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What is the multimedia lab?
Located in Cherry Parkes 005, this facility is available for students, RSOs, and the campus community to develop enhanced presentations and multimedia projects with video, audio, digital photos and graphics. Assistance is available to guide you through the technical and creative process!
Have questions or want to make an appointment? Send a message to tacmps@uw.edu or call (253) 692-5743
Autumn Hours of Support | Scheduled Closures |
Monday - Thursday, 10AM - 6PM
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11/11 - Veterans Day
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Lab Reminder
- All projects and files left on Multimedia Lab computers or server will be deleted within 3 weeks of the last visit (if file space is needed) or at quarter's end. If you want a copy of your final project, take one with you or upload it to your cloud storage of preference.
- 2 hour appointments at workstations are strictly enforced during times of heavy use.
- Editi and submit video projects
- Learn creative software like photoshop and video editing
- Design and enhance photos, poster, presentations
- Get advice on how to produce videos and other media projects
- Create videos with our in house production gear
- Get one on one help how to use UWT checkout gear
- Rip videos from the internet
- Converting physical media into digital media
- Converting media files to different formats
- NO COMMERCIAL PROJECTS (if you're getting paid to make it, you can't make it here)
The Multimedia lab has 7 iMacs, 3 PC's and 2 Mac Mini's for students to use on their media projects. The lab also has a greenscree, Wacom tablet, table top recording rig, broadcast microphone, and lightbox for prodcut photography.
The Multimedia lab has the following installed on each of it's computers.
- Final Cut Pro X (Mac only)
- Adobe Creative Cloud
- Photoshop
- Premiere Pro
- Lightroom
- InDesign
- Dreamweaver
- Illustrator
- After Effects
- Audition
- Wondershare (youtube video -> video file)
- MS Word & Power Point
Setting up your FCP X project!
Get the "Basic Tips to Shoot Better Videos" PDF here!
Get the "Tips for Shooting Video Interviews" PDF here!
edTPA - How to use the Q2n video camera
Where is it?
We are located on the ground floor of Cherry Parkes in CP 005 (just behind Indochine)
Who may use the Multimedia Lab?
Our facility is available to all UW Tacoma staff, faculty and enrolled students. Current HuskyID will be verified.
What services do you offer?
We specialize in helping you complete dynamic, multimedia-rich projects.
- Video and audio editing
- Image and photo editing
- Integration of multimedia into presentations
- Preparing media for web uploading
- Video and audio dubbing (VHS to DVD, miniDV to DVD, HDD Camera to DVD, miniDV to VHS)
- Scanning of images, documents and slides
What can't be done in the lab?
You cannot load software onto the computers. Commercial work cannot be produced here and the Multimedia Lab abides by copyright laws, specifically the Fair Use Guidelines and the Teach Act.
- Up to 3 minutes or 10%, whichever is less, can be used from copyrighted motion media.
- 10% or 30 seconds, whichever is less, of the music and lyrics from an individual musical work.
See UW guidelines for other parameters for use of copyrighted content.
So, entire duplications of protected material are forbidden. While the law may permit the fair use of a copyrighted work for such purposes as teaching, scholarship, research, criticism, comment, news reporting, etc., don't assume that all such uses are "fair."
Fair use depends on a balance of four factors:
the purpose of your use, the nature of the work, the amount of the work used, and the effect of your use on the potential market of the work.
For more, see UW's Four Factor Test regarding Fair Use of Copyrighted Materials.
Can I put my project on the web?
Yes.
YouTube is the most commonly used sharing platform used by our students. Students also deliver files via their UW Google Drives and their UW OneDrive for Business cloud storage. The Multimedia Lab does abide by U.S. Copyright laws.
Please see YouTube regarding use of copyrighted content.
The Multimedia Lab suggests not using copyrighted materials (even within Fair Use guidelines) for Facebook, YouTube, web sites, etc. simply because many sites need to legally protect themselves and you could easily receive a notice to takedown your material.
If you decide to still post to YouTube using Fair Use guidelines, consider these tips:
Embed Commentary Into the Video: Don't rely on text and images around it to make your case or provide the transformative use. Take the effort to edit the video and upload your creation rather than the raw footage. It will make your case much stronger.
Use Shorter Clips: The trend on YouTube is to use clips several minutes in length. The more you take of a show or movie, the less likely the use is fair, no matter how you transform it. Stick to short clips and take only what you need to prove your point.
Have More Original Content: Though this goes hand in hand with the first bullet, the basis of YouTube is to "broadcast yourself" so put your own work into the video and make sure that the copyrighted portion makes up as little of the work as possible.
Give Proper Attribution: Be sure to give attribution fair the clip both in the video and in the notes. It may seem silly, especially when the owner of the work is obvious, but attribution often helps bolster fair use arguments by showing good faith.
Post a Disclaimer: Using such a disclaimer on your YouTube page with any copyrighted content that you are attempting to use in a fair manner may bolster your case.
Read entire article, "Why Fair Use Suffers on YouTube"
What do I need to bring with me to the Multimedia Lab?
First, you'll need a current UW ID (Husky Card).
Secondly, depending upon your project, you'll need a storage device for your files and output. Bring a USB Flash drive or use your UW Google Drive or UW OneDrive for Business account.
If you are planning to leave with your finished project on DVD then please bring a DVD-R.
We do not provide, or sell, these materials.
How do I make a reservation?
You can make a reservation three ways:
Stop by at CP 005
Call (253) 692-5743
Send email to: tacMPS@u.washington.edu
Will you save my project on your computer until next quarter?
No. Hard drives are erased between quarters. Your project may be stored until quarter's end.
If hard drive space becomes an issue then the oldest files are deleted first.
Where do I check out video production equipment?
Audio and video equipment can be checked out in Media Services Equipment Checkout desk (WG 108).
What is involved in the video post-production process?
There are 4 steps involved with post-production:
- Capturing/Ingestion - This is the process of digitizing or importing your audio/video into the computer and the non-linear editor.
- Editing - Trimming beginnings and endings of clips, rearranging clips, adding titles, applying color correction, improving audio, adding special effects, etc.
- Exporting to Master - This is a "hidden" step. When clips are brought into an editing program's timeline, the program is simply referring to those clips, wherever they are stored. Exporting allows you to compress your video into a preferable format and to stand alone as a movie without looking for your captured clips. The movie is now ready for QuickTime and Windows Media Player as well as for DVDs.
- Encoding for distribution - How will your audience access your movie? You'll have to burn to DVDs, decide how compressed your file will be for Youtube or prepare for viewing in PowerPoint, to name a few.
How long will it take to edit my video?
This will depend upon the complexity of your project; the amount of raw footage you've shot or are incorporating; your skill level; amount of effects; your determination; titles or filters you use; and the number of students working on the project.
A five-minute finished video may take anywhere from 2 to 10 hours of post-production, depending upon the variables listed above.
How can I save my work?
You can bring your own storage media. If you are working on video for an extended period of time, we would recommend you invest in an external hard drive. That way you can keep your project files together.
Here are a few other options:
- USB Flash Drives
- UW Google Drive or UW OneDrive for Business
- Multimedia Lab computers - Hard drives are erased at the end of every quarter. If space becomes scarce, files will be removed as needed by MMLab staff. Please make arrangements with staff regarding storage timeframes.
I'm not computer literate. Do you offer one-on-one tutoring?
Staff members are primarily there to assist you with your projects. We can provide one-on-one assistance only if the Multimedia Lab is not busy.
How can I learn your software?
Time, patience and, perhaps, coffee.
We can introduce you to the basics of our software and provide a source of information but there is no shortcut to developing your skill set in a particular application. We do have tutorials and on-line aids available.
Ultimately, it's the process of working through a project that improves your productivity.
Do you have your policies posted somewhere?
May I bring food into the lab?
No. UW COVID-19 precautions prevent us from having food or drink in the Multimedia Lab.
I want to make a copy of a DVD or CD. Can I do that and are there any restrictions?
If it is your own, original material on the DVD or CD, then yes. You are not allowed to copy commercial materials (CDs, DVDs, web videos/music, etc.).
U.S. Copyright Law is an assemblage of statutes designed to protect the rights of creators and users. It has its origins in the constitutional principle to promote the arts and sciences. Fair Use is a principle that limits the exclusive rights of ownership so that you, as a learner, can use other people's stuff (with certain statutory limitations) without having to ask their permission.
Only 10% or 3 minutes, whichever is less, of commercial content can be copied and used in your project.
Duplication of protected works in their entirety is strictly forbidden.
Can I install a copy of my software from home on a lab computer?
No.
Every effort has been made to configure our workstations to meet the needs of our campus. We are equipped with professional-grade hardware and industry-standard software. For security purposes, loading unauthorized software is prohibited.
Can I drop off materials for digitization or dubbing?
We are more than happy to help you do this process yourself, but our staff does not provide digitization and duplication services to students.
If you are a faculty member and need these services, you can contact Production Services for assistance.
I'd like to give the Multimedia Lab feedback. Where should I do this?
Send email to:
tacMPS@u.washington.edu
Can you recommend products?
No.
Our duty is to connect students with the right tools for their projects and to assist them in the process. As far as personal purchases, you can find significant amounts of information and product reviews online.
May I use the Multimedia Lab for other types of work?
Yes.
Priority is given to students with multimedia projects but you are welcome to surf the net, write your paper, perform homework research, etc.
- Sign-in: Students must sign-in before using the Lab.
- Only students with a valid UW ID card and current quarter validation sticker will be admitted to the Lab.
- The Multimedia Lab assistants are here to assist you with the hardware and software. They may assist you with your project as time allows. They will NOT do the project for you.
- During peak periods, class projects have priority over personal use. Please limit your time to no more than 2 hours at a station. This is to ensure that others can use the computers.
- Headphones may be required on workstations where sound editing is required.
- Printing: Printing in the MM Lab is limited to multimedia projects. Color printing is limited to 3 copies.
- Content left on Lab computer will periodically (and at end of the quarter) be removed and deleted by the Lab staff.
- Users may not display images, sounds, or messages on any public screens that could create an atmosphere of discomfort for others.
- Commercial use of the lab is strictly prohibited.
You cannot load software onto the computers. Commercial work cannot be produced here and the Multimedia Lab abides by Copyright Laws, specifically the Fair Use Guidelines and the Teach Act.
Up to 3 minutes or 10%, or whichever is less, can be used from copyrighted motion media.
10% or 30 seconds, whichever is less, of the music and lyrics from an individual musical work.
See UW guidelines for other parameters for use of copyrighted content.
So, entire duplications of protected material are forbidden. While the law may permit the fair use of a copyrighted work for such purposes as teaching, scholarship, research, criticism, comment, news reporting, etc., don't assume that all such uses are "fair."
Fair use depends on a balance of four factors:
the purpose of your use, the nature of the work, the amount of the work used, and the effect of your use on the potential market of the work.
For more, see UW's Four Factor Test regarding Fair Use of Copyrighted Materials.
For more information or to make a reservation, please contact us at 253-692-5743 or tacMPS@uw.edu.