ForbiddenSky TVNews Bloghttp://www.forbiddensky.com/index.htmlNews and Tidbits for Broadcast Designers and Promotions Editorsennel@forbiddensky.comCopyright 2008 ForbiddenSky2008-11-05T18:19:46-06:00 hourly 1 2000-01-01T12:00+00:00 Wed, 05 Nov 2008 18:25:35 -0600Updates on Holdnel@forbiddensky.comUpdates2008-11-05T18:19:46-06:00http://www.forbiddensky.com/news/files/updates.html#unique-entry-id-65http://www.forbiddensky.com/news/files/updates.html#unique-entry-id-65blog_generic_update
Just a quick note, updates will be on hold until sometime next week. Until then, please make sure to check out the archives here for previous design and news related goodness. Thanks!]]>Pro Video Coalitionnel@forbiddensky.comResources2008-10-28T07:36:27-05:00http://www.forbiddensky.com/news/files/Pro_Video_Coalition.html#unique-entry-id-64http://www.forbiddensky.com/news/files/Pro_Video_Coalition.html#unique-entry-id-64blog_provideo
Pro Video Coalition (PVC) dishes out the latest in graphics, workflow, video production, emerging technologies and much more. PVC serves as a community hub for those working in motion graphics and video production. Featuring a diverse group of writers, covering an even more diverse group of subjects. Reading is fundamental, and this is a fun place to start. More after the jump.]]>Motion Graphics Lab | Broadcast Package Questionnaire nel@forbiddensky.comResources2008-10-27T07:37:36-05:00http://www.forbiddensky.com/news/files/Broadcast_Package_Questionnaire.html#unique-entry-id-63http://www.forbiddensky.com/news/files/Broadcast_Package_Questionnaire.html#unique-entry-id-63blog_motiongraphicslab2
Dean Velez over at Motion Graphics Lab has posted an interesting Broadcast Graphics Questionnaire which he uses to gather useful information from potential clients. While I'm not sure many clients would have the time to fill out such an extensive set of questions, they would be useful to keep in mind as you move forward with larger projects. Many of these questions you will find answers for with typical opening conversations with the GM, News Director, CSD, Art Director and their staff. A good resource for those hoping to get into this kind of work. Read more after the jump.]]>The Inspiration Roomnel@forbiddensky.comResources2008-10-24T08:07:30-05:00http://www.forbiddensky.com/news/files/The_Inspiration_Room.html#unique-entry-id-62http://www.forbiddensky.com/news/files/The_Inspiration_Room.html#unique-entry-id-62blog_inspirationroom
A little Friday morning pick-me-up to get you through the day. The Inspiration Room does exactly what you would assume it does. It serves up phenomenal design from around the word in hopes of inspiring new and innovative design from its viewers. Go grab your morning cup of joe, set a render in the background and feed your mind with the tantalizing graphics at The Inspiration Room.]]>MySpace Jobs | Broadcast Designnel@forbiddensky.comResources2008-10-22T08:21:21-05:00http://www.forbiddensky.com/news/files/MySpace_Jobs_Broadcast_Design.html#unique-entry-id-61http://www.forbiddensky.com/news/files/MySpace_Jobs_Broadcast_Design.html#unique-entry-id-61blog_myspace_bd
A quick reminder for those looking to get into or move around in the world of Broadcast. As previously noted MySpace can be a great resource when it's time to start looking for work. Sometimes the best jobs can be found off the beaten path. Follow the link for a quick search of what's out there right now.]]>Well Dunne! Talentnel@forbiddensky.comResources2008-10-21T07:32:06-05:00http://www.forbiddensky.com/news/files/Well_Dunne.html#unique-entry-id-60http://www.forbiddensky.com/news/files/Well_Dunne.html#unique-entry-id-60blog_well_dunne
The Who's Who and Who's Where in the world of entertainment marketing. Kate Bacon runs Well Dunne!, a blog that features news, profiles and tidbits about the creative people behind the scenes in Television and Network Cable. Kate has recently announced the formation of Well Dunne! Talent, a boutique agency to represent Creatives, Managers, Producers, & Designers. From helping you get your project done to helping you get a new job. Kate is the go-to person when you're in need of an extra hand to get it Dunne! Read more after the jump.]]>LostRemotenel@forbiddensky.comResources2008-10-20T06:21:17-05:00http://www.forbiddensky.com/news/files/LostRemote.html#unique-entry-id-59http://www.forbiddensky.com/news/files/LostRemote.html#unique-entry-id-59blog_lostremote
From Apple to Zillow, LostRemote mixes a healthy portion of Technology and TV Industry News. Tracking: Local, National, and Web based content to spotlight how converging technologies are reshaping television as we know it. Read more after the jump.]]>Broadcast PR Newsnel@forbiddensky.comResources2008-10-15T07:09:42-05:00http://www.forbiddensky.com/news/files/Broadcast_PR_News.html#unique-entry-id-58http://www.forbiddensky.com/news/files/Broadcast_PR_News.html#unique-entry-id-58blog_broadcastprnews
A News Portal providing useful information for editors and journalists seeking the latest in the world of Broadcast. Not limited to television alone, it's a great way to stay informed with some of the emerging technology and media delivery methods that could become part of your newsroom in the not so distant future. More after the jump.]]>Vimeo | HD News Promosnel@forbiddensky.comResources2008-10-13T07:30:54-05:00http://www.forbiddensky.com/news/files/Vimeo_HD_News_Promos.html#unique-entry-id-57http://www.forbiddensky.com/news/files/Vimeo_HD_News_Promos.html#unique-entry-id-57blog_vimeo
Quickly becoming the HD choice for online streaming, newcomer Vimeo is giving YouTube a run for its money. Free to join, massive amounts of free storage, and easy hyper-linking has early adopters taking notice of what a great venue it is for showing off their HD work. Check out some of the HD News Promos already posted after the jump.]]>Feed | Animation VFX Designnel@forbiddensky.comResources2008-10-10T08:16:40-05:00http://www.forbiddensky.com/news/files/feed_animation_vfx_design.html#unique-entry-id-56http://www.forbiddensky.com/news/files/feed_animation_vfx_design.html#unique-entry-id-56blog_feed
Feed your mind with inspiration from every corner of the world, wait the world is still flat right? Venturing into experimental and down right cinematic some of these clips should help get your creative juices flowing. More after the jump.]]>DVCreators.net | PromptDognel@forbiddensky.comResources2008-10-09T06:19:38-05:00http://www.forbiddensky.com/news/files/DVCreators_PromptDog.html#unique-entry-id-55http://www.forbiddensky.com/news/files/DVCreators_PromptDog.html#unique-entry-id-55blog_dvcreators
As is often the case, prep time for promotions is all but non-existant, even worse during sweeps. You write the script, get approval, shoot the talent and in a few hours it's on the air and you are on to your next miracle of television. Getting the script into the talents hands ahead of time can be tricky. Maybe they are out in the field on a story? or on location for an interview? Many times, aside from a quick glance in email the day of is the first time your talent has had to read and try to memorize the script. But what if you could use the same tools the News department uses to get through their shows? It's no secret Anchors use a prompter help them along, and now thanks to PromptDog and PromptPuppy from DVCreators you can too. PromptDog(Puppy) turn any regular laptop into a cheap and portable solution for your prompting needs. Copy and paste your script or just drag it in and you are ready to go. Full speed control, editable on the fly, the kind of tool I wish I had had when I was producing. Did I mention it's affordable? and cross platform? Yeah, nice. Read more and watch the demo after the jump.]]>AssignmentEditor.comnel@forbiddensky.comResources2008-10-08T07:28:39-05:00http://www.forbiddensky.com/news/files/AssignmentEditor.html#unique-entry-id-54http://www.forbiddensky.com/news/files/AssignmentEditor.html#unique-entry-id-54blog_assignment
News Hound alert! Designed for Assignment Editors as the go to place for quick access to industry resources, research sites, news papers and news gathering services around the world. You can customize the page with localized resources as well. A pretty interesting idea, one that could definitely be of help to anyone in News. ]]>AdobeTVnel@forbiddensky.comResources2008-10-06T07:05:19-05:00http://www.forbiddensky.com/news/files/AdobeTV.html#unique-entry-id-53http://www.forbiddensky.com/news/files/AdobeTV.html#unique-entry-id-53blog_adobetv
Tutorials is the name of the game. Featuring video tutorials for creative professionals, walkthroughs and previews on upcoming products. AdobeTV is your one-stop-shop for everything Adobe related. A definite resource for beginners and pros alike, feed your passion with a little help from some of the industry's best.]]>Post Magazine | Broadcast Design Cover Storynel@forbiddensky.comResources2008-10-03T07:31:01-05:00http://www.forbiddensky.com/news/files/Post_Magazine_Broadcast_Design_Cover_Story.html#unique-entry-id-52http://www.forbiddensky.com/news/files/Post_Magazine_Broadcast_Design_Cover_Story.html#unique-entry-id-52blog_postmag
Some of the top Broadcast Designers in the biz, open up their bag of tricks. Showcasing ways to buck the trend when it comes to fresh approaches in Broadcast Design. From the invisible package to the basic cold open... they use real-world examples to help illustrate concepts that can work at any level of television. Read more after the jump.
]]>The Evolution of Broadcast Designnel@forbiddensky.comResources2008-10-02T07:37:58-05:00http://www.forbiddensky.com/news/files/The_Evolution_of_Broadcast_Design.html#unique-entry-id-51http://www.forbiddensky.com/news/files/The_Evolution_of_Broadcast_Design.html#unique-entry-id-51blog_bnet
Yesterday we took a brief look at some of the changes facing Producers working in the News place. Looking at ways to stay ahead of the curve. The fear of extinction isn't limited to Producers only, Broadcast Design firms are feeling it too. Ann Fisher a frequent contributer to Post Magazine looks at how traditional Broadcast Design firms are reaching beyond the typical Live at 5:00 mainstays to stay competitive with changing conditions. Lower budgets, faster turn arounds, a weaker market... are some of the things facing today's "it" shops. Read what they have to say after the jump.]]>Producing the Futurenel@forbiddensky.comResources2008-10-01T07:42:45-05:00http://www.forbiddensky.com/news/files/Producing_the_Future.html#unique-entry-id-50http://www.forbiddensky.com/news/files/Producing_the_Future.html#unique-entry-id-50blog_digital_contproducer
As the lines between Producing for News and Producing for Web blur, many Promotions Producers are adapting with the changing landscape. Digital content management, file manipulation, compressing for different media delivery options. Writers, Editors, and anyone involved with the production of News are having to become experts in things that were more inline with I.T. work than anything else. So how do you get your brain wrapped around these concepts? Where do you start? How do you stay ahead of the curve? That's easy, look to the web.
spacer
People have been doing this kind of multifaceted News gathering for years, and there is a lot that can be applied to your typical Promotions work flow. Digital Content Producer has been at the forefront of digital content creation. From hardware to editing to installing software, it's a mixed bag that can help you get through the hurdles you will face. Am I saying you need to be installing software of your work machines? No. I'm sure I.T. would not be too happy about that, but I am saying you should understand how this stuff works. Taking control of the equipment you work on, understanding it in and out is the only way to secure yourself in this quickly changing world of News we live in. The days of sitting behind an operator and watching them do the magic, is going the way of the dinosaur. Be proactive and you won't become extinct. ]]>Avid Editing Techniquesnel@forbiddensky.comResources2008-09-30T06:01:00-05:00http://www.forbiddensky.com/news/files/avid_editing_techniques.html#unique-entry-id-49http://www.forbiddensky.com/news/files/avid_editing_techniques.html#unique-entry-id-49blog_avid_com
Over on the Avid Community forums you will find some help with technical questions or how do I? questions. One other thing you will find is a nice collection of tips for editing on Avid systems, the people over there were nice enough to gather the tips up and offer them as pdf's for download, so you can read 'em at your leisure. Some of the editing techniques are universal even if the entry is a bit old, useful tips regardless of your chosen editing system.]]>Sky 1,2 & 3 Branding 2008nel@forbiddensky.comResources2008-09-30T05:56:00-05:00http://www.forbiddensky.com/news/files/Sky_1_2008.html#unique-entry-id-46http://www.forbiddensky.com/news/files/Sky_1_2008.html#unique-entry-id-46blog_skyone
If there is only one link you click on today. This should be it. Jon Yeo, one of the designers behind SKY 1's 2008 re-brand popped his head in over at Motionographer to comment on the Freefarm Showreel 2008 that was posted a few days ago. His post seems to have gone unnoticed for the most part. Let me tell you, this is the kind of thing you need to check out. Jon has posted an in-depth behind the scenes look at how this package came to life. From initial pitch frames, to logo comps all the way to the finished product. Inspiring? yes. Enlightening? absolutely. It's rare when you get this kind of access to the workflow and thought that went into creating a package like this. A must read for any Broadcast Designer. Go check it out. (Via: Motionographer comments 9/26, I'm bumping this back up cause it deserves the attention)]]>The Editblognel@forbiddensky.comResources2008-09-30T05:55:00-05:00http://www.forbiddensky.com/news/files/The_Editblog.html#unique-entry-id-48http://www.forbiddensky.com/news/files/The_Editblog.html#unique-entry-id-48blog_editblog
FCP, Avid, a little shooting mixed in for good fun. If you're looking to polish your editing skills, The Editblog is a good place to start. There is some good stuff in here, bookmark it, love it, you know the drill.]]>24p The Basics-Avid Editionnel@forbiddensky.comResources2008-09-28T07:19:00-05:00http://www.forbiddensky.com/news/files/Avid_24p.html#unique-entry-id-47http://www.forbiddensky.com/news/files/Avid_24p.html#unique-entry-id-47blog_avid24p
Alan Stewart covers the basics of working in 24p on an Avid based editing system. Explaining what 24p means, how reverse-telecinie works, and the differences between interlaced footage and progressive scan. Useful for information for FCP users as well. ]]>MographBlognel@forbiddensky.comResources2008-09-25T07:32:00-05:00http://www.forbiddensky.com/news/files/the_mograph_blog.html#unique-entry-id-45http://www.forbiddensky.com/news/files/the_mograph_blog.html#unique-entry-id-45blog_mographblog
More Motion Graphics than Broadcast Design, but still loaded with useful tidbits you can adapt for your needs. Cinema, After Effects, they got you covered. A quick note about upcoming posts, we've been leaning heavily to the graphics end this last week. I think we've had a nice mix of useful nuggets to browse through, so expect the coming week to lean back towards more editing and promotions content to balance that out. We've got some good stuff coming up. A reminder for readers, if you have link suggestions you'd like to share with your fellow newshounds, you can always drop me a line here to contribute (credits and link-backs supplied in return).]]>After Effects Scriptsnel@forbiddensky.comResources2008-09-25T07:25:00-05:00http://www.forbiddensky.com/news/files/aecripts.html#unique-entry-id-42http://www.forbiddensky.com/news/files/aecripts.html#unique-entry-id-42blog_aescripts
A quick highlight on one of the permanent links in the sidebar. AEScripts.com is the brainchild of New York based Designer Lloyd Alvarez. Lloyd has made a name for himself in the AE community as the go-to-guy for workflow management scripts. The kind of scripts that leave you wondering why you didn't do things like this before. From Magnum his edit detection script, to his industry favorite BG Render Script, they all came about as a direct response to cries for help from fellow AE users, including his latest Zorro-The Layer Tagger. Step up to the next level of After Effects efficiency and make your way over to AEscripts.com. If you're in a giving mood make sure to buy Lloyd a beer for his efforts on your way out. (Courtesy: Jason Brown)]]>The Joy of Interlacingnel@forbiddensky.comResources2008-09-24T07:40:26-05:00http://www.forbiddensky.com/news/files/The_Joy_of_Interlacing.html#unique-entry-id-44http://www.forbiddensky.com/news/files/The_Joy_of_Interlacing.html#unique-entry-id-44blog_joysofinterlacing
Up for a quick trip down memory lane? Check out Videopia's The Joy of Interlacing. D. Eric Franks breaks down the why? where? and what? behind interlacing in video today, entertaining while educating. Understanding interlacing is a must for any video professional. Not paying attention to field order can lead to some unsightly results. Some of which we see everyday on local and national broadcasts, and it's easily avoidable. Sooo... kick back for a sec. and marvel at this thing we call Television, who knew interlacing could be so much fun?]]>AE to C4D camera exportnel@forbiddensky.comResources2008-09-24T07:25:00-05:00http://www.forbiddensky.com/news/files/AE_to_C4D_camera_export.html#unique-entry-id-37http://www.forbiddensky.com/news/files/AE_to_C4D_camera_export.html#unique-entry-id-37blog_aeenhancers
Float on over to AEnhancers.com for some magical C4D goodness. FREE to you, courtesy of Paul Tuersley, a set of scripts that facilitate the export of a 3D camera from After Effects into Cinema 4D. These scripts require AE version 7.0 and C4D R9.6, or greater to work. Make sure to thank Paul for his contribution to the Motion Graphics community. He has opened up a lot of options for us by taking this project on.
(Via: Creative Workflow Hacks)]]>CreativeCOW: Motion Graphics - How Do I?nel@forbiddensky.comResources2008-09-23T06:13:26-05:00http://www.forbiddensky.com/news/files/Creative_Cow_How_Do_I.html#unique-entry-id-43http://www.forbiddensky.com/news/files/Creative_Cow_How_Do_I.html#unique-entry-id-43blog_creativecow
I want to take a moment and point out that starting today I will be part of the team hosting the Motion Graphics - How Do I? forum on CreativeCOW. Joining a talented group of designers who have been contributing back to the community for as long as I can remember. Please swing by to say hello and be part of the conversation over on CreativeCOW.]]>Sample Contracts for Designersnel@forbiddensky.comResources2008-09-22T22:24:00-05:00http://www.forbiddensky.com/news/files/54b6a4c3dfc6f50172cdfa916274ab91-35.html#unique-entry-id-35http://www.forbiddensky.com/news/files/54b6a4c3dfc6f50172cdfa916274ab91-35.html#unique-entry-id-35blog_aiga
Following up on a previous article. AIGA (The American Institute for Graphics Arts) founded in 1914, is an amazing resource for designers looking to expand into the world of freelance. On their site you will find a Standard Agreement that you can use as a basis for your design business ventures. While you're there look over all of the other resources they have available and see if becoming a member might be something you would be interested in. Membership does have it's benefits. (Via: Mograph.net)]]>Light Wrap for compositingnel@forbiddensky.comResources2008-09-21T22:25:00-05:00http://www.forbiddensky.com/news/files/Light_Wrap.html#unique-entry-id-36http://www.forbiddensky.com/news/files/Light_Wrap.html#unique-entry-id-36blog_lightwrap
Every once in a while you run across a plug-in that makes you go WOW. Usually one that automates something that would normally be a tedious but necessary process. Light Wrapping is one of those processes. When compositing elements into a scene you should try to replicate the way light wraps around an object, giving it a more natural look, and helping to sell it as real. Jerzy Drozda (of Maltaannon.com) takes that process and simplifies it for you. A real time saver and it's cheap to boot. For some additional After Effects gold make sure to check here.]]>Charts & Graphs Round Upnel@forbiddensky.comResources2008-09-21T22:23:00-05:00http://www.forbiddensky.com/news/files/Charts_and_Graphs_Round_Up.html#unique-entry-id-33http://www.forbiddensky.com/news/files/Charts_and_Graphs_Round_Up.html#unique-entry-id-33blog_aeportal
Call it a necessary evil. Charts & Graphs! Not the most exciting News graphics to build, but important none-the-less. The people over at AE Portal News have rounded up the best of the best for you. Expression driven, nice little sliders, some slick tricks to make building these elements as easy as pie ;)]]>MySpace Jobsnel@forbiddensky.comResources2008-09-19T07:00:43-05:00http://www.forbiddensky.com/news/files/myspace_jobs.html#unique-entry-id-41http://www.forbiddensky.com/news/files/myspace_jobs.html#unique-entry-id-41blog_myspacejobs
Can MySpace really help me get a job??? Yes Timmy, it can. If you know where to look. Oh, and if you lose those scantily clad party pics from your profile! Follow the link, type in your chosen profession, and marvel at the results. Companies have been taking note of the power of Social Networking, and are hitting unconventional places to find their next hire. Why shouldn't you? (Submitted By: Temple Muse)]]>Motion Graphics Labnel@forbiddensky.comResources2008-09-17T22:24:17-05:00http://www.forbiddensky.com/news/files/motion_graphics_lab.html#unique-entry-id-34http://www.forbiddensky.com/news/files/motion_graphics_lab.html#unique-entry-id-34blog_motiongraphicslab2
What kind of stuff do we like around here? FREE stuff! Dean Velez over at Motion Graphics Lab has graciously posted a set of 18 animated After Effects backgrounds for you to use. What's the catch? The catch is, they are only available for free until October 1st. Sooooo grab 'em while they're hot! Make sure to check out Dean's other offerings while you're there.
]]>Digital Rebellionnel@forbiddensky.comResources2008-09-17T22:17:00-05:00http://www.forbiddensky.com/news/files/Digital_Rebellion.html#unique-entry-id-30http://www.forbiddensky.com/news/files/Digital_Rebellion.html#unique-entry-id-30blog_digital_rebellion
Poking around a little more... I noticed that Digital Rebellion also has a blog, and not just any ol' blog, but one targeted at Final Cut Pro users! With a little bit of After Effects sprinkled in for flavor. I'm a bit late to the game with this one, evident by the pages and pages worth of juicy tidbits. None-the-less a nifty site I'll be frequenting from now on.]]>Photoshop For Videonel@forbiddensky.comResources2008-09-17T22:16:58-05:00http://www.forbiddensky.com/news/files/Photoshop_For_Video.html#unique-entry-id-31http://www.forbiddensky.com/news/files/Photoshop_For_Video.html#unique-entry-id-31blog_photshopforvid
Title kinda says it all doesn't it? Covering the basics, Photoshop for Video is a great starting point for those hoping to get into video graphics. The tutorials are very accessible and informative. Even if you consider yourself a pro, there might be a few things in here to help streamline your workflow.]]>Motion Works: Broadcast Terminology Roundup nel@forbiddensky.comResources2008-09-17T06:12:00-05:00http://www.forbiddensky.com/news/files/MotionWorks_Broadcast_Teminology.html#unique-entry-id-23http://www.forbiddensky.com/news/files/MotionWorks_Broadcast_Teminology.html#unique-entry-id-23blog_motionworks
MotionWorks has a great cheat sheet of sorts, with some of the typical terminology you'll hear on your ventures through Broadcast. Scroll down through the comments for additional ones noted by readers. To compliment that list, Digital Rebellion has their glossary of Post Production terms that should have you talking like a pro in no time (or at least understanding them a little better). Both sites offer additional content, like tutorials and useful tools that make them both bookmark worthy.]]>Goodies Sectionnel@forbiddensky.comResources2008-09-17T06:10:15-05:00http://www.forbiddensky.com/news/files/Goodies_Update.html#unique-entry-id-29http://www.forbiddensky.com/news/files/Goodies_Update.html#unique-entry-id-29blog_Hurricane_Flags
If you haven't already, make your way over to the Goodies section of the site. You'll find a few useful C4D setups for use in your projects, FREE of charge. Please read the terms & conditions included with the files before using them. These are News Pre-pro elements that I have set up over the years and I figured I would share them with you. Enjoy!]]>TVGrafx.comnel@forbiddensky.comResources2008-09-16T19:29:37-05:00http://www.forbiddensky.com/news/files/tvgrafx_tutorials.html#unique-entry-id-28http://www.forbiddensky.com/news/files/tvgrafx_tutorials.html#unique-entry-id-28blog_tvgrafx
Continuing todays tutorials theme. Make sure to check out TVGrafx.com for a nice selection of Cinema 4D & After Effects tutorials. You can also purchase additional offerings covering C4Ds multipass rendering here. Nice stuff!]]>Video Copilot Lower Thirdsnel@forbiddensky.comResources2008-09-16T19:20:37-05:00http://www.forbiddensky.com/news/files/video_copilot_lower_thirds.html#unique-entry-id-27http://www.forbiddensky.com/news/files/video_copilot_lower_thirds.html#unique-entry-id-27blog_video_copilot
While not meant for serious News applications, Andrew Kramer (Video Copilot) has posted some nice CNN style lower thirds for use in your video effects projects. While your there, make sure to check out his great selection of video tutorials, many of which can be adapted for News & Promotional needs. ]]>News and Sports Editing Seminarnel@forbiddensky.comResources2008-09-15T20:12:00-05:00http://www.forbiddensky.com/news/files/Apple_Final_Cut_Pro_Seminar_for_News.html#unique-entry-id-24http://www.forbiddensky.com/news/files/Apple_Final_Cut_Pro_Seminar_for_News.html#unique-entry-id-24blog_newsandsports
Hosted by industry pioneer Joe Torelli. Apple is serving up a two-part Seminar on new and innovative ways to improve your Final Cut Pro workflow. Targeted at those in the trenches, it features tips on editing faster with shortcuts, accessing tapeless media, adding effects and more. A must watch for anyone interested in finessing their craft. Oh, and it's FREE. So go check it out!]]>News Blues for Freenel@forbiddensky.comResources2008-09-15T20:11:03-05:00http://www.forbiddensky.com/news/files/News_Blues.html#unique-entry-id-26http://www.forbiddensky.com/news/files/News_Blues.html#unique-entry-id-26
While we may not be a gossip site, News Blues certainly is. Usually a pay for access kinda site, they have graciously opened up their archives, FREE of charge until September 28. So get on over there and start digging. (via: idopromoz)]]>Global Animations Tutorialsnel@forbiddensky.comResources2008-09-14T08:11:49-05:00http://www.forbiddensky.com/news/files/global_animations_shadow_caster.html#unique-entry-id-25http://www.forbiddensky.com/news/files/global_animations_shadow_caster.html#unique-entry-id-25blog_global_shadow
From Designer Jason Brown (Owner of Global Animations) comes the first in a series of tutorials targeted specifically at those getting started in the world of Broadcast Design. Focusing on setting up the Shadow Caster feature in Cinema 4D. Jason explains a quick way to achieve higher quality shadowing in your scenes.]]>Deepshadenel@forbiddensky.comResources2008-09-12T06:48:18-05:00http://www.forbiddensky.com/news/files/deepshade.html#unique-entry-id-22http://www.forbiddensky.com/news/files/deepshade.html#unique-entry-id-22blog_deepshade
A forgotten gem of the C4D community... or at least it seems to be. Deepshade has been around since the early days of Cinema 4D. When the Electric Image crowd was making their jump to the then, new and intriguing package. Serving up a plethora of pre-built shaders and lighting rigs, Deepshade was the place to go when you were in need of some quality texturing options. Eventually rolling into Maxon's main site, it is often overlooked for the great resource it really is. Bookmark it, reference it, love it!]]>Freelancing One-oh-Onenel@forbiddensky.comResources2008-09-10T06:33:07-05:00http://www.forbiddensky.com/news/files/Freelancing_One_oh_One.html#unique-entry-id-21http://www.forbiddensky.com/news/files/Freelancing_One_oh_One.html#unique-entry-id-21
arrowI know of a lot of designers looking for ways to make some extra cash. But amazingly enough most of them don't know where to start. The simple fact is that as a designer/editor you have a skill not everybody has, and depending on your work situation you could be missing out on some great opportunities.

I have always made it a point to find out what the policies on freelancing are at any job I take. Usually as long as the projects do not overlap what you do for a day job, most employers are very willing to work with you. Some going as far as allowing you access to resources you would never have on your own. Once you have that figured out, you should be good to go. If you have your own equipment and legal software, you're more than half way there.

Getting started can be a daunting task for the uninitiated. I'm not going to go into where to find freelance work, there are many sites out there that do a great job of that already (here). What I will mention are a few things you should have in order before accepting that first job. Remember you are now representing yourself. The more professional you present yourself, the easier you will find this process. Don't be afraid to say NO. If a project is not worth the time, don't do it. How do you know what to take on and what to pass on? Follow your gut, or come up with a system that you feel comfortable with. Here's mine:

blog_whattotakeon

• 1 Work I want to do, but the budget is not there
• 2 Work I don't want to do but will expand my opportunities
• 3 Work that's for a good cause (pro bono)
there is a 4th one that falls somewhere in between ;)

Over simplified? YES! but it's a system that has worked for me, and one you might be able to use as you get started.

blog_articlce_start
spacer

categories-11 Don't Undersell Yourself


Many people think since they do not have tons of experience that they should take a project for cheap, or do it for free to start out. Let me tell you, there are many people out there just waiting to take advantage of that kind of mentality. If you've already got a job in the market using the same skills you would be using to freelance, why would you think your time is not worth compensating? Everyone wants something for free, and the second they get it, they won't be willing to pay for it later. Whatever your cheapest rate is, you will rarely if ever get much more than that from the client. Simple as that. You undersell yourself, for exposure or whatever the reason you will find yourself spending way too much time for very little return.

categories-12 Know What The Market Will Bare


If you have friends that are already freelancing, find out what their rates are. Ask them. What's the worst that will happen? They say no? Find out rates at local companies that do similar work. Their rates will always be higher, as they come with tons of resources you can not offer or would be out of pocket costs to you. It will help you to know were you should be pricing yourself. Look at their work, if they are making a certain rate and you can produce a better product, you could charge more or at least be competitive. The more you know about the market and the competition the more realistic your numbers will be.

categories-13 Don't Oversell Yourself


The key is to be confident in what you are doing, but never never oversell yourself. If a potential client wants you to quote a job that is outside of your expertise, it is better to be upfront about that, than to take on a project you can't complete. Overselling ourselves raises expectations, and if you do not meet them, the client will not return. Make them happy, try to over deliver, just a little bit. They will appreciate the effort. But running your mouth about how great it will be will surely bite you in the ass. "Let me look into that", or "I'll see what I can do" are the best ways to address things you are unsure of.

categories-14 Get 50% Up Front


Don't start a project without money in hand. Even if it's a tight turn around. It's standard practice, and it will tell you two things about a client, how serious they are about producing (and completing) a project and how reliable they will be on paying the full amount. Can't tell you how many countless times I've heard designers that have finished projects and can never collect their owed payment. DO NOT TURN YOUR WORK OVER WITHOUT PAYMENT. Unless it's a client you've worked with for years, that is the easiest way to get stuck in the hole. Ask for 50% upfront, and if for any reason you can not complete the project, make sure you have an agreement to return no less that 40% for the time involved.

categories-15 Don't Steal Clients


Not only is it a bad business practice, but it's a great way to burn bridges for future work, kill your reputation and get you fired. We've all be in the situation, a client from work or through a contact tries to hire you out on the side. Gracefully say thank you but no thank you. Unless you're planning on going out on your own this is not the best way to get work.

categories-16 Get A Deliverables List


This should be part of any contract that you might have a client sign. ALWAYS ALWAYS get a deliverables list in hand and have it signed off. This will be your check list so you can track the progress of the project. It also allows you to better estimate the time needed to complete the elements. Include anything that you will need from the client, timetables of when you will need it, and how that effects the project if those deadlines are not met. Clients will usually add stuff to this list, make amendments as you go, but always update and forward it for sign off.

categories-17 Get Everything In Writing


Even if you're having phone conversations or live meetings always get everything in writing. It will save your butt! Some clients will be more than willing to do so, while others won't. So the first thing you should do after anything is discussed is write up a summary and email it to everyone involved. This will allow you to reference the notes in the future and make sure that everyone is on the same page.

categories-18 Limit Revisions


Revisions can drive you nuts. They can stall projects, they can eat up time and money. That's why you should limit them. I usually do 3 revisions on any given item on a deliverables list. This will allow you to keep the project moving forward and also lays the ground work up front that further revisions will cost more. It helps keep everyone focused and makes it easier to check things off the list.

categories-19 Getting Paid By The Hour


I always try to go by the hour, I estimate how much time it will take to finish a project, based off of the aforementioned deliverables list and estimate any additional material costs ahead of time (10%-20%). Most clients will be comfortable with that, and more willing to add a few more hours in if the project needs it. Others will want to do a project for a lump sum. On rare occasions I'll take a project like this. Because if revision expectations are not set before hand, you will easily find yourself 14 hrs past what you had expected, making the money not worth the time. If that is the case, I still track the hours and it is noted in an invoice as a discounted rate. This helps illustrate the kind of man hours involved on set rate projects. I've found that clients are more appreciative of your time when they see what it could have cost. On returning projects, I've managed to get some great make goods because of the effort. (Opinions differ on this as you will see in the links below)

categories-110 Build A Network


I've built myself a network of designers, editors, writers, what have you. The reason for that is, when a project comes to me that is out of my scope or needs more man power, I have a pool of people I can tap to make it work. I do web design, coding and that kind of stuff but, I don't do Flash, I have a Flash guy, when I need to quote a project I talk to him to see if he's available to get a quote and usually hand off that part of the project. Straight up. I don't take anything off the top, I'm not doing the work and when my friend comes across a project he needs my help on, he returns the favor. That's one more person looking for work that could come my way without me having to look for it. If you build yourself a good network of people with skills you do not have, your opportunities for clients open up. In the long run, the work starts coming to you, instead of you hunting for it.

categories-111 Save All Invoices


I usually pass on any additional purchases to the client, like fonts, music, whatever. But additional ink if you're printing proofs, tape stock, cds, all of that is tax deductible, it's the cost of doing business. Write it off.

categories-111.5 Choose An Invoice Program


Invoices are a part of the game. There are quite a few options out there, so choose the one you feel most comfortable with. My suggestion would be to choose something that auto numbers invoices, allows for notes, and spits out a PDF for you. This will allow you to email the invoice as well as printing it out for your records. I usually start a file for every project I do, and included in that file are email correspondence and final invoices. Great if you ever need to come back to the project.
spacer
blog_invoice_software
spacer
For Mac
categories-1TaskTime
The one I use.
dotteddotted
For PC
categories-1QuickBooks
categories-1StandardTime
categories-1TimeBiller and TimeTTracker MX Review
dotteddotted
Web Based Options
categories-1FreshBooks
categories-1Paymo

blog_taxes

Depending on the client, some will cut you a check for the whole amount and report the expense to the IRS at tax time, while others will withhold the taxes and send you a form (you'll get a form either way). Just remember... You Owe Uncle Sam. I'll usually put aside enough money to cover the taxes at the end of the year, keeping in mind that any related purchases or expenses will help offset some of that. If you are operating under your given name, you will need to add your SS number to an invoice when you send those out, if you are DBA you'll add your Tax ID number. The most important thing to do, is talk to your accountant!!!!! I use the same guy over and over to do my taxes, before I decided to go with him, I talked to him about my freelance work how I track it, what I could deduct. These guys do this for a living, they are pros, rely on their expertise before making any decisions when it comes to Taxes.

Freelancing can be a very rewarding way to not only expand your wallet, but also expand the kind of work in your portfolio. Now that you have these basics down, put em to use. You'll be on your way to a lucrative freelancing career in no time... or at least a few less credit card bills ;)
spacer
dotteddotted
spacer
arrowAdditional Resources:
7 Tips on Quoting Freelance (WakeUpLater.com)
DynamicGraphics.com (GREAT resource)
Graphic Artists Guild (Buy the Handbook!)
Building and Managing a Successful Design Team
Building a Virtual Team (Anywired.com)

:: Author: N. Santiago | Do not republish without authorization please ::]]>Video Editing and Camera Techniquesnel@forbiddensky.comResources2008-09-09T05:52:21-05:00http://www.forbiddensky.com/news/files/Video_Editing_Camera_Techniques.html#unique-entry-id-20http://www.forbiddensky.com/news/files/Video_Editing_Camera_Techniques.html#unique-entry-id-20blog_behance
Here are some quick techniques you can follow to improve not only your shots, but your editing as-well. Courtesy of the Behance Network.]]>Troubleshooting After Effectsnel@forbiddensky.comResources2008-09-05T08:19:13-05:00http://www.forbiddensky.com/news/files/Troubleshooting_After_Effects.html#unique-entry-id-19http://www.forbiddensky.com/news/files/Troubleshooting_After_Effects.html#unique-entry-id-19blog_general
After Effects giving you a headache? Jonas Hummelstrand has put together a nice collection of tried and true remedies that might help you pinpoint the issue. Troubleshooting is part of the process, and getting a little more knowledgeable on how to fix common problems may make your life a lot easier.]]>Codecs & Compressions in the News Environment pt.2nel@forbiddensky.comArticles2008-09-04T00:53:00-05:00http://www.forbiddensky.com/news/files/Codecs_and_Compressions_pt2.html#unique-entry-id-14http://www.forbiddensky.com/news/files/Codecs_and_Compressions_pt2.html#unique-entry-id-14

pt.2 of 2...
The goal of this 2 part article is to hopeful illustrate a few things you can do to work through some of the common issues we face as promotions editors & designers. While not all of it is presented in a step by step fashion, useful links are provided to fill in the holes where necessary. This information is not without fault. It comes from years of trial and error and error and error. I know people like to call that experience, but I don't. So with that said, I hope you find it useful and entertaining. Enjoy.

categories-1Step 3: Knowing your dimensions
dotted
As important as rendering to the right codec is, if you don't have the right dimensions, frame rates or field order... it won't really matter much when it comes to delivery. SD or HD? D1, 1080i, 720p? What the heck am I building? Improper dimensions can lead to its own set of issues.
spacer
Have you ever loaded a clip into an Avid, only to find yourself with banding issues? That's usually the case when you let the Avid handle the resizing of a clip. A 720x486 clip being resized to 720x480 (DV25) will result in banding if you let the edit system do it. FCP does a better job at it, but why chance it? Get familiar with the basic resolutions. What better time than now, when we're bridging the gap between SD & HD. Understanding these formats and their field orders will allow you to understand how to properly prep and conform video to your timelines. No matter what the source is.

Before going any further I should note, there are quite a few ways to deal with pixel aspect ratios. Below are the ones I use. If you'd like to understand the math a little better check out Rick Gerard's article on the subject over at Creative Cow. Some of the SD settings listed below use a square pixel layout and should be resized for output in After Effects (AE). You may be asking yourself why you'd want to do that and not use the stretch function? Well the reason is AE does field rendering before it does the stretching, so you'd introduce improper fields into your footage if you're rendering interlaced. Lloyd Alvarez (man, small world) has made a script to automate this process.

Specs & Disclaimers... Below are the settings I use to build my content. While you'll notice some may not be in line with proper building techniques, they are the ones I've settled on over the years. With the nature of the news biz, you'll end up pushing the same animations to 3 different sources in a span of one day. So you'll clock me for disregarding a few pixels here and there (DV) but we're not working in the world of motion design. We don't have a lot of time to set up and make adjustments. It's basically doing and learning on the fly. "Breaking News" supersedes any kind of logic in set up, making "close enough" a part of our lives. With that in mind, use the settings kind of like a pirates code... They're more like guidelines anyway ;)


SD Build 720x540 reduce to 720x486 29.97 lower fields first
Native Pixel Ratio of 1.064:1

DV Build 720x540 reduce to 720x480 29.97 lower fields first
Native Pixel Ratio of 0.9117:1
(yes I know there is a 6 pixel difference)

720p 1280x720 60p (progressive) 59.94
Native Pixel Ratio of 1:1

HDV 1440x1080
Native Pixel Ratio of 1.333:1

1080i 1920x1080 29.97 upper fields first
Native Pixel Ratio of 1:1

1080p 1920x1080 60p (progressive) 59.94
Native Pixel Ratio of 1:1

Most of these have 24p variants (progressive) or 23.98
And remember, levels should not exceed 16-235

Learning these few easy steps should yield a little less time staring at progress bars and hopefully a couple less headaches along the way.
spacer
As is the case with all the content on this site. Audience participation is encouraged. If you notice any errors in the notes above, feel free to drop me a line here. I'll be more than happy to make corrections and credit you for the submission. This is a learning process for all of us, so any additional thoughts on the subject are always appreciated.

:: Author: N. Santiago | Do not republish without authorization please ::

]]>Codecs & Compressions in the News Environment pt.1nel@forbiddensky.comArticles2008-09-03T23:50:00-05:00http://www.forbiddensky.com/news/files/Codecs_and_Compressions_pt1.html#unique-entry-id-13http://www.forbiddensky.com/news/files/Codecs_and_Compressions_pt1.html#unique-entry-id-13

pt.1 of 2
The goal of this 2 part article is to hopeful illustrate a few things you can do to work through some of the common issues we face as promotions editors & designers. While not all of it is presented in a step by step fashion, useful links are provided to fill in the holes where necessary. This information is not without fault. It comes from years of trial and error and error and error. I know people like to call that experience, but I don't. So with that said, I hope you find it useful and entertaining. Enjoy.

arrowAs tape goes the way of the dinosaur more and more news content is going digital. With that comes a slew of different codecs to over complicate the process. Getting it all to work... is an art form on its own. If you're an editor or a designer in a news environment, you've no doubt run across your share of problems embracing this change. Sometimes it's as simple as the wrong codec for the hardware, or the wrong dimensions, field order or something completely different. But how can you tell without having to become an expert?
spacer
Below are a few easy steps you can take. Not only to trouble shoot those situations, but also save you some much needed time along the way.
spacer
categories-1Step 1: Quicktime Player is your friend
dotteddotted
If your station does not have Quicktime Player Pro (QT Pro) get it. There is no reason not to have it, if you're FCP based it will already be installed. If you're Avid based you should already have it, if not... upgrade. There are quite a few benefits over the basic version of Quicktime Player that you can read about here. Aside from its editing capabilities, the biggest ones are its export features and the kind of data you can derive from it.

player_thumb

If you already have it installed, open a file you'd like to learn more about. Hit Command-J on a mac (Control-J on a PC). This brings up the "Show Movie Properties" window. If you click on the video track you'll get the same info as the image above.

From this window we can now tell what codec the clip was compressed with, the compression used for the audio, and dimensions of the file. Now, a lot of this info can be found by simply getting info or property settings on the file from your desktop, but that won't allow you to toggle quality flags or interlace settings, or a plethora of other things QT Pro can enable you to do. In the example above you can see that the clip was rendered with the Avid Meridien codec. If this file was loaded on a machine without that codec you would get a warning when you opened the file, the screen would be white and the audio would play back like normal. I've seen a lot of people run across this and go back to request a replacement, for a "non working file". When in fact the file was just fine. The only problem was a missing codec.

blog_qt_options

QT Pro comes with a bunch of codecs by default. But when you get into proprietary hardware most of those systems use their own codecs for playback. If you want to view/edit/use footage from one of these systems you have to install the codecs as well. Which leads to another common problem. Since most systems are missing these codecs the majority of your requests... from say, the Art Department are built with Animation compression (After Effects default settings) or a series of targas that you have to fight through. Both being inefficient ways to deliver time sensitive media. This results in additional renders when it's imported into the editing system. There's a way to avoid that by building or rendering for the target hardware.

blogcodecs2

categories-1Step 2: Compressing for Target Hardware
dotteddotted
Make a list of the hardware you load/export content to. In most cases you will find additional codecs to install on your non-editing machines. Now you might ask why you'd want to do that? Well... "time" my friends. If you're rendering or building at a compression other than the one running on your editing systems (non-native), your editors are taking an unneeded hit in their workflow. They have to "import" those clips. What import really means is "re-compress". So the time you spent rendering and compressing a clip, they have to add time to "re-compress" the non-native footage.

If you load and render to the proper codecs you can make the import process rather instant. What that also means, is editors can export clips with the native codec (faster). Cutting down on needless and time consuming conversions. Some stations have the luxury of Digital Content Managers, and Unity Drives, so it's only a matter of checking those clips out of the system. Some of them even handle the conversion for you, making it a non issue. But other stations still need to sneaker-net their stuff around. Maybe upgrades are not as fast coming as they are in larger markets. For those stations, this kind of "time" gain is what can mean the difference between a spot airing or not. Building smart and knowing what content you are pushing can be beneficial for everyone in the pipeline, all it takes is a little streamlining of the process.

Tune in tomorrow for part 2 of "Codecs & Compressions in the News Environment" Until then check out the links below.

blog_titlecard_codecs

Quicktime
dotted
Invest in Quicktime Pro. Just do it. The benefits outweigh the cost. Aside from access to high-end compressing options. QT player allows you to get details on content you have been supplied. If you've ever received a clip that doesn't play, has a white screen and you hear audio. This is where you can start for answers.

Avid Meridien
dotted
Rendering native from your Art Department will save your editors a lot of time. It means quick imports and no re-rendering on their end. So you'll both get the job done that much faster.

Final Cut Studio
dotted
Most FCP suites use extra hardware like a dedicated video card, and raid to facilitate realtime playback. Below you'll find links to the codecs for two of the most popular choices.

AJA KONA codecs
dotted
The KONA 3 is a great card. It's what we use, solid & dependable. Can't go wrong here.

Blackmagic Codecs
dotted
While I have not had direct experience with their products, I do know a few unnamed design houses that use em.

Bookmark the page for future reference.
:: Author: N. Santiago | Do not republish without authorization please ::
]]>GrayMachinenel@forbiddensky.comResources2008-09-03T07:29:43-05:00http://www.forbiddensky.com/news/files/GrayMachine.html#unique-entry-id-18http://www.forbiddensky.com/news/files/GrayMachine.html#unique-entry-id-18blog_graymachine
Updates, updates! GrayMachine, known as a great resource for aspiring motion designers has overhauled their site. Loaded with awesome tutorials and in-depth articles, they have stuff you won't find anywhere else. While not specifically targeted towards news artists, the techniques showcased there can be adapted easily to any workflow.]]>C4Dmodels.comnel@forbiddensky.comResources2008-08-30T11:57:26-05:00http://www.forbiddensky.com/news/files/C4Dmodels.html#unique-entry-id-17http://www.forbiddensky.com/news/files/C4Dmodels.html#unique-entry-id-17blog_c4dmodels
A new resource for the C4D community recently popped up. Steve Andrus, "supafraud" on the Mograph Forums has been hard at work bringing C4Dmodels.com to life. The site acts as a free C4D model depot. Where you can upload models you have created, motion and all. Or download user contributed files. Tutorials and Materials round out the offerings. It's slim pickings at the moment, but the content is sure to grow. Go check it out.]]>Design Directorynel@forbiddensky.comResources2008-08-29T07:59:54-05:00http://www.forbiddensky.com/news/files/Design_Directory.html#unique-entry-id-16http://www.forbiddensky.com/news/files/Design_Directory.html#unique-entry-id-16blog_design_directory
Want to see how the competition stacks up? The Design Directory serves up a who's who in Broadcast Design. While not a complete list by any means. It's a great place to start.]]>Toolkits to Gonel@forbiddensky.comResources2008-08-26T07:20:33-05:00http://www.forbiddensky.com/news/files/Toolkits_to_Go.html#unique-entry-id-15http://www.forbiddensky.com/news/files/Toolkits_to_Go.html#unique-entry-id-15blog_rerendered
Following up yesterday's post on pre-animated opens. Here's an interesting concept, royalty-free After Effects files. Rerendered.com allows you to sell your setups, or buy from a wide range of pre-built projects. Dimensions, durations, and 3rd party plugins are listed with every file.]]>Dosch Designnel@forbiddensky.comResources2008-08-25T15:15:00-05:00http://www.forbiddensky.com/news/files/Dosch_Design.html#unique-entry-id-12http://www.forbiddensky.com/news/files/Dosch_Design.html#unique-entry-id-12
Depending on the size of your market and station needs, it's not always easy to get a mind blowing open the second you need it. But don't fret, there are options. Dosch Design makers of some fantastic 3D model libraries, have you covered. One step beyond the typical Jump Back. DOSCH 3D: Logo Animations available for C4D, 3DS Max, and Lightwave come with 25 pre-animated opens ready for you to tweak. Fully customizable, they offer more flexibility than you'd expect from a product like this. In a pinch, a heck of a resource not to use.]]>Olympic Bloggingnel@forbiddensky.comTV News2008-08-23T09:11:42-05:00http://www.forbiddensky.com/news/files/Olympic_Blogging.html#unique-entry-id-11http://www.forbiddensky.com/news/files/Olympic_Blogging.html#unique-entry-id-11blog_jbblog
Jon Berry over at http://www.jonberrydesign.com/ has been blogging about his experience on the NBC Graphics Team handling the Olympics. You can see some of his work in the banner above. I happen to know a few people who contribute to this effort, so I'm familiar with the process. But it's still cool to see some pics from the inside. Go check out this unique behind the scenes peek.]]>FX Dekonel@forbiddensky.comResources2008-08-22T08:03:55-05:00http://www.forbiddensky.com/news/files/FX_Deko.html#unique-entry-id-10http://www.forbiddensky.com/news/files/FX_Deko.html#unique-entry-id-10blog_avid
We often forget that there are a lot of resources online for equipment we build for every day. Even if you are not operating the equipment, it's always good to know how to build for them. Avid has a very nice forum set up for Deko users and On-Air graphics in general. A great resource for any designer. Streamlining your workflow, means more time to design, edit or write, I'd say that's worth the effort. Duet (Chyron) users can find similar resources here.]]>WCCOnel@forbiddensky.comTV News2008-08-21T05:38:08-05:00http://www.forbiddensky.com/news/files/WCCO.html#unique-entry-id-9http://www.forbiddensky.com/news/files/WCCO.html#unique-entry-id-9blog_wcco
Arguably one of the best creative teams in the CBS family... if not TV in general. WCCO has never been shy to do new things. A fresh take on almost every aspect of promotion. It's inspiring to see a station who obviously puts a lot of stock in their creative staff. And it really pays off. Producers & Designers point you collective mice(?) this way and check out the best WCCO has to offer.]]>tvnewsdaynel@forbiddensky.comTV News2008-08-20T07:13:46-05:00http://www.forbiddensky.com/news/files/tvnewsday.html#unique-entry-id-8http://www.forbiddensky.com/news/files/tvnewsday.html#unique-entry-id-8blog_tvnewsday
A submission by tvNewshound (thanks!) tvnewsday.com covers the in and outs of the TV biz. I'll admit this is a new one to me so I'm not too familiar with it's content. But they seem to have a comprehensive look at the daily workings of stations near and far. Job Listings? check! Promotions? check! This one is going to make it's way to the Useful Links column quickly. Thanks for the tip!]]>602 Communicationsnel@forbiddensky.comResources2008-08-18T21:10:21-05:00http://www.forbiddensky.com/news/files/602_Communications.html#unique-entry-id-7http://www.forbiddensky.com/news/files/602_Communications.html#unique-entry-id-7blog_602
Looking for a Job in TV? Start here. Graeme Newell and his team over at 602 Communications have made themselves indispensable to the News Industry. With innovative workshops and focused research. 602 can give your station the edge in needs to be ahead of the pack.]]>Newscast Studionel@forbiddensky.comTV News2008-08-18T07:00:18-05:00http://www.forbiddensky.com/news/files/Newscast_Studio.html#unique-entry-id-6http://www.forbiddensky.com/news/files/Newscast_Studio.html#unique-entry-id-6blog_newscast
Newscast Studio has a great collection of sets & graphics from across the nation. One gem to note is it's growing database of Station call letters and Design Houses who supplied their packages. If that kind of stuff interests you (as it does me), check em out! Their blog is updated on a regular basis with News about set changes, new graphics packages and much, much more.]]>Safe Areas and HDnel@forbiddensky.comArticles2008-08-17T07:40:40-05:00http://www.forbiddensky.com/news/files/Safe_Areas_and_HD.html#unique-entry-id-5http://www.forbiddensky.com/news/files/Safe_Areas_and_HD.html#unique-entry-id-5blog_oreilly
Ran across a great article over at David OReilly's blog (Via Motionographer) pointing out the uselessness of safe areas in HD. You'd figure with the change over from SD to HD they'd make some adjustments to the antiquated rules we've had to live by. Yeah keep thinking that. 4:3 extract how I hate thee! Check it out, it's a great read.]]>Creative COWnel@forbiddensky.comResources2008-08-16T08:09:00-05:00http://www.forbiddensky.com/news/files/Creative_COW.html#unique-entry-id-4http://www.forbiddensky.com/news/files/Creative_COW.html#unique-entry-id-4blog_creativecow
Creative COW is a wonderful resource for Designers and Editors alike. Even though they don't target "TV News" needs specifically. There is a lot to be learned from the wealth of knowledge in their tutorials, articles, and in-depth forums. The tutorials are very easy to follow and range vastly in subject matter.
It's continued education that you don't have to pay for, not to mention pretty much instant access to some of the people out on the leading edge of the Post Production world. Well worth a look.]]>Socializing for the antisocialnel@forbiddensky.comTV News2008-08-14T22:44:06-05:00http://www.forbiddensky.com/news/files/Socializing_for_the_antisocial.html#unique-entry-id-3http://www.forbiddensky.com/news/files/Socializing_for_the_antisocial.html#unique-entry-id-3
I've avoided joining any online sites like MySpace or Facebook mainly to keep a low profile. It didn't seem like they would offer much to me, and having people know what I'm doing every second of the day was, well not very intriguing. That is, until a good friend clued me into LinkedIn. After signing up and setting up a profile, I realized the kind of power one could harness with a few simple clicks of the mouse. Aside from reconnecting with old friends from the News Biz. It's allowed me to get to know my competition a little better. Looking up other designers in the market, reviewing resumes and reels. Something that before this was not even within the realms of possibilities. So yeah, it can still be a popularity game, but it all depends on how you use it. If you haven't checked it out, I'd suggest you give it a spin.]]>A quick plugnel@forbiddensky.comTV News2008-08-14T19:24:20-05:00http://www.forbiddensky.com/news/files/5d47dfc23a860a4e119e1659c0986900-1.html#unique-entry-id-1http://www.forbiddensky.com/news/files/5d47dfc23a860a4e119e1659c0986900-1.html#unique-entry-id-1TVSpy & TVNewstalk when you get a chance. Unfiltered (usually) reactions to changes at stations all across the nation. You'll get a nice mix of industry folks and news fans alike. I Do Promoz & TV Promos are great for a glimpse at what stations are doing with their promos. I'll add more as I run across em. Got one for me? Float me a link I'll post it and give you credit.]]>In the beginning...nel@forbiddensky.comUpdates2008-07-14T19:18:00-05:00http://www.forbiddensky.com/news/files/in_the_beginning.html#unique-entry-id-0http://www.forbiddensky.com/news/files/in_the_beginning.html#unique-entry-id-0
Another blog?? really? Yes, really. One thing I've noticed during my time as a Broadcast Designer is, if you're not in News, no one knows what the difference between a Broadcast Designer and a Motion Designer really is. So targeting them with useful resources has never been a major focus.

CreativeCOW used to have a Broadcast Design forum back in the day. But it got rolled into the Motion Design forum. Not many of us were using it, so I can't really blame them. Regardless, thats where this blog fits in. I don't plan on posting every little tidbit of After Effects news out there. Or following up with the latest software updates or hottest shops in the game. What I hope to do is gather up a good set of resources that would useful for those in the trenches.

Working in News can be stressful, and having the time to finesse your craft is just hard. Basically what you design in a few minutes hits air just as fast. When we're talking opens, well you have a few days, if you're lucky. But most of the time not, and it'll air over and over and over so you can painfully be reminded on how rushed you were. Nice. How do you avoid that feeling? By working ahead. By setting yourself up to succeed, by arming yourself with the knowledge to make your work stand out. If any of the stuff featured on this site can help you on your quest, then it's served it's purpose. That's why another blog is born. If you enjoy the content featured here or would like to contribute, drop me a line. I'd love to hear from you. Enjoy the stay, and help make this a place we can all learn from.]]>