from the book
Final Cut Studio On the Spot from Focal Press.

• Slides
• Book
• Website
• Podcast

• Book
• Website
• DVD
• Podcast

• Slides
• Book
• Website
• Podcast

• Seamlessly exchange projects and assets between After Effects and Flash
• Shoot green screen material correctly, work with Keylight, and utilize embedded alpha channels
• Create dynamic text, vector-based animations, and “animated” video using the tools in Adobe Creative Suite 4
• Work with 3D cameras and lights and create 3D environments
• Convert Flash to broadcast and DVD standards with After Effects
• Use Adobe Media Encoder for professional results
• Create interactive controls and use cue points in your video
• Optimize video for accessibility and use Adobe® Soundbooth® for video transcription
• Use ActionScript in your projects for more innovative animations

• Lee Barney: Benefits of hybrid apps
• Lee Barney: Frameworks and libraries for building hybrid apps
• August Trometer: Optimizing your web site for the iPhone
• August Trometer: Using UINavigationController

• New Media Boot Camp – slides
• Facebook 101– Why all the Buzz? – slides
• Podcasting and Government – slides
• Blogging to Reach an Audience – Does Anyone Care What You Have to Say – slides
• It’s all About Mobility – Reaching Audiences on the Go – slides
• Producing Video for the Web – Best Practices for Big Results – slides

• Mastering CSS with Dreamweaver CS4 – Stephanie Sullivan, Greg Rewis
• Building Findable Websites: Web Standards, SEO, and Beyond – Aarron Walter
• A Project Guide to UX Design – Russ Unger, Carolyn Chandler
• Online Communities Handbook – Anna Buss, Nancy Strauss
• Mac OS X Leopard Killer Tips – Scott Kelby
• The Hot Shoe Diaries: Big Light from Small Flashes –Joe McNally
• The Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 2 Book: The Complete Guide for Photographers – Martin Evening
• The Photoshop Elements 7 Book for Digital Photographers – Scott Kelby, Matt Kloskowski
• Facebook Me! A Guide to Having Fun with Your Friends and Promoting Your Projects on Facebook –Dave Awl
• SocialCorp: Social Media Goes Corporate – Joel Postman

• BLOGS
• PODCASTING
• SOCIAL NETWORKING
• VIDEO

1. Iceland 285,700 93.20%
2. Norway 4,235,800 90.90%
3. Greenland 52,000 90.30%
4. Sweden 8,085,500 89.20%
5. Netherlands 14,304,600 85.60%
6. Denmark 4,629,600 84.20%
7. Finland 4,382,700 83.50%
8. New Zealand 3,500,000 83.10%
9. Australia 17,033,826 80.10%
10. Luxembourg 387,000 78.70%

• Follow the RHED Pixel team as they detail every step of the way with engaging illustrations that demonstrate the process from concept to distribution including:
• Preproduction planning of concept, scope, budget, and casting
• Web-specific techniques for audio, lighting, and videography
• Detailed overview of editing and encoding of web video
• Effective branding and storytelling aids including b-roll, images and motion graphics
• Distribution alternatives including HTML5, Flash, podcasting, RSS, and website hosting
• Effective techniques to promote and monetize your video

It seems that everywhere I turn, social media comes up. Independent producers as well as top studios look to harness social media to raise awareness for their productions. Customers are using it to talk about products and companies they love -- and hate. People look to re-establish their personal networks during tough economic times. Heck, your mother (or your kids) may be connected to you on Facebook.

But is this real? Specifically, can social media help your business grow?

The answer is a bit complex. Let's say it's both real and fake. I'm thinking 60/40. We'll see. You may think I'm being non-committal, but I'm not. The social media movement is filled with a lot of hot air right now. Just like the real estate market, the social media boom will pop.

But people need homes, and people have a real need to communicate with others in meaningful ways. Social media is a real communication medium that can be incredibly valuable, but getting started is like being thrown into a raging river and learning how to swim. It can be overwhelming at first, and if you look for help, you'll encounter a lot of bad advice. That's why I am writing this article, to offer you practical advice and real world experiences about how social media can help those of us who work with traditional media.

Continue reading the article here.

• Get a closing shot.
• Get an establishing shot.
• Shoot plenty of video.
• Adhere to the rule of thirds.
• Keep your shots steady.
• Follow the action.
• Use trucking shots.
• Find unusual angles.
• Lean forward or backward.
• Get wide and tight shots.
• Shoot matched action.
• Get sequences.
• Avoid fast pans and snap zooms.
• Shoot cutaways.
• Use lights.
• Grab good sound bites.
• Get plenty of natural sound.
• Plan your shoot.

(1O + 4M +1P) ÷ 6

It means one optimistic + four most likely + one pessimistic divided by six.

What does that mean? It’s pretty simple: You create a time estimate based on averaging the information you gather. For example, you can approach a graphic designer and ask, "How long would this take?” The answer is not the most likely number. It’s the optimistic number, because if you ask any creative person how long something will take, the answer is an exaggerated number. Let’s say the number is eight hours.

Then you say, “Well, if it was anybody else, how long would it take?” And that’s the most likely number. For our formula, let’s use 12 hours.

Then ask, "If something goes wrong that you really didn’t count on, what is the worst case scenario?" In this example, use 22 hours.

You then plug these values into the formula to get your result: ((1*8) + (4*12) + (1*22) ÷ 6 = 13 hours for the task.

This budgeting formula works well when no historical data is available for review. It’s also more accurate if you are able to ask more than one person for time estimates. You can then average multiple answers.

• Have talent/interviewee bring an alternate set of clothing.
• Herringbone, stripes, or small patterns do not look good on camera.
• Keep jewelry simple.
• Do not allow interviewees to wear bright white. Cream, eggshell, or light gray are preferred.
• Utilize a make-up artist. People give a better interview when they look good. Decision-makers favor approval copies when their people look professional.
• Maintain eye contact throughout the interview.
• “Edit in the Camera.” Encourage short answers and come back to topics again. Better to focus on good, tight answers, than trying to cobble together six takes to make your point.
• Avoid enumeration or the phrase “Like I said before.” It is highly likely that you may use step three, without steps one and two. You also wouldn’t be asking the question again, if you were happy with what the answer was “before.”
• Don’t be afraid to stop and start over. Do not let an answer ramble on. Smiles and nods encourage subjects that they are ‘on-target.’
• Relax.

• 30 percent performance boost over Safari 4
• Addition of Bing to the Google and Yahoo! options.
• Addition of Reader option for websites with news articles. Just click the Reader icon in the Smart Address Field to display the entire article for clear, uninterrupted reading with options to enlarge, print or send via email.

• Runs JavaScript 30 percent faster than Safari 4, three percent faster than Chrome 5.0, and over twice as fast as Firefox 3.6.
• Full screen playback and closed captions for HTML5 video

Safari 5 is available for Mac and Windows as a free download at www.apple.com/safari.
The Safari Developer Program is free to join at developer.apple.com/programs/safari.

• See how to plan, set up, and execute your shots to reduce fixes in post
• Choose the right keying process for your project
• Master basic shooting setups and live broadcast keying
• Understand proper lighting and how to match subjects to the background
• Create a working storyboard and learn how to select and direct talent
• Composite your footage and fix problem shots
• Work creatively with virtual sets, motion tracking, and match moving
• Master techniques that apply to all compositing software and plug-ins

• The issues addressed include:
• Corrected an issue with improper scrolling behavior.
• Resolved memory leaks for improved performance.
• Addressed layout of interface elements in certain application alert windows.