Volume 11,  Issue 1
January, 2016
FROM THE EDITOR'S DESK

Happy New Year to all of you from the TCtv staff. We hope you had a good holiday season and made your New Year's resolutions. We have made a New Year's resolution for TCtv: to find new ways to keep producers informed about TCtv events, new equipment, class dates, and, most important, building relationships with other producers and volunteers.
 
To keep you updated, our first big announcement is the reinstatement of the monthly TCtv Newsletter. It was in print from 1990-2000, and now it's back, in full eNewsletter style. Our second announcement is a new program, "Audio Recording and Music Production". Many producers have asked for this workshop, and now it's here. The program will begin in February, so if you're interested make sure and contact us.
 
To the right is an overview of what's in this issue. Check out the articles and events, and join us as often as you can. We look forward to seeing you.  It's easy to sign-up to automatically receive Take One, go to: 

IN THIS ISSUE:


  • Meet The Producer
  • Graduates


MEET THE PRODUCER

Tim Beck is a certified studio and field producer. He's been creating shows with TCtv for three years. His interests are in producing documentaries, and arts and science shows.
 
I enjoy working with artists and the visual arts community.  My new passion is to introduce young artists and their works to the world. I wonder, can we actually help launch someone's career and see them take off? Maybe there's a Picasso to be amongst us, we just have to find them. TCtv is an ideal way to help me fulfill this vision for the students. I'm very interested in helping other producers because that's how I can gain more experience, and it puts me in a comfort zone. The more you use the facility, the more comfortable you become and the more efficient you become with the equipment that is provided.
 
I sure could use help on my shoots. As for me helping other producers, I like being a camera man. I'll definitely work on your show if you help on mine.
Congratulations to the December HD Field and Post-Production Workshop Graduates. We look forward to seeing shows these new producers will bring in the New Year!
HD Field and Post- Production
Victor Hernandez, Henry Weisse, Arthur Weisse, Linus Weisse, Annette Weisse, Jorge Gamez.
Pre-Production Planning
Victor Hernandez
Workshops in January
Field and Post Production Workshop
Tuesday01/12/16Thursday01/14/16
Tuesday
01/19/16Thursday
01/21/16
Tuesday
01/26/16Thursday
01/28/16

Pre-Production Workshop
Wednesday01/27/16


WHAT'S NEW AT TCtv - Lighting

Lighting is always a question when on a shoot. What light to use, how much to set brightness, etc. It can get us all bogged down. Help is here. New at TCtv is the IKAN LED light kit. The light kit is equipped with three LED lights and stands that are completely adjustable, and the best part is they are powered either by electricity or battery. Battery power is a big thing. Say you need to shoot a scene in the evening at a park bench there may be some light available, but what if you need more? More...

Join us for our lighting class on Jan. 16, at 7 p.m.
THE TCtv AWARDS SHOW
The Stanleys

What is the TCtv Awards Show? Like the Emmy Awards or the Grammy Awards show, in the not so distant past, TCtv had its own award show, The Stanleys.
 
Why the Stanlelys, you ask? The TCtv Awards, also known as the Stanleys, were named in honor of the late Stanley E. Remelmeyer, Torrance's former City Attorney, who was instrumental in the development of cable television franchise agreement in the City. In the past, TCtv held the Annual TCtv Award Show with live entertainment, food and refreshments to honor the producers and volunteers here at TCtv. Here's how it works...
FRAMING BASICS
One of the pitfalls of novice filmmaking is poor picture composition, also known as framing. The basic purpose of framing a shot is to present images as clearly as possible and show the subject so that it conveys meaning and emotion. Every time you frame a subject you are telling a story to your audience. An example would be a simple dialogue scene between a father and son, and you frame the father in a close-up so he is made to look imposing, while framing the son further away in a more neutral medium shot. So size selection, from a wide shot all the way to an extreme close-up of your subject becomes important. More...
LAVALIER vs. SHOTGUN (BOOM) MICS

Bad audio can ruin even the best video. When selecting microphones, the question always arises, what is the best mic for a particular job? All microphones capture sound, but when you are selecting a mic consider the following realities: More...
THE NEW WORKSHOP
AUDIO RECORDING AND MUSIC PRODUCTION

Working in the video world, you always hear the same discussion at the production table. Where do we get music for our production that is good, fits the scene's emotion, and is copyright free? Music pieces in public domain libraries are good if you are looking for older, period music. And there are composers available on the Web, but a lot of the music is not really composed for video production environments. We could go on, but what we really want is a solution, right?
 
This new workshop will focus on the craft of Audio and Music Production for the "video producer". We want to help you develop the right sound for your project, whether the need is music, voice over, dialog replacement, sound effects and more.
 
You don't need to be an accomplished musician to join. All you need is energy to want to create, we will help you get through the rest.
 
There are several producers who are musicians who can also offer assistance. We want this program to be more of a community participation group. Producers working together to create TCtv's own music library. Try it out. You may find it to be more fun than you ever expected. If you are interested in this workshop contact us. TCtv@TorranceCa.Gov
TCtv Random Notes
NEED CREW HELP?
HOW DO I BECOME A PRODUCER?
In need of some extra production assistants for an upcoming production? Do you require an experienced camera operator with a background in lighting? Or maybe you just need someone to help you add graphics to your video? Well, whatever your needs may be, remember that TCtv keeps an updated list of all the current volunteers. The list can be obtained at the TCtv front desk at no cost.  All you have to do is ask!
Are you interested in becoming a certified user or producer at Torrance Community Television? GREAT!  First, all you have to do is attend the New Users Orientation Session. These bi-monthly sessions are designed to give our new friends an overview of the Who/What/Where/Why of community television. You'll be introduced to all of the exciting television opportunities here in the City of Torrance. Sessions take place on the first and third Wednesday of each month, starting promptly at 6:30 p.m.  If you're a Torrance resident or a member of a Torrance-based non-profit group and you want to get started, call (310) 618-5762 and make your reservations today.Upcoming orientations will be on Jan. 6 and Jan. 20. Make your plans now!
CABLE TELEVISION ADVISORY BOARD MEETINGS
PRODUCER GET-TOGETHER
The Cable Television Advisory Board (CTAB) meets on the second Wednesday of every month at 7 p.m. The Board meetings are open to the public, so consider yourself "invited." Meetings are held in the TCtv Multi-Purpose room. The next scheduled meeting is Jan. 13.
Join the CTAB monthly Producer Get-Togethers, which are on the first Friday of each month at 7 p.m.  The next get-together is: Jan. 8.
 
Happy New Year!

Come join fellow producers to ring in the New Year in a casual and no-pressure atmosphere. See old friends and make new connections. This is a time to rub elbows with other producers and catch up with friends. Food, friends, and frivolity are on the agenda. Come join the fun!
TORRANCE COMMUNITY TELEVISION
3350 Civic Center Drive, Ste #100 | Torrance CA 90503 | 310.618.5762 | www. TorranceCA.Gov
TCtv@Torranceca.Gov