Employee Face-Off

EMPLOYEE FACE-OFF
VIDEO vs. AUDIO

ANDREW: Video
TOM: Audio

1. How long have you been with Propulsion?

Andrew: 5 years

Tom: 14 years

2. Have you ever had your heart broken?

Andrew: I don't think I have a heart.

Tom: Almost.

3. What annoys you the most at work?

Andrew: If there isn't a clear communication of vital details.

Tom: Losing some of the cable channels in the building.

4. Would you ever have plastic surgery, if yes, where?

Andrew: Yes, I would get shin implants.

Tom: No

5. Do you prefer working in the winter or summertime?

Andrew: Winter

Tom: Summer

6. Do you use Firefox or Safari?

Andrew: Safari

Tom: Both

7. Would you rather eat in or out?

Andrew: Out

Tom: Eat in, I have more control over what I eat.

8. Would you rather use a laptop or desktop?

Andrew: Laptop

Tom: Desktop

9. What is your favorite type of spot to work on?

Andrew: Political Advertisements

Tom: Anything creative, an ad that makes you think

10. Do you prefer Chinese, Mexican, or Italian food?

Andrew: Chinese

Tom: Italian

11. How many projects do you work on daily?

Andrew: 5 to 10

Tom: 8 or 9

12. Do you prefer Microsoft or apple?

Andrew: Apple

Tom: Apple

13. Do you prefer comedy or horror?

Andrew: Comedy

Tom: Comedy

14. Do you mainly work with video or audio?

Andrew: Video

Tom: Audio

15. Blondes or Brunettes?

Andrew: Brunettes

Tom: Brunettes

16. Which day during the work week is your favorite?

Andrew: Friday

Tom: 3:26 pm on a Wednesday

17. Microwave or Toaster oven?

Andrew: Toaster Oven

Tom: Microwave

18. Come in early or work late?

Andrew: Work Late

Tom: Come in early

19. What is the secret to your success in one word?

Andrew: "Screw-it"

Tom: "Dedication"


written by
Jennifer Stow
Summer 2011 Intern
Kutztown University

Video Editing Software Review

So you want to edit some video do you? Think you have the right gear? Propulsion Media Labs is hooking you up by doing a little “Siskel and Ebert” with some of the software that’s available. We’re not Consumer Reports, but hopefully you’ll consider these pros and cons before you plunk down some cash to whip up your next YouTube masterpiece.

• Adobe Premiere Pro
Adobe Premiere is product of Adobe Systems. The program provides you ability to capture, edit, as well as delivering video online or on disc.

Thumbs Up↑ The latest version of the software allows you edit footage filmed on a digital cutting edge RED camera.

Thumbs Down↓ Editing in Premiere Pro CS5 is faster but still isn't as efficient as Final Cut Pro 7.

• Adobe After Effects
Adobe After Effects is also a product of Adobe Systems. It provides tools for video recording, trimming, splicing, cutting, arranging to final video.

Thumbs Up↑ The program has ability to import 3D models from Adobe Photoshop software, and then combine them into After Effects with other elements.

Thumbs Down↓ This application has so many great features so it takes time to master completely.

• Avid Media Composer
Avid Media Composer Software is a professional video editing software program developed by Avid Technology, Inc. It provides solutions for SD and HD film and video editing software.

Thumbs Up↑ The Media Composer is believed to be the fastest film editing software out on the market.

Thumbs Down↓ It’s extremely expensive.

• Sony Vegas Pro
Sony Vegas Pro is a professional version video editing software program developed by Sony Creative Software Inc. It offers all necessary features including capturing, editing, sound recording, mixing, DVD authoring and burning.

Thumbs Up ↑ This software includes a Blu-ray Disc burning feature.

Thumbs Down ↓ The user interface is a little tricky to master compared to other edit systems.

• Ulead MediaStudio Pro
Ulead MediaStudio Pro is a video editing software program aimed professionals in independent production, event videography, business and education.

Thumbs Up ↑ It also contains an anti-shaker filter so you can stabilize shaking videos with this easy but good result filter.

Thumbs Down ↓ The software doesn't convert content for PC playback or viewing on mobile devices.

Emily Plummer
Propulsion Media Labs, Intern
Communication, La Salle University

Part 3 of PML’s: How does a Voice Talent Prepare for a Session?

# 74- Johnny G.

We asked some of our top 100 voice talents to find out how they get ready for a voice session. Here is what Johnny says…

“My prep for a session is simple:

· Get a good night’s sleep the night before.

· Clean glasses.

· No milk products with 1 hour before a session.

· Drink plenty of water!

· Tongue twisters to loosen up my mouth. I use two main ones and go back & forth between them.

· Vibrate lips as much as you can without making them fall off.

· Review your original audition MP3 if possible to see why you were selected.

· If a script has a lot of difficult pronunciations or ones that need extra help – practice script with a pencil between my teeth. Causes you to enunciate better.

· Give your undivided attention to the client and their time.

· Do your best. Remember you are not Superman. Be positive and don’t try and yak too much with client or producer.”

More responses from other talents are coming soon!

Jordan Eckenrode

Intern, Propulsion Media Labs

Staff Favorites: Freehold Subaru

Video Producer Andrew Kunkle created this commercial for Freehold Subaru. One of the inspirations for this spot was the popular E-Trade commercials, as evidenced by the cute baby using the computer. “The stock video we purchased of the baby worked out really well,” said Andrew. “…Like when baby looks down as he’s typing on the keyboard. The baby has some pretty good one-liners as well, like when he exclaims ‘Are they on formula?!’ when looking at the great prices.”

Rob Pardini
Intern, Propulsion Media Labs
Communications

Part 2 of PML’s: How does a Voice Talent Prepare for a Session?

#93- Donovan C.

We asked some of our top 100 voice talents to find out how they get ready for a voice session. Here is what Donovan says…

“For preparation, all I really do is get a bottle of water ready and make sure all of my equipment is functioning properly, especially my ISDN line, if needed. If the session requires a specific sound or read (outside of my normal speaking voice,) then I go back and listen to the audition I submitted to book the job. That way, I can practice and make sure I can recall that sound when the session begins. Of course, I will also go over the script again, so that I won't be reading it for the first time when the client is on the line. I never want to over-think the script or character, so outside of those things, I remind myself to just keep it cool ... and have fun.”

More responses from other talents are coming soon!

Jordan Eckenrode

Intern, Propulsion Media Labs

Staff Favorites: Camel Beach Resort

This radio spot for Camel Beach Resort was created by Senior Audio Producer Tom Trezniowski. “There was a lot of sound design that had to go into this one,” said Tom regarding all of the background ambience. “I had to really think about what exactly was going on at that house.” This spot has a bit of humor in it too. As the spot goes on, the kids go from running in the house to tying up the neighbors to shooting a dog out of a giant slingshot. How did those kids even get a giant slingshot?

Rob Pardini
Intern, Propulsion Media Labs
Communications, LaSalle University

Advantages and Disadvantages of Mini DV & SD Formats

Most video producers are either using DV or SD cards as a format to record their footage. Here are some of the pros and cons of each:

Mini DV (Digital Video)

DV first burst onto the scene in 1995 and it immediately became the standard for professional, semi-professional, and home video recording. DV comes in five different sizes x-large, large, medium, small and mini.

Advantages

-Mini DV tapes are cheap to buy. (as low as $5 each)

- Cost efficient storage capacity – A standard Mini DV holds 19.5 GB which is around .25 cents / GB.

- Converts easily from standard to HD

- Tapes are easily labeled and ideal for long-term storage

Disadvantages

- Transferring footage requires a fire wire connection (Most stock PC’s lack this)

- Real time log and capture - A 60-minute tape will take 60 minutes to transfer

- Fragile: The tapes are sensitive to heat and cold

- Image quality degrades after each recording pass

- Records only 60-90 minutes

SD Cards (Secure Digital)

SD is a type of memory card that was first developed in 1999 by Scandisk, Matsushita and Toshiba to compete with Sony’s memory stick format. As the new tapeless technologies are evolving each year, SD cards are becoming very popular. SD companies continue to develop new formats such as SDHC, SDXC and SDIO. They continue to expand the limits of Secure Digital formats.

Advantages

- Log and transfer files much faster than transferring footage from tapes in real time.

- Can be used over and over again without losing image quality.

- A 16 GB card can record up to 2 hours of footage

- Future SD cards will allow up to 2 Terabytes of memory.

Disadvantages

- Most formats such as SD, SDHC, and SDXC are incompatible with each other.

- Expensive – A 16 GB SDHC card cost $40.

- To re-use cards, data must be transferred to an alternate medium before using card again.

John Leonard

Intern, Propulsion Media labs

Telecommunications, Penn State University