Student Editing Class

stevesnj

stevesnj

Well-known member
I have been in the process of geting a video editing/production class started and during this process of gathering prices for the Superintendant and Principal so they can see the initial costs. Since this will be a small class at first, 2 student and 1 teacher station, I can show them that this class will be worthwile as a full time class with more camera's and stations. Please look over the list and let me know what I missed. I have been coming here for months as well as other sites to get an idea of decent to high quality (ie. Macs and DVX cam) equipment. I think this may be a good starting point. thanks for your input...

Steve

'Digital Media Program'
Equipment start-up costs

Based on two student editing stations and one teacher station


COMPUTERS

3 PowerMac G5 dual 2.7 Gigahertz processor computers.
Includes the following;

* System Unit
* Monitor
* Required video card
* Required RAM memory
* Extra Hard Drive
* Editing software

LAPTOP

* PowerBook 17" for mobile editing, and presentations. - x1


DIGITAL STILL CAMERAS

* Canon Digital Rebel digital camera XT - x2
* Case for cameras - x1


DV CAMERAS

* Panasonic DVX-100A DV CAM - x1
* Panasonic AG-DVC30 DV CAM - x 2



EDITING STATION DESKS & CHAIRS - x 3

* Console Desk
* Task Chairs
* Computer Rack (holder)



VTRs

* JVC SRVS30U Editing decks - x3


NTSC MONITORS

* JVC TMMA13SU 13inch Editing/Preview Monitors - x3


TRIPODS

* Bogen / Manfrotto 3046 Tripods - x2


STUDENT BOOKS

* Video editing by Lisa Rysinger - x3
* Final Cut Pro HD Editing Pro Video - x3
* Mastering Digital Photography - x3


MISCELLANEOUS REQUIRED ITEMS

* Panasonic Lens Adaptor for AG-DVX100A
* Panasonic Wide angle lens adaptor
* Panasonic Unidirectional microphone for AG-DVX100A DV cam
* Panasonic DV cam cases
* XLR boom microphone cable
* Sony F-710 Handheld Microphone
* Fiberglass Boom Microphone pole
* Panasonic Plasma TV
* Wall mount kit for Plasma TV
* Audio-Technica Boom Microphone
* DV Camera master recording tapes
* DV Camera Head Cleaner tapes
* Sennheiser Lavalier Wireless microphones and pin microphone
* Studio Speakers x3 sets


Estimated startup cost: $45,000
 
Damn, no wonder my taxes are so high. But you did not ask for comments on your list, so I won't.

How about lighting equipment, gels, dimmers, reflectors, scrims, green screens, etc. ?
Extra batteries for cam & mics.
Filters
Monitor headphones for cameras and editing
More training materials, lots more.
Glidecam
Monopod
Crane
Dolly
Mattebox
More filters
Portable lighting
More training materials
DVD Library of films for study.
DVD printer
Attorney (to defend against copyright infringement & privacy lawsuits).
 
The lighting is an issue that I had to cut. During the year if the program is working I know that the lighting will be bought. I made a home made stediecam so that is not an issue. Crane and dolly's are not yet neededI do need more help with training materials. The Attorney is not needed since music is for educational purposes not for distribution or sale we don't need to purchase rights (school already has looked into this) which is a great freedom. Thanks

more opions/advice wanted!!
 
Okay, here are my suggestions. Kill the two DVC30 and get two DVX100A or two dvx100A and one DVC30. The Plasma screen is nice but will cost. If money is no object, then get it, but it will probably be one of the most expensive items next to the cameras. Also make sure that the monitors you are getting have 16:9 aspect ratio. If you are going to use the anamorphic lens with the DVX100, you will need the 16:9 monitors to see it displayed properly. I particularly like Sony monitors. I use the 8045Q in the field and I have a 19 inch when I edit and color correct. Color Finesse is also a good program to teach color correction, an essential part of the post production process. You can buy it separately but I also think it is bundled with After Effects which is another great software. I would think twice about the powerbook. I've heard complaints about processing speed slow down and dropped frames using a laptop, but you will have the G5 which is a great computer. The G5 can also run in server mode, therefore its possible to run your apps on one computer, not safe if you get a disk crash but doable. I have a G4 and have never crashed in 3 years. Backup/archiving should also be part of your planning. Some good microphones are the Audio Technica 4071a and the 897. Also two decks is sufficient as you can use even a small dv camera to log and capture.

Don't sleep on lighting. It is very important that your images look as good as possible when you record, edit and print to tape; especially if you are trying to convince someone that the program should go forward (my guess why you want the Plasma). A small lighting package such as a couple of fresnels (650, 300, 150 watt), a softbox, a tota light, some reflectors, gels, scrims, snoots, flags and stands can go far in making your production look professional. You can probably get everything I mentioned in this paragraph for under $1500. Its all part of the craft of filmmaking, so even though editing is the direction, all other aspects of film production will come into play.

P.S. Pull out the steadicams, let the construction of a dolly and crane be a class project. dvcamerarigs.com have great plans. GOOD LUCK!!!!
 
I didn't see that you had any type of capture cards/media converters. So how are you going to see that stupp on a monitor. Also I would drop the Plasma and upgrade those other two cams to DVX's. Also I might be wrong but I didn't see any audio boards eather. If you are looking for a good media converter soulution I use and love the Kona AJA box. I have 4 of them and love them. Good luck.
 
Since we are now critiquing your list... Thinking more about the plasma, you should kill it and get a nice projection unit instead. Or get media ceneter (Library) to buy one, along with a decent sound system.

Also, why do you even need that level of camera. one DVX and 2-3 small 3CCD cams like gs400 or even gs250 might be more suitable for a student class. I would easily trade a camera for a decent lighting kit. When you think about production, probably entire class is involved in bigger efforts (one DVX is enough) and some small cams are great for run & gun one-person stuff. Don't let complex technology get in the way of what you are really trying to teach (or is this a technology class?)
 
hmmm yes I think I may kill the plasma but i need something to show movies and projects on...we have no TV at all. I want the kids to be able to shoot in 24p for their projects. If they have a short to make I want it to look as good as possible..not an MTV reality show. I may just kill the plasma and have 3 DVX100a's for everyone for multi cam shoots. As far as capture cards why can't I capture everything through FCP? I will have to get an s-video or composite card for output...I am used to the ease of s-video output from my PowerBook to my NTSC. I have nop problems on my PowerBook as far as editing so a quick mobile solution seems essential. hmmm lots to think about...keep 'em comin'
 
They are High School but I want to keep the program limited to Junior, and Seniors. They will hand picked for their goals and future ambitions for video production editing. They will have already have had 2 years of Graphic design work behind them so the Graphic arts teacher and I can weed out the players and career seekers for this field and future schooling for this field.
 
As a current high school junior, I think that I may be able to help with this. First off, what kind of editing/experience will they have? If it is close to none, then you do not need dual 2.7 G5s for light FCP. Also, I would kill the JVC SRVS30U x3 and just get cheap mini dv cams for the capture. You do not need those for a high school class. Downgrade the 17" pb to a 15". Also, I think that you can get away with downgrading the rebel XTs also, since this is video, and that type of quality isn't really nessacary.

If the kids are really, really good at shooting/editing, then it is possible that they already have DVXs at home. I know that about half my production class each owns a DVX.
 
The reason I want to use the VTR's is so they can use what would be used in a small editing studio. I want to save the wear on a DV cams heads so I would rather use a VTR. I picked the 2.7's because it's in the budget and by the time we get the okay for the purchases the next upgrade will be out there for the G5's. We will be using Final Cut Studio which seems to like high processor speeds and lots of RAM. The Rebel XT's will be the best camera in the school so I thought we need a semi-pro type of SLR Digital cam. Thanks for your input skiutah :) I am taking everyone's opinion very seriously!! :)
 
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