Editing Lab Makeover

The Jonathan Mednick Editing Lab | NSC-172 is receiving a summer makeover in three phases:

Phase 1 will be a remodeling of the physical space – polished floors, repaired lighting, a new coat of paint (we’re thinking something in the ballpark of a light burnt sienna) and a serious furniture upgrade. We are very fortunate to receive several professional grade work surfaces courtesy of FIEA and the College of Arts and Humanities. The new layout will be a modified cubicle space that will allow for comfort, usability, and (finally) some style!

15 iPhone photos and an AutoStitch app = the above blank canvas.

Phase 2 is all about updating the iMac editing workstations to meet our current production demands. Each editing station will see the following improvements:

• External LCD monitor –This will provide more on-screen real estate for users to navigate software and will support full screen playback of HD content.
• Compact flash (CF) and secure digital (SD) storage card readers – This will allow for full support of our incoming DSLR camera inventory.
• Final Cut Studio 3* (Final Cut Pro 7) and (of course) OS X Snow Leopard* – The latest version of FCS comes with new ProRes codec options, time-saving interface improvements, and great collaboration tools. The installation of Snow Leopard is a necessary step for our FCS upgrade, but it comes with the added benefit of improved system performance (aka speed).

* The software upgrades extend beyond just the lab; our Capstone Editing Suites, Graduate Editing Suites, and faculty workstations will be receiving them as well.

Final Cut Studio 3 & OS X Snow Leopard will be fully supported by the department Fall 2010. Adobe CS5 will be provided at a few key workstations.

Phase 3 comprises of setting up a digital imaging workstation complete with a flatbed scanner, Adobe Creative Suite 5 Design Standard, and Aperture 3 software. We will also be streamlining the video transfer rack. It will be reconfigured to meet the demands of our current production environment but still support legacy video formats.

A more detailed breakdown of the improvements (along with photographs of the new spread) will follow as this project is completed.

“And that’s the way it is.”