Media/TV Training Studio
Ron Starr, Director
617 373 2314
225 Shillman Hall
rstarr@lynx.neu.edu
The Northeastern University Media Studios are comprised of several components. There are two television production studios. The first, designed for introductory classes, consists of three new Hitachi studio cameras, Grass Valley 110 Switcher, Ramsa Audio Board, an Orion Character Generator, plus peripheral recording and test equipment.
Moving towards completion in an Advanced Production Studio with a high-end Grass Valley 3000 switcher, Sony Audio Board, three Hitachi cameras with TelePrompters, etc. This studio also has a recently constructed a compositing "green room." Using computer cutting edge technology, a computer will generate all backgrounds and sets, creating realistic looks that can be modified quickly and easily. When completed, the Advanced Studio will serve as a professional-level broadcast facility, creating contemporary programming for the Northeastern and Boston communities.
In the post-production arena, the Studios have moved almost totally into the digital world. There are 9 Avid Xpress DV edit systems, all running the latest software on Macintosh computers. At the high end, there are two Media Composer 9000 systems, upgraded in January 2003. To insure that students are proficient in whatever career path they follow, there are several available analog edit suites, using S-VHS formats.
For field production, students make use of 20 digital field cameras (Canon GL-1 and XL-1), plus a wide assortment of lights, microphones, etc.
Finally, there is a Music Recording facility (control room and studio space), with a new Mackie digital mixing board. The studio is professionally designed and operated, producing CDs and computer projects for students, faculty and the community.
The Media Training Studios operate under the auspices of the Northeastern Center for Interdisciplinary Studies in the College of Arts & Sciences. Currently, six departments offer classes in the studios (Communication Studies, Visual Arts, Theater, Music, Journalism & History), though students taking these classes cross all Northeastern schools and disciplines. Most classes have an enrollment cap of 16.The studios are usually open Monday through Friday 9am-10pm, plus 9-12 hours on Saturdays & Sundays (during the last month of the semester, the Studios are available on a 24/7 basis).
The Media Studios are staffed by two people with extensive backgrounds in television production. Ron Starr has been at NU for 10 years. Prior to that he spent over a decade directing and producing for Boston television, with a concentration in News. He continues to freelance as a News Production Director, editor, and producer. Chris Teubner came to Northeastern in the mid-90's. She worked for over 15 years in various technical capacities for television and film, with an especially strong background in lighting and audio. She also continues to freelance to stay current with trends in production.