Daily Preparation

*You should allow approximately 30 min. for preparations.*

1- Check to make sure your classroom is clean and neat. If your professor uses the whiteboard or computer, make sure the curtains are open or the computer is booted and logged on to Windows. At this time, place a blue control form on the instructor's desk for him/her to fill out.

2 - Route sources. First, route your program (with Codec audio, if appropriate) to the assigned dub group. This is critical. (See Routing)

3 - Select and update your Instructor's page on the character generator. Usually, this just involves entering the correct date and adding one digit to the session number. The session numbers are faxed to us each morning and posted in master control. Also test the C-G at this time. If you cannot get it to come up on program, it is usually because the "PROGR ON" button on the bottom left of the C-G needs to be depressed. Occasionally, the C-G malfunctions, and you will need to retype your instructor's page and any other page you intend to use. So, it is prudent to check the C-G well before class starts.

4 - Test the wireless mic. Always check the mic's battery before class (press the "test" button on the top of the transmitter). Batteries are typically good for two days. A buzz from the mic indicates a weak battery, as do low VU levels. Ask a fellow producer to help you test the wireless mic. You can also test the wireless by yourself in the control room by viewing the VU meter as you speak into the mic. Make sure the MCR Audio monitor is turned off or down or feedback will occur.

Do not wait for your instructor to arrive to test the wireless mic. However, you should ask your instructor to do a mic test the first day of class to make sure he or she knows how to turn it on. By potting up the instructor mic, you can usually determine if your instructor has turned their mic on. Before rolling tape, make sure the wireless is turned on and if it is not, notify your instructor through the intercom.

5 - Focus your cameras. Some small adjustments made need to be made during class, but the cameras should be in focus before the professor begins. Camera 3 (overhead cam) can be focused using the control form as a reference

6 - Test the Codec connection. After the Codec Site comes up on the Frame Nova, focus camera 4 on an empty seat and put it on program. Make sure that the student mic potentiometer and the master pot are turned up on the mixer along with the volume control for the classroom speaker.

Walk into the classroom and after you see yourself on program use the student mic to ask the Codec site if they can see and hear you. If you have two Codec sites, ask the second one the same thing. If the Codec connection hasn't been made by five minutes before class time, notify NHE by telephone (the phone number is posted above the MCR telephone).

Put camera 1 on program before and after testing the Codec so that the instructor, if he or she chooses, can communicate with the far-site before class.

7 - Prepare to roll credits. Make sure the pre-roll tape is rewound and the freeze frame switch is off. VHS should be selected on your TBC (Prime Image) bus.

8 - Confirm that tapes are loaded and rewound.

9 - Set countdown clock.