T356 Key Graphic Exercise

Summary: In lab you'll use Adobe Photoshop to create a keyable title or lower third TV graphic for your Demonstration Video. You'll upload two copies to Oncourse (your original PSD and a PNG) and then go to the Studio 5 Control room, import the PNG into the Chyron, save it as a message and view it on the monitor.

Details: Your graphic can be the title for your Demonstration Video or a keyable lower third. Regardless, it needs to contain at least one image and at least two different (separate) uses of text. It should also adhere to Jim's Graphic Guidelines. After making the graphic in lab, save two copies (your original PSD and a PNG) into our Oncourse resources folder called "Graphic Excercise." Then go to Studio 5 and import it into the Chyron. After importing it into the Chyron, save it as a message and see how it looks keyed over something.

Directions:

• Start off by using Photoshop's "Film & Video" preset, "HDTV 1080p/29.97". This will put you in the right color space (RGB), provide the right pixel dimensions (1920 x 1080), give you safe text & action guides.
• Consider the most appropriate color scheme, visual treatment, and layout for your subject.
• Create your graphic
• Save your original PSD file often (as your username)
• When you are finished, save two copies (the original PSD and the PNG) into our Oncourse "Graphics Exercise" folder. BE SURE THEY ARE BOTH SAVED AS YOUR USERNAME. (Feel free to save a copy onto your own Flash drive.)
• Go to Studio 5
  • Copy your PNG onto a USB/flash memory stick.
  • Import into Chyron (Import graphic)
  • Save as a Chyron file into the T356/messages folder.
  • Call up the graphic on the switcher
  • How does it look?

Make sure your graphic meets the following criteria:

• Clearly communicates your message, such as providing the title and what your show has to offer the viewer.
• Contain an image within the graphic (for example if you are making a title for a music show you could incorporate an image of a guitar).
• Contain at least two different uses of text (title, host, topic, etc.)
• Meet the technical and aesthetic constraints of a video graphic. (Right file type, proper pixel dimensions, uses the safe text area, attractive appearance, easy to read text elements, etc.)

If you are unsure about what makes a good TV graphic, read Jim's graphic tips.

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