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