Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/130212
Training An example of one of Larry Jordan's training Webinars. 30 grew into a new 6,000-square-foot facility. In addition to being a post services provider, Biscardi is venturing into training with his recently-launched Website, www.walterbiscardi.com. While the site may be new, his training experience has great depth. "I've always gravitated toward forums, sharing knowledge and helping people. And I've had a lot of people come to my shop and ask questions, especially on the business side," he says. He's created training products, including the DVD, "Stop Staring, Start Grading With Apple Color." His new Website will offer both paid tutorials as well as free content. "There are so many people popping up that are doing the button-pushing [tutorials], and showing how the software works," he notes. "And there are professional trainers that have never done the work while sitting in an edit suite with a client hanging over your shoulder. On WalterBiscardi.com, there are going to be no professional trainers. They are all going to be professional artists, showing the art, craft and business of what we do." The Website is now live, though pricing was still being determined at press time in late April. Visitors can sign up and join the mailing list. Biscardi was in the process of posting a new series titled "Post Etiquette," which is comprised of four short chapters — usually under two minutes — that detail how clients and editors should behave in a post suite. Topics covered include maintaining a positive attitude, keeping it clean, and staying calm when things might not be going well. "I'm doing them on-camera," says Biscardi of the series, "not as a voiceover." One of the Website's first large modules is "The Documentary Walkthrough," a fivehour training series that covers everything a Post • May 2013 Post0513_028-31-trainingRAV5FINALREAD.indd 30 first-time producer needs to know — from when the client first contacts them to all the questions that need consideration before a contract is signed. "I've got a producer who has produced national television shows and commercials," says Biscardi of another planned series. "She's going to come in and talk about planning a shoot and developing a project. Stuff that people don't talk about, including distribution." Thirty-year colorist Ron Anderson will be creating the "Art and Craft of Color" series. And Biscardi is also bringing in a veteran sound designer for instruction on Pro Tools and Logic. "Yes, there are going to be 'button pushing' software tutorials, but even with them, we are going to do it completely differently," he explains. "We want to transcend the tools and talk about the creative. While I might use Premiere Pro to talk about docu- Grade and Final Cut Pro. His site will offer a subscription model for most series. Some releases will follow a "pay-for-play" model, where the title will be available to non-subscribers for a set price and to subscribers at a discounted rate. The "Producer" series, says Biscardi, could follow this format. "We are going to offer an introductory rate, and then change it in six months," he says of the subscription. "We are trying to be fair. Some of the modules might be expensive. I don't know anybody else who is sharing information on 'how to develop a series.' Nobody wants to. It's supposed to be a secret." Biscardi has already hosted live workshops at his facility too. Marco Solorio presented a three-day workshop on the Blackmagic Cinema Camera, and Patrick Inhofer was scheduled to visit the studio in May to present a three-day workshop on color grading. The workshops are meant for small groups of 10 or less. Larger classes are also in the works. Biscardi Creative Media has a 1,400-square-foot studio that can be used as a 75-student classroom. RIPPLETRAINING.COM Steve Martin is the president of Prescott, AZ-based Ripple Training (www.rippletraining.com), an online resource for those looking to expand their skills on Smoke, Final Cut Pro, Resolve, After Effects, Photoshop and Media Composer. Martin is the resident Apple expert, having worked on Final Cut Pro since its introduction. He also brings a perspective as a writer, producer and photographer to his instructional videos. As a long-time user, he understands the frustration that many Final Cut users experienced when the app abruptly jumped from Version 7 to X, but says the latest version has a lot to offer. "Apple did a hard turn of the interface," Ripple Training offers detailed instruction on Blackmagic's DaVinci Resolve. mentary workflow, the concept and the organization that I am presenting will translate to any NLE you are using." Biscardi has an entire series planned for Adobe Next, as well as for Resolve, Speed- says Martin of the Version 10 release. "I personally think it's the future in terms of what's in it and how it handles the media. When it was announced, it was like, 'Here it is. Here's the way we are going.' It was more of a hard www.postmagazine.com 5/3/13 11:44 AM