Week 10

Day 51 (22nd December 2014)

After a long week, we woke up slightly later today, and started setting up the cameras in the sanctuary. After which, we went on to preparing everything in the trailer, returning it to its original state. I then went to the sanctuary to test the audio, if it was working perfectly with the trailer. That was pretty much all for today.

Day 52 (23rd December 2014)

Today we helped load the projector screens onto Mr Harry's car, for it to be returned to the rental company. After which, we went on to organise and sort out the studio. We then went out to get 4 racks, and fixed one of it. The remaining 3 racks were returned as the structure was not steady enough to handle the equipments. After fixing up the rack, we loaded some of the equipments onto it.

~ Nicholas Lu :) ~

Week 10

22 Dec 2014

Good afternoon everyone, the whole crew get to sleep in and report after lunch. We reported in the afternoon and set up the cameras in the sanctuary. After setting up the cameras we then run the cables and boot up the whole tricaster to make sure the feed is working. I reset the tricaster projects because there was a different input and renaming in silver compare to scottish rite.

Here is the mess in the studio.

After resetting it, we then check the sound system. We then install back the router into the trailer. Harry then have to troubleshoot and reprogram everything. We call it a day after that. 

23 Dec 2014

Off Day; Went to Alcatraz

24 Dec 2014

Christmas Eve Break

25 Dec 2014

Christmas Day Break

26 Dec 2014

Good morning everyone, we started the day by loading all the projector screens into harry's car to return to PSAV. It took us quite a big of time to load it up because we have to rearrange it so that we can make sure it safely loaded into harry's car.   

After returning the projectors, we had lunch and headed to Lowes. We bought 4 racks so that we can store the equipment neatly in the studios. 

We went back to studio and fixed up one of the racks. The whole crew felt that the structure was too soft and was not steady enough to handle the weight of the equipments. We decided to refund the remaining three. We headed by to Lowes again.  

Harry then drive us past Palace of Fine Arts to have a peak of the night view. We called it a day after dinner. 

Week 9
Day 1 (15/12/2014)
Today we had another 2 school events. But before that, we packed up the trailer and moved some of the stuff that we do not need to storage in Matthew and we wrapped some sandbags with garbage bags to prevent the sand from leaking out. For the afternoon show, I was the... (Can't remember). For the evening show, I was working in the Sanctuary as the sound mixer. As this is the first time as sound mixer in the Sanctuary, I was guided by Harry on what to do and how to operate the mixer.

Day 2 (16/12/2014)
Today, we started out by helping out in the fixing of the hitch onto the trailer for the truck to tow it on Friday. After that, we had another 2 school events that was postponed from last week. For the first event, I was the technical director (TD), A.K.A switcher. For the second event, I was one of the camera operators.

Day 3 (17/12/2014)
We started by packing Matthew and moving the stuff that belongs to mass media to either the studio or the trailer. We also packed whatever's needed for the English ChristmaSing event this coming Saturday and Sunday from the studio to the trailer. 

In the afternoon, we had the final school event which I would dub as "Murphy's Law." Every station in the trailer had huge problems. For me, I was on sound and the issue that I had was the strange audio input that I had. There was a music track that was not playing on DVD when it was not supposed to which confused me and the levels of the vocal track coming in was so low that even at maximum, I was barely able to hit the minimum level.

After "Murphy's Law", we started to move the stuff that we needed for the weekend to the Sanctuary as our temporary holding area to check if we have the stuff we need. Some of the stuff we loaded it onto Alex's car and the other stuff we set it aside for the truck to transport. Some of the items also went into the trailer and was securely strapped. We completed the work at about 1 am.

Day 4 (18/12/2014)
We started out the day by loading up the stuff which included 6 cameras that we needed for the ChristmaSing into Harry's car. As 4 of the cameras had no bag or casing for them, we had to hold onto them while driving. After arriving at Scottish Rite where the event was to be held, we set up the tripods,cameras and Fibre optic cables as well as helping to set up the large background painting. After that, I went with Phil and Ira back to the Church to pick up some items such as the piano, cable ties and walkie talkies which we brought to Scottish Rite. Finally, we set up the 2 projector screens and called it a day.

Day 5 (19/12/2014)
We started out early today to prepare the trailer for towing. After securing the stuff inside the trailer and attaching the hitch, we gingerly pulled out the trailer and drove to Scottish Rite. We managed to park the trailer safely although we had several issues such as parts of the trailer hitch breaking, the bottom of the trailer scrapping on the ground, trying to park the trailer at Scottish Rite and the discomfort of the cold and wet weather.

The rest of the day for me was basically running and terminating cables all over the Scottish Rite. (And I am still unable to successfully terminate an RJ45 connector)

Day 6 (20/12/2014)
Today was the first day for the English ChristmaSing event. But before the event started, we had to finish the set up. I ran and terminated a coax cable from the trailer to one of the cameras as the cable we laid the previous day is not able to handle HD video over long distances. After that, I did a check on the wireless intercom system and discovered that the sound quality through the wireless intercom was defective. The side tone was way too sensitive and the incoming audio from the trailer was too soft. After I fiddled around with the intercom base station, there was some improvement in the audio quality. 

Unfortunately, we discovered during the afternoon rehearsal that the audio quality was still not good enough for communication. We decided to replace the cable running from the wireless base station to the trailer and the problem was more or less solved. 

For the actual ChristmaSing event in the evening, I was the video engineer. It was somewhat of a challenge to control the exposures of 4 cameras at once as the lighting of the scene kept changing which forced me to change the irises once every 2 seconds, sometimes using both hands to change 2 cameras at once. Also, many of the scenes were too dark as the smartscope that I used to judge exposure was too bright.

Day 7 (21/12/2014)
Today was the second day of the ChristmaSing event. Before that however, we have the usual Sunday service this time held in Scottish Rite instead of the Church. I was the sound mixer for this service which caused me to be somewhat uneasy as the sound system changed when we moved to Scottish Rite.  However, after some practice, I got used to it and I took advantage of the headphones with the 1/4" jack that we brought to assist me in mixing the sound. I preferred the headphones for monitoring rather than the speakers as it was easier to judge the levels and the audio quality.

After the service, we had a rest before engaging in the rehearsal for the event at night. After the rehearsal, we fixed a couple of problems including changing out a distribution amplifier as the previous one lacked a gain control to boost the signal which caused some problems with the projector.

Just as the previous day, I was the video engineer for today's event. It was easier and less intense for me as I already know what is going to happen and when the lighting conditions will change which allowed me to set the exposure beforehand. Also, I learnt a few tricks with the master black controls such as using it to increase contrast in a shot when there is fog causing the image to look washed out. Also, it can improve contrast and crush some of the noise when the gain is extremely high during a low light shot.

After the shoot, we packed up the stuff quickly and moved them into the various transports. We returned to the Church, parked the trailer and moved the mass media stuff up into the studio which now looked like a jumbled mess. We finished work at around 3.30am in the morning

Week 09

Day 44 (15th December 2014)

Today, we started the day by packing up Matthew. After which, we went to pack some sandbags, which will be used to weigh down the trailer. In the afternoon, we went to work on the performance by the 3rd Graders. I was one of the camera operators for the event. For the second half of the day, we went to work on the performance by the 2nd Graders. I was also one of the camera operators for the event.

Day 45 (16th December 2014)

We were tasked to help fix the hitch onto the trailer. After which, we went on to work on a performance by the preschoolers. I was one of the camera operators, and was tasked to teach someone to operate the camera. It was a fun experience to teach someone, as it allows me to realise how much I know about the camera, and the great opportunity to pass on new skills to someone. In the evening, we worked on the performance put up by the 4th Graders. I was in charge of working on the sound in the sanctuary.

Day 46 (17th December 2014)

Today we started the day by packing up the studio, preparing the equipments required for the English ChristmaSing 2014. After which, we went to work on a performance put up by the first graders. I was in charge of operating the sound in the sanctuary. We then continued preparing the equipments for the English ChristmaSing 2014, bringing the various items up and down from the studio to the sanctuary and to trailer. It was a busy day. Tomorrow, we will be setting up and preparing for the English ChristmaSing 2014 at the Scottish Rite.

Day 47 (18th December 2014)

We got up early today to start setting up for English ChristmaSing 2014. We loaded the equipments into a car, and made our way to the Scottish Rite. When we got there, we unloaded the equipments, and started setting up. We were tasked to set up the cameras at the back of the hall as well as set up the 2 screens in front of the stage. Together with the rest, we also managed to get the props canvas drawing onto the bars hanging above. We also help put together the truss. Tomorrow will be a long but fun day.

Day 48 (19th December 2014)

It started raining really heavy today, and we were to do a last check on everything in the trailer before driving it to the Scottish Rite. Despite being drenched in the heavy rain, we finally managed to get the hitch onto the vehicle and drove it to the Scottish Rite. When we got there, many of the things were done, and it was really great to see the huge canvas painting being hooked up as a backdrop. We were tasked to lay the cables into the cable trays to protect it. In addition, we also tested all the cameras and terminated several BNC cables. Tomorrow's the official day for the English ChristmaSing 2014.

Day 49 (20th December 2014)

It's finally the day for English ChristmaSing 2014! I was in charge of the sound for the whole event of the night in the trailer. There was really much to take note of, for the event. Things such as when to raise the vocal, pcc, QLab, QLab Vox. It was really tricky and complicated, to the extent that I had to write everything onto tapes on the table, next to the sound mixer. After the first session of the English ChristmaSing 2014, it was both a relief as well as a sense of achievement. Reason being was, despite the sound being complicated to mix, it was really a great learning opportunity given, and it really allowed me to fully use what I have learned about sound mixing on the sound mixer, from the past 2 months of my internship. I am really grateful for being able to learn a lot with regards to both sound and video. As we were about to leave the place for the day, I took a picture with the backdrop which I drew and painted, with the help of my wonderful friends. I felt really proud of the backdrop painting, as it looked really beautiful from far. My efforts for working on these large scale backdrop with my friends, had finally paid off afterall. Way to go everyone!

Day 50 (21st December 2014)

Today's the second session for the English ChristmaSing 2014! For the first half of the day, I was operating the wireless camera for the combined English worship. Halfway through, there was no feed from my camera in the trailer. After the worship, we then figured out the circuit at the backstage, might have been overheated, resulting in a lost of connection between the camera's transmitter and receiver. For the second half of the day, I was once again in charge of sound mixing for the English ChristmaSing 2014. However, today, I'll be working together with Emily on the sound mixing. I learnt a lot from Emily with regards to sound mixing, like listening deeper into certain parts, and you just might find something interesting! It was really an honour to be able to work with Emily. After the event ended, we had to tear down the whole setup in the auditorium, and bring it back to the studio. It was a long process and a long night. Even though the past few days had been really exhausting, it was a great, fun and wonderful learning experience working with everyone, learning from each and everyone, spending time together with the crew, and those who helped along the way. It was a really fruitful learning journey, which I'll never forget. On this note, I would like to express a huge thanks to everyone who guided me patiently on this challenging journey. It had been a fun time working with everyone of you. Thank you!

~ Nicholas Lu :) ~

Week 9

15 Dec 2014

Good Morning everyone . 

In the morning it was raining heavily so we just hang around and tidy up the trailer and matthew while i set up the event live feed. After lunch we pack the sand into bags and double wrap them to prevent spillage. Early christmas present for anyone. 

After that we help the english christmassing props department. We transport their props from the dungeon to mark.

In total today we have 2 shows, in the afternoon for the show I was the engineer. I was controlling the exposure. I getting use to this role very often because I have been in this roles for numerous times.

Here is the show.

In the evening, I was the TD, It is my first time that i was the TD. It was pretty nerve wrecking at the start because I wasnt really confident but soon i grow into it and get the hang of it and manage to cut to what the director want more easily.

Unfortunately for this show, the stream for youtube doesnt work. It hangs halfway. 

Here is the link to it .

Moving on because we were having some hiccups with the tricaster we decide to stay in abit later to trouble shot it . Thankfully we were able to do it. One of our play video was always grainy and none of us can solve it . After meddling it for awhile I manage to solve it. I realise the live keying was mask over it, hence it cause a problem. After solving the issues and testing out some aux out put we call it a day. 

16 Dec 2014

Good Morning everyone. Start off the morning by going over to Cambridge to grab some stuff to prepare for english christmasing, After that we headed back to sliver to unbox the hitch for the trailer. 

After unboxing it, the four of us took the whole morning and late afternoon to fix it up. It was a tough process because all of us have never work on it before. 

We have to reverse the car in and out for a fair bit of time before finally getting the hitch into the trailer. We then have a late lunch together.

After that we have 2 live events shoot. For this Preschool shoot, I was remote camera. Just into 15 minutes of the show. My screen froze on me and die. My whole screen become infrared screen. It was fuzzing in a odd way. I was handicapped. 

With the help of my TD , director and engineer I regroup myself and manage to come back strongly. I rely the help of them to help me check my focus while i frame up my shot with the weird looking screen. 

Here is the show link.  

After dinner, I tidy up the studio and pack away the studio cloth and we have our second show. This time I was the TD. It was really good to be doing TD because I am slowly getting the hang of it. A few minor mistakes of cutting to fast but overall i guess this was one of the better show i work on as a TD. 

After the show we wrapped up, we tidy up the trailer and realize  our video didnt stream because our network went down. Harry then fix it. We then went up to studio and pack some stuff up for christmasing and call it a day. 

17 Dec 2014

Good morning everyone, started the day by packing up the equipments for english christmassing. Mathew was in a total mess. We have to shift around and maneuver carefully.  

After that I started to slowly pack whatever in the studio that is needed for christmassing. We were basically updating the equipment list on the google drive while sorting out the equipments.

During 3 o clock everyone then stop whatever they are doing and prepare for the show. Last 4th grade show before the big final one english christmas sing. 

I was the Engineer for the show. Wow, things were crazy today. What will go wrong go round. Everything that was working well went down. Network went down before the shows start, It also affected the remote camera, it also affected the streaming. Crew were reshuffle. New crew were working on new stuff and they have to learn the equipment. The tricaster itself hang too. 

I myself struggle. Today was so hectic i haven had the time to set up my console and prepare with the CCU so i mean a mistake of not checking the playback on the mini dv deck so i wasnt record. Thanks harry for being so patient and guided me and troubleshot with me what went wrong. 

After the show we rerecorded and duplicated it. 

The whole crew have dinner together, after dinner we started checking off things on the checklist and start to load some of them up. 

We tidy up and clean up the trailer and call it a day at 1 am . 

18 Dec 2014

Good morning everyone started the day by loading all camera into harry's suv and we head of to scottish rite. 

Upon arriving, I set up the gopro for time lapse before setting up the remaining cables for the 4 other cameras. 

After setting up the cameras, we serve lunch and have lunch together before unloading the equipment. After unloading the equipment from the truck. We drill hole on the backdrop and hang aircraft cable through the hole so that we can fix on the grid. 

After setting up the backdrop, we then help joshua the set up trusk for the left and right stage. 

After setting up the trusk, we help with winston in setting up the two projector. It took us quite abit of time to set up the projector because they were using a new pulley system . 

We called it a day after setting up the two projector screens. 

19 Dec 2014

Good morning everyone. The day started with rains. 3 of us plus harry was working on the hitch . It took us awhile before securing it. The whole crew was drenched. After securing it, we head off to Scottish Rite. We were travelling on 20mph. 

Upon reaching there, we unhitch the truck from the trailer. After that we started laying the cables. 4 fiber optics, 3 bnc , 1 network, 2 audio cables. We then started to lay the cable for our power for our trailer. 5 cables go to the power distribution panel. I then started up the tricaster and make sure everything is up and running. Luckily nothing in the trailer was affected. At first i wasnt able to start the macmini but after troubleshooting we realized it is the wireless toogle that affected it.

We manage to troubleshoot everything except one which is camera 5 can only have a feed for SD but not HD.  

After that we called it a day.   

20 Dec 2014

Good morning everyone here is the link to today shoot that i work as the camera 6 wireless camera, it was pretty tough for me because of the i am on full manual but it was really a fun job getting alot of close up and angles. 

Before the shoot started, the crew finalized the roles and angles and lay 1 final bnc for camera 5. We then remove the router from the trailer and move router to tech position. We then run the SE-600 for powerpoint to CV cable. After that we then did a rehersal from top to bottom to make sure everyone gaspe their roles. 

Here is a shot of the crew boots, check out all the timberlands we own . 

Here is a picture of our set.

Anthony micing up Rev. Fong.

Here is the crewshot. Thank you everyone for the guidance. Have alot of fun working with you guys. 

21 Dec 2014

Good morning everyone. Started off the day with sunday worship. We set up everything and I was in charge of the streaming. After awhile, we were lacking a few crews so I was deployed to the camera 1 the jib operator. It was really fun . Something that not always you get to use. 

Here is the link to the combined worship.

After lunch, the crew hangout and take various funny photos. Thank you for the guidance people. 

Here is some photos of what cables we lay and the amount of cables we have. 

Messy control room with 2 mixer, one to control the projector the other to control for DVD. 

After that we have a crew meeting. Harry field of view is block badly. It was a meeting but end up we create a ruckus in it. 4 of us have really bond alot through all those hardships together. counting down it will be less than 1 month before i have to head back to singapore. I will really miss everyone here. 

Here is the link for the Session 2 of christmasing, I was the wireless camera again. I was really lucky that i was the wireless camera, i felt this is the best role that is suited for me. Getting close up shot with the cast.

After the shoot we tidy everything and pack the trailer. We then drove the trailer back to Silver and unloaded everything. We booted up everything to make sure everything is fine before calling it day. What a long and enjoyable day of shoot definitely one of the most fun day.