American University Library - Media Services: Digital Media Studio

digital media studio

The Digital Media Studio (DMS) is a section of Media Services devoted to providing users with access to equipment, applications, and workspace for development of projects and presentations. Media Services has six high end Apple Mac G5 computers for audiovisual editing and graphic design work. AU users may use these for projects ranging from compiling audio interviews to creating a DVD of video field recordings. Media Services staff are available for help with all levels of projects. The Digital Media Studio is available on a walk in basis or by appointment for more in-depth assistance.

DMS news

11.05.09- Adobe web seminars in the DMS
We invite you to attend two web based eseminars held by Adobe Systems -
Evolution of Digital Filmmaking 11/17/2009,11:00 PM
For Gareth Edwards, Director and Cinematographer, the magic of digital filmmaking is about liberating independent artists so they can follow their passion. Join us for a free online seminar to hear Edwards’ take on how digital filmmaking has evolved since his time in film school – and what digital technology promises for future graduates. Gareth will share examples of his work – and some thoughts on the Adobe Production Premium workflow.

Electronic Portfolios for Students and Educators with Acrobat 9 11/19/2009, 01:00 PM
Learn how to use the ePortfolio capabilities in Acrobat 9 to enable students and faculty to easily organize and collect, and present information from a variety of sources into a media-rich PDF Portfolio. Collaborate and share documents and portfolios in real time or asynchronously. Acrbat 9 makes it possible to reflect, collect and manage feedback in multiple ways.

Each eseminar will be broadcast in DMS #3 and is free and open to all AU community members. RSVP to .

10.12.09- Lynda.com online tutorials available
AU students, faculty and staff now have access to Lynda.com's extensive online training library. Lynda.com's library contains over 3,000 video tutorials on all types of software. Tutorials walk users through programs like Access, After Effects, Excel, FinalCut, iMovie, Photoshop, Pro Tools and many more.

AU users can use this link to access Lynda's full library. Off campus users will be routed to enter their AU login information. This resource is also available through the portal - my.american.edu > Technology > Web-Based Software Training Library.

This resource is provided jointly by the Library, the Center for Teaching, Research and Learning, and the Office of Information Technology.

10.10.09- DMS Walk-In Workshops
We invite you to attend a weekly series of workshops starting Wednesday, October 21. These 30 minute session will be held Wednesdays and weekends at 2:00pm in the Digital Media Studio. All AU students, faculty and staff are welcome. No reservations necessary. For more information contact .

Fall 2009 DMS Walk In Class Schedule - 2:00pm
Oct. 21 Oct. 24	Quicktime: Tips and Tricks Quicktime can be used for many things other than just watching videos. Did you know that you can extract the audio or grab a still image? Come learn about some of the powerful features of Quicktime.
Oct. 28 Nov. 1	From your camera to Youtube Youtube is everywhere. Come learn everything about Youtube, from creating an account to tweaking your clips to get the most quality.
Nov. 4 Nov. 7	iMovie Transitions & Sound Effects Did you know that Media Services has over 180 CDs filled with nothing but sound effects to enhance your productions? In this tutorial, you will learn about how to make your films more visually appealing through the use of both audio and visual effects.
Nov. 11 Nov. 15	Making the jump from iMovie to Final Cut Pro At first glance, Final Cut Pro is a daunting application. This tutorial aims to make the transition as easy as possible by drawing parallels between iMovie and Final Cut Pro.
Nov. 18 Nov. 21	Final Cut Pro and PhotoShop These two applications go hand in hand. Add to the professionalism of your films by adding Photoshop to your workflow.
Dec. 1	Final Cut Pro and Motion Supercharge your Final Cut Pro project with 3D motion graphics.

9.20.09- New help for DMS users
We are happy to introduce our part time DMS assistant, Matt Ainsley. Matt will be holding weekly hands on workshops on production and post-production basics beginning in October. He is available for one on one help: Wednesdays 11:00 - 3:00, Fridays 2:00 - 6:00, and most Saturdays 1:00 - 5:00.

8.10.09- Welcome back
If you use the shared drives to store your projects while working on them, consider giving your contact information to the Media Services Technician, . This way we can contact you in the unlikely event that we need to delete any data files.

8.05.09- The new DMS
The DMS/Media Services remodeling is complete! Check out our new group work studios. You can reserve a three hours block of time on a specific DMS machine by calling the Media Services desk (202.885.3250) or using this form.

We can help:

		.transfer photos and camcorder video to DVD
		.digital video editing
		.digitize video for faculty class use
		.DVD duplication of your own material
		.insert audio or video into a PowerPoint presentation
		.virtual mock interviewing with Interview Stream BY APPOINTMENT
		.put your videos on YouTube, Googlevideo, etc.
		.video messaging with Skype, Google chat and other systems
		.webcam and laptop checkout BY APPOINTMENT

page index

services

software available

hardware available

reservations / appointments

toolbox

tutorials / workshops

Software available

A list of software available in computer labs on campus can be found - here.

Hardware available

There are a number of peripherals and other pieces of equipment that AU students, faculty and staff can use in the Digital Media Studio. These can be borrowed from the Media Services desk after filling out a Borrowers Agreement for Library Technology form. Users are personally financially responsible if equipment is lost, stolen, or damaged.

Apple G4 Powerbook laptop
External hard drive
iSight web camera
Logitech web camera
Headset/microphone

Craig audio cassette transcriber
Audio cassette recorder
Minicassette recorder
Yamaha DGX-505 music keyboard

Make a Reservation or an Appointment

The Digital Media Studio is open the same hours as Media Services. Assistance is available whenever the DMS is open.

To reserve a workstation call the Media Services desk (202.885.3250) or use this form.

For advanced, one on one assistance contact:

Graphic Design and Photo Projects:	, Design Specialist, 202.885.3306
Video and DVD Projects:	, Media Technician, 202.885.3208

Designer's Toolbox

There are many free or inexpensive alternatives to the standard media authoring applications that will give you most of the features you use.
A selection of free design software - link.

Other Resources

NEW

Install wireless printing on your laptop so you can print to campus lab printers.

The New Media Center has several online tutorials covering media applications such as Audacity, DVD Studio Pro, and Final Cut Pro. These offer a good introduction if you are starting a media project.

Other campus media labs:

Online Tutorials

Web-Based Software Training Library
AU students, faculty and staff have access to Lynda.com's extensive online training library. Lynda.com's library contains over 3,000 video tutorials on all types of software. Tutorials walk users through programs like Access, After Effects, Excel, FinalCut, iMovie, Photoshop, Pro Tools and many more.

- Fall 2009 DMS Walk In Class Schedule 2:00PM Wednesdays and weekends DMS walk in classes are open to all AU students, faculty and staff. No reservations are required. For more information contact .
Oct. 21 Oct. 24	Quicktime: Tips and Tricks Quicktime can be used for many things other than just watching videos. Did you know that you can extract the audio or grab a still image? Come learn about some of the powerful features of Quicktime.
Oct. 28 Nov. 1	From your camera to Youtube Youtube is everywhere. Come learn everything about Youtube, from creating an account to tweaking your clips to get the most quality.
Nov. 4 Nov. 7	iMovie Transitions & Sound Effects Did you know that Media Services has over 180 CDs filled with nothing but sound effects to enhance your productions? In this tutorial, you will learn about how to make your films more visually appealing through the use of both audio and visual effects.
Nov. 11 Nov. 15	Making the jump from iMovie to Final Cut Pro At first glance, Final Cut Pro is a daunting application. This tutorial aims to make the transition as easy as possible by drawing parallels between iMovie and Final Cut Pro.
Nov. 18 Nov. 21	Final Cut Pro and PhotoShop These two applications go hand in hand. Add to the professionalism of your films by adding Photoshop to your workflow.
Dec. 1	Final Cut Pro and Motion Supercharge your Final Cut Pro project with 3D motion graphics.

Video Editing for Beginners-
class 1: Importing video into iMovie from digital tape or VHS, trimming film clips, editing clips.
class 2: Importing from a recording or a CD, exporting the audio track from iMoive, editing an audio track in Audacity, adding the audio track to the iMovie project.
class 3: Choosing settings and exporting your video to YouTube and putting it on a DVD with iDVD.

DVD Bookmarking
If you are playing DVDs from your laptop, you can set up disc bookmarks. Set a bookmark at the start of a scene, then the next time you put the disc in your laptop you can jump directly to that scene.

Library Video Tutorials
These tutorials give an overview of tools, databases and software applications that will be useful in your library research. Produced with the help of the DMS.

New Media Center's podcast tutorials on Final Cut Pro, DVD Studio Pro, iMovie, Audacity and more. Opens in iTunes.