overview

• Offer suggestions for the layout of the studio, set design, color, and equipment

• Create an easy to use, turn-key studio environment, where lighting, camera, and audio can be set up and ready to use in a matter of minutes

• Grip, lighting, studio equipment, and camera suggestion, purchasing, and installation.

• Manage subcontractor communication for painting.

• Offer suggestions, purchase and install soundproofing and acoustical treatment

Paul was contracted by Fix My Blinds to help outfit a 350 square foot studio for their productions. Their instructional videos have quickly gained a following on YouTube and have been instrumental in their operations as a business. Many of their videos have over 100,000 views. Here’s how they say what they do. “We offer replacement parts and string for blinds and shades. We have a large library of instructional videos, written instructions, and part diagrams. We take great pride in equipping our customers to do their own blind repair.”

Paul operated as a consultant, general contractor, and studio equipment installer. Some of his responsibilities included;

• Designing a layout of the room

• Offering suggestions for set design, including colors, camera placement, and video village

• Hire a contractor to paint the room and manage expectations

• Installation of lighting, audio, camera equipment

• Suggestions for audio soundproofing and acoustic treatment

Soundproofing and acoustic treatment were important aspects of this room. Sound panels, clouds, and door treatments were the solutions used to correct the acoustics of the room. Right outside the double doors is a warehouse where compressors and workers make quite a bit of noise, so Paul reached out to Acoustical Solutions for a double door treatment. They provided multiple items that helped seal sound from the warehouse area. As a rule of thumb, most acoustic sound panel manufacturers suggest half of the square footage of the room be covered in panels. We used this as a starting point for total wall and ceiling coverage, hanging cloud panels, and mounting wall panels.

With Zach Varga’s help, Paul installed the backsplash from peel and stick shiplap that Fix My Blinds picked out and ordered. The cabinets and workbench were also picked out and ordered by the guys at Fix My Blinds.

Using Matthews grip equipment and aluminum speed rail, Paul mounted the lights, electrical and audio equipment into the rafters. Everything was safety chained and the electrical cords were secured to offer a clean look to all the equipment.

The studio is meant to be operated very simply. Flip two switches and the studio is ready to film, due to a DMX board that has light levels being pre-programmed. A video village cart with two live cameras offered the ability to view both cameras from one monitor since their director was also their camera operator.

Paul used lighting equipment from Aputure, Intellytech, and Quasar Science. An Aputure 300X was used for the key light. An Intellytech Mega-LiteCloth was used for room ambience. Two Quasar Crossfades were used for background lights and one was used as an extension of the key. All the Quasars were run to a DMX dimmer that used American DJ LED resistors to balance the load. I can’t recommend these little items enough. They allow you to dim a LED light that has problems with flicker. An Aputure 120D with the spotlight attachment and a window pattern gobo will be used to create light streaks across the background. Photos still to be posted.

Fix My Blinds is a great company with great people behind it. It was our pleasure to work with them to create this video production studio. Soon, we will have some samples of videos that have been created using this room. Stay tuned to learn more.