January...February...My time flies by!

With the holidays it’s been quiet here at the Co-Op, but now that it’s all over…we’re the warmest place to fill your new year’s resolution of getting things done. Come record an album or edit a movie!

Thanks to Ben Balser who did a special podcast about the Lafayette Co-Op last week! Send it on to people you think may be interested in learning more about what we do here!

Since Feb is almost here (woah!) and with it comes Mardi Gras, I’m just gonna spill the beans for the workshops over the next 6 weeks. If there was something in 2009 that you know you want us to do again, send me an email and I’ll do my best to bring it back. Please note the Co-Op will have special hours (9a-5p) on Thurs, Feb 25th because of the all day workshop that day!

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Upcoming Events:

Tues, Jan 19th 6pmSHARP - Video Codecs with Kris Wotipka -->AT AOC!<-- NEXT WEEK!
Tues, Jan 26th 5:30 - The Art of Creative Merch with Jillian Johnson
Wed, Feb 3rd 5:30 - Managing and Booking Bands with Johnny Palazzotto and Lisa Stafford
Wed, Feb 10th 5:30 - Intro Final Cut Pro with David Webber
Thurs, Feb 25th 9am-5pm (CANCELED!) - Compositing And Mattes with Ben Balser
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"Read More" for workshop descriptions!

Tues, Jan 19th - 6pmSHARP Video Codecs with Kris Wotipka -->AT AOC!<-- Codecs are the evil little letters and numbers that loom over your head and mine. Every video you take has some sort of video encoding that can make or break the happiness of your editing process. Kris one of those experts in most every technology and has the rare brain for retaining codec information. Join him as he explains how they work and the who-what-whens of using them. This class will happen AT AOC AND DOORS CLOSE AT 6 PM!!! No late comers. 124 East Main Street (ACFM entrance) two blocks from the Co-Op. You must either be a member of AOC or a current paid member of the Co-Op to attend, OR you can pay a $25 registration fee in advance. A little confusing, so contact me if you have questions. Tues, Jan 26th 5:30 The Art of Creative Merch with Jillian Johnson
Jillian Johnson, Merchandising Tsar, will go talk about the importance of having merch, how to go from idea to product, and being creative with it. Whether it be Valentine’s with your artwork, postcards for your band, or even just buttons, there are simple ways to create more merch and more money for yourself. Jillian’s posters cover our walls here, and you can see her fingerprints on the merch of everything she’s involved with, from Blackpot Festival’s oodles of items to band merch for her own projects. Jillian’s aesthetic and creative visions go way beyond craft, or art, or marketing.

Wed, Feb 3rd 5:30 Managing and Booking Bands with Johnny Palazzotto and Lisa Stafford
I’m not going to candy coat this: it’s hard work to book shows and it’s hard work to manage a band. But you can do it! Whether it be your own career or someone else’s, Lisa and Johnny have countless years under their belts working in the music industry and will spend the time to pass their knowledge on to you. Lisa Stafford has worked at Festival International booking the bands for as long as I can remember and manages all sorts of bands from Cedric Watson to Feufollet. Johnny Palazzotto is a forty year veteran of the regional, national and international entertainment industry, has been instrumental in making the rest of the world aware of numerous Louisiana artists, and is making the trek from Baton Rouge just to co-present this workshop!

Wed, Feb 10th 5:30 Intro Final Cut Pro with David Webber
David Webber is a teacher among teachers, and will join us this night to go over the basics of using Final Cut Pro. If you are interested in video editing and want to learn how to go more pro, or if you’re already pro looking for a refresher, join David’s journey into the wide ocean that is Final Cut Pro.

Thurs, Feb 25th 9am-5pm (CANCELED!) Compositing And Mattes with Ben Balser
This one day free seminar will show students the tools and technique to build effective video composites and mattes using Final Cut Pro, Motion, and Mocha For FCP. Topics will include Composite Modes, Chorma Keying, stock & custom mattes, keyframe basics, image stabilization, and tracking. This will be one full, very intensive day of valuable information that can help develop your work and skills to a new level. A Consultant, Educator, Author, Composer, Ben Balser is a truly multifaceted individual blazing new territory for the local industry. Among his many achievements he founded the South Louisiana Final Cut Pro Users Group, Event DV’s “Cut Lines”, New Orleans Video Access Center’s AATC program, and brings nationally renowned personalities to southeast Louisiana.