Title

Media Videos: The Cutting Edge

Lighting

Tripods: development, the Miller fluid head, pan and tilt, the gear system, friction settings, ease of set up. Dollies: laying track, computerised systems. Big cranes and small cranes. Steadicam: the purpose and advantages of steadicam. Helimounts. Matte box: filter trays. Video assist - checking shot composition. Robotics - newsroom applications: one operator controlling 3-4 cameras. Using the system. Lighting on location. Types: tungsten and HMI. Barn doors. spot versus flood. Scrim to diffuse light. Gels. Lighting efficiency. Redheads and Lowell. Hard and soft light. Fluorescent lights for studio work. Reflectors.

(41 min)- Year of Production 1995

AV Systems

TV Graphics

History and development of graphics techniques for TV. A look at Harry, Hal and other compositing software and systems (Quantel). Imagination and flair in the design of graphics. Use in the world of TVC's. Issues of compression. Range available today: digital manipulation, insert, moving images. Paintbox, Alias, Collage etc. Compositing: 2D and 3D. Computing power - Silicon Graphics technology. Harnessing the processing power of 64 bit based computer systems. Compression - the major issues. Anti-aliasing. The element of a pixel. Edge effects and drop shadows. 2D animation. Fonts.

(28 min)- Year of Production 1995

Sound Recording

The importance of audio in video work. Trends in sound recording. Trials and tribulations of a sound recordist. Overcoming wind noise, ambient sound, clothes rustling etc. Microphones: selecting a mike, pressure versus velocity mikes. Directionality of microphones. Polar patterns. Radio mikes. Mikes used in studios. ENG (Electronic News Gathering - sound considerations). The Sennheisser. Connectors. Windgags, pop filters and wind jammers. Sound recording equipment: DATs. Time code and its use.

(31 min)- Year of Production 1995

Digital Video FX

The variety and versatility of digital video effects and video mixing operations. Old classifications are being broken down and new approaches to creativity in post-production are being defined with a range of new approaches being adopted. Tools used in the video post-production environment. Processing power. Compositing software. DVE and vision switching. Character generation. Top end digital workstation. DVE in action.

(26 min)- Year of Production 1995

Audio Mixing

Moving from analogue to digital recording. Old and new ways of editing sound. Channels of audio: 8 track and 24 track. Fading in - removing problems. Adjusting cue points. Audio mixers - problems experienced in mixing. Non-linear audio mixing: for video or film, or for radio. Linear audio editing. The Fairlight system.

(31 min)- Year of Production 1995

Video Editing

Linear tape editing. Shotlister - approach and operation. Offline and online editing. EDL's (edit decision lists). Time code. Edit controller. Digital technology and non-linear editing. Hard disc storage. A closer look at some non-linear editing systems. Avid, Lightworks, the Video Machine, Lakovision. Hybrid systems.

(32 min)- Year of Production 1995

Film Camera

Differences in resolution between video and film. Types of film cameras: MOS ('mit out sound') Specific task cameras: time lapse, aerial shots, slow/fast motion. Formats: 8 mm, Super 8, 16 mm, 35 mm. A closer look at the 35 mm camera. Key features: silent running, sync sound recording, adaptable lens mounting, variable magazine attachments. The steadicam. Lenses: specific lenses. Film stock: 1,000 ft, 400 ft. Aspect ratios of TV and film. Time codes - usefulness in synchronising sound. Processing and editing of film stock after the shoot. Splicing. A and B rolls. The process of telecining.

(38 min)- Year of Production 1995

VCRs & Tapes

The first development of magnetic tape. How the signal is recorded. The first videotape - differences from audiotape. Manufacturing of the tape. Tape formats: M1, M2, Betacam, S-VHS, VHS, 1', 2' video 8, Hi 8 etc. Problems with videotape: dropouts, print-through, clogging, oxide shedding. Inside the video recorder. History of VCRs. Close look at an industrial VCR. The digital future. New tape formats.

(31 min)- Year of Production 1995

The Video Camera

History and development of the video camera. Quality of the video image compared to film. Domestic and professional cameras. The development of the CCD - one and three CCD cameras. Sound to noise ratio (db). White balance. Resolution: vertical and horizontal. Gain. Sound recording. Camera power; batteries. The iris. The lens and lens systems. Telephoto and macro functions. Lens interchange. TV formats. A closer look at some modern cameras and related systems: dockable cameras, Betacam, slow motion, autocue, steadicam, DVC Pro, The 'Camcutter' - disk base d video camera.

(41 min)- Year of Production 1995

Set of 10 Cutting Edge videos

Media Videos: Behind the Scenes

Newspaper

The Melbourne Leader, a suburban newspaper group, reveals the inner processes of print media production. From editorial meetings to the journalist on the street, we see the hectic environment from which our newspapers come. The pressure of editorial deadlines, the efficiency required of journalists, the importance of advertising and the technology of mass production are discussed by interviewees and witnessed first hand on camera.

(20 min)- Year of Production 1993

Film Advertisement Co.

Great Southern Films, a prominent Australian film advertisement company, allowed our cameras to expose the time and sheer hard work involved in producing one of its many television commercials. On location discussions between the Director of Photography and the Director are captured. What's it really like working as a professional in this industry today?

(27 min)- Year of Production 1993

Commercial Radio Station

FOX FM, a leading commercial radio station in Melbourne, typifies the exciting environment of radio today, its colourful atmosphere and various characters. We see the makings of the popular 'Morning Crew' and talk to management, the news department and production operators. For anybody wanting a career in radio, here is wise advice from people with enormous experience.

(25 min)- Year of Production 1993

Public TV Station

RMITV is part of a newly licensed consortium of public television broadcasters which will change television as we know it today. Following in the path of community radio, public T.V is a grass-roots organisation that aims to provide a genuine alternative for television audiences. We look at the programming of news and current affairs, outside broadcasts and student films. We also discuss the operation of the station with elected management and see the production skills of station members.

(21 min)- Year of Production 1993

Set of 4 Behind the Scenes Videos