Studios

3-Camera Studios

MNN has two 3-camera studios, which require a full crew in the control room.

Both studios contain the same equipment. They are set up to do live programming and record programs onto S-VHS or DVCAM for future playback. More complex shoots can incorporate a large crew, including up to three cameraFilming in the Closed Studio operators.

Both studios feature:

• A fully digital video environment
• Robotic camera capability
• 24 channel audio mixing/18 mic inputs per studio
• Teleprompter
• Digital video and audio recording
• Digital feed to Master Control
• Apple G4 computers
• Wireless mics
• Digital cameras
• Telephones for incoming live calls

Studio One: Open Studio

Our Open Studio is a 40'x40' open space. It has three walls, and the fourth side is partially open to the lounge of the second floor and to the main lobby on the first floor. In addition to being a space for conventional studio shows, it is also available as a large public meeting room wired for TV. A community group that wants to organize a public forum with a large audience is able to reserve the studio and cablecast the event live on MNN. A producer who wants to stage a caberet can bring in a band and have music and dancing aired live. Studio One is also equipped with a video projector and screen for large screenings.

The Open Studio encourages the idea of television production as open, accessible, and not limited to sealed-off rooms. We feel this message is the heart of public access television. Certification needed: Digital 3-Camera Studio

Studio Two: Closed Studio

Our Closed Studio, a 20'x27' enclosed room, is a more conventional studio space. This space is recommended for producers who need more privacy or a more controlled environment in which to produce their program. Certification needed: Digital 3-Camera Studio

 

Express Studios

MNN also has two Express Studios for individuals and community groups that want a simple way to air a show without worrying about the complexity of producing a program in one of the main studios.

The Express

This studio is designed so that one person can be both on-camera talent and operator at once, but still have the ability to have up to four guests. The studio has two phone lines, (S)VHS/DV roll-in and record decks, a Mac computer with internet access, a CD player, a CG for titling and graphics, and a video switcher and audio board. Certification needed: Express Studio

The Mini Express

The Mini Express is a quick solution for a simple one- or two-person live call-in show. The equipment is similar to but easier to use than the equipment in the large Express Studio. The Mini Express has one phone line, DV record deck, a Mac computer with Internet access, a CG for titling and graphics, a video switcher (with ChromaKey), and an audio mixer with set microphones. Certification needed: Mini Express Studio

Field Equipment

 

 

 

Cameras and Tripods and Lights, Oh My

 

MNN offers a variety of field equipment for on-location shooting to producers who are certified. Currently we offer prosumer cameras and palmcorders (Sony PD-150, PD-170, PDX-10, and TRV-950) as well as professional microphones, tripods, and lights. Checking out the field equipment is free of charge, though producers are held completely responsible for the equipment when it is in their care.

 

 

 

Camera Package Suggestions

When you check out a camera package you'll almost always get:

• a camera (one that you're certified for)
• headphones
• a battery
• tripod.

If you're unsure of what type of microphones or other equipment you might need, please consider some of the following suggestions for add-ons. When in doubt, you can always ask us when you make a reservation.

Sit-down Interview: 1-2 Lavalier Mics, 1-2 Medium XLR Cable, 2 Lights with Stands, Headphones, Tripod
On-the-Street Interview: 1 Handheld mic, Medium or Long XLR Cable, On-Camera Mounted Light
Narrative Project: Boom Pole, Shotgun Mic, Long XLR Cable, 2 Lights with Stands
Performance (Dance, Theater, Concert): Shotgun Mic on Camera, Short XLR Cable, Long XLR (if you can patch onto the sound board and go directly onto the camera)
Demonstrations: Shotgun Mic mounted on camera with Short XLR, or (if you have a second person) a Handheld Mic with Medium or Long XLR and camera-mounted Light
Speech/Conference: Handheld Mic and long XLR if you can mount it on a podium. If you can patch onto the sound board, get a Long XLR. If you can get permission to bring a light, get a Light with stand.

Full Equipment List

Cameras

Sony TRV-950 (Certification Needed: Palmcorder TRV-950)
Sony PD-150/PD-170 (Certification Needed:
Advanced Camcorder PD-150)
Sony PDX-10

Microphones

Sony Lavalier ECM 55B
ElectroVoice Omni Dynamic 635A
BeyerDynamic Omni Dynamic M58
ElectroVoice UniDynamic RE-11
Seinnheiser Shotgun ME66
Sony Mini Shotgun ECM-Z37C
Wireless Handheld-Sennheiser E100 (Certification Needed: Wireless Field Microphones)
Wireless Lavalie-Sennheiser E100 (Certification Needed: Wireless Field Microphones)

Tripods

Large Size Bogen Tripod
Small TRV Size Bogen Tripod

Lighting

Lowell Omni 500 Watts
Lowell Tota 300 Watts
ProLight 250 Watts
L-series Video Light
M-series Video Light
Sunpack On-Camera Light 20 Watts

Lighting Accessories

Large Reflector 32"
Small Reflector
Lobo Arm
UmBrella, Gels (not reservable, pick-up only)

Batteries

L-series
M-series

Cables

XLR-XLR Short Cable
XLR-XLR Medium Cable
XLR-XLR Long Cable
XLR-Mini Short Cable
XLR-Mini Long Cable
XLR-Phone Cable

Headphones

1/8" Headphones

Audio Accessories

XLR Adapter Beachtek
Gitzo Boom Pole G556
Shotgun Muff (not reservable, pick-up only)
Shotgun Windscreen (not reservable, pick-up only)
Audio Mixer

Misc. Accessories

Large Ruxxac Cart - capacity 275 lbs.
Wide Angle Lens for PD-170

 

 

Editing Equipment

Non-linear Editing Suite

Editing

MNN offers both linear and non-linear editing suites.

Linear

Each linear suite has a character generator for titling, fading to black, and inserting jpeg stills. In each suite, you may choose between one of two source decks, and edit onto a DVCAM or S-VHS master using a Sony PVE 500 edit controller. All decks are equipped to read time code, and all suites have an audio mixer, a cassette deck, and a CD player for audio. No classes currently available for linear suites. Must have prior knowledge for test-out.

Non-Linear

Each non-linear station has either a G4 or G5 Macintosh computer, a larger screen monitor, and a DV/DVCAM player/record deck. These stations come complete with iMovie, Final Cut Pro, as well as support graphics and audio programs. Certification(s) needed: iMovie, Final Cut Pro, Livetype

Dubbing/Transfer Stations

The dubbing and transfer rooms are available for producers to make copies of their programs or to transfer clips for editing or roll-ins. These stations are not intended for personal use.

The Dubbing Station

If your source is a DVD or if you want to make multiple (up to three) copies onto Mini-DV or S(VHS), this is the station for you. This station currently contains DV/DVCAM, S(VHS), and DVD sources. The record decks consist of 3 VHS/DV combo decks and one DVD-R deck.

The Transfer Station

This station is used for transferring from one format to another. The source decks include (S)VHS, DV/DVCAM, DV w/Time code, analog Hi-8, and an International Standards Converter (PAL/SECAM SVHS.) The record decks consist of 3 VHS/DV combo decks and one DVD-R deck.

 

MNN Conference Room

MNN has a conference room that is primarily used for MNN business, but is also available for producer use. Producers must have completed the following: Orientation, at least one training certification, and Producer's Workshop. They also must have an active project. This room is designed for group meetings and has a large conference table.

**Please note that the conference room may be booked for a maximum of four hours for the purposes of supporting a program. Auditions are not allowed unless producers can provide proof that it is directly related to the content of a program. Producers wishing to reserve it for purposes other than meetings must obtain permission from the Director or Assistant Director of Production.