Training
Workshops
The Digital Aquarium offers workshops on digital photography, video cameras, audio production and many software programs. For a complete schedule of free workshops, please review our workshop schedule.
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Equipment Workshops |
Software Workshops |
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Equipment Workshops
Audio Suite Basic:
This workshop teaches students how to use the Digital Aquarium's Audio Recording Suite. The primary focus of the workshop is to show students how to use the ProTools software, the industry standard for music recording and mixing. In addition to covering the important functions of ProTools, the workshop also shows students how to use the studio microphones, the MIDI keyboard, the Roland Drum surface, the mic preamps, the headphones, the mixer board and the CD burner.
Audio Suite Advanced:
(The Basic Audio Suite workshop is required.) This workshop builds on the introduction to ProTools offered in our Basic ProTools workshop. In this advance workshop students will learn more of the advanced features of ProTools, including: how to use automation, plug-in effects, and general studio engineering techniques.
Home Recording Kit/Garageband/Audacity:
The Home Recording Kit is a collection of tools that will allow a user to get at home, a similar quality of recording sound as our Audio Suite. In tandem with the user friendly recording programs; Garageband or Audacity, a user can get all the benefits of a real recording studio without the extreme learning curve of more complex programs. This workshop will certify a patron in the use of the M Audio USB interface, 2 Audio Technica microphones, a 4-track and 16-track Mackie mixing board, 8 piece drum-mic kit, and the use of either Garageband (for a Mac) or Audacity (cross platforms).
Companion Course: Audio Suite Basic
Digital Video 1: Canon GL2 DV cameras
This workshop is required to check out the advanced, broadcast quality, digital video (DV) cameras from the Digital Aquarium. The workshop reviews the reservation process and the camera kit checkout policies. In the workshop we cover how the camera controls work and how the camera can operate in full-auto or full-manual mode. In this workshop you will also be certified to checkout the video tripods and various microphones, including lavalieres, hand-held, shotgun and boom mics.
Download Workshop Handout Guide
Digital Video 3: Sony A1U HDV Camera
(The Digital Video 1 workshop is required to take this workshop.) In this workshop we discuss the differences between standard definition video (SD) and high definition video (HD). We review the policies for reserving and checking out the HD camera kits. The majority of time is spent reviewing the functions and manual controls of the Sony A1U HDV camera.
Suggested pre-requisite classes:Digital Video 1
Basic Lighting Workshop
The basic lighting workshop teaches students how to maintain equipment while in their care and to operate our gear responsibly. During the two hour workshop, students will be introduced to lighting's do's and don'ts as they actively participate in setup and execution of a basic documentary/talking heads interview styled lighting setup.
Portable Lights and Wireless Mics
Portable lights and Wireless mics are offered to students for two very simple reasons; nobody likes wires and lighting with no power source is a bummer. That's why we're offering students the chance to become certified in using both to better deal with either situation. Using Sennheiser Wireless Lavalier microphones, students can film a conversation with a much a higher range and leave less of a production footprint on their project. Our portable light kits will provide a source of light in times of need and darkness.
Digital Photography: Nikon D80
The Nikon D80 is an excellent all-around Digital SLR to let you get the shots you want. With its many manual features you can control exposure to experiment with light in many ways. This workshop will get you ready to get the results you want in many shooting situations by understanding the principles of exposure.
Software Workshops
Final Cut Pro:
Final Cut Pro is leading the industry for consumer-accessible post-production software. This workshop introduces you to the program itself and a step-by-step process to get you started and completed with your digital video project. When editing your next class project to your award-winning film, consider the first choice of professional editors world, FCP (available in HD).
Companion Course: Digital Video 1
Adobe Photoshop: Intro to Photoshop
Photoshop is the industry standard for graphic design and photo correction. This workshop is designed for beginners. The workshop introduces the basic functions Photoshop, including Layers, Picking Colors, Making Selections, Color Adjustments, various Tool Options, the History Palette and some basic Filters.
Download Workshop Handout Guide
Adobe Illustrator: Intro to Illustrator:
Adobe Illustrator is a program that allows its user to realize its greatest potential in graphic design and digital illustration. It uses vector graphics to maximize the utility of logos, collateral, posters,flyers, illustrations and nearly anything else imaginable. This workshop is a basic introduction to the basic physics of the program, its workspace, tools, utilities and some of the essentials in graphic design and illustration.
Suggested pre-requisite classes:Photoshop
Download Workshop Handout Guide
Adobe InDesign: Print Design and Multiple-page Layouts
Adobe InDesign is a professional page layout and design application. A few examples of what you would use this program for include newspapers, publications, and brochures. This software was developed to make large bodies of text and images, that may change frequently, more manageable.
Suggested pre-requisite classes:Photoshop, Illustrator
Download Workshop Handout Guide
Digital Illustration with Wacom tablet:
When grouped together with the wacom tablet, Photoshop can be used as a powerful tool for creating professional illustrations. The pressure sensitive tip along with the maneuverability of the pen let you create nice fluid brush strokes. The wacom tablet will let you increase your speed and accuracy to get the job done on time.
Suggested pre-requisite classes:Photoshop, Illustrator
Download Workshop Handout Guide
After Effects:
After Effects is a powerful composite program that lets you manipulate video the same way Photoshop manipulates still images. Everything from special effects to animation to green-screening can be accomplished in After Effects. The complexity of After effects can seem overwhelming but this workshop should get you on your feet so that you can experiment and create visual effects.
Suggested pre-requisite classes: Final Cut Pro, Photoshop, Illustrator
Blender 3-D:
Blender provides a broad spectrum of modeling, texturing, lighting, animation and video post-processing functionality in one package. Through it’s open architecture, Blender provides cross-platform interoperability, extensibility, an incredibly small footprint, and a tightly integrated workflow. Blender is one of the most popular Open Source 3D graphics application in the world. This is an intro level workshop and meant for students who have no prior knowledge of the program. It teaches the blender interface, object manipulation, lighting, using the camera, and rendering.
Suggested pre-requisite classes: Photoshop, Illustrator
Reason:
Reason is a virtual studio rack with all the tools and instruments you need to turn your ideas into music. Reason is a complete music system with excellent synthesizers, samplers, drum machines and world-class effects. This workshop will show you how to create a basic music track in reason.
Requirements: The only requirement for this workshop is a good appreciation of music and a desire to create it.
Intro to Apple:
Have you been using a PC your whole life? Never had to use a Mac before? This workshop is the one for you. You will learn the basics to using the Mac OSX. You will be introduced to iLife 08 which includes iMovie, iDVD, iPhoto, iWeb, GarageBand, and MobileMe Gallery. Come to the other side and learn how to use the Mac. This is the beginning of the rest of your fabulous Mac Life!
Have you been using a PC your whole life? Never had to use a Mac before? This workshop is the one for you. You will learn the basics to using the Mac OSX. You will be introduced to iLife 08 which includes iMovie, iDVD, iPhoto, iWeb, GarageBand, and MobileMe Gallery. Come to the other side and learn how to use the Mac. This is the beginning of the rest of your fabulous Mac Life!Intro to Facebook:
Do you feel like you're out of the loop? This workshop will introduce you to the wonderful world of online social networking. This workshop will cover the various websites with focus on Facebook and Myspace. It will show the differences between the websites and their use. All the inside tips to using Facebook and Myspace including privacy settings, photo settings, and profiles will be revealed to you. So come and join the 21st century and start socially networking online!