Trade Focus Areas

There are numerous elements that come together in order to put on an event that exceeds expectations and provides the audience with a high quality experience. Students engage in technical training to become knowledgeable and effective in areas of expertise that contribute to the office operations. All students learn general knowledge to understand how the elements of each trade contribute to the overall end product, but students also choose an area (or multiple areas) to focus on during their tenure in the office.

Audio

Design, setup, and operate sound reinforcement systems at events so audiences can hear the speeches, entertainment, and pre-recorded content. Use mixing consoles, microphones and other audio sources, amplifiers, speakers, digital signal processors, and other related equipment. Use software including Audacity, InstaCue, and control surface applications specific to each mixing console.

Graphic Design

Create and edit graphics, images, and text for both print and electronic media. Create presentation packages for events, broadcasts, and special projects. Use software applications including Illustrator, InDesign, Photoshop, Lightroom, PowerPoint, Keynote, and others. Print and assemble physical media.

Video Animation

Create and edit motion graphics for video presentations for events, broadcasts, and special projects. Use software applications including After Effects, Blender, Illustrator, Photoshop, and Premiere Pro. 

Visual Presentation

Install, configure, and operate equipment to display pre-recorded video, live video (IMAG), and graphics to audiences using a variety of presentation devices. Collaborate with clients, show talent, event coordinator, show producer, and technical production manager to enhance the visual presentation of events. Use hardware including computers, video monitors, projectors, projection screens, video switcher/scalers, control surfaces, cables, cable converters, distribution amplifiers, and graphics expansion modules. Use software including PlaybackPro Plus, PowerPoint, and Keynote.

Lighting

Collaborate with clients, suppliers, event coordinator, show producer, technical production manager, and associated trades to design, install, and operate lighting elements to enhance events. Use lighting fixtures, cabling, truss, computer software, lighting consoles, and electrical systems. Use software including Hog4PC, Vectorworks, and Visio.

Video Production

Shooting and editing video for distribution for later use as well as operating multi-camera, live mix for image magnification and broadcast/streaming. Collaborate with clients to produce video projects. Use hardware including cameras, microphones, audio mixing consoles, camera tripods, camera risers, production switchers, video switcher/scalers, digital recorders, encoders/transmitters, DVD duplicator, and DVD printer. Use software including Premiere Pro, After Effects, Illustrator, Photoshop, Encore, DashBoard, and XPression.

Cameras

Maintain, configure, and operate robotic, traditional, and specialty equipment including: remote PTZ, shoulder mount, Steadicam, Fig Rig, and traditional cameras.

Graphics & Switchers

Operate on-screen graphics software to generate and display logos, lower-thirds, and other informational text and images. Manage the broadcast output by calling and taking camera shots and graphics at the appropriate times to maximize the message and effectiveness of the show.

Post-Production

Curate and edit video content from events and for events using programs such as Premiere Pro, Audacity, and After Effects. Ensure the highest quality video products for distribution to live audiences, via livestream, or through digital and physical media.