• Advanced Primatte Tips

  When keying footage, color correction can make the difference between a solid key and one that misses the mark. That’s why the keying process always begins with general color correction to make sure the key looks good. However, there can be problems with the footage that can’t be fixed with a single pass of color […]

• Advanced Production Lighting

  Introduction Lighting is a major aspect of any video production, and is something that makes a video all the better when done well. Since standard lighting principles are covered extensively during video team training, video team members should already be familiar with common terms and concepts related to lighting. This article will explain more advanced […]

• Animation Composer

  This video talks about how to download and use Animation Composer, a plug-in that can be used in Adobe After Effects. At the Corps, people who use After Effects sometimes use Animation Composer to speed up animation workflows. It can be used for text and graphics, and provides a unified look for simple transitions. While […]

• Audio Equipment

  Audio is a very important aspect of quality production. There are many pieces of equipment available to ensure the best quality for projects. Equipment like the Zoom H4n, XLR cables, Shure Wireless Lav, and the Sound Devices 702T are all devices that will help you with recording the audio needed for a project. How to […]

• Ball State Lower Thirds

  When watching videos that include one or more interview subjects, it can be difficult to keep track of who everyone is. To make this easier, the Digital Corps follows best practices by using lower thirds to identify the subject’s name and job/student description without distracting viewers from the content they are watching. Lower Thirds and […]

• Boom Mics

  The Digital Corps uses a variety of microphones while on video shoots. There are different types of microphones available, depending on what a shoot demands. Boom mics are large, shotgun mics that are attached to a boom pole, making them easy to hold from a distance. Check out this tutorial video to learn more about boom mics.  

• C-Stands

  This video talks about how to properly set up a C-Stand, as well as some of its technical uses. At the Corps, we often use C-Stands to hold lights, flags, boom mics, the Ronin, and much more. Watch this video to understand how to properly and safely set up a C-Stand and learn about how […]

• Canon C100

  The Canon EOS C100 is a digital camera used for most Digital Corps production shoots, including interviews, promotional videos, and social media videos. Watch this video to learn more about the assembly, set up, and usage of the Canon C100. The Canon C100 records audio directly into the camera through its internal microphone and through […]

• Captions

  Accessibility is a vital aspect of media production, and in the age of video, captions are a great way to make content more accessible. This is extremely important for viewers with hearing impairments and auditory processing issues. There are two types of captions. Closed captions are the most common; they are used by broadcasting and […]

• Cintiq Basics

  When you are working on a project, you may find that a laptop does not offer enough creative freedom or the precision you need to create content. A Cintiq can be a useful accessory when working on various projects at the Digital Corps that include drawing, storyboarding, animation, and logo/branding design. A Cintiq is a […]

• Client Interactions

  Working with Clients At the Digital Corps, we work with clients every day. Client interaction is a vital part of project success, and it’s essential to understand how client communication works, and how to approach it. Some general rules when dealing with clients are as follows:   Client interactions come in more specific forms as well. For instance, client communication can come […]

• Digital Corps Video Bios: Review Checklist

  When the Digital Corps hires a new group of employees, a few things need to happen. One necessary task is to create a video bio for each new hire. This article covers the basics of this process, but you will need to work with your project team to cover the nitty-gritty details. The process has […]

• DJI Follow Focus

  This video explains how to properly setup, calibrate, and use the DJI Follow Focus on set. The DJI Follow Focus aids video work by allowing the user to wirelessly control the focus, aperture, or focal length of any lens used at the Digital Corps. Watch this video to learn more about the DJI Follow Focus.

• DJI Ronin-M

  The DJI Ronin-M is an electronic 3-axis gimbal used to stabilize camera movements for video. The Digital Corps uses the DJI Ronin-M to shoot longer and more fluid camera movements for videos. Watch this video to learn how to properly assemble, balance, calibrate, and use the DJI Ronin-M.

• Earning a Software Certification

  Certifications are a great way to prove your skills in your discipline. Most students take Adobe certifications, but others are available.

• Edelkrone Slider

  The Digital Corps offers a variety of equipment for employees to use, such as the Edelkrone slider. The slider is a camera attachment that gives static shots some movement, and using the slider makes the camera move more smoothly to prevent capturing shaky footage. This video will teach you how to assemble, use, and take apart the Edelkrone slider.    

• How to Conduct an Interview

  There are several different types of interviews — job interviews, blog interviews, and even recorded interviews — but they all require an interviewer to sit down and get thoughts out of an interviewee. At the Corps, interviews are conducted for blogs and for projects requiring video interviews. By conducting these interviews, the Digital Corps not […]

• How to Create Lower Thirds in After Effects

  A lower third is the graphic that appears at the bottom of the screen to introduce information. Lower thirds are typically used to display the name and job title of the person being interviewed, but there are other uses for this type of graphic. This tutorial video explains how to make simple lower third graphics […]

• How to Export Videos with Proper Presets

  Introduction All platforms have different preferences for optimal video quality. Exporting your video project with the correct settings for the desired platform helps your video look more professional. This article explains how to export videos and with the proper settings to ensure the best quality. Settings Explained Format Format is the wrapper that your video […]

• How to use the Equipment Checkout System

  What is the Equipment Checkout System? The Equipment Checkout System is a custom tracking system created by the Digital Corps that allows students to reserve video production equipment. It is integrated with Slack to notify users of changes to the equipment reservation or to remind them when equipment is due for check-in. Making a Reservation […]

• Installing and Using the Corps Printer

  The Digital Corps printer is, unfortunately, not able to be installed by default on Corps computers. To use it, students must download the printer drivers and run the setup process before the printer will be available. The printer can be installed on personal Mac laptops as well. Installation and setup on Windows computers is possible, […]

• iPad Teleprompter

  This video shows how to properly and safely set up the teleprompter. From announcements, to talking heads, to Loading Zone episodes, the teleprompter is a vital tool in the Corps’ equipment arsenal. Watch this video to learn how to set up and operate this device.

• Keying Green Screen Video with Primatte

  At the Corps, we film many different projects using green screens to change the background. We use the Primatte plugin to replace the green screen with a clean background. This tool helps us key out green screens quickly and effectively. This video will walk you through the process of keying green screen video using the […]

• Lighting Equipment

  Lighting is a key piece to every video production. Without proper lighting, a production cannot start and there is a high chance of issues occurring in the post-production process. When considering which lighting equipment to use, there are three general kits used by staff and students at the Corps. Kino Flo Light Kit LED Lite […]

• Lip syncing for Loading Zone

  When editing an episode for the Loading Zone, you must lip sync the recorded voiceover with the mouth movements of the animated robots. This article explains the process of how to sync the recorded voiceover with the characters’ animated mouths. Making the Lips Sync with Voiceover First, open Adobe Character Animator. Then, import the files below for each character you need to […]

• Loading Zone Reusable Assets

  Using pre-existing Loading Zone assets will save you time and prevent duplicating items.  This folder keeps elements of The Loading Zone consistent and allows you to work more efficiently.  Look through the assets and download them from this OneDrive folder. Be careful not to edit, move, or delete any of the items from the folder. […]

• Mario and Luigi

  Mario and Luigi are the names of the servers we use at the Corps. These servers are used primarily by the Video Team. There are a few different ways to access these servers whether you are in the office or working remotely. Luigi is used most often and where new projects are stored. It also allows […]

• Ninja Blade

  The Ninja Blade is a very resourceful tool to have on set during productions. It allows camera operators to load LUTs in and adjust the color profile on the spot. Not only can the Ninja Blade be used as a monitor, but it can also be used as a recording device when more color information […]

• OneDrive File Management

  The Digital Corps uses OneDrive to organize many files in the same place, so everyone at the Corps has access to them. This video will shows how to navigate OneDrive and how the Corps organizes its files in the Digital Corps Projects folder.

• Outlook Crash Course

  Organization is key for all projects, and Digital Corps staff and students use Microsoft’s Outlook email and calendar to share information, schedule meetings, and manage work schedules.   Outlook Email To access Outlook email go to outlook.office.com or go to my.bsu.edu and click on Outlook Webmail in the top banner. The Digital Corps typically uses […]

• Post-Production Tips

  Post-Production Defined Let’s start by defining post-production – the last of a three-step process in video production, occurring after pre-production and production. Post-production is the process of editing footage to produce a final product. This process is similar to putting together a puzzle where an editor puts pieces together to make the final product. But, […]

• Pre-Production Tips

  Pre-Production Defined Let’s start by defining pre-production – the first of a three-step process in video production, followed by production and post-production. Pre-production is the process of planning and organizing video shoots. This process is an incredibly important step in video production for the Video team and in the industry. The time spent thoroughly planning […]

• Production Tips

  Production Defined Production is the second step in the three-step video production process. Generally, production is the shortest of the three processes, but is crucial to ensuring a smooth post-production workflow as well as a successful end product. Production is the process of capturing all of the necessary footage for any specific video. Crew members […]

• Reviewing Video Content as a JPM

  This is the typical review process for most video submissions: This article will cover overall considerations for the review as well as identify the most common video deliverables produced at the Digital Corps. Overall Considerations There are three main aspects of a video review to consider, regardless of the deliverable format. Keep comprehensive notes during […]

• Safe Margins

  The Digital Corps uses lower thirds to identify people on screen. These lower thirds are placed on a guide known as a margin to ensure the information is visible on any screen. Older televisions sometimes cropped the image at the edges, which meant information and graphics were sometimes missing! In response, the Society of Motion […]

• Script Writing 101

  The Digital Corps produces video content for a variety of reasons – whether it be for client videos or internal promotional. Regardless of the reason, the Corps uses scripts to clearly plan out the content in a video. Normally, Video Team or Communication Team students will be script writers. After the script is written, the […]

• Set Etiquette

  At the Digital Corps, it is important for staff and students to appear professional on set for video shoots. In addition to the roles of production, all crew members should practice proper etiquette to best represent the Digital Corps and ensure the production of quality work. Watch this video to learn more about the importance of set […]

• Submitting Work for Review

  What are Reviews? The review process is essential to the function of the Corps. The content we make needs to be reviewed and approved through multiple levels to ensure quality throughout. To begin the review process, you need to understand how to access the review function in Slack. Using the /Review Function Congrats, you’ve successfully […]

• The Armorman

  The Armorman is a gimbal support rig used to evenly distribute the weight of a 3-axis gimbal. This allows the wearer to support the heavy weight of certain equipment, such as the DJI-Ronin, for long periods of time. Watch this video to learn more about the Armorman’s set up and use.

• Timecodes

  Timecodes are the numbers that increase as a video or audio clip plays. They are used to help with timing and organization. At the Digital Corps, we use timecodes to make the review process easier and to direct people to specific times in clips. Having a timecode run at the bottom of the video helps […]

• Using FirstCom to Find Music

  FirstCom is a website used to help find music for videos. The Corps pays for the licensing to access many different themes and stingers for the videos we make.  The link for the site can be found here: https://www.firstcom.com/en-us. To access FirstCom, use the login information in the #general-video channel. Be sure to double-check you have […]

• Using Post Haste

  Post Haste is a program used at the Digital Corps to organize our file structure. By using Post Haste, the file structure will be the same on each project. This consistent structure makes finding assets within different projects much easier. This video will show you how to install and use Post Haste on your Corps […]

• XLR Cables

  XLR cables, or External Line Return Cables, connect and transport audio signals to different devices. At the Corps, XLRs are used to deliver balanced audio signals to the equipment. To learn more about XLRs and how to use them properly, watch the video below.