Tired of bad sound on online video clips? Want yours to be better? Check out these tips and resources for support.
Where to get equipment
- Comparative Media Studies
- If you are a current student, or taking a CMS course, the CMS department has a limited number of video cameras and equipment available to MIT students. Contact CMS for more information.
- Cambridge Community Television
- CCTV loans equipment to Cambridge residents in exchange for providing shows for their channels. To get certified to borrow their equipment, purchase a membership ($55) and attend a free camera workshop on Tuesday, April 17th from 6:00 - 9:00 p.m. Pre-registration is required. Download a membership form. Those wishing to bypass the certification class may rent cameras at commercial rates. For more information, call 617-661-6900 or visit their website.
- MIT School of Engineering
- In sponsoring this contest in partnership with Academic Production
Services, the School of Engineering is making 5 portable production kits
available on a first come, first served basis. Each kit consists of a
digital video camera, microphone, tripod, and extra battery. The kits
will be made available to participating students for three-day time
periods. Equipment can be reserved
for pick up on Friday, May 4th; Tuesday, May 8th; and Friday, May 11th. To schedule borrowing a production
kit, call MIT Audio Visual at x3-2808. These production kits can be picked up and returned
to MIT Audio Visual offices in Bldg 4-017.
To view the current reservation schedule for the production kits, please see our online spreadsheet.
Help with editing
- On campus
- The New Media Center in 26-139 has a cluster of Macintosh
computers, including 6 PowerMac G5s, with the following programs
installed: Adobe CS2 Suite, Final Cut Pro HD, Maya animation
software, and Shake special effects software (only on the dual
processor G5s). On-site editing support can be arranged upon
request. - Off campus
- Editing suites are also available to Cambridge residents at Cambridge Community Television, in exchange for putting a show on their channel. You must purchase a membership ($55) and pass a certification test in Final Cut Pro. Download a membership form. Those wishing to bypass the certification class may rent the edit suite at commercial rates. For more information, call 617-661-6900 or visit their website.
- At your desktop
- Those who wish to edit on their own computers can follow the links below
to download free post-production software:- PC users: Windows Movie Maker is pre-installed on new PCs.
- Mac users: iMovie is pre-installed on your Mac. Tutorial.
- PC users can also download Avid Free DV Editing Software, a free program comparable to iMovie.
- Avid Free DV Editing Software Tutorials.
- For free image editing software, download The Gimp for Mac or PC.
- For free audio editing software, download Audacity for Mac or PC.
General video tips
- Tutorials on Acceptable.tv
- The Digital Video Information Network (a.k.a. DVinfo.net)
(online community and resource for video production information) - Freevlog Tutorials
How to upload your video
Once you have registered for the contest, you may sign in to MIT TechTV and upload your video. BE SURE TO CHECK THE "ENTER THE TECH VIDEO SHOWCASE" BOX AND CATEGORIZE YOUR VIDEO WITH THE TAG TVSContest.
Don't forget
- Make sure to read the Entry and Submission Requirements and use the MIT Photo Release form.
- Host your videos on MIT TechTV—coming soon!
Interested in example videos? Look here >
