WGBH Finale...'The Auction'

Well, it has been a quick 12 week 10 episode adventure! It absolutely flew by with some much happening at the same time. We even taught a class called 'How to Create a Web Series' for the Learning Annex in NYC. This class was taught live but is available as a download directly from them.

For this last episode 'The Auction', we had a great time flying down to Philly to catch the Stack's auction which held one of the rarest medals ever produced in the United States, the copper version of the 'Columbia' medal. It was really cool being able to hold it (in its case!) and see it up close and feel the weight of it. Sure we have seen it up close before and in person but this seemed a little different. These medals were made to commemmorate the voyage of the ship Columbia, pass out during the travels and give to dignitaries. What you didn't see were some of the other cool stuff that we were able to catch a close up of as well that included a bar of gold and old padlock from a sunken ship!

Once again this was very guerilla style production with a small, inconspicuous camera and some wireless lavs. The lighting in some spots was horrible, the camera was focusing on wrong spots, and of course the audio had its issues...but we managed.

One of the newest tools in our arsenals is Izoptope's new RX2 noise reduction software. This version does wonders and is my new goto tool for removing unwanted sounds from tracks. I am not talking about standard hiss reduction here, we are talking beeps, sirens, and drones throughout a track! You can really dial in the tone you want out and get great results with out having all the artifacts typical after a noise reduction pass. Of course the regular tried and true process is doing multiple passes but I am amazed how well this new version works. I still use Sony Noise Reduction as well for background hiss as I have gotten that down pretty pat for getting rid of hiss and what not. I have used waves in the past too but am able to achieve similar results with the combination of these tools...and save some money :)

So it's on to the next phase for 'Hit and Run History' but I will continue to post about the projects they do and possibly post a few "how to's"from these webisodes.

later.

ga

Hit and Run History Week 4 at WGBH...

Well here comes the fourth installment of the Hit and Run History web series for WGBH of Boston at their website www.wgbh.org/history. Taking place in Boston as well as the gorgeous Fort Hill in Orleans, MA and is tackling the subject matter of Joseph Barrell, one of the backers of the expedition.

This one happened to be one of the easiest mixes yet, aside from some rather large amounts of wind noise at Fort Hill. Having not been not been in attendance at these locations the production tracks were actually not too bad to deal with. And who doesn't love a little Van Halen-esq type music!

Well, enjoy the latest and stay tuned for the rest!

ga

Week 2 at WGBH...

Well there is a new episode up at wgbh.org/history from Hit and Run History telling the background of John Ledyard and how he came to be a player in the story of the ship Columbia. This was an important person in the story as he himself was a major traveler.

As you will notice the production is relatively the same as the others having been shot on a Canon HF100 in HD at 24p for the most part. Budgetary constraints have not yielded a nice shotgun mic just yet, but they make do with a couple wireless lav's now and then.

Be sure to check out this latest episode.

more later...

ga

Cape Cod Times Features Hit and Run History!

Today, the Cape Cod Times had a nice feature on the 'Hit and Run History' WGBH web series in their Art and Entertainment section. The web series which can be found at www.wgbh.org/history will be running for the next 10 weeks and featuring 10 different webisodes on the key players (financiers and such) involved in the Columbia Expedition.

Sometimes these blogs become more of a marketing tool than standard information! :)

more later...

ga

Hit and Run History's new saga...WGBH premiere!

Well, with all the hard work put in over the last couple years of trying to bring the story of the Columbia ship to the world, we have finally landed a stepping stone.

In a collaboration with WGBH of Boston, Hit and Run History brings you the first in a 10 part exclusive web-only series on the backers and key persons that made the voyage possible. HRH uses short 5-8 minute vinettes to tell a story of how the people that backed the voyage came together, which includes people such Charles Bulfinch and Thomas Jefferson! See the places they came from and hear about the travels they made. Learn about the history of this ground breaking voyage that many do not know...after all, that is what history is about.

What is my role in all of this? Well in guerilla style audio, there is ALWAYS cleaning and editing to be done...here is no different! Being on set is not always possible and having the best gear and people to run it can be tough to come by. So when it's bad, I must use my tools to keep the dialogue legible as well as dynamic with each scene. Of course if it is too clean one must add back in ambience so as to not distract the viewer.

In this premier episode, I was actually behind the camera for a lot of it! Do take note that how this reality style of run and gun filming keeps viewers attention, waiting for the next thing. This is more akin to Anthony Bourdain 'No Reservations' style, which definitely works or it wouldn't be on.

So, check out what Hit and Run History has to offer and let them know what you think!

www.wgbh.org/history

You can also find out more at:

hitandrunhistory.com

facebook.com/hitandrunhistory

Until later...

ga

...a documentary of many hats...

Hit and Run History: The Columbia Expedition

...a sloop built in 1773 in Scituate, MA
...capt. John Kendrick of Orleans, MA
...the FIRST American circumnavigation...
40+ years ahead of the US Navy...great American history waiting to be found!

Of the many years I have been doing this, engineering, NOT blogging, this is definitely the most involved project to date with 13 episodes in the queque. Quite an ambitious undertaking but seemingly worth the time/risk. Why do I bring this up? Well, it is a historical subject that not many know about and we want to bring it to the massess AND have fun doing it!

Here, however, we have worn many different hats. My engineering skills were called upon to clean and enhance existing content. However, I found myself getting into the producing side as well as the finance and marketing side. Finding funding for any project is difficult but I didn't realize how tough it might be especially in this economy. The marketing fell together during mulitple screenings of our pilot episode to help mold our concentrated strategy. Then there is the creating of the content, the 'fun' part :)

My point that I elude to is that one not necessarily NEED learn but SHOULD investigate/inquire the other sides of this industry by getting into the meat of a project to gain a better understanding of want is involved to make a project succeed. This might just be asking questions of the production staff. Most are plenty willing to blab about the inside workings, especially if they think they will gain another helper...besides, everyone likes a helping hand...eh, for the most part.

More on this project later...

GA