The Academy’s fifth Media Arts Apprenticeship cohort started just as summer heated up in the first week of July. We were thrilled to welcome eight apprentices from the Greater Boston area into the learning space this year. Their first unit focused on audio production. During this session, they learned how to set up an audio interface, microphone and computers in order to then record and edit their voice on professional audio editing software like ProTools.
The Postcast | July
The assignment was to create a podcast that each apprentice had to produce, record and edit. Projects varied from games shows to artist interviews, movie reviews to true crimes. Once the podcasts were completed, The Loop Lab hosted an intimate Listening Session where the apprentices presented their finished project to peers, staff and community. You can listen to the finished podcasts here.
Photography | August
The second unit of the program was photography. Here they learned the basic functions of a Canon 60D DSLR camera. Once a certain level of comfort was established, the cohort were directed to develop a narrative of their choice portrayed through 8 - 16 images. They learned skills in composition, lighting, and using the camera on manual settings. Each apprentice had a chance to learn how to assemble a C-stand, lighting stands, and properly and safely store gear, like camera bodies and lenses.
Here are the images that were submitted for their photography project.
Narrative Video Project | September
As the Media Arts Apprenticeship came to a close, some of their final projects focused on producing narrative videos through storyboarding and filming workshops. Each apprentice developed their own narrative focused on a specific individual interest. They learned advanced filming techniques using 2 camera setup with Black Magic Cameras and complex color correction in DaVinci Resolve. Projects ran the gamut from skateboarding culture to dancing to gardening. Here are examples of the videos that were produced.
Audible Video Projects | November
Last of all, the cohort adventured out into our community, the city of Cambridge, and filmed and edited videos on different topics for Audible. Some of the topics covered were mentoring, mental health, arts as a career, and job training. Yesterday, the apprentices were joined by their instructors, TLL staff and board members, family, friends, and many community members for a celebratory screening of their films on the big screen at the Brattle Theatre. Their following discussion on the experience with moderator Jonathan Allen, Co-Founder and Director of Development at Leadership Brainery, may have been nerve wracking for many but showcased the sheer amount of growth we witnessed over the past five months. Keep an eye out for a link to the films if you missed them last night/
Congratulations to all of the apprentices that have now completed the instructional portion of the Media Arts Apprenticeship!