We are off to Phoenix today on our third stop of a four-conference tour. So far we’ve had a great time providing lectures and fielding Q&A sessions in Seattle and Berkeley and are looking forward to catching some rays in the Southwest. We traditionally give two lecture tracks; one that focuses on all of the Basics of video production and one that concentrates on Editing details. We are offering both the Basic and Editing tracks at each location except Berkeley. There, we replaced our Editing track with our brand new Documentary track to a room full of beginning documentarians.

If you’re coming to Phoenix, bring your bathing suit…it’s supposed to be in the mid 90′s!

from a NewTek press release

San Antonio, Texas – May 04, 2006–NewTek, Inc., manufacturer of industry-leading video and 3D animation products, was

recently presented with an NAB AIM Award (Award for Innovation in Media) for the company’s new TriCaster PRO portable live

production system.

The fourth annual AIM Awards were presented to the top five products within each of the Content Creation, Content

Management and Content Delivery categories, and were honored at the NAB Technology Luncheon held April 26th at the Las

Vegas Convention Center. Winners were selected from a pool of over 2,500 submissions and chosen by attendees at the NAB

2006 exhibition, who voted April 24 and 25 on technological innovations that best addressed current and upcoming issues in

the electronic media industry by boosting efficiency, increasing user flexibility and creativity, and lowering cost.

"TriCaster has been a breakout success for us," said Philip Nelson, NewTek Vice President of Sales and Video

Marketing. "and it’s exciting to see a diversified client base implementing TriCaster into their production pipeline.

Being recognized by NAB attendees with this award is proof that broadcast professionals have a strong interest in portable

live production."

NewTek’s TriCaster PRO is a turnkey, portable, live production system with a user-friendly interface, bringing powerful

new functionality to the award-winning product line. TriCaster PRO mixes multiple live component cameras with pre-recorded

video, overlay titles, images, external computer displays and even live web pages with simultaneous output to video, a

projector, and the Internet. New features include push streaming, a waveform monitor/vectorscope, and enhanced editing

capability, enhancing production and distribution capabilities for corporate presenters, educators, local access, sports

broadcasters and media ministries.

"Attendees at the NAB spring show are especially positioned to recognize the hottest products emerging in the

marketplace," said NAB President and CEO David K. Rehr. "NAB extends its congratulations to all of the 2006 AIM

winners who received this esteemed recognition."

Pricing and Availability
TriCaster and TriCaster PRO are available now, starting at $4,995 US. For more information or to purchase, call NewTek

Sales at 800-368-5441 or visit http://www.newtek.com

from an Adobe Systems press release

SAN JOSE, Calif. — May 4, 2006 — Adobe Systems Incorporated today announced the first Macromedia Flash Professional 8 from Adobe Roadshow designed to provide creative professionals an overview of the benefits of Flash Professional 8. The free, four-city tour kicks off in Los Angeles in May, before heading to San Francisco, Chicago and New York. Adobe experts and representatives from leading interactive design agencies will demonstrate how to use new features in Flash Professional 8 including filters, blend modes and improved text. In addition, attendees will learn how to incorporate video into Flash with a new higher-quality video codec, alpha channel support, and embedded cue points to create rich, interactive Web sites, applications, interactive presentations, and mobile content that provide customers with the most engaging online experiences.

Flash Professional 8 is the industry’s most advanced authoring environment for creating interactive Web sites, digital experiences and mobile content. Flash Professional 8 is part of Macromedia Studio 8, a software suite that also includes Macromedia Dreamweaver 8, Macromedia Fireworks 8, Macromedia Contribute 3, and Macromedia FlashPaper 2. Flash Professional 8 includes unique tools for designing graphic effects, animation, text, video, and content for mobile devices. Leading agencies use Flash Professional 8 to build all kinds of project including applications, branding sites, online advertisements and games.

Flash Professional 8 Roadshow sessions will be held:

Each seminar will run from 1 – 5 p.m. with registration beginning at 12 p.m. After each seminar, a social hour will give attendees the opportunity to ask questions of Adobe presenters and network with colleagues.

Attendees will learn how to:

Use filters, blend modes, custom easing, bitmap caching, improved text and stroke tools, and other expressive features.
Incorporate video into Flash with higher quality video codec, alpha channel support, and embedded cue points.
Create an improved user experience with Script Assist, advanced library options, and an enhanced object drawing model.
Integrate with other Adobe products such as Adobe Photoshop and Adobe After Effects.
Use an interactive mobile device emulator to test Flash content on a variety of Flash Lite compatible devices.
Adobe is committed to providing resources to help creative professionals stay ahead of the curve. As part of this effort, Adobe offers a variety of seminar topics on its Web site at www.adobe.com/events.

Survey Says: Short Videos are Best

A recent survey conducted by Harris Interactive and commissioned by RCA found that 58 percent of adult women in the U.S.

between the ages of 18 and 34 indicate they typically use a camcorder to record activities that are 30 minutes or less of

continuous recording time. The same survey also indicates that more than half (54%) of all U.S. adult women surveyed believe

that there is no such thing as an inexpensive camcorder.

The new line of RCA Small Wonder camcorders is aimed at market segments not well-served by today’s complex camcorder

products – including women, kids and grandparents. The RCA Small Wonder is ideal for capturing short video segments such as a

star performance in the school play or a winning goal on the field.

Designed with convenience in mind, the EZ101 RCA Small Wonder camcorder operates on conventional AA batteries, and stores

up to 30 minutes of video. Consumers can learn more about the RCA Small Wonder at www.mysmallwonder.com, including product

details tips for using the RCA Small Wonder and upcoming promotions.

"The RCA Small Wonder is the perfect solution for the entire family," remarked Dan Collishaw, Chief Operating

Officer of Thomson’s Americas Audio/Video and Accessory businesses. "For many, simplicity is the best option when it

comes to home video, and we are convinced that there is a tremendous market for the RCA Small Wonder lineup of affordable,

digital camcorders that begins with the EZ101."

Focus groups conducted by RCA this spring confirm what consumers are thinking about capturing moments of their busy lives

on video:

"I wished I used my camcorder more…"

"My camcorder is still big and bulky…"

"I want it where you could just pick it up, push a couple of buttons…"

Recorded video is archived as clips that consumers can play back on the RCA Small Wonder’s 1.5-inch LCD screen, and

unwanted clips can be deleted right from the unit with just the touch of a button. The 30 frames per second video files are

created as MPEG4 compressed Audio Video Interface files, a format that can be easily manipulated. The RCA Small Wonder EZ101

ships with a full accessory kit including a soft velvet carrying case, wrist strap, AA batteries, and a TV/AV output cable to

allow easy connection to a television.

When we returned from NAB we were greeted with a pleasant surprise in our mailboxes: the advance preview of Videomaker’s June issue. We’re real excited about this one because it commemorates our 20th year.
I can’t show you the entire cover, but this is sure to be a collectors edition, and we’d like to thank our sponsors in advance for some nice commemorative comments on a few of their ads regarding our 20 years in business , nice touch!
Look for it in your mailbox or on the newsstand soon!

from a Litepanels press release

New Ringlite Mini LED Lighting System

Litepanels, the creators of award-winning LED lighting systems, introduce Ringlite Mini – the smaller version of the

original LED Ringlite. Available in 5600K and 3200K models, Ringlite Mini measures just 10.5 inchs in diameter, only 2″

thick, and weighs just 3.5 lbs. This ultra-low profile, lightweight professional lighting tool offers bright, soft

directional lighting in a cost-effective, versatile package.

Ringlite Mini employs powerful LEDs laid out in a tightly plotted concentric grid. Lighting is divided vertically

into three user selectable channels of output, each controlled by an independent, adjustable circuit. On the back, four

easy-to-reach toggle switches regulate power and control upper, center, and lower illumination. Like all Litepanels

innovative lighting systems, Ringlite Mini features an ergonomic integrated control knob for instant dimming from 100-0% with

no shift in color. Plus, the new system offers remote dimming capability. Completely flicker-free and heat-free, it can be

moved in comfortably close to a subject, for unmatched soft, wrap-around light.

The lens mountable Ringlite Mini is designed to easily interface with popular DV camcorders three different ways. The

first is via an adjustable Camera Adapter bracket. The system’s LED head attaches to this mounting plate via a standard 5/8

inch threaded mounting screw. The unit can also be mounted directly onto the camera lens. This method includes a two-stage

filter box for 3×3, 4×4, 4×5.65 and 4×6 glass filters. When used with larger camera and lens systems, the filter box slides

onto standard lens support rods instead of the lens.

This ultra-efficient LED light source draws just 35 amps (40W @12VDC). Power is provided by an external 110-220VAC

international AC adapter. Equipped with an XLR power connector cable, the system can be run off of a variety of 9-30VDC

sources, such as a car battery or standard camera battery.

Litepanels Ringlite Mini comes packed in a convenient carrying case. A set of 8 interchangeable conversion and diffusion

filters is available for greater lighting control. U.S. list prices start at $2995. For further information, contact Jaime

Emmanuelli at Litepanels, Inc., 10932 Burbank Blvd., North Hollywood CA 91601, tel: 818-752-7009, fax: 818-752-2437, web:

www.litepanels.com, e-mail: info@litepanels.com.