Education
Classes at MTN
Video Classes - Video Seminars - Class Handouts
Free MTN Orientation
This is the first step whether you have a finished program you want to play on our channels, want to use MTN's equipment to make a show, or just want to take classes to learn about video production. At the orientation you will learn about public access television, the importance of free speech and the mission of MTN. You'lll also tour MTN's facilities--from our three production studios to our Final Cut Pro and iMovie suites to our equipment checkout desk. You'll learn about MTN's programming policies and what you need to do to get your show played on our channels. You can also sign up for an optional consultation with an MTN staff person to help guide you to your ideal production track. This orientation is required before you can sign up for a class or turn in a show. 1 hour. Free. Watch the MTN Orientation Video.
Find our location
Visit our Equipment page to find out about our equipment policies and our hours.
To register for a class, fill out the Class Registration Form
To register for a class with your credit card, visit the MTN Store
Find out about our Upgrade Classes for members who are already certified on the PDX-10 camera and iMovie who want to use our new Vixia cameras and iMovie 11.
Check out our summer Youth Media Camps!
Video Training
You must become a member to use our video equipment. Membership is half price when you sign up for your first class.
Make sure you write down the class dates. Sign up soon - class size is limited. MTN reserves the right to cancel classes due to insufficient registration. We cannot register you for a class until you have paid. Classes are filled on a first come-first served basis. We will contact you if class is filled or cancelled.
Class Refund Policy: You will get a full refund if you cancel one week prior to the first class. MTN reserves the right to determine the amount, if any, of refund or credit after the first class.
In event of cancellation because of low registration, student will be informed two business days before the class start date.
Find out about our Upgrade Classes for members who are already certified on the PDX-10 camera and iMovie who want to use our new Vixia cameras and iMovie 11.
DIY Studio
(Prerequisite: Free MTN Orientation)
You can be both the director and the star with MTN's Do It Yourself Studio, also known as Studio C. The controls are at your fingertips, so you don't need a crew to create a studio talk show. In this class you will learn how to set up the equipment, learn the basics of switching and adding titles, and record your very own DIY talk show. Please watch the "Welcome to Studio C" video before the class meets to get an idea of what the class will cover. 1 session. 2 hours. $25. Certifications: Studio C. Instructors: John Akre (JA), Laura Stopyro (LS)
May 17, Thurs, 6:30 - 8:30 pm (LS)
June 16, Sat, 10am - 1 pm (with orientation) (LS)
July 26, Thurs, 6:30 - 8:30 pm (LS)
Aug 21 Tues, 6:30 - 8:30 pm (LS)
Register for this class in the MTN Store
Below is a video about using Studio C.
Studio Workshop: Basic
(Prerequisite: Free MTN Orientation)
This class teaches you the fastest way to produce a program with a small crew, using our two fully equipped studios, Studio A and Studio B. You will learn about lighting, camera & tripod operation, and recording good audio. You will also learn the ins and outs of the control room, including how to operate the switcher, add graphics using our Gen CG titler, and create an interesting background using blue screen (chroma key) effects. Bring some ideas of your own for a short segment. 2 sessions. 6 hours. $55. Certifications: Studios A and B. Instructor: Doug Cain
May 24 and 31, Thurs, 6:30 - 9:30 pm
June 12 and 17, Tues, 6:30 - 9:30 pm
July 17 and 24, Tues, 6:30 - 9:30 pm
August 14 and 16, Tues and Thur, 6:30 - 9:30 pm
Register for this class in the MTN StoreDay classes - can be arranged for groups of three or more
Video Production Workshop: Basic
(Prerequisite: Free MTN Orientation)
NEW FACE LIFT! This class now features an HD camera, the Canon Vixia, and an upgraded editing software, iMovie 11. Ideal for the beginner, this class will teach you everything you need to know in order to get started creating documentaries, short films, music videos, tv shows and video blogs. You will learn the aesthetics of video production, including how to compose your shots to create compelling images. You will also learn basic camera operations and how to record great sounding audio using various microphones. You will also make your way through all the vital steps of video production to execute a one-minute project of your choosing. We will talk about how to plan your project from the initial conception of your idea to choosing a final format. If you have ever wanted to learn the basics of video production, editing, online video posting and dvd creation, this class is for you. 4 sessions. 12 hours. $80. Certifications: MTN Basic Camera and iMovie. Instructors: Beth Peloff (BP) or Laura Sopyro (LS).
June 6, 7, 13, and 14, Weds and Thurs, 6:30 - 9:30 pm (LS)
July 10, 11, 16, 17, Mon and Tues, 6:30 - 9:30 pm (LS)
Aug 7, 8, 14, 15, Tues and Weds, 6:30 - 9:30 pm (LS)
Register for this class in the MTN Store
Find out about our Upgrade Classes for members who are already certified on the PDX-10 camera and iMovie who want to use our new Vixia cameras and iMovie 11.
Producer's Happy Hour
Enjoy snacks and beverages and mingle
with the stars and backstage heroes of MTN!
Producer's Happy Hour is a quarterly gathering, an opportunity to learn, connect and share your skills with the greater MTN Community. Please come!
Free!
Look for an upcoming event in the spring!
See the flyer
Enhance Your Show: Sony PD-170 Camera
Prerequisite: Basic Camera Certification
(Sony PDX-10 or Canon Vixia)
Learn the advanced level PD-170 camera in this hands on class. Be able to control your image and audio with accuracy. This camera has a full array of manual adjustments to get your video looking and sounding exactly like you want it to look and sound. 1 session. 1 hour. $50.
Cert: Sony PD-170. Contact the instructor to set up a session. Call (612) 331-8575 ext. 302 or e-mail BethATmtn.org
Enhance Your Show:
Final Cut Pro Editing
Prerequisite: Video Production Workshop: Basic or Consultation with an MTN Instructor
Open up a whole new world and learn to produce professional-looking videos using our pro level editing system, Final Cut Pro. Get ready to be amazed by the wide range of options available to you and learn the basics to edit your show in style. 2 sessions. 6 hours. $90
Cert: Final Cut Pro. Contact the instructor to set up a session. Call (612) 331-8575 ext. 302 or e-mail BethATmtn.org
Enhance Your Show: Professional Lighting Techniques
(Prerequisites: Free MTN Orientation and Video Production Workshop: Basic or consultation with an MTN staff member)
Have you ever wondered why mainstream television shows often look better than what you can do with your camera? The answer, in many cases, is lighting. Creative use of lighting can help bring out your subject, make the image snappier and create a specific mood. In this workshop, we will discuss some basic lighting theory and then demonstrate the use of our 3-point light kit and the more portable soft light. 1 session. 3 hours. $25. Instructors: John Akre (JA), Mahi Palanisami (MP) and Art Roy (AR)
This class is not currently scheduled.
Enhance your show - Sony DSR-250 camera
(Prerequisites: Free MTN Orientation, Video Production Workshop: Basic or consultation with an MTN staff member, and Video Production Workshop: Pro)
The Sony 250 is an ENG-style (Electronic News Gathering) camera that includes many professional features. Learn how to use our most advanced field camera in this class. 1 session. 2 hours. $50. Certification: Sony DSR-250.
Speak to check-out staff if interested.
Visit our Production page to find out about our equipment policies and our hours
To register for a class, fill out the Class Registration Form
Video Seminars
P.P.U. (Portable Production Unit)
Get access to our three digital camera package with Sony 2000 camera linked to a Videonics switcher in a compact unit. Cover events with your crew and this portable studio in a box. Prerequisites: Basic Studio Production and Advanced Camera certification.
Instructor: Art Roy.
Fee: $50.
- Sessions may be arranged through Doug, extension 329.
Visit our Production page to find out about our equipment policies and our hours.
To register for a class, fill out the Class Registration Form
Tutoring: MTN can provide private tutoring on video equipment (either MTN’s or that of the student) at the rate of $50 a hour, based on the MTN staff knowledge of a specific piece of equipment. This tutoring does not fulfill the requirements for equipment certification.
These are Adobe Acrobat copies of the handouts from some of MTN's classes.
Basic Edit (iMovie6) class Handout
Advanced Edit (Final Cut Pro) class Handout
Camera Manuals
These are Adobe Acrobat copies of the manuals of some of MTN's cameras.
Sony PDX-10 Manual (from the Mann Library)
PD-150 Manual (from Canadian Sony site)
PD-250 Manual (from Canadian Sony site)
To register for a class, fill out the Class Registration Form
To register for a class with your credit card, visit the MTN Store