My name is Bruno Nibbles, and I'm a silly imaginary detective. I've been thinking about taking a class at MTN, but I'm not sure which one is right for me. So I grabbed my magnifying glass and did a little sleuthing, and this is what I found out. There are three beginning classes I could start with. Basic Studio Production would get me introduced to MTN's two production studios. The class meets for two sessions. They tell me that I should hone my skills volunteering on a shoot for one of MTN's many studio shows. A reliable source also tells me that MTN Instructor Doug Cain teaches this class. In studio production, you make a video show within the four walls of MTN's studios. With field production I could take a camera out into the streets of the city and tape my cases, and then edit them together. MTN has two beginning field production classes, and they call them BVP-Analog and BVP-Digital. The "Digital" class is five sessions long and gets you certified on MTN's Canon Mini-digital cameras and Casablanca edit suites. It also includes information on lighting, audio and instruction on MTN's dub rack. During the course of the class I will work on a short video production with other members of the class. The "Analog" class covers Panasonic 456 camcorders and straight cut SVHS edit suites. This class meets for three sessions and also includes information on using Broadcast Titler for graphics, and adding audio from a CD player or cassette deck. All three of these basic classes require that I attend MTN's free informational workshop. These are offered every other Wednesday night. If I want to advance my video production skills I've got a few doors to check behind. I might want to sign up for the Advanced Video Production - Digital class, which covers MTN's Sony PD-150 cameras and Final Cut Pro edit systems. The BVP-Digital class is a prerequisite. The word on the street is that a guy name John teaches this class and the two Beginning field production classes. MTN also has individually scheduled workshops on its additional advanced edit suites. The DV-Cuts (Terra) system could let me use traditional analog video deck-to-deck editing, but with DVCAM decks. MTN also has an A/B roll workshop that could get me access to the two A/B roll Analog edit systems, Supernova and Pluto. With these systems I can make dissolves and edit between two synchronized tapes. MTN also has a seminar for the Panasonic Supercam field cameras, and a popular web design class taught by Jerry Stearns. I saw some examples of material taught in the web design class from the link on the video classes pages on the MTN web site. On this page I also found an updated class schedule, and full class descriptions. It took a little sleuthing, but I found it all on www.mtn.org. First I clicked on the "Television" link, and then I clicked on "video classes." Or give a call at (612) 331-8575, and leave your name and address at extension 302 and they'll slip a paper copy of the schedule in the mail. Maybe I'll see you in an MTN class some day. I'll be the invisible one who looks a little like Humphrey Bogart. --Bruno Nibbles, Private Eye