Hi Everyone, I’m the Media Producer at the Walker Art Center
in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Walker is
a multi-disciplinary institution that presents contemporary visual art,
performing arts, film/video, and design.
I handle almost all aspects of our media production needs from
conception and shooting to editing and distribution. Like many other institutions, the Walker’s
media appetite is growing in all directions including promotional, interpretive,
and scholarly materials. I currently produce
content by my lonesome, however I collaborate with our design studio on
branding/graphics and employ the occasional freelance shooter and editor.
I have many interests when it comes to media production, but
camera movement might be my biggest passion.
So much of the museum experience is about moving through space and being
surprised or distraught or delighted by what we see. The moving camera can better capture that experience
of walking through a gallery, strolling around a sculpture, or even moving from
one room to another. Many institutions rely solely on fixed tripods or handheld
techniques to produce video, so I love encouraging new tools such as jib arms,
camera sliders, dolly & tracks, and Steadicams to find that elusive experiential quality.
We use a variety of video equipment at the Walker, but our
primary workflow is Sony XDCAM. We have
a PMW-350, PMW-200, and EX-1R. I also
use a Canon 5D Mark III. Tripods:
Vinten. Audio: Sony wireless lavs, Tram
wired lavs, Sennheiser shotguns. Lighting:
Lowel Totas and Arri 150s. Editing:
Final Cut Pro 7.
I’m excited to me meet, share, and learn from everyone
here. I imagine we have very similar
goals and challenges…so let’s discuss.
Andy, love what you said about camera movement. I think this is crucial to successful object interfaces online- it is a major key to connecting with our digital audiences.
ReplyDeleteThanks Emily. I think it is a natural progression as institutions transition from a video documentation model to a video production model. The tools change. My work used to solely consist of documenting: documenting events, documenting performances, documenting exhibitions. The camera wasn't much of an interpreter. That evolved once we strove to become content creators in addition to presenters.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely feel you on this, I have been pushing against documentation ever since I got involved in museums. I always think who really watches this? If it is a lecture as a consumer I tend to prefer podcasts with slides so I can jump around and go at my own pace and pick out the useful bits. I always prefer produced content... I am excited to be finally working on a kids video, the perfect chance to goof off with the camera a little and take some weird angles, I hope it catches on at the museum I am working with on it.
ReplyDeleteWell, I grew up in Minneapolis and lived there after college for a couple years - so I've been a huge fan of the walker since before I even understood it had an international reputation.
ReplyDeleteI'm not filming galleries or sculptures - so our needs are often different, but I completely agree with you about movement in general. Thanks for sharing, Andy.
"So much of the museum experience is about moving through space..." Love this comment — so true. Museums are really about the poetics of space. What do you use to achieve the glidecam / steadicam effect in your videos?
ReplyDelete