Production Training
If desired, community residents can submit finished programs created using their own equipment. Others who wish to create programs using CTV equipment may do so after completing appropriate production training workshops.
CTV offers fully equipped TV studios with ample space for interview formats, multiple cameras, professional lighting, audio mixing and a teleprompter. Each studio is also equipped with a camera switcher that allows producers to create network style virtual sets, balanced audio, and integrated character graphics. One studio is even equipped to allow callers to participate during live programs.
For remote shoots, CTV provides the use of digital video cameras, microphones and portable lighting kits. Using CTV’s digital editing software, video can be transferred from almost any format for editing. It can then be edited into clips; clips can be joined using transitions; and background effects can be added.
STUDIO Training . . .
CTV offers two fully equipped television studios. Each offers ample space for interview talk-show formats, a multiple camera arrangement, cool Videssence lighting, audio equipment options, a teleprompter, and miscellaneous set pieces. One studio is also equipped to allow callers to be heard over the air during live cablecast programs. Each studio is equipped with a camera switcher with wipe and digital effects, a character generator, and an audio mixing board.
Because multiple positions must be taught in Studio Workshops, they must be taught among groups of three or more participants. Producers wishing to schedule a Studio Workshop are responsible for recruiting participants for their workshop. The pace of the training and the number of training sessions is determined by the familiarity and comfort level of the group.
Topics covered during the workshop include: camera demonstration, interview techniques, microphones, camera switching, special effects, subtitles, rolls & crawls, hands-on practice, and self-critique.
PORTABLE EQUIPMENT Training . . .
Community Television provides access to field production equipment such as lights, microphones, tripods, and, of course, professional quality camcorders. That equipment has been upgraded and updated several times over the years to coincide with the newest available technology. The latest addition to our staple of professional gear is the Canon XL-1.
The XL-1 is a compact, professional quality camcorder that gives producers like you the flexibility to do many types of productions. It's also very easy to use, so you can get started right away. All you have to do is take our portable camera workshop to get certified to use our equipment.
CTV offers a certification workshop to members of the community who would like to use the Canon XL-1 to produce their own programming for the station. The camera is available to anyone who lives in Knox County, pays the annual video access fee, signs a producer agreement form, and completes the portable training workshop taught by the CTV staff. After certification, producers can check out the camera and its accessories to do field shooting within the city of Knoxville.
The workshop covers the basic operation of the Canon XL-1 camcorder, how to use external microphones, when to use a tripod and the importance of lighting. We also outline CTV's rules and procedures so that you know how to correctly reserve, check out, and use our camera equipment.
Because of the need for "on-camera" and "off-camera" participants, Portable Equipment Workshops are usually taught among groups with three or more participants. The pace of the training and the number of training sessions is determined by the familiarity and comfort level of the group.
Classes are scheduled at the beginning of each month and meet once a week for up to four weeks. If you would like to take our portable camera workshop, stop by our studios or call (865) 215-8848 to set up an appointment today!
A self-guided online course is provided here to familiarize you with the XL-1 as well as CTV's policies regarding the use of the camera. While this guide is not a substitute for the actual class, it will familiarize you with the equipment and CTV's policies. You must be certified by a CTV staff member in person in order to be able to use our camera equipment. However, any knowledge you bring to the class as a result of reviewing this guide will help you get certified much faster, and get you on your way to shooting your very own show!
VIDEO EDITING Training . . .
CTV offers editing suites equipped with digital software that allows producers to transfer their raw footage into a finished program. In order to use CTV's editing facilities, community residents will first need to take an editing workshop to learn how to use our equipment.
Editing workshops are usually taught one-on-one. The pace of the training is determined by the familiarity and comfort level of each participant. Currently, CTV trains producers to use Apple's iMovie software.
Apple has an excellent tutorial on their website that will you show you all you need to know in order to use their editing software. Please take a look at this video guide in order to familiarize yourself with iMovie and then contact CTV to complete your workshop so you can become certified to use our facilities to edit your show.
GREEN SCREEN Training . . .
CTV is now offering workshops to train producers how to use our new "green screen" technology to effectively promote their organization's message. Take a look at the video above to see some examples of what YOU can do with the green screen.
If you are interested in learning more about how to use the green screen for your own productions, please give us a call at 215-8848 and ask to speak to Media Coordinator, Jason Oaks or Youth Coordinator, Dale Mackey.
Understanding MPEG-2 . . .
We now live in the digital age and the quality of digital video recording and playback equipment and the convenience of non-linear digital editing have revolutionized the video industry. As new technology has taken over, older technology has become obsolete – e.g. DVDs have replaced VHS tapes.
Today, unless you are watching a live program on CTV, you are actually watching a digital MPEG-2 file being played on a computer - no tape in a machine, no disc spinning; just a computer file being played.
Nowadays, here is how your program makes it to the air:
- Your raw footage is captured on a disc or tape
- Your footage is edited on a computer
- Your edited footage is converted to an MPEG-2 digital file (.mpg)
- Your .mpg file is burned to a DVD-R Data Disc
- Your labeled disc is submitted to CTV
- Your file is moved from the disc to CTV’s digital playback machine