Uncategorized – WalterBiscardi.com http://walterbiscardi.net Creative Director, Branding, Original Content Mon, 26 Dec 2016 16:37:20 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=5.2.20 Free Writing “Masterclass” from Steven Moffat! http://walterbiscardi.net/free-writing-masterclass-steven-moffat/ http://walterbiscardi.net/free-writing-masterclass-steven-moffat/#respond Mon, 26 Dec 2016 16:37:20 +0000 http://walterbiscardi.com/?p=4771 Steven Moffat offers a free Masterclass on Writing. Don’t know the name? He’s the Executive Producer and Writer for some very small shows for television. “Doctor Who” and “Sherlock.”  It’s offered as a free podcast download from the BBC.  

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Steven Moffat offers a free Masterclass on Writing. Don’t know the name? He’s the Executive Producer and Writer for some very small shows for television. “Doctor Who” and “Sherlock.”  It’s offered as a free podcast download from the BBC.
 

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WeTransfer Email Phishing Scam http://walterbiscardi.net/wetransfer-email-phishing-scam/ http://walterbiscardi.net/wetransfer-email-phishing-scam/#comments Wed, 01 Jun 2016 11:02:43 +0000 http://walterbiscardi.com/?p=4613 Be aware of an email phishing scam involving a fake WeTransfer notification that someone has sent you files to download.  First off, the person sending you the files is probably your own email address.  Secondly, the return address is fake, as you can clearly see below.  Check carefully to see if the file transfer is legit.  Forward the false emails to support@wetransfer.com if you receive them. I use WeTransfer to send files and it’s a great service.

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Be aware of an email phishing scam involving a fake WeTransfer notification that someone has sent you files to download.  First off, the person sending you the files is probably your own email address.  Secondly, the return address is fake, as you can clearly see below.  Check carefully to see if the file transfer is legit.  Forward the false emails to support@wetransfer.com if you receive them.

I use WeTransfer to send files and it’s a great service.

Screen Shot 2016-06-01 at 5.58.33 AM

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Talking Video Production, Entrepreneurship and More on Rampant Live! http://walterbiscardi.net/watch-me-live-with-rampant-design-tools/ http://walterbiscardi.net/watch-me-live-with-rampant-design-tools/#respond Wed, 25 May 2016 23:35:16 +0000 http://walterbiscardi.com/?p=4538 [av_textblock size=” font_color=” color=”] Well, ok, it’s now tape replay, but I spent a wonderful almost 2 hours chatting with Sean and Stefani Mullen of Rampant Design Tools talking video production, entrepreneurship, 4k, 3D, the new Contemporary Living Network, Cruising, Cocktails and much more.   It was a lot of fun and I thank Sean and Stef for the invite! [/av_textblock] [av_video src=’https://youtu.be/4EoD5ASAcqo’ format=’16-9′ width=’16’ height=’9′]

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Well, ok, it’s now tape replay, but I spent a wonderful almost 2 hours chatting with Sean and Stefani Mullen of Rampant Design Tools talking video production, entrepreneurship, 4k, 3D, the new Contemporary Living Network, Cruising, Cocktails and much more.   It was a lot of fun and I thank Sean and Stef for the invite!
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[av_video src=’https://youtu.be/4EoD5ASAcqo’ format=’16-9′ width=’16’ height=’9′]

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Library Repairs http://walterbiscardi.net/library-repairs/ http://walterbiscardi.net/library-repairs/#respond Tue, 17 Mar 2015 23:08:23 +0000 http://walterbiscardi.com/?p=4093 For the past few weeks I’ve been informed by Members that videos are appearing with the locked “Private” icon from Vimeo.  It’s taken me a few weeks to really dig in and investigate and it turns out this all stems from my cancellation of Vimeo Pro.  It threw the entire privacy settings for a loop on Vimeo thus locking everyone out of a lot of the library items. I have gone in and reset most everything back to Wistia and all seems to be working well now.  The rest of the titles will move over to Wistia shortly. My sincere apologies if you’ve been frustrated trying to access the library.    It’s been a busy time for me and I was simply not able to dedicate enough time to really figure out what was going on.  Hope you’re enjoying the library and we’ll have some more training news soon! I hope this picture of a happy Molly the Wonder Dog preparing for a voice over session helps to make up for any annoyances I’ve caused. Walter

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For the past few weeks I’ve been informed by Members that videos are appearing with the locked “Private” icon from Vimeo.  It’s taken me a few weeks to really dig in and investigate and it turns out this all stems from my cancellation of Vimeo Pro.  It threw the entire privacy settings for a loop on Vimeo thus locking everyone out of a lot of the library items.

I have gone in and reset most everything back to Wistia and all seems to be working well now.  The rest of the titles will move over to Wistia shortly.

My sincere apologies if you’ve been frustrated trying to access the library.    It’s been a busy time for me and I was simply not able to dedicate enough time to really figure out what was going on.  Hope you’re enjoying the library and we’ll have some more training news soon!

I hope this picture of a happy Molly the Wonder Dog preparing for a voice over session helps to make up for any annoyances I’ve caused.

Walter

MollyBooth

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Southeast Creative Summit 2014 Announced! Nov. 7-9, Atlanta http://walterbiscardi.net/southeast-creative-summit-2014-announced-nov-7-9-atlanta/ http://walterbiscardi.net/southeast-creative-summit-2014-announced-nov-7-9-atlanta/#respond Mon, 07 Jul 2014 01:54:45 +0000 http://walterbiscardi.com/?p=3776 Southeast Creative Summit 2014 Returns to Atlanta.  November 7-9, 2014 3 days of Film & Video Workshops led by Working Creative Professionals.   Only $325 for all three days through Oct. 5 with discount code. July 7, 2014; Atlanta, GA; – The Atlanta Cutters Post Production User Group announces the return of the Southeast Creative Summit to Atlanta, GA.  Following on the successful inaugural event in 2013, the Summit once again will be three days of film and video workshops across a wide array of creative media topics presented by actual working professionals in the film and television production business.   These people have to meet deadlines, build up new clients, and stay up on the latest industry trends.   The Atlanta Cutters (a non-profit organization) developed the Summit as an affordable 3 day event for creative professionals to share insider, practical knowledge with other creatives.  Knowing what to do with all the creative tools available today; to complete a task, create something original, improve on in-house concepts and please your bosses & clients… it’s knowledge that puts you ahead of the curve. Understanding the business and marketing side of the industry is vital to grow your career and company.  You’ll gain insider knowledge to what works and doesn’t in growing a successful […]

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Southeast Creative Summit 2014 Returns to Atlanta.  November 7-9, 2014

3 days of Film & Video Workshops led by Working Creative Professionals.  

Only $325 for all three days through Oct. 5 with discount code.

July 7, 2014; Atlanta, GA; – The Atlanta Cutters Post Production User Group announces the return of the Southeast Creative Summit to Atlanta, GA.  Following on the successful inaugural event in 2013, the Summit once again will be three days of film and video workshops across a wide array of creative media topics presented by actual working professionals in the film and television production business.   These people have to meet deadlines, build up new clients, and stay up on the latest industry trends.  

The Atlanta Cutters (a non-profit organization) developed the Summit as an affordable 3 day event for creative professionals to share insider, practical knowledge with other creatives.  Knowing what to do with all the creative tools available today; to complete a task, create something original, improve on in-house concepts and please your bosses & clients… it’s knowledge that puts you ahead of the curve. Understanding the business and marketing side of the industry is vital to grow your career and company.  You’ll gain insider knowledge to what works and doesn’t in growing a successful career in the creative media field.   

Summit Presenters have been honored with nearly every major creative award including the Academy Award & Emmy Award.  Presenters already announced include: 

Robbie Carman, Broadcast & Film Colorist | Ed Novick, Feature Film Sound Mixer (Oscar winner)

Patrick Inhofer, Broadcast & Film Colorist | Walter Biscardi, Jr., Broadcast and Film Post Production

Monica Daniel, Broadcast & Film Editor | Adam Bedford,  Editor, “Going Postal” Podcast Host

Jesse Averna, Editor, “Sesame Street,” #PostChat | Kylee Wall, Editor, Social Media Maven

Gordon Burkell, Founder “Art of the Guillotine” | Marco Solorio, Cinematographer, Filmmaker 

Zach Arnold, Editor, “Burn Notice,” “Black Box” #FitnessInPost | Josh & Jason Diamond, Filmmakers

Michael Cardillo, Broadcast Sound Designer | Scott Simmons, Broadcast Editor & Author

The workshops are expected to cover production topics from concept to finish to business growth including Editorial, Color, Graphics, VFX, Sound, Producer, Aerial Photography, Budgeting, Facility / Suite design, Social Media, Contracts, 4k, Field Sound, Music Composition, Sound Design, Cameras and Acquisition, Lighting techniques and more.  Visit our Workshops page often for the latest roundup of workshops.

By popular request, admission pricing has been reduced for 2014!  New for 2014, Single Day Passes are available for Friday and Saturday in addition to the full 3 Day Summit Pass.   

SCHEDULE: The Southeast Creative Summit will take place November 7 -9, 2014.   

                            The Atlanta Creative Ball will take place on be November 8th, 2014

LOCATION: The Westin Peachtree Plaza, 210 Peachtree Street, Atlanta, Georgia.  

REGISTRATION: Registration is now open with Early Bird savings up to $100 off through Oct. 5th.
     $425 for 3 Day Pass.   $160 for Single Day Pass  
     3 Day Pass holders can reserve their seats in the workshops.
     Admission prices increase after October 5th, 2014. 
 
THE ATLANTA CREATIVE BALL; On Saturday Night, November 8th, the Media Event of the Year returns: The Atlanta Creative Ball!   Last year the Atlanta Cutters brought the “fun of the NAB’s Media Motion Ball” from Las Vegas to the ATL so we’re going to do it again for 2014!  This will be a great night to relax, enjoy some great food, and participate in one incredible raffle that we expect to top last year’s value of $30,000.  The Atlanta Creative Ball is a stand-alone-event. Attendance to the Summit is not required.

Web Links: http://www.southeastcreativesummit.com

                        http://www.atlantacreativeball.com

                          https://www.eventbrite.com/e/southeast-creative-summit-2014-tickets-12071832175

SCS2014_Banner_Horiz

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The Video Production Process: Post-Production {Part 3} http://walterbiscardi.net/production-part3/ http://walterbiscardi.net/production-part3/#respond Fri, 03 Jan 2014 17:24:59 +0000 http://www.biscardicreative.com/blog/?p=3192 Google Hangout Blog Post. Our Google Hangouts are on-air broadcasts that allow us to share with others knowledge, secrets and tips of film and video production. This post features our hangout on Post-Production and Delivery, the 3rd and 4th phases in the Production Process. BISCARDI CREATIVE PRE-PRODUCTION (PART 3 of 3) | In this series, Biscardi Creative Founder, Walter Biscardi, Jr. “demystifies” the video production process. VIDEO SUMMARY Below is a high-level summary of what is discussed in this week’s hangout. But definitely take time to view this 30-minute interview for detailed explanations. Time codes are included below so that you can skip ahead to the topics that interest you the most. Interviewee: Walter Biscardi, Jr., Biscardi Creative, Founder & Creative Genius Interviewer: Nicole Wright, Biscardi Creative, Director of Sales & Marketing What is Post Production? (1:00 – 2:35) It’s the bringing of all the elements together into a final product. Even though it’s called post it may begin as early as the pre-planning phase (with the creation of graphics, animation etc.) What is the cost of Post Production? (2:45 – 4:30) Post production can be 2, 3, 4, 10, 20 or 30x the cost of production. Watch podcast to […]

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Google Hangout Blog Post.

Our Google Hangouts are on-air broadcasts that allow us to share with others knowledge, secrets and tips of film and video production.

This post features our hangout on Post-Production and Delivery, the 3rd and 4th phases in the Production Process.


BISCARDI CREATIVE PRE-PRODUCTION (PART 3 of 3) | In this series, Biscardi Creative Founder, Walter Biscardi, Jr. “demystifies” the video production process.


VIDEO SUMMARY

Below is a high-level summary of what is discussed in this week’s hangout. But definitely take time to view this 30-minute interview for detailed explanations.

Time codes are included below so that you can skip ahead to the topics that interest you the most.

  • Interviewee: Walter Biscardi, Jr., Biscardi Creative, Founder & Creative Genius
  • Interviewer: Nicole Wright, Biscardi Creative, Director of Sales & Marketing

What is Post Production? (1:00 – 2:35)
It’s the bringing of all the elements together into a final product. Even though it’s called post it may begin as early as the pre-planning phase (with the creation of graphics, animation etc.)

What is the cost of Post Production? (2:45 – 4:30)
Post production can be 2, 3, 4, 10, 20 or 30x the cost of production. Watch podcast to find out why!

The main components of Production 

Editorial (4:30 – 6:00)
An editor is the person that takes all the raw elements and threads it into a story.
This section of the podcast includes screenshots and examples of what a one-hour show can look like when being created by an editor.

Sound Design (6:15 – 11:00)
Sound can be done by an editor or by a sound engineer. It may include the cleaning up and smoothing out of sound levels, adding sound effects and placing elements for surround sound. It’s a very important storytelling tool.

There is an amazing example of how sound design can affect the feel of a project – You HAVE to check this out! Go to 11:20 in the podcast.

Graphics (14:20 – 17:25)
Simple lower thirds (on screen identifiers), motion graphics, animations with thousands of layers of materials can all fall under this category.

Original Music (17:25 – 23:00)
In this section we discuss the different types of uses for original music and what other options to original music are available. We also talk about why you can’t just use the $0.99 iTunes song you downloaded.

Color Grading (23:15 – 27:00)
Again some great visual examples are used in this part of the interview. It shows how mood and emotion can be driven visually through color grading techniques…even during a simple interview.

Delivery (27:00 – End)
How your file is actually delivered. Meeting network and broadcast standards and more.


Examples of previous and upcoming topics:

  • The Production Process (3 part series)
  • Integrated Marketing Strategies
  • Knowledge is Power: Educational Training Videos
  • Out of the Box Video Marketing: Series and Webisodes
  • Wedded Bliss: Marrying Social Media with Visual Media
  • Painting a Clearer Picture about the Importance of Color Correction
  • Production Budgeting
  • Location, Location, Location
  • Script-writing
  • Staying Legal
  • Latest Technology Series: Aerial Videography
  • Latest Technology Series: What is 4K?

Connect with us on Google+, sign-up for our monthly Newsletter, or subscribe to our YouTube channel to get instant access to these informational pieces.

Lastly click here to learn more about Biscardi Creative Hangouts and how you can participate in our Live Shows![hr]

BISCARDI CREATIVE MEDIA is a full service digital media production company near Atlanta, Georgia with services that include Video Production, Sound Production, Sound Mixing, Graphic Design, Animation, Post Production, Video Editing, Color Grading, Finishing, Digital Asset Transfer, Digitizing and Archiving. Quite simply we’re the people who make video and media production easy for you.   No technobabble.  Just clear, concise and creative content delivered where and how you need it, on time and on budget.  Office and production space is also available for short and long term projects.

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Phishing Email Scam using Apple accounts as bait http://walterbiscardi.net/phishing-email-scam-using-apple-accounts-as-bait/ http://walterbiscardi.net/phishing-email-scam-using-apple-accounts-as-bait/#comments Sat, 07 Dec 2013 14:54:37 +0000 http://walterbiscardi.com/?p=1876 A new Phishing scam is underway to get you to give up your credit card information to “unblock” your supposedly locked Apple Account.  Looks official and even has the Apple logo, but as you can see from the email I received, the return address is from “account@palpay.com”  That is certainly not even remotely close to an Apple address and there is no reason for Apple to lock my account. Also note that there is a link to click on, don’t click it. Completely phishing scam through and through, please pass along to all your colleagues as if you don’t look at the return address, it looks pretty legit.

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A new Phishing scam is underway to get you to give up your credit card information to “unblock” your supposedly locked Apple Account.  Looks official and even has the Apple logo, but as you can see from the email I received, the return address is from “account@palpay.com”  That is certainly not even remotely close to an Apple address and there is no reason for Apple to lock my account.

Also note that there is a link to click on, don’t click it.

Completely phishing scam through and through, please pass along to all your colleagues as if you don’t look at the return address, it looks pretty legit.

Screen Shot 2013-12-07 at 9.44.11 AM

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How I Would Fix CNN – Thoughts from a CNN Veteran http://walterbiscardi.net/how-i-would-fix-cnn-thoughts-from-a-cnn-veteran/ http://walterbiscardi.net/how-i-would-fix-cnn-thoughts-from-a-cnn-veteran/#comments Mon, 13 Aug 2012 13:43:03 +0000 http://www.biscardicreative.com/blog/?p=2734 Huffington Post recently confirmed CNN is yet again shaking up management as President  Jim Walton is leaving as the once proud network continues its downward spiral in the ratings.   As a still very proud alumnus of CNN during its heyday (1990-1995) and someone who has built and managed multiple production companies in the years since, I have some ideas and would be happy to help manage CNN back to the network it once was and still can be.   Report the News, Don’t Tell Me What to Think When Fox News came along they came with a clear agenda on what to report and how it should be reported.     The idea is to shape the viewer opinion and discussion for a pre-determined outcome rather than simply reporting the news and letting the viewers make their own mind about the events.   So instead of anchors and reporters delivering the stories, they make use of endless “commentators” and “experts” to tell the viewers what they should think of the story.  Fox ensures that the majority of the voices the viewer will hear follow the proper message that Fox management wants to deliver on a daily basis.    In addition, the […]

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Huffington Post recently confirmed CNN is yet again shaking up management as President  Jim Walton is leaving as the once proud network continues its downward spiral in the ratings.   As a still very proud alumnus of CNN during its heyday (1990-1995) and someone who has built and managed multiple production companies in the years since, I have some ideas and would be happy to help manage CNN back to the network it once was and still can be.

 

Report the News, Don’t Tell Me What to Think

When Fox News came along they came with a clear agenda on what to report and how it should be reported.     The idea is to shape the viewer opinion and discussion for a pre-determined outcome rather than simply reporting the news and letting the viewers make their own mind about the events.   So instead of anchors and reporters delivering the stories, they make use of endless “commentators” and “experts” to tell the viewers what they should think of the story.  Fox ensures that the majority of the voices the viewer will hear follow the proper message that Fox management wants to deliver on a daily basis.    In addition, the anchors have very defined positions on many of the stories.

As a result, instead of being well educated about events both in the United States and abroad, multiple studies show that Fox News viewers are the least informed about the actual news going on around the world.    When you don’t have to think for yourself, you tend to not pay attention to the information.    And when Fox uses loads of panels and discussions, they can fill more time with less actual “news” so they can further restrict the amount of stories their audience is exposed to on any given day.    Of course, Fox News also flat out lies when the need calls for it. 

So then, why has CNN (and MSNBC for that matter) adopted this “new style” of television news with endless commentators, experts, and panels who discuss ad nauseam the news of the day?   As I recall from my days at the network, CNN viewers slanted towards those who were well educated in the news and events of the world.  Now by “well educated” I’m not talking about schooling, I mean people who have an understanding and interest in the events of the world.   In other words, these viewers can think for themselves.   They are not people who want to be told what to think, how to think and who to be angry at.   These are also viewers who are not leaving CNN to watch Fox either, they’re just simply not tuning in anymore because it’s insulting to be told what to think. 

The viewers are also not tuning in because, well,  there’s not very much news with this format.  Just like Fox can manipulate how little “news” their audience actually receives daily, this format restricts CNN from actually reporting, well, the news.   At any given moment on CNN it feels like there’s a 30 second soundbite and then a 10 minute discussion on what we just heard to tell us what we should think.   Boring and repetitive.  I don’t care who the host is, or who the panelists are or how interesting the topic might be, boring and repetitive.

I’d be willing to bet that NBC Nightly News with Brian Williams reports more stories in its 30 minute nightly broadcast than CNN and Fox News combined in most of their 30 minute blocks.   Quite honestly I enjoy NBC Nightly News more than any other newscast because they do get right to the point with the stories and they squeeze the most news into that 30 minutes because that’s all the time they have.

So how about getting back to basics and telling the story.   No prejudice, no slant, no experts telling us what we’re supposed to think about the story, no arguments between “left and right.”   Just tell the story and do the best damn reporting from multiple resources like CNN used to do.

 

Don’t allow On Air Talent to slant or take sides

This is taking yet another cue from Fox News, but it’s a slippery slope.   There are hosts across the CNN family of networks that openly take sides and even make accusations without having all of the facts on hand.   One host in particular is famous for declaration of guilt or innocence long before the facts or the verdicts are in.

This is tabloid journalism at its worst and has no place in a company that considers itself the “Worldwide Leader In News.”   Just run TMZ or hire the Jersey Shore crew to give opinions on news events and call it day if you want go that route.   It’s impossible to differentiate “serious journalism” from “tabloid journalism” if it all comes from the same place.

I firmly believe hiring on-air Talent for their opinions is the single most destructive thing that has happened to CNN’s credibility in its history.     Credibility lost by allowing one on air person to declare guilt at all costs demeans the work of the real journalists working under the same banner.

At one time the mantra of the network was: “The News is the Star.”   In other words, Journalists are observers who report what they find.   Journalists don’t interject their own opinion, they don’t make up facts, they don’t shout down others, they observe, investigate and report on what they find.  It’s time to get rid of the opinions and put talented people back on camera who actually understand newsgathering and can report the stories of the day fairly.

 

Tell me the WHOLE Story.

This is 24 hours of news per day.  When did the stories shrink to 30 to 60 seconds with nary time to hear anything useful?    What’s so important that the news has to be extremely short when you have 24 hours to fill?

The American attention span is short, but yet I keep hearing from educated viewers (again, not talking school education here) that CBS Sunday Morning is their favorite news program on the air.  Could there BE a more slower paced news show on television?   Why do they like it?  Because the stories are allowed to breathe and we get much more information from them than just a 60 second soundbite and some b-roll.    Same with 60 Minutes on Sunday evenings.

I’m not saying you run 10 minute stories all day long on CNN, but 2:30 – 5:00 packages throughout the day would be wonderful.   Give the reporters, writers, producers and editors time to who the story from multiple angles and more information.   Run the 7:00 to 10:00 minute features when the story warrants.    If a story runs over the “traditional top of the hour break” then so be it.  The internet doesn’t run on one hour blocks so CNN really doesn’t have to either.   Sure it’s nice on the TV Guides, but if it’s the difference between a chopped up 1 minute story and 10 minutes to tell the whole story, well just tell the story.   We have 24 hours to make up for whatever story we missed “at the top of the hour.”

For the audience that wants to get just the quick headlines of the days events, well that’s what Headline News was designed for and they can just watch that….. oh wait….. it’s now HLN and just another network full of people telling us what we’re supposed to think and who we’re supposed to be angry with.   Never mind, I can only fix one network at a time.

 

Bring back the Talent.

Here’s something that I know will be completely radical and I probably should not put this out there in public, but…… I would bring back a lot  of editorial, reporting and production talent.   Blasphemy I know because the majority of the money in a corporation is supposed to be spent on management, management perks and more management.

Management in corporate America is paid so disproportionately to the rank and file that certainly with trimming even a small portion of management from the company, that would free up money to bring back creative talent.    Management can’t create a quality on-air product worth watching, but the corporation mentality keeps rewarding bad decisions that lead to ever smaller audiences and quite honestly that doesn’t make any sense.

CNN is a NEWS ORGANIZATION that reports the news VISUALLY so without talent to report, write, photograph and edit, well,  you’ve got nothing to show other than a bunch of “experts, panelists and commentators” to tell us what to think.   So first and foremost I would bring back the actual talent that can report and show the news.   That probably means taking a look at the many levels of management to see how to start trimming that area back instead of the constant firing of the production talent that is so prevalent today.    

You simply can’t produce an accurate, high quality, on air product if you don’t have the journalistic and creative talent behind it.   Period.   Hiring a whole bunch of new folks with no credibility or contacts is not going to cut it.  It takes years to build up a reputation as someone to share information with.    The veteran journalistic and creative talent needs to be beefed back up so the network can get back to telling the stories and telling them accurately.

 

Educate the Viewer

A recent poll showed that when you remove the talking points from an issue and simply present the facts, there is more agreement than disagreement between Americans.

So in addition to telling the whole story, let’s educate the viewer on issues both large and small.   Right now if CNN wants to discuss “ObamaCare” then we’re sure to see two “experts” on both sides of the issue arguing for 5 minutes and generally the person who shouts the loudest wins.   How can you possibly explain something so complex as the 974 page Affordable Health Care Act with two opposite minded people merely shouting talking points in 5 minutes?    There is a need to explain complex issues so regular Americans can understand them, but not to the Elementary schoolchildren playground “I Know You Are, but What Am I?” level.

Once again, we have 24 hours a day, 365 days a year of “news” to fill.  Using the Affordable Health Care Act as an example, break it down and explain exactly what the law is and is not.  How exactly the law affects Americans.   How will it be funded?   How is it different from what is available today and so on.  There are 974 pages to go through and comprehend.   Break the entire Act down in plain English for the viewer to better understand what the issue is.   This will take more than 10 minutes to do, it’ll probably take weeks, maybe months to properly produce a special that accurately explains the law.   You run these specials both on air and with full sections of the website dedicated to these issues.   No slant, no opinion, just the facts and nothing but the facts. 

Educating the viewer will make CNN a very valuable and “go to” resource for the general public.    We already know what both sides of any issue already think, there’s no need to rehash that, tell me something I don’t know.

 

Use iReporters to augment, not replace.

CNN management recently decided that everyday folks with cell phones are going to be able to replace journalistic and creative professionals.   They won’t.   They certainly can and should augment the creative professionals, but they can’t completely replace them.    iReporters are great for “in the moment” action, breaking news, and even some small town stories, but if you’re going to tell a news story, you need to tell the whole story, from all angles, in a compelling way.

There is an art to shooting and telling the story to ensure that it’s reported fairly and balanced.   Reporters from news organizations can open doors and get folks to speak out on camera that folks with an iPhone won’t get access to.   You need that kind of access to tell the whole story.  General public folks with cellphones often just show one side of the story, the side they see when something is happening.   Getting the whole story requires trained photographers and sound people along with reporters and producers with experience.

So there’s no denying that iReporters or relying on general public folks with cameras should be used to help augment production when needed, but in no way should it ever replace what trained created professionals do.

 

Call out the lies and the liars who tell them.

It seems in today’s political and news world, folks are allowed to say whatever they want on television with very little questioning.   The attitude seems to be “if I say it, then it’s true.”   That’s completely unacceptable in life, let alone condoning it on news channels by letting the people get away with it.

Let’s call them out.  Make a statement on CNN, another network or at an event that seems questionable, let’s find the truth.  Hold people, especially our public servants, accountable for their actions and statements.  That’s one of the things the news is supposed to do, not leave it to comedians like Jon Stewart and his very talented team at The Daily Show.

 

Get the news right the first time.

There always has been competition to get breaking news out first.   This was something CNN did very well for a long time, in part because there was nobody else doing 24 hour news.   Now with so much competition, breaking news scoops are measured in seconds rather than minutes or hours.   Apparently getting the news onto the air 5 seconds before anyone else means you’re better than the other guys at getting the stories.   That’s all well and good until you get the story wrong.

The most recent black eye for CNN was the highly anticipated Supreme Court ruling on the Affordable Health Care Act, or “Obamacare.”  Not only did CNN get it wrong, it took a full seven minutes for them to correct the story.  

It’s one thing to get it wrong, but to take a full seven minutes on the air to correct yourself?  That’s horrific.   More than anything else, those seven minutes just erodes consumer confidence in the network as a trustworthy news source.   So one has to ask, is it worth a 5 second scoop to get the news wrong or take that extra 30 seconds to confirm the story is correct?

 

Augment coverage on the internet

CNN actually has one of the best internet news websites on the market, but it’s rather stale on a day to day basis.  Hit that website for an entire week and only the very top section is updated over the course of a week.  All of the rest of the panels seems to stick with the same story all week long.

First off, CNN’s domestic coverage should be a live feed on the home page 24/7.  There’s no excuse for the news coverage to not be one of the first things the viewer sees.  For the overseas audience, they can change this to CNN International / CNN Espanol or another network.

Second, the website should be constantly updating to augment and compliment the television coverage.  The news is all coming from the same place, so why does the website feel like a completely independent operation from the television networks?   The two should compliment each other more tightly than they seem to do now.

Put more live, special interest events on the internet and off the network coverage.  For example, each and every campaign stop by a politician is not a “breaking news event” worthy of live coverage on the network.  Stream those to the internet and those who want to see them, can.   Pick and choose events that are truly “news worthy” and not just stump speeches for network air.   Same for court cases and the like.   If it’s not “news worthy” to the mass audience, move it to the internet for the special interest audiences.

 

Look for and Give People a Voice

In the case of the United States, there are over 300 million people who live in the country.  If you watch any of the news networks for any length of time, it appears that less than 200 people are allowed to speak for the entire country about any topic.

There are 300 million voices in this country and while it will take some digging, some real journalistic work and reaching out to the affiliates, there are some great stories out there of Americans doing things right.    Just regular people who see a need and come up with a solution.   No fanfare, no committees, no arguments on Sunday Morning talking head shows…..  With 24 hour news, there’s a lot of room to go out and find these stories.   Not just a vehicle for talking heads to spew information on what’s wrong today, CNN can help present solutions to their audience.  Immigration, HealthCare, Poverty, Drought, Climate Change, Pollution, Science, Education and so on.

Very often it’s the people who live with the issues each day that come up with the most creative and cost-effective solutions.  It’s time we start finding those folks.

 

In a nutshell

I could go on, but these are the major areas where I would start to re-build the network.  It won’t happen overnight, but given the chance, I know myself and a few other CNN alumni could put the network back on the path to credibility and profitability, in that order.

 

Walter Biscardi, Jr.

CNN Editor 1990 – 1995

Owner, Biscardi Creative Media, Buford, GA

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For now, editing is a commodity and less a craft http://walterbiscardi.net/for-now-editing-is-a-commodity-not-a-craft/ http://walterbiscardi.net/for-now-editing-is-a-commodity-not-a-craft/#comments Thu, 01 Dec 2011 02:24:11 +0000 http://www.biscardicreative.com/blog/?p=2284 As has been reported recently, CNN laid off 50 staffers, primarily videographers and editors.   Why?   Essentially after a three year internal review, CNN has determined that professional editors are not necessary to craft news stories any longer.   Instead they are expanding their iReport section allowing for more user generated content to be provided to the network, at absolutely zero cost to the network.   Yep, zero cost to the network since these folks won’t be paid.   I could go on about that part of the story, but Stephen Colbert explains it so well in this clip from “This Colbert Report” on Comedy Central. So we’re at the point in the evolution of Editing (and videography for that matter) from craft to commodity. As CNN says in their release, high quality video cameras and editing software are available to the masses, so they don’t need the professionals any longer. In the corporate production world, this move from professional to consumer / family friends has been happening for quite some time. “My son / cousin / nephew / daughter / friend has a video camera / computer and he/she can do the work for us now. Sorry, but […]

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As has been reported recently, CNN laid off 50 staffers, primarily videographers and editors.   Why?   Essentially after a three year internal review, CNN has determined that professional editors are not necessary to craft news stories any longer.   Instead they are expanding their iReport section allowing for more user generated content to be provided to the network, at absolutely zero cost to the network.   Yep, zero cost to the network since these folks won’t be paid.   I could go on about that part of the story, but Stephen Colbert explains it so well in this clip from “This Colbert Report” on Comedy Central.

So we’re at the point in the evolution of Editing (and videography for that matter) from craft to commodity. As CNN says in their release, high quality video cameras and editing software are available to the masses, so they don’t need the professionals any longer. In the corporate production world, this move from professional to consumer / family friends has been happening for quite some time. “My son / cousin / nephew / daughter / friend has a video camera / computer and he/she can do the work for us now. Sorry, but smaller budgets you know.”

Now we’ve seen the same thing happening in broadcast and higher end production as the editing tools became cheaper over the past 10 years. Only for a while there it was actual professionals who left their corporate / broadcast jobs to take advantage of the lower cost tools to strike out on their own. So top notch editors were able to deliver high quality, broadcast and film projects right out of their own homes using desktop tools. I’m proof positive of that starting out in a spare bedroom and then expanding my house where we ran my company for 7 years with three HD edit suites.

I have to have to say, this is the first time I’ve seen a broadcaster literally coming out and saying we’re going to replace professionals with consumers and hobbyists. They save the salaries of 50 professionals and get all sorts of free content, no matter how it’s shot or edited with no regard for sound or video quality. Kind of ironic to see this push to the lowest common denominator at the same time that so many editors are discovering the joys of high end color correction tools. But I digress.

Basically editing is just a commodity right now in the minds of many. The craft is associated with cheap tools rather than the artist using the tool. There are millions upon millions of folks who use word processing software but that doesn’t make all of those millions writers. Writing is a craft that some folks can do and others….. well they can write letters, recipes, but you wouldn’t ask them to write your next script or promo.

It’s the same with video editing. Millions upon millions of people now have access to really good video editing tools, but that doesn’t make them an editor. Earning a paycheck doesn’t make you an editor either. I’ve met “professionals” who have full time jobs that can’t cut their way out of a paper bag. And then I meet kids in school or college that just blow me away with their sense of timing.

True editors are storytellers. Doesn’t matter if you’re cutting a commercial, a training video, a movie or an episodic television series, you’re telling a story. Really good editors seem to be natural storytellers with an incredible sense of timing. When I start a project, I can usually “see” the edit from start to finish within a matter of hours. It’s just second nature for me and it’s something I have a hard time explaining to other people when folks ask me for tips and how I go about editing. A buddy of mine described it that “the editing part is secondary for Walter, he just knows where the story is, but it’s everything else around editing like the technology that has always drawn him in.”

The technology, and the proper way to use today’s technology, seems to be the biggest differentiation between what we’ll call a hobbyist / prosumer vs. a professional editor. Even on national broadcasts I’m stunned at how many interlacing issues I see that aren’t rocket science to do correctly. In the case of our shop, there is not a format we have not had to work with so we’re getting pretty good at solving any problems that can arise from the mixing and matching of the various formats.

So in this short term environment where video editing is equated with the cheaper tool than the artist and anyone can edit at home for super cheap, why in the world would we open a huge new facility? Simple. We’re storytellers and I surround myself with other good storytellers. We are transitioning ourselves from just being a service provider to other clients, to creating our own original content. As we develop these into fully funded projects, we’re going to need room for more storytellers. And as some storytellers strike out on their own, they might need a place to call home for a while. So we want to provide that creative space for other artists because as cool as it is to work at home, I can attest that it’s more fun and creative to be around like minded folks than all alone in your home office.

Long term, the craft of editing is probably stronger than ever. Now that the tools are in the hands of the many, we’ll discover some new folks who just blow us away with their storytelling skills. But short term, many long time professionals could get hurt when editing decisions are based on price alone and not the skill of the artist. Like anything else, with storytelling you generally get what you pay for.

In time, folks will realize that again.

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Adobe After Effect CS5 has some issues on Mac http://walterbiscardi.net/adobe-after-effect-cs5-has-some-issues-on-mac/ Mon, 24 May 2010 00:44:23 +0000 http://www.biscardicreative.com/blog/?p=194 I received and installed the Adobe CS5 Production Package this week and today discovered that After Effects is pretty screwed up. Well, I take that back. The application seems to operate, just LAUNCHING it is screwed up. See normally on a Mac, you just double click the application icon to launch an app. Not with After Effects CS5, at least not today. Searching the web I found a host of people who have not been able to get AE to launch on a Mac. Folks suggested boot in Safe Mode, then boot normally and other such stuff. Didn’t work here. Then I found one guy who described how to launch AE using the Terminal. You know, that utility you really shouldn’t touch unless you know what you are doing? Well THAT worked and I have to leave the Terminal running the entire time. Nothing on Adobe’s website about a resolution but its pretty disappointing to have something as simple as launching the application not work correctly. Oh and while discussing After Effects, remember CS5 is 64 bit so if you own plug Ins they most likely will not work. I found that out today when I thought I installed my […]

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I received and installed the Adobe CS5 Production Package this week and today discovered that After Effects is pretty screwed up. Well, I take that back. The application seems to operate, just LAUNCHING it is screwed up.

See normally on a Mac, you just double click the application icon to launch an app. Not with After Effects CS5, at least not today. Searching the web I found a host of people who have not been able to get AE to launch on a Mac. Folks suggested boot in Safe Mode, then boot normally and other such stuff. Didn’t work here.

Then I found one guy who described how to launch AE using the Terminal. You know, that utility you really shouldn’t touch unless you know what you are doing? Well THAT worked and I have to leave the Terminal running the entire time. Nothing on Adobe’s website about a resolution but its pretty disappointing to have something as simple as launching the application not work correctly.

Oh and while discussing After Effects, remember CS5 is 64 bit so if you own plug Ins they most likely will not work. I found that out today when I thought I installed my Red Giant Mega Suite. All the apps when through the motion of installing, but then when I (finally) got Ae to launch there was nothing in there. They were all 32bit plugs so they don’t work. I’ve updated some of the Trapcode plugs but I’m not sure how many more I’ll update for now. Expensive to update the entire suite.

So keep in mind the cost of your plug ins when you upgrade.

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