Studio-Based Courses

Basic Studio

Introductory course for working in the studio. This course covers the operation of the studio cameras, basic lighting, set design, and floor directing. Students will also learn the basics of shot composition, safety procedures, and rules of the studio. The course will include the taping of short programs as a practical test, as well as a written test. Following the final session, each student will also be required to serve on 4 volunteer lab sessions for current producers.

FREE
4 sessions
Thursdays 6:00-9:00 PM
or Saturdays 1:30-4:30 PM

Control Room

The next step in studio production. This course teaches the students how to operate the audio board, character generator (graphics), video tape recorders, and switcher. As with the Basic Studio course, the course will include the taping of short programs as a practical test, as well as a written test. Following the final session, each student will also be required to serve on 4 volunteer lab sessions for current producers.

Prerequisite: Basic Studio
FREE
4 sessions
Thursdays 6:00-9:00 PM
or Saturdays 1:30-4:30 PM

Basic Directing

For those students wishing to learn the basics of leading a studio production. Before taking this course, you should be comfortable with the other positions of the control room. The course will concentrate on the logistics of guiding a crew and the “rules of directing”. The final class will include a written test and a practical test of directing a short program along with students in the Basic Studio and Control Room classes.

Prerequisite: Control Room
$25
2 sessions
Thursdays 6:00-9:00 PM

Editing Courses

Final Cut Pro Basics

Introduction to non-linear editing using the program Final Cut Pro. After a brief overview of Mac computers, students will learn how to capture video and audio into the computer, edit clips together, add transitions and graphics, use special effects, and record their finished product onto DVD. Instructors will also review effective workflows and file storage. A majority of the class time will be devoted to hands-on practice. A written test and practical test (in the form of editing labs) is required for completion. Once certified, members can have a CMPAC hard drive assigned to them, or bring their own in to use on the edit suites.

$90
6 Sessions
Tuesdays 1:30-4:30 PM, or 6:00-9:00 PM
Or Fridays 1:30-4:30 PM, or 6:00-9:00 PM

Motion Basics

This class is designed to teach students revolutionary real-time motion graphics. Motion, one of the additional products in the Final Cut Pro Suite, is an industry-leading program intended to add more punch and pizzazz to the graphic elements of your program. The class will include lots of hands-on practice time, and end with a written test.

Prerequisite: Final Cut Pro Basics
$60 - 6 Sessions
Fridays 1:30-4:30 PM, or 6:00-9:00 PM

On-Location Courses

Field Production

The introductory course for members wishing to shoot outside of the studio. Students will learn the basics of field camera work, lighting, and audio. The course will include on-location shooting projects that ultimately will be used by the Final Cut Pro students for their practical test labs.

$60
4 Sessions
Mondays 6:00-9:00 PM

Advanced Field Production

Want an experienced guide through the jungle of on-location production? Our advanced class offers just that. An initial classroom session will review the logistics of field production and the necessary steps to complete an assigned script. Each week will include specific steps in the process, followed by an appointed time to sit down with the instructor one-on-one and review where you are at that moment. After completion of this course, field producers will be more comfortable with producing their own scripts on-location.

$75
6 Sessions (one class and 5 appointments)
Dates to be Announced

Other Courses

Scriptwriting

Scripts are a necessary part of your pre-production planning. Learn the different styles of scripts for television studio, documentaries, and movies. Students will write examples of each style, to be reviewed by the instructor and classmates each week. At the end of the class, students should be familiar with all the styles, know which are best for different types of programs, and be ready to properly plan their own programs.

$60
6 Sessions
Saturdays 9 AM – 12:30 PM

Webcasting

Not satisfied with having your program on a television channel? Want to make it available to the whole world? Then you need to take advantage of the World Wide Web! This course will guide you through the process, the myriad options available to you, and the required technology to make your show accessible through the internet. This course will include a project to be completed at home, so you must have access to the internet.

FREE
2 Sessions
Dates to be Announced

Saturday Seminars

Once a quarter, CMPAC will offer seminars on various subjects to expand the knowledge of our members and producers. Sample topics include: Set Construction, Promoting Your Program, Green Screen, and Lighting Tricks. Ideas for new topics are always welcome. The seminars are either held as two 90-minute seminars, or as a full 3-hour workshop, depending on the topic and time required. A snack break is included as a chance to mix and mingle and get re-energized. Seminars do not include tests and do not result in certification.

$10
Saturdays 1:30 PM - 5:00 PM