24-Bit Dailies in a 16-Bit World

Originally written for and published in Student Filmmakers Magazine

 It is nearly the end of the semester, which means that every student is thinking about what classes to enroll in next semester.

I am not going to discuss your film production courses. Certainly you have been exposed to more than enough official department advice about required curriculum and any elective options. Of course you want to take as many production classes as are permitted, and maybe even just sit in on a few more.

But have you given much serious thought about including some (out of your department) electives in order to truly round out your education and to help you succeed after you graduate?

originally written for and published in Student Filmmakers Magazine, NAB 2020

A few years back, I was involved in the planning of a large, corporate event. Although my role for the upcoming event was focused on a couple of audio related workshops, I was still invited to sit around the big conference table.

One of the company employees was an amateur chef and had heard that they were looking for someone to cater the luncheons. So this person applied, and delivered an impressive verbal presentation. It was clearly obvious to all of the corporate types in the room that this employee was clearly a foodie, seemed knowledgeable about cooking, and certainly was abundantly enthusiastic.

There was a lot riding on the success of this event in terms of corporate pride, showmanship, and internal politics. Which meant that the meals had to be Hollywood worthy.

Every semester, students submit audio projects to me in the wrong format.

Professional recordings are made in the .WAV or .BWF (broadcast wave file) formats. Those are the formats that digital audio recorders use for original recordings.