Workshops: Descriptions : : Upcoming Workshops : : PDF forms

VCAM's free workshop series is designed to help newcomers to VCAM become familiar with the fundamentals of digital video production. Most workshops are held on Saturday from 11am-1pm at the VCAM studio.

VCAM workshops scheduled each week are typically high in attendance and therefore offered more frequently than others. If you are a VCAM Access User and care to take a workshop that is not in the current schedule, please call the studio (651-9692) to sign up for a one-to-one workshop with a member of the VCAM staff.

VCAM's free workshops include:

: : VCAM Access Orientation : :
The Access Orientation is an overview of VCAM facilities, policies and procedures. This orientation is the first place to start if you are new to VCAM. The workshop last's approx. 1-2 hours. Once you have completed this workshop you will be a certified access user, free to utilize the VCAM facilities and attend additional workshops.

: : Intro to Video Lighting : :
This workshop is required for anyone who wants to sign out our video light kits. Learn safe handling procedures and operation of the lights and stands used in studio and field productions. Pre-requisite: VCAM Access Orientation or equivalent, or permission of instructor.

: : Intro to Digital Video Editing : :
Learn the basic concepts behind digital video editing. Focus is on Adobe Premiere and Apple's Final Cut Pro and I-Movie editing software. Pre-requisite: VCAM Access Orientation or equivalent, or permission of instructor.

: : Intro to the Panasonic DVX 100 : :
This hands-on workshop focuses on how to effectively operate the Panasonic DVX 100 digital video camera. Leran the advantages to using a camera with progressive scan capabilities including shooting video at 24 frames per second. Pre-requisite: VCAM Access Orientation or equivalent, or permission of the instructor.

: : Fundamentals of Digital Cinematography : :
A 4-hour discussion about the foundational concepts involved with digital cinematography. This workshop (and subsequent test) serves as a prerequisite for signing out certain specific types of VCAM equipment. An additional one-on-one certification meeting may also be required, depending on the specific camera you're interested in.

To be eligible for this training, you must be a VCAM Access User and have a basic working knowledge of some video fundamentals (you don't need to be a seasoned pro, but some videography experience is important).

The Fundamentals of Digital Cinematography workshop is four hours long and covers a wide swath of digital cinematography basics, including:

f-stops, ISO & exposure
white balance/color temperature
picture composition basics
focal lengths, lenses & image sensors
depth of field
digital media workflows (SD, CF, P2, codecs, wrappers, pixel aspects, etc.)

: : Preparing Video for the Web : :
In this workshop students will learn some basic techniques for uploading video content to free video sharing websites like YouTube and Google Video. Topics covered will include some basic video editing (in FCP), compression settings, podcasting and video blogging. Pre-requisites: Access Orientation and Intro to Non-Linear Editing or permission of instructor.

: : Video-blogging & Podcasting : :
This 5-week course is intended for people who are curious about making their own podcasts and/or video-blogs.  Throughout the 5 weeks, students will build a blog, produce their own podcast or video-blog episodes and publish them online with subscribable RSS feeds.  No prior blogging or podcasting experience necessary.  Only basic computer/web-surfing skills are required.

: : Online Video Distribution and Social Networking : :
This workshop is designed for newcomers to online networking looking to generate an online buzz around their public access programming. The focus of the discussion is on websites including: blip.tv, YouTube, Ustream, Facebook & Twitter. Open to the public. Please call in advance to reserve your spot.

: : Designing Motion Graphics for Video : :
This workshop addresses the basic concepts to designing motion graphics for video. Learn to create elements in Photoshop and Illustrator and import them into Adobe After Effects and Apple Motion 3-D. Then bring your graphics to life by implementing the fundamentals of keyframing. Pre-requisites: VCAM Non-Linear Editing workshop or permission of instructor.

: : Intro to Remote Equipment Production : :
The basics of Electronic Field Production (EFP) will be covered--from simple shooting with a remote camera to live, multi-camera switched productions. Pre-requisite: VCAM Access Orientation or equivalent, or permission of the instructor.

: : Advanced Studio Production : :
This workshop is designed for those access users who have been involved with studio production for some time and are ready to take the next step. Topics include the various roles and jobs of the video crew, shot composition, TD and camera op communication, floor managing etc. Pre-requisite: VCAM Access Orientation and Intro to Studio Production or equivalent experience or permission of the instructor.

: : Audio for Video : :
This workshops is designed to give you a basic understanding of recording audio for video purposes. It includes different types of microphones and how they are applied to in the field use, as well as studio production and post-production audio uses. Pre-requisite: VCAM Access Orientation.