Classes may be canceled if there are not enough students to complete class projects, so encourage a friend or two to sign up with you. Class fees must be paid upon registering for classes. Click here to view the class calendar.

*Residents rates apply to those who live within our 10-city area: Arden Hills, Falcon Heights, Lauderdale, Little Canada, Mounds View, New Brighton, North Oaks, Roseville, St. Anthony and Shoreview.

"Please note that Beginner Production Truck and Advanced Editing Techniques are scheduled by appointment only."

Orientation Class:

CTV 101
(One 1.5-hour session)
Discover the resources available to get involved at CTV, and also for making your own TV productions.
All students must complete CTV 101 before signing up for other CTV Classes.
Fee: FREE - 15 student maximum

Beginner Classes:

Beginner TV Studio
(One 2-hour session, plus one 3-hour session)
Become familiar with the basics of the main control room and studio. Students will learn several positions, including camera, lighting, audio and teleprompter. Students will be involved in helping to crew a TV studio shoot.
Fee: $25 residents*/$45 non-residents - 10 student maximum

Camcorder
(One 2-hour session)
This class includes hands-on experience with the Panasonic DVX-100 production camcorders, as well as basic training on our microphones and light kits. Certified students will be able to check out equipment to use on their field productions.
Fee: $20 residents*/$40 non-residents - 6 student maximum

iMovie Editing
(One 2-hour session, plus one independent study - short project completion)
Students with no previous editing experience can take this class and quickly learn how to edit together a basic project, and how to enhance their progect with graphics and music. Students will edit together a pre-taped video sequence as their final project. Some familiarity with computers is required for this class.
Fee: $20 residents*/$40 non-residents - 1 student maximum

Intro to Digital Video
(Three 2-hour sessions)
This course is designed for all skill levels. Students will learn the basics of digital video, from concept to final completion. The course includes hands-on training with camcorders, mics, lights and editing. Students will have the opportunity to shoot and edit their own short program or film. Students who take this course will receive camcorder certification and iMovie editing certification.
Fee: $50 residents*/$90 non-residents - 6 student maximum

Beginner Production Truck
(One session at CTV or on location - length varies)
Learn basic setup and positions, including operation of a production camera and the audio board. Students will learn how to set up all essential equipment for a truck production. Class is offered by appointment. Call 651-792-7528 or email training@ctv15.org to schedule a class.
Fee: $20 residents*/$40 non-residents - 6 student maximum

Advanced Classes:

Final Cut Pro Editing
(One 2-hour session, plus one independent study - short project completion)
Students will learn the Final Cut Pro user interface, and the resources to edit together professional-looking video. This course is designed for the iMovie editor who is looking to increase the quality of projects through Final Cut Pro. Students will receive Apple Pro Training Series: Final Cut Pro 6 by Diana Weynand as a reference tool. As an independent study, students will edit together a pre-taped video sequence as their final project.
Fee: $50 residents*/$65 non-residents - 1 student maximum

Advanced Editing Techniques
Pre-requisite: Final Cut Pro Editing
(One 2-hour session)
Take your production to the next level by designing eye-catching titles, unique graphics, or sophisticated audio effects. This class goes in-depth with Final Cut Studio applications and is tailored for the student depending on which application and techniques they wish to learn. The applications to choose from are LiveType, Motion, DVD Studio Pro, iDVD, and Soundtrack Pro. Classes are offered by appointment. Call 651-792-7528 or email training@ctv15.org to schedule a class.
Fee: $20 residents*/$40 non-residents - 1 student maximum

Advanced TV Studio
Pre-requisite: Beginner TV Studio
(One 2-hour session, plus crew member of one live studio shoot)
This class is the next step to being Beginner TV Studio certified. Students will learn more advanced studio equipment and positions including, switcher, video playback, and graphics. Students will be involved in helping to crew a TV studio shoot.
Fee: $25 residents*/$45 non-residents - 10 student maximum

Advanced Production Truck
Pre-requisite: Beginner Production Truck
(One session at CTV or on location - length varies)
Once students have been certified with the Beginner Production Truck class, this class will offer more advanced training. Students will learn how to operate the switcher, graphics machine, and the replay system. Class is offered by appointment. Call 651-792-7528 or email training@ctv15.org to schedule a class.
Fee: $20 residents*/$40 non-residents - 6 student maximum

Web Distribution and Promotion
(One 2-hour session)
For students who have a completed project to run on CTV channels and want to distribute it using the web. The course will give students the know-how to podcast and to post their short projects online using websites like YouTube and Google Video. Also learn how to promote videos with blogging.
Fee: $20 residents*/$40 non-residents - 6 student maximum

Digital Storytelling
(Two 2-hour session)
This class gives students the opportunity to tell their story, whether it be about themselves, or about someone they know. Digital Storytelling combines the oldest tradition of telling stories with modern technologies of video, audio, graphics, and web publishing.
Fee: $20 residents*/$40 non-residents - 6 student maximum

Audio
(One 2-hour session)
Students will elarn important aspects of audio that will dramatically enhance the production value of a shoot. Students will get hands-on training with a production audio board, as well as a wide array of mics and other audio equipment.
Fee: $20 residents*/$40 non-residents - 6 student maximum

Scaffolding
Pre-requisite: Beginner Production Truck
(One 3-hour session)
This class is required in order to utilize or assist with using scaffolding equipment for truck productions. Topics covered include set up, safety, rules for uses, tear down and storage of CTV scaffolding. Students will get hands-on experience unpacking the trailer and setting up the scaffolding in a variety of acceptable and safe configurations.

Intro to Producing
Pre-requisite: Advanced TV Studio or Advanced Production Truck
(One 3-hour session)
This class is for those interested in producing studio-based shows or remote coverage of events such as concerts, plays, parades and sporting events. The class covers the basics from planning and reserving equipment, to recruiting and organizing a crew. Also covered are a variety of topics including how to do a site survey, obtaining permissions, safety, facility scheduling, care of equipment, indoor and outdoor lighting, announcer and camera locations and special situations.
Fee: $20 residents*/$40 non-residents - 6 student maximum

Intro to Directing
Pre-requisite: Beginner TV Studio and Advanced TV Studio
(Two 3-hour sessions)
This class is for those who have learned basic camera operation and want to know more about improving their camera skills. Topics include static and dynamic composition for television, practical terminology, techniques and camera movement. Emphasis is on practical applications, including coverage of various sporting events, as well as musical events and studio shoots. Class includes demos and exercises. Some time will also be devoted to covering the basics of directing multiple-camera shoots.
Fee: $20 residents*/$40 non-residents - 10 student maximum

Advanced Directing
Pre-requisite: Intro to Directing
(Three 3-hour sessions)
This course covers more advanced directing techniques for studio and truck productions. Students will get the opportunity to improve their directing skills, and will learn the essential aspects to helping produce a successful live or live-to-tape production. Class includes demos and hands-on training, and also extensive training with the program switcher.
Fee: $20 residents*/$40 non-residents - 10 student maximum