Description

WHEN: Saturday, May 10th AND Sunday May 11th; BOTH days from 9:00am to 4:30pm, with a one-hour break for lunch. (Lunch is not included)
WHERE: Boulder Chamber
COST: $199 Boulder Chamber members | $219 non-members

Professional Video Camera and Lighting Two-Day Workshop 

This comprehensive two-day, hands-on in-person class will be taught by award-winning filmmaker Lowel Pierce, and is designed to enable participants of all levels to make their videos look - and sound - professional. The workshop is designed for beginners, though the mix of fundamental and advanced techniques will make it valuable for everyone. Here is a detailed description of what the class will cover:

Day 1- Saturday March 1

9am-10:30: Intro & Camera Fundamentals Pt 1 

We’ll start with an overview of the weekend course and then get to know each other with introductions and background info. The instructor will discuss different types of production and  how cameras have evolved over time to fulfill the needs and budgets of both narrative and non fiction production. Then we’ll dive into camera fundamentals, including the four factors that  determine depth of field and the pros and cons of different size sensors. 

Break: 10:30am – 10:45am 

10:45 -12pm: Camera Fundamentals Pt 2 & Setting Up Your Camera 

After the break we’ll go through the six steps of setting up a camera so you’re ready for a shoot. Using your own camera’s menu, you’ll learn about setting the recording format and frame rate, choosing the codec, shutter speed, ISO, aperture and neutral density filter (when needed) and getting a white balance. This is a time to bond with your camera and its unique menu system. We’ll then explain four types of exposure tools used to help you get proper exposure: Zebra  patterns, Waveform monitors, Histogram and False Color monitors. 

Lunch break: 12pm – 1pm 

1pm – 2:15: Intro to Lighting, Pt 1 

We’ll start the afternoon with a presentation on the “Art and Science of Lighting.” Topics  covered include lighting styles, color temperature, common types of lighting instruments, and  putting a basic lighting package together to fit your budget. We’ll also discuss different diffusion  and color temperature gels you can use to enhance the image. 

Break: 2:15pm – 2:30pm 

2:30pm – 4:30pm: Intro to Lighting, Pt 2 

The instructor will now demonstrate how to light our model for a sit-down interview with classic 2, 3, and 4-point lighting techniques, using either daylight or tungsten balanced lights. He’ll then show how to create different moods and looks by repositioning the lights and using  C-stands, flags, diffusion, colored gels, patterns, and bounce cards to modify the light. You’ll be  able to set up your cameras on a tripod and work on getting good exposure, framing, and a  proper white balance. He’ll then demonstrate how to set up a background kit and light a green  screen, using a waveform monitor for reference.

Day 2 – Sunday March 2

9am – 10:30am: Getting Great Interviews 

Since interviews are the foundation for so many non-fiction video projects, we’ll discuss various  techniques for getting quality results and tips to help your interviewees look and sound their  best. We’ll then practice interviewing each other. 

Break: 10:30am – 10:45am 

10:45 – 12pm: Audio for Interviews 

Next, we’ll discuss the tools needed for location audio recording such as wireless lavs, shotgun  mics, boom poles, hand mics, external recorders, mixers and cables. We’ll talk about when to  use mic or line levels and the different methods of recording audio for a DSLR or MSLR (Mirrorless). You’ll get practice attaching a lav properly and using a shotgun mic on a boom  pole. 

Lunch: 12pm – 1pm 

1pm – 2:15pm: Audio Set Up for an Interview 

In this session we’ll practice lighting and location audio recording for an interview situation. You  will help to set up the lighting for the interview with our model, then the instructor will  demonstrate proper mic placement for a lav and a shotgun mic on a boom pole. We’ll go over  three ways you can record the audio: directly into the camera, onto an external recording  device or through a mixer. 

2:15pm – 4:30pm: Team lighting challenge 

Now it’s your turn to light and set up audio for an interview. We’ll break into teams where  everyone will have the chance to be the “DP” and design the lighting set up. You’ll rotate  through the crew positions on your own team and get experience doing the different jobs.  You’ll be using your own cameras and tripods to build up hands-on time with your gear. After a  review and Q and A it will be time to say those magic words: “And…that’s a wrap!”

Of course, other tools and techniques will be discussed as we progress through all these topics, so please bring your questions or issues you’d like to discuss.

Who Should Take This Class?

Particularly beginners, but anyone looking to improve their camera and lighting skills and gain more detailed knowledge of how the production process works. The class will be taught using and demonstrating with both traditional video cameras, as well as D-SLR cameras.

What To Bring?

If you have your own video camera and tripod, we highly recommend you bring it so that the instructor can teach you on the actual camera you'll be using. Plus, that way the instructor can show you hidden secrets on your camera that you might not have ever seen before! If you don't have your own camera - no problem; you'll be able to share the instructor's camera.

Class Size

To ensure a superior class experience, this class is limited to only 10 participants.

Location

This class will be held in-person at the Boulder Chamber.

Taught By Industry Pros

This is a unique opportunity to learn practical skills from someone with over thirty years of professional experience in film and video production.

Beef Up Your Resumé with our Certificate

Each participant will receive a Certificate from the Boulder County Film Commission upon completion of the class.

Make Industry Connections through the Boulder County Film Commission

Meet and connect with leaders in the Colorado film/video industry who run successful businesses that hire and recommend crew throughout the year.

Prerequisites

Ability to stand on your feet and help move equipment, including cameras, lights, and tripods, when necessary.

Instructor Bio

Lowel Pierce was born and raised in Colorado; he graduated from Colorado State University in 1974 with a BA in Technical Journalism. His first real job was with IMS, a film production company in Colorado Springs. That led to two years at the local ABC affiliate, KRDO-TV, shooting news stories and local commercials. Wanting to go out and see the world, he took a two-year job shooting film and stills for Saudi Media Systems in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. After that, he moved to Boulder and became a partner in Media Productions, USA, where he produced TV spots and corporate videos for the next four years.

In 1986 he decided to go freelance. He was interested in the peace movement and before long, he was traveling to the USSR to shoot and direct a documentary about 50 American kids interacting with Soviet kids and participating in a concert with John Denver. That program was televised on PBS and won a regional Emmy. He was then off and running. Some highlights include being the Denver DP on a daytime TV show called “Trial By Jury,” featuring Raymond Burr; traveling through the Caribbean and Europe shooting for Jazz Alley TV; and getting to shoot a nice mix of short films, micro-budget indie features, TV spots, higher-end corporate videos, music events and more documentaries.

COMMUNITY AGREEMENTS: By attending this event, all participants are expected to abide by these, BOULDER CHAMBER Community Agreements and Code of Conduct.

SUSTAINABLE COMMUTING: The BOULDER CHAMBER and Boulder Chamber Transportation Connections (BCTC) encourage you to use sustainable transportation options to get to Chamber events! Learn more about transportation options in Boulder and how BCTC can help employers encourage their employees to commute sustainably, on the BCTC website or by emailing us at transportation@boulderchamber.com. BCTC promotes transportation choices that are efficient & sustainable and enhance the Boulder community as a great place to live, work, & play.

PHOTO/VIDEO RELEASE: By attending this event, photographs and videos of the event and individuals will be public and possibly used on future marketing for the BOULDER CHAMBER and its associates.

NOTE: The opinions and information provided by the BOULDER CHAMBER event speakers are strictly those of the speakers. The BOULDER CHAMBER does not necessarily endorse their opinions and has not independently verified the information presented.