Michael Webber

Author: Michael Webber

  • Video Production Trade News – Week of July 31, 2017

    Each week I share select trade news articles with students enrolled in my New England Tech video production classes. It’s critical in any field to remain current, follow emerging trends, examine best practices, and learn about various challenges that face the industry.

    Below are some articles from the past week that were discussed during class:

    1. PBS Federal Funding

    “There is no PLAN B” if $450 Million federal budget for PBS is cut.

    Read Full Article: http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/la-et-entertainment-news-updates-july-there-is-no-plan-b-for-public-1501448678-htmlstory.html  

    2. Follow UP on NFL Ratings Discussion

    Since our discussion last week, a J.D. Power 2017 Fan Experience Survey reveals other possible reasons for the dip in ratings.

    Read More: https://www.sbnation.com/2017/7/27/16050800/nfl-viewership-national-anthem-protests-jd-power-survey-2017?yptr=yahoo

    3. Drone UAV Pilot Training

    https://youtu.be/EN8FmDxRtvg 

    Website: https://www.zephyr-sim.com/ 

    4. July 30th – Vladimir Zworykin Birthday

    In 1889…Vladimir Zworykin, called the “Father of Television” was born in Russia. He invented the iconoscope in 1931 while in the employ of RCA, the parent company of NBC. He died July 29, 1982 on the eve of his 93rd birthday.

    Read More: http://mediaconfidential.blogspot.com/2017/07/july-30-radio-history.html

  • Video Production Trade News – Week of July 24, 2017

    Each week I share select trade news articles with students enrolled in my New England Tech video production classes. It’s critical in any field to remain current, follow emerging trends, examine best practices, and learn about various challenges that face the industry.

    Below are some articles from the past week that were discussed during class:

    1. Sony’s Electronic Variable ND Filter

     

    Electronic Variable Neutral Density (ND) Filter is the name Sony is giving a new feature now available on certain Sony Cameras.

    Controlling our environment and camera exposure settings to produce professional level compositions is a topic we’ve discussed in class many times. Developing a solid understanding of exposure is critical to controlling Depth of Field, a technique used is frequently to direct viewers attention and allow our subjects to stand out from the background.

    Sony’s auto ND filter makes controlling DOF even easier, assuming you have enough light.

    2. NFL Making Changes to Commercial Breaks – Testing Split Screen Ads

    The NFL conducted extensive research last Fall, measuring viewer metrics including eye tracking, heart rates, and skin response. All in an effort to address the 8% decrease in TV ratings last fall.

    Among the changes coming, the NFL will look to make the following changes:

    •  30 percent fewer promotional messages (ie. 60minutes coming up next)
    • Split screen Ads, with an ad on one side and what’s happening in the stadium on the other

    The league is also making changes with an eye on cutting down the length of the game. Officials will use tablets while consulting with officials in New York. Overtime will be cut to 10 minutes from 15.

    Source: https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-07-17/nfl-puts-fans-in-lab-to-see-what-works-as-football-seeks-answers 

    3. Media Composer | First

    The first 30 days (or so) of Media Composer First

  • Video Production Trade News – Week of July 17, 2017

    Each week I share select trade news articles with students enrolled in my New England Tech video production classes. It’s critical in any field to remain current, follow emerging trends, examine best practices, and learn about various challenges that face the industry.

    Below are some articles from the past week that were discussed during class:

    1. NBC Nightly News – New Set Design

    A timely piece of trade news this week as we begin a “Studio Production” course at the college.

    On July 17th NBC Nightly News moved to Studio 3C, where a new set design built by Clickspring Design will debut. 

    According to Newscast Studio, a trade publication with the largest collection of photographs and samples of television sets and graphics packages from around the world, the new NBC studio features:

    • 632 square feet of LED video tiles
    • A double-height LED column, nicknamed “the tower”
    • Color-changing peacock sculpture is suspended from the ceiling, but instead of being lined up in a single plane, each feather is positioned slightly behind its neighbor, so that the sculpture morphs as one views it from different vantage points.  
    The new NBC Nightly News Set in Studio 3C

    Read More – http://www.newscaststudio.com/2017/07/14/nbc-nightly-news-studio-3c/ 

    2. Local TV News Fact Sheet

    PEW Reseach Center released a new study revealing consumer viewing habits of local news, advertising income, and station salaries. 

    PEW is a great resource full of rich data and analysis of our industry.

    Check out the Fact Sheet Here

  • Foxborough’s “Do Your Job” Mannequin Challenge

    I had a great time working on this project with some community residents in Foxborough. “Freezing” a Stop & Shop store in the middle of the day was certainly a challenge. A fun no-budget project that aimed to show community pride and support of the New England Patriots ahead of their AFC Championship Game vs. Pittsburgh Steelers. Mission accomplished!

  • Great Run this Morning

    Awesome

    A photo posted by Michael Webber (@mediaguy4) on

    I was just thrilled to have the morning off from teaching, giving me an opportunity to get out and run in the fresh snow. The views along the Blackstone River were awesome!

  • Winter is Coming

    November 20, 2016 Run

  • Gansett Half Marathon

    Great time at the Gansett Half Marathon this year. My training was less than ideal, but somehow I pulled off a better run than I deserved. Great day, motivated to improve.

  • Columbus Weekend in Franconia, NH

    Just arrived at Fransted Campground for the weekend. The early morning fog lifted after offering some gorgeous sights over Profile and Echo Lakes. It appears we’ve lucked out, despite the summer drought the leaves are full of chromatic bliss. I’m guessing this is near the peak of leaf-peeping, a short window of majestic beauty in the White Mountains.More importantly, the kids are excited to be in the mountains for an end of season family camping trip. 

    Let the weekend begin! 

  • Video Production Trade News – Week of September 4, 2016

    Each week I share select trade news articles with students enrolled in my New England Tech video production classes. It’s critical in any field to remain current, follow emerging trends, examine best practices, and learn about various challenges that face the industry.

    Below are some articles from the past week that were discussed during class:

    1. HLN Editors Blur Trump Shirt

    Last week CNN’s sister network, HLN was criticised for blurring Steven Eckel’s 2016 Trump T-Shirt during a televised interview. The 53 retired New Jersey police officer was interviewed by HLN after Mr. Eckel used a sledgehammer to break the glass of a car parked in the summer heat with a young child inside.

    During the original live interview, Mr. Eckel’s shirt was unaltered, NO blur, but subsequent replays of the interview masked the Trump 2016 shirt with a blur and b-roll footage was used to apparently, limit Mr. Eckel’s shirt on-the-air.

    According to the Washington Post, HLN(formerly Headline News) later released a statement, “We blurred the logo and shouldn’t have; it was done in error…”

    Trump 2016 T-Shirt Blurred by HLN

    TrumpShirtBlur-compressor

    Original Live Interview with Steven Eckel

    Blurred Rebroadcast of the Interview

    Sources: The Washington Post, Media Confidential, HLN, YouTube

    2. ShurePlus Motiv 2.0 Released

    ShurePlus Motiv 2.0 App Released
    ShurePlus Motiv 2.0 App Released

    From Shure Press Release:

    Shure announced on August 30th that a new version of its ShurePlus™ MOTIV™ Mobile Recording App—designed for use with the Company’s MOTIV Digital Condenser Microphones—is now available for download. Version 2.0 of this iOS App offers a suite of advanced new features, including an editing tool, improved user interface, and fluid sound metering for a more accurate, jitter-free experience. Additionally, version 2.0 offers access to a playback window, enabling users to review, assess, or simply listen to a recording of their choice.

    Continue Reading Shure Press Release

  • Waterfall White Noise for Relaxation, Sleep and Meditation

    Relaxing Waterfall recorded at Fransted Campground in Franconia, New Hampshire, Run time = 10hrs:

    (1.15GB) – Download

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