Intro to Studio Production

- Ages: 18+
- Total Hours: 9 (3 x 3-hour sessions)
- Prerequisites: Open Signal Orientation
Get hands-on training in television studio production in this free 3-session class for Open Signal members.
Open Signal’s state-of-the art television studios are unique venues for free speech and creative expression. In this free 3-session class for Open Signal members, you’ll get hands-on, practical training in TV production skills. Each session focuses on one aspect of our industry-standard HD sound stages. Once you’ve completed the class AND volunteered on at least one studio production, you’ll be studio certified — meaning you will be able to reserve blocks of time in our studios to produce your own content.
Session 1: Studio Lighting and Cameras, Microphones
Our instructors will show you how to use floor lights, the light board (including cyclorama lights), as well as how to properly light your talent and a green screen. This workshop will also show you the basics of television cameras in both of our studios, including robotic camera operation and tips on safe operation of camera pedestals. Learn about the different microphones and how they work, as well as correct microphone placement.
Session 2: Studio Audio and Mixers, Technical Direction
Learn about both studio audio mixers, sound checking basics, safety tips on running cables and other helpful information to capture clear and crisp audio. Spend time understanding how signals go in and out of the switcher in both studio control rooms and how different methods used by Technical Directors change the mood of a production. Learn the language of direction (including hand signals for when cameras are rolling), how to add graphics using Xpressions and other control room skills.
Session 3: Review and Production Practice
Put your new skills to use running a show in the studio. Work on a crew to complete a 30- to 45-minute show with our Studio Productions Coordinator & Trainer.
Certification
Studio Producer
Completing this 3-session class AND volunteering on at least one studio production will certify you to reserve time in our studios.
You will also be able to operate our onsite equipment — including the broadcast studio cameras, Ross Carbonite Switcher, teleprompter, and XPression graphics system.
Additionally, you will have access to our audio mixer, light boards (including floor lights), spotlights, C-stands, and the studio Epson Projector and speakers.
By reserving time in our studios you agree to upload your content to our cable access channels.
Dates
Location
Open Signal, Portland Community Media Center
2766 NE Martin Luther King Jr BlvdPortland, OR 97212 Get Directions
Instructor

As the Studio Productions Coordinator & Trainer, I am here to ensure that your studio productions are a success. I can help you with everything from reserving your gear to answering (and solving) your HD studio questions.
I currently teach the Intro to Studio Production class, and am proficient in all of the gear that we have in our equipment library so feel free to reach out with any technical questions. I'm more of a Star Wars guy than a Star Trek guy, but I've been known to hang out with a few Trekkies.
Policies
Policies
Open Signal is a Safer Space
Open Signal is committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for the community. Open Signal is a Safer Space for people of color, immigrants, gender non-conforming, low/no income groups, houseless, people with disabilities, linguistically diverse and other marginalized communities who have experienced systemic racism, sexism, classism and/or oppression. We encourage the creation and sharing of content that expresses a wide variety of cultural, social, political and spiritual perspectives. Treating all people with respect and kindness is expected - even if you don’t agree with all perspectives.
We require all members of our community to agree to our Safer Space Community Guidelines and to be accountable for the impact of their actions on others who use the space. Physical and verbal abuse will not be tolerated. All threats will be taken seriously, and will result in removal from the facility.
If you have a safety concern to report, please talk to any member of our front desk staff, or complete our online form at bit.ly/opensignalsafetyconcern.
Accommodation Requests
At Open Signal, we work hard to keep our space accessible, inclusive and collaborative. We have a no-tolerance policy for discrimination, harassment and violence.
To request an accommodation please contact us at info [at] opensignalpdx.org or (503) 288-1515.
While some accommodation needs may not be within our means to meet at this time, we do our absolute best to accommodate individual needs for equitable access to our facilities whenever possible.