Difference between revisions of "Lynda Lab Overview"

Latest revision as of 17:28, 17 December 2024

Overview

The Lynda Lab is a medium sized video production studio.

• Is equipped with a variety of lighting equipment and accessories. 
• Students need to bring their own camera and camera tripod.  
• Is available for students to use for academic use. 
• The lab requires the proficiency badge. 

Location

• The Lynda Lab is in Evans 1350.
• From the lobby walk past the Multimedia Lab and turn left at the garbage and recycling station.

Access

• The lab requires the Lynda Lab - Lighting Studio proficiency badge in Schedule Evergreen. 
• Read the Electronic Media Lab Access page for proficiency information 
• Read the Media Labs Access Policy for lab polices
• Read the Scheduling General Access Media Labs article for scheduling procedures
• Schedule time at Media Loan, the Multimedia Lab or via Self Service in Schedule Evergreen.
• Get keys from Media Loan for your scheduled time.

General Policies

• No food or drinks of any kind are allowed in the labs.
• Alcohol, drugs, vaping and smoking are not allowed anywhere in the buildings.
• Take care of yourself and remember to take a break once in a while.
• Clean up after yourself.  
• Do not delete other students' files.
• Do not unplug or remove anything from the spaces.
• Make sure the door is closed and locked when you leave the lab.
  • Do not leave doors propped open if the room will be temporarily unoccupied, even if you are only running to the restroom.
• Only use your scheduled time.
• Return keys and equipment promptly to Media Loan or to the Library Circulation Desk.
• Reports any lab problems by following the Report a problem in a media lab procedure.
• Be courteous and respectful to the other users of the labs and all student employees.
• Follow the Code of Student Rights and Responsibilities and the Social Contract.

Help

• If you need help, look for a video intern in the CCAM Media Engineering across the hall or go to the Multimedia Lab 1404.

Overhead and Recording Lights

• When you walk in the door the switch for the overhead lights is to the right.
• When facing the wall, the switch on the right is for the overhead lights.
• The switch on the left is for the Recording light in the hallway.
  • Turn on the Recording lights while recording to prevent interruptions
  • Make sure to turn of the Recording light when done.

Equipment

Lights

Nanlite MixPanel:

What’s included in the Nanlite MixPanel bag:

• Nanlite MixPanel 60
• Power cable
• DC15 Adapter
• Barn Doors

Instruction Manual

The Nanlite MixPanel fits on all the stands found in the Lynda Lab. The wheel located on the base of the MixPanel when loosened allows for the base to fit over the stud on each of the stands, tighten said wheel to lock it back in place.

If using the adapter: Plug the power cable into an outlet on the wall, the other end of the cable plugs into the adapter itself. This adapter plugs directly into the back of the light, and there is a v-mount on the back of the light above the inputs to attach the adapter to the MixPanel itself. This is recommended to allow for the cable from the adapter to not be strained, and to save some space on the floor.

If using a battery: That’s right, there are batteries! Found on the bench in the back corner, these batteries can simply slide into that v-mount on the back of the MixPanel. Make sure to put the batteries back on the charger when you are finished using them.

The back of the Nanlite MixPanel has 3 dials and 8 buttons on the back. Here is a quick overview as to what they do:

• CCT: This is your basic white light. Pressing the button allows you to switch between a hard and soft light. The left dial dims and brightens, the middle dial adjusts warmth, the right dial adjusts tint.
• HSI: This is your color light. The left dial dims and brightens, the middle dial adjusts hue, the right dial adjusts the saturation.
• RGB: Another color light. This one allows you to adjust the color using RGB values. The right dial allows you to select between red, green, blue, and white percentage. The middle dial allows for you to adjust those values.
• Gel: Another color light. This one is based around gel presets. The left dial dims and brightens, the middle adjusts warmth (3200k or 5600k), the right dial adjusts the color.
• Effect: This setting allows you to switch between different flashing and looping light effects. The left dial dims, the right dial allows you to select which setting you want to change, the center dial adjusts the setting selected by the right dial.
• Preset: This button allows you to save lighting presets. This makes it easier if you need to move the lights around and need to go back to previously used
• Menu: Allows you to adjust the general settings of the light itself. Most of the time this option will not be necessary for Lynda Lab use.
• Lock: Allows for you to lock in whatever light setting you have enabled. Long press the button lock/unlock. This setting ensures that even if a light gets bumped or moved, the setting won’t accidentally change.

For more specific guidance on the different settings, consult the instruction manual found in the Nanlite MixPanel bag.

A set of barn doors can be found in MixPanel case. These clip into the brackets on the edge of the front of the MixPanel. These allow you to change the direction of and shape the light.

Nanlite Tubes:

Two sizes of Nanlite Tubes can be found in the Lynda Lab, 2 feet and 4 feet. Both sizes operate the exact same way. These lights are rechargeable, meaning you do not need to worry about placing them near outlets. However, before leaving the Lynda Lab, please make sure that Nanlite Tubes that have been used get plugged in, so they are ready for the next user. One end of the Nanlite tube has the input for the charger. The other side has two knobs, the on/off switch, a screen on the back of the light, and two buttons. These buttons are labeled ‘Mode’ and ‘Lock’. Long pressing the lock button allows you to lock or unlock the settings you have in place, this makes it so the settings won’t get accidentally changed if you need to move the light. The mode button switches between these 4 modes that the Nanlite tubes offer:

• CCT: This is your basic white light. Offers a range of warm to cool tones of light.
• HSI: A colored light. This light also has adjustable hue and saturation.
• Effect: This mode lets you switch between multiple different looping and flashing effects.
• Menu: This mode allows you to adjust the general setting of the light itself. You should not need to change these settings for general lab use.

There are a few accessories in the Lynda Lab that are exclusively used with the Nanlite Tubes. The smaller 3’ Black Impact Stands are outfitted with clear brackets designed to hold onto one tube. Found on the rack in the back of the room are larger brackets designed to hold more lights. These can be screwed onto any of the stands found in the Lynda Lab. The smaller clear brackets have a clip built in them to make that the light is secure. The other, larger brackets do not have clips and require a small amount of extra force to be put in and removed from the bracket.

Stands

Accessories

Flags:

Flags can be used for controlling the various lighting instruments that we have here in the Lynda Lab. Flags can be mounted onto stands and positioned in front of lights for various effects. We have multiple different types of flags here in the Lynda Lab.

• Cutter (Black flag): This completely blocks light. Great for intentionally shaping light.
• Silk (Off white flag, yellow trim):  Diffuses and reduces the amount of light.
• Double Scrim (Black net, red trim): Reduced amount of light by one stop.
• Wooden Cucoloris (a.k.a. Cookie): Kind of like a stencil for light, it can be used to add shapes in light (e.g. foliage effect)

Lanterns and Softboxes:

Lanterns and softboxes can be used to shape and diffuse light. Most of the lanterns and softboxes that can be found in the Lynda Lab are compatible with the Nanlite Forzas, with only one fitting the Nanlite MixPanel. The adapters for the lanterns should already be attached. This allows them to be simply screwed on to the Forzas. The softbox for the MixPanel can clip into the same brackets that the barn doors would use.

Ladder

• There is a step ladder in the room.
• Always follow the ladder safety instructions listed later in this training.