Wrapping it Up: Fall Semester and Christmas Gifts

Amazingly, we are wrapping up the fall semester while it actually still feels like fall. Usually at this time of the year it feels pretty wintery, but with the lack of snow on the ground it’s hard to believe that it’s Christmas time. And that means I’ve got to wrap up a few other things – Christmas gifts!

As I have said in my previous blog post, I will be completing my Audio-Video certificate this semester. I’m amazed at how much I have learned and how many portfolio pieces I’ve created in just three semesters. I have commercials, animated logos, instructional videos, green screen and product videos, and an animated infographic (just to name a few) to include in my portfolio.

So, what’s next for me now that I’ve earned my certificate? I will be taking a short break from blogging, but I will be back to share the next stage in the life of an MPTC graduate. I will be exploring alumni opportunities and sharing my job search progress. I will be continuing my internship and using my research and learning skills I’ve developed at MPTC to learn some new things on my own. I’ve been encouraged by my instructors to participate in Portfolio Night, which is held once per academic year, at the end of the spring semester.

Congratulations to all the college students who are wrapping up the semester. Take a much-needed break, enjoy some time with your family and friends and have a very happy holidays!

Have We Really Come This Far Already?

It wasn’t until I saw a post on my Facebook newsfeed that I realized how far along we are into the semester. The post was from Moraine Park reminding those who will be graduating this December to fill out their graduation candidacy form ASAP if they haven’t already. When I read that I realized that message pertained to me. I’m earning my Audio-Video Certificate this semester. With classes, the holidays coming up and making plans for the future, it’s easy to forget something like that.

At this point of the semester I’ve completed quite a few projects for my classes. I’m really proud of this last one. I incorporated four or five elements from scratch to create a promo graphic for the IMD (Interactive Media Design) program. I based the design on elements I’ve seen used in the news graphics I’m fond of. I also found this assignment to be very practical. I could see myself using something similar to this in the future.

In my Pre-Production class we have determined crew requirement and equipment requirements for a TV commercial. Next, we’ll be researching actual talent (the actors in the commercial).  In order to better understand the pre-production process, the commercial we chose at the beginning of the semester is the one we base all our assignments on. I am at the point right now that I feel I could actually film this commercial for real (well, after we finish the last few lesson plans that are important parts of the pre-production process, of course).

Besides focusing on my projects for homework, I’m also working on projects at my internship. Recently I’ve created a 3-D rotating sphere with a logo, which will be placed in the bottom corner of one of their TV programs. While editing some green screen backgrounds, I was taught how to manipulate the image for a three-point camera set up. I’m excited to see what that will look like once the footage has been added.

In between putting in some internship hours, class and work, I decided to stop in on an IMD/Graphics Club meeting to see what they were up to. Right now they are working on getting things in order for their annual poster sale. Students in the club create posters and they raffle them off.  It sounds like a great way for students to improve their skills and use their talent to raise money for the club. I got to see a few examples one member was working on and they looked great! I also heard the club may go on a trip to a comic convention in Chicago. How fun!

It’s been a really great semester so far, and I’m looking forward to finishing the semester the same way. Good luck to my fellow schoolmates who are also working hard these last few weeks of the semester.

My Video Demo Reel - Capturing and Editing Video/Audio

Note: Please change the settings of the YouTube player to HD for best quality.

Since I shared some of my work from my Motion/Visual Graphics class in a previous blog, I thought you may also like to see some of the footage I filmed and edited for my other classes: Video Camera/Lighting Techniques and Video/Sound Editing. It's only a sample of my work, not the full videos, so I'm amazed I have  a full four minutes worth of footage in this demo reel. It didn't seem like it at the time, but I've already made quite a lot of videos in a relatively short amount of time. I've got two more classes to take, which are Pre Production and Post Production, and then I will have completed the Audio/Video certificate-- and I'll have a whole bunch of new projects to include in another demo reel!

My New Schedule

An animation I'm creating in After Effects

It may take some time adjusting to my new schedule this semester. Last week was the first week of the spring semester, and with a new set of classes comes a new routine for me. Since I have class twice per week, I have to make up my hours at work by going in early and staying late certain days of the week. But, it seems to be working out just fine.

My class this semester is called Motion/Visual Effects. We will be learning how to use After Effects, a program used to make those pretty cool graphics you see in movies, TV shows, on the news, and the Web. We started going over the interface in class. My homework for this week included working with some exercise files. After we get a handle on how the features work, we’ll move into some more creative projects.

Despite the fact that some of my days are really busy, I do have one day every week where I don’t have work or class during the winter. I use this day to work on homework, do some cleaning around the house, and continue my volunteer work for a local educational non-profit.

Unfortunately, I can’t attend as many fun activities on campus as I like, but there are a few I’ll be able to take part of in the future. I was looking at the upcoming events on the myMPTC portal, and I was happy to see that many of the acts I suggested we have on campus are booked for this semester. I discovered these speakers and performers at the conferences I went to with Student Senate last year. At the conferences we got to watch these people speak or perform, and we also talked to them one-on-one. Please check out the events calendar and attend some of these events. I’m sure one or two of them will spark your interest.

My schedule will change yet again in March for the second half of the semester. The class I’m taking now is an accelerated course. Once this class is over in March, my other class, Video/Sound Editing, begins. I have been looking forward to this class for a long time. I noticed it a few semesters ago in the course catalog when it was first offered. Having made a video as an assignment for one of my other classes, I was really interested in learning video editing. I am fortunate to be in a position now to take it, along with other classes in the Audio-Video Certificate.

Good luck to all those who have begun classes. It’s going to be a great spring! (Especially after the snow melts and this bitter cold ends!)

Don’t Let Your Brain Turn Into Mush This Winter

It may sound a little strange to say, but I already miss going to class on Monday nights. It’s been three weeks since we’ve finished, and I miss my classmates and all the cool stuff we’ve gotten to do together. I am still in contact with a few of them, and that has been nice. Some of us are continuing our education through the break by working on building our portfolios and doing extra research online. One of my classmates has an interview for an internship, so I’m crossing my fingers for him.

At work we’ve purchased a new camera that takes excellent photos and HD video. So far I’ve only taken photos, but soon I’ll be filming. I have learned enough in class this past fall to do a few short videos. I’ve jotted down some promising ideas.

During the winter I have an extra day off of work each week, so I’m choosing to spend time teaching myself more about filming and editing. I also don’t want to lose any knowledge I’ve gained in class. I’m also hoping that there will be some awesome events on campus on my day off so I can attend them. I haven’t been able to participate as much as I did in the past recently.

I was watching a YouTube blogger today, and he was talking about New Year’s resolutions. Instead of resolutions, which tend to be pretty generic, he suggested making a list of New Year’s accomplishments. This would be a short list of things you want to accomplish by the end of 2014. I love that idea, especially since it’s attached to a timeframe. And, if you accomplish them by New Year’s Eve, you really have something to celebrate! I want to write down three things to accomplish this year. I want them to be attainable and something I’m proud of completing, so I’m going to give myself some time to think about it.

If you’re on winter break too, enjoy the rest of your time off, and don’t let your brain turn into mush! Keep learning and you’ll fall right back into place come spring semester.

Product Videos, Interviewing, and Green Screens

Testing the lighting and setting the white balance

We’ve done some pretty cool things in my Video Camera and Lighting Techniques class these past weeks. Recently, we learned how to set up lighting for green screen. Our classroom has a green screen backdrop, and we were able to use that for our interview project.

I interviewed one of my classmates who has been fortunate enough to travel globally, so he talked about how that has affected him. I’ll be working on editing the video in the next few days. I plan on using one of the places he’s traveled to as a backdrop.

Product video shoot

Earlier this semester we filmed product videos. This is a really practical application for video, because businesses need to show their product to consumers. What better way to do that than video? Our instructor brought in a guest, who is also a professional, to give us some tips on shooting products. It was really helpful listening to him explain how each of our products should be lit based on what color it was, if it was translucent, or if it had any reflective properties. My “product” was the lantern I walked down the aisle with at my friend’s wedding this summer. I used a white backdrop to contrast with the black lantern.

We usually have time at the end of class to work on editing our projects, so I’m able to get some extra help from my instructor and my more-experienced classmates with that part of the assignments. I’m starting to learn the editing software better. There is a lot more tools and features than iMovie. It was the only other video editing software I’ve used before this class. I’ve been taking advantage of all the resources our instructor has provided in the webliography section of eCollege, our online class portal.

We’ve got a few more projects left to complete before this semester is over. I’m looking forward to starting those, and signing up for my spring classes. I’ll be taking Video/Sound Editing and Motion/Visual Effects. Imagine all the cool stuff I’ll have made by the end of May!

From Storyboarding to Recording

Our class stood around a long table covered in sheets of paper. We were reviewing storyboards. These were the several storyboards we created based on the same script, a commercial for Student Services. Some of the shots my classmates sketched out were similar, but some were very different. In the end, we combined shots from several of the storyboards to make one storyboard we agreed upon. This would be the storyboard we would use to shoot our commercial.

Before heading out for filming, we discussed reasons for using and following a storyboard, release forms for actors and locations, and other things that are important to know before filming anything.

In a group, we filmed outside and indoor shots based on the storyboard. The most difficult part of shooting that day was the lighting. You don’t have a lot of control over lighting conditions outside. It’s important to know how to change the settings on the camera to get the best possible shot. Even so, you sometimes have to wait for the sun to be at a certain point in the sky. I now understand why camera crews, actors, and directors have long shooting days.

Now that the shooting is complete, my group and I will piece the shots together and add a voiceover and a logo at the end. It’ll be my first time using Adobe Premiere Pro. I’m looking forward to seeing the finished project on the projector screen in class soon!

First Day of Class, First Day of Filming

My first grade picture

I never saw a professional video camera up-close before, so when I walked up to the front of the room with my other classmates, I was surprised to see so many buttons and switches. Our instructor was explaining all the settings on the camera and was letting us take turns changing settings and putting in the battery as he explained what everything did.

Later on, we were put into groups so we could practice some camera moves. We did a tilt, pan, follow, and rack focus. My group decided to film some figurines in the graphics lab. It was even more fun when we decided to put together a storyline.

Even though it was a four-hour class, it went by really quickly. During our next class, we’ll be setting up lighting. This is something I have no experience in. When I’ve filmed things in the past, I just waited until the lighting outside was good. It’ll be nice knowing how to set up proper lighting.

Before class that day, I got to campus after work to eat my dinner in the cafeteria, and I had the opportunity to meet our new Student Involvement Specialist. I think it’s going to be a really exciting year for Student Senate. If you get the chance, come to the Student Senate meetings. It’s a great way to meet people. You can either be involved in the political side of campus, the event planning side, or both!

How was your first week of class? Did you learn anything this past week you didn’t know before?

The Summer of 2013

A Reflection of My Summer

Before I started writing this blog post, I listed everything I did this summer on a sticky note on my desk. And then I needed a second one because I ran out of space on the first sticky note. I’ve probably done more things this summer than I’ve done in the past three summers combined. It has been filled with many events, activities, and lasting memories.

Much of the things I did this summer centered around two of my friends’ weddings. We went to a Brewer’s game, the Mitchell Park Domes, the Cheesecake Factory (it was my first time there, believe it or not), and the Milwaukee Art Museum.

I did quite a few things with my family as well including, taking my niece to the zoo for the first time, my godson’s first birthday, and my sister’s baby shower. My sister is due any day now. I could literally get a call from her husband while I’m typing this!

I’ve also experienced life milestones. I graduated from Moraine Park, I celebrated another birthday, and I started a new, full-time job.

I somehow managed to squeeze in two activities that challenged me this summer. First, I took up running. I am now running longer and faster than I have ever ran in my life. Second, I participated in GISHWHES (the Greatest International Scavenger Hunt The World Has Ever Seen). It’s a weeklong contest and charity event. It encourages people to be more outgoing by completing a long list of crazy tasks as a team as well as random acts of kindness and giving back to the community. My teammates and I created a pair of “helium pants,” sewed a teabag swimsuit, gave diapers to a local charity, and donated blood. This year I helped break a Guinness World Record for the world’s largest online photo album of people hugging!

It kind of feels like things should be winding down now that we’re heading into fall. But, I think things are still going to be pretty busy. I’ll be working overtime at my job this week, and I start one of my classes for the Audio-Video Certificate at MPTC.

Good luck to everyone beginning their first semester of college, or their last year of school, or their new job, or whatever life has handed you this year. Make it amazing, make it important, and enjoy the good things in life whether they’d be big or small, a lot or a little. And when you get the chance, take the opportunity for a little catnap. It’s good for you.

It’s Beginning to Feel a Lot Like Summer

Week in Review: A Reflection of May 27 – June 1

These storm clouds were definitely not invited to the party

It’s technically still spring, but it’s starting to feel a lot like summer. It’s so nice to be outdoors again. I spend every chance I get outside, even taking my lunch to the picnic tables at work so I can enjoy the sunshine and fresh air.

I was officially accepted into the Audio-Video certificate program this past week, so I went to myMPTC and registered for class. I’m so looking forward to taking the Video Camera and Lighting Techniques class that I can hardly wait for August 26! I also can’t wait to get a new laptop at the end of the summer. It’ll have Windows 8, so that will be something new for me to learn.

Because the Web club is a large group and so many members are interested in seeing a movie at the theater, I set up a SurveyMonkey poll so we can choose what times and dates work best for everyone. I learned about this website, where you can create surveys, in class at MPTC. It’s a pretty helpful tool that can be used for lot of different purposes.

I celebrated my birthday a few days early on Saturday with my friends. We tried to have a fire and roast s’mores, but we didn’t get to stay outside too long. It started raining and lightning. Oh well.

When the weather gets bad, what’s your favorite indoor summer activity?

Life After Graduation

Week in Review: A Reflection of May 20 – 26

Two days before graduation I received an email from someone who saw my resume on the Wisconsin Technical College System’s job site. Three days after graduation I had a job interview with them, and the day after that I was hired to fill the position. I can’t believe how fortunate I am to be employed so soon and to be able to start working ten days after graduation.

Even though the semester is over, the Web Developer Club members are still in contact with each other. We’re planning on seeing The Internship, a comedy about two men who become interns at Google. We’re always talking about Google and what it would be like to work at a place like that. If you haven’t seen the clip from the Travel Channel about working at Google, look it up on YouTube.

As I mentioned in my earlier posts, I was seriously thinking about enrolling in the Audio-Video certificate at MPTC in the fall. Since I’m starting work right away, I’ll have enough time to save up money to take some classes next semester. I’ve already filled out an application for the certificate program and turned it in to Student Services. I contacted someone to get more information about what I’ll need for those classes. I won’t need to worry about getting my own camera since the college has ones for the students to use. I will, however, be getting a new laptop to bring to class. Using some of the techniques I learned in my Computer Essentials class, I fixed up my old laptop and gave it to my parents. They really needed it. Their desktop computer was so old it still had a floppy disk drive.

Besides all of those things, my summer will include a lot of wedding-related events. I went to a Brewers game last Saturday for a bachelorette party, and I’ve got another bachelorette party in two weeks at the Mitchell Park Domes. My godson has his first birthday in June, and my sister’s baby shower will be in July. This is going to be my busiest summer yet!

What are your plans for the summer?