News from the Mesa County Libraries 970West Studio
March 2023
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Whether you’re creating a music video, documentary, short film, or just laying down hot fire for your next insta reel, the best videos draw viewers inside and make them forget they are watching something on a screen. Because humans are always breathing, fidgeting, and making small movements, a video that is extremely stationary will feel unnatural, stiff, and uncomfortable. Breathe some life into your next video with the 970West Studio’s new CAME-TV Skater Dolly!
With 8 straight rails and 12 curved rails, our dolly track offers a variety of configurations that fit perfectly in the 970West Studio Live Room. The aircraft-grade aluminum rails are sturdy, but light and easy to maneuver. Strong, magnetic connectors make setting up the rails a quick and painless process, so you can start filming right away.
The 12-wheel dolly self-adjusts as it glides along the track, creating smooth, feathered motion throughout the shot. Where does the camera go? Funny you should ask. Go ahead and mount your favorite camera to your favorite tripod. Attach your whole rig (tripod and all) to the dolly base, lock the tripod legs in place, and voilà–you’re ready to roll!
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Discover what the 970West Studio staff have been reading, watching, and listening to. |
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Jason's Pick:
"Anyone listening to this selection should try to envision himself floating on an ocean of [Satchidananda's] love, which is literally carrying countless devotees across the vicissitudes and stormy blasts of life to the other shore.” – Alice Coltrane
As the world grows more and more intense with each passing day, a nicely chilled drone begins to sound better and better. No, not the kind of drone flying over a celebrity wedding. A musical drone. A meditative, extended note that never changes, yet constantly fluctuates in subtle, calming ways. Kind of like when you leave your electric toothbrush on for long periods of time.
On Alice Coltrane’s masterpiece of Spiritual Jazz, Journey in Satchidananda, that sweet, sweet drone is supplied by a truly unique instrument of Indian origin called a tanpura, also known as tambura or tanpuri. When mixed with Alice Coltrane’s celestial harp mastery and Pharoah Sanders’ slithering saxophone lines, the effect is meditative and mildly psychedelic. OK, maybe more than mildly psychedelic.
Even if you have never heard Alice Coltrane’s brand of oceanic music, your favorite modern dronesters have. San Francisco Drone Metal sleepy kings, OM, have cited Alice Coltrane as a strong influence on their style. And those infamous, ritualistic eardrum smashers, SUNN 0)))), even have a song called Alice on their 2009 album, Monoliths & Dimensions.
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Katelyn's Pick:
"Axiom's End" is a science fiction novel written by Lindsay Ellis, published in 2020. The book is set in the year 2007 and follows the story of Cora Sabino, a young woman who discovers a secret government cover-up involving an extraterrestrial species.
Throughout the novel, Ellis explores themes of family, trust, and communication, as well as the ethical implications of first contact with an alien species. "Axiom's End" is a captivating and thought-provoking read that will appeal to fans of science fiction and those interested in the potential ramifications of extraterrestrial life.
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Denise's Pick:
In the opening scene of Inhabitants, we meet 200th generation Hopi farmer Michael Kotutwa Johnson as he beams at hundreds of tiny bean sprouts that are starting to poke out of arid, Arizona soil. Johnson says, “In the Hopi tradition, these [beans] are our children. So today is a good day because I’m a daddy.” These seeds will be farmed in the desert without irrigation, using one-fifth the amount of water as conventionally-farmed seeds. By saving and replanting seeds from each harvest, as his family has done for thousands of years, Johnson continually supports each crop to become more resistant to drought, heat, and other climate variables. Inhabitants features people of all ages from five intentional communities on present-day United States soil. Each community demonstrates a remarkable resilience to climate change. All of them are indigenous. All use traditional practices as a way to care for the environment, to care for themselves, and to care for the future.
In Browning, Montana, members of the Blackfeet Reservation have been working to restore once-decimated native buffalo herds. On their native soil, buffalo require far less water than domesticated (imported) cattle; they are much more cold-hardy, and they don’t overgraze. They are native to the land, they fit in partnership with the land, and they intuitively know how to live with the land so it will be healthy when they pass through again. The significance of buffalo is much deeper than a matter of livestock or land management though. The relationship between Blackfeet and buffalo is illustrated by a wall of sticky notes posted beneath the question: “What do iinnii [buffalo] make you feel?” One sticky note has a child’s drawing of a buffalo with the words “Strong. Health. Helpful. Faith.” Another child wrote, “I love them.” And another, “They feel like myself.” Clear and well-documented parallels between environments and inhabitants are beginning to emerge in scientific communities. But much of what the studies tell us, indigenous people have always known, practiced, and taught. Like the child said, the buffalo feel like self.
What would happen if the world was full of people like Michael Kotutwa Johnson, or the young member of the Blackfeet Reservation, who honor local plants, animals, and other people as they honor their own families, or themselves? I hope you enjoy Inhabitants as much as I have! I hope it inspires us all to be wise and patient stewards of our environments, to be thoughtful listeners and observers, and to pay all of our blessings forward. Finally, if you have a story that needs to be shared, come check out a camera kit, or make it happen at 970West Studio!
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Take a 970West Studio class!
Most classes require advance registration. Click the links to register.
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970West Studio Orientation
Take the first step toward using the 970West Studio. Orientation classes last an hour. Registration is NOT required.
The next 970West Studio Orientation takes place:
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Studio Q&A
Explore the 970West Studio as we offer Orientations and have staff available to answer your multimedia production questions.
Assistance is offered on a first-come, first-served basis. In-depth/additional questions may require a future Book a Librarian appointment if others are waiting.
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Studio Q&A takes place at the following times:
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Camera Kit Basics
If you’re interested in checking out one of Mesa County Libraries’ camera kits, but don’t know where or how to get started, this class is for you! We will cover the basics of camera care, lens attachment, manual/automatic settings, ISO, lens apertures, and focus adjustments. This class, along with a valid Mesa County Libraries card and a little inspiration, will have you creating amazing photos in no time! |
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Intro to Digital Cameras
This introductory class for budding photographers will explore the "Exposure Triangle": the camera's ISO, aperture, and shutter speed. The goal of this class is for attendees to understand and be comfortable with the buttons, dials, and settings of digital cameras, and to see how they all work together to record an image.
Patrons are encouraged to bring their own digital camera to this class for hands-on practice. Studio cameras will be available for those not bringing a camera.
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Introduction to Digital Cameras takes place at 4 p.m. Tuesday, April 25. Seating is limited, and registration is required. |
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Photo Restoration Basics
Learn how to preserve and repair your old or deteriorating photographs using Adobe Photoshop. In this course you will learn how to improve color and fix ripped, scratched, stained, and torn photos. Participants are welcome to bring their own scanned photograph to use during the class but will need to bring an external storage device, such as a USB flash drive, to do so.
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Photo Restoration Basics takes place at Noon Friday, April 28. Seating is limited, and registration is required.
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Podcast Production
Podcasting is a great way to get your story out there! Join us at 970West Studio, where we will go over microphone choice, multitrack recording, signal processing, mixing, and file exporting.
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Green Screen 1.0: Assembly
Let's build a green screen! Explore all the components of the 970West Studio's Green Screen Kit. Students will practice setting up the kit, learn basic green screen theory, and explore common pitfalls and their solutions. Depending on time and interest, students may have an opportunity to practice recording footage with the green screen. Each month, we will explore different layouts and techniques; so students are encouraged to attend multiple times.
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Green Screen 1.0: Assembly takes place:
Seating is limited, and registration is required.
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Green Screen 2.0: Chroma Key
Learn the methods used to remove a video's background and replace it with a different image or video. In this hands-on class, we will explore the process of using a green screen, including video capture and the post-production process known as chroma key. Participants are welcome to bring digital images to use during class, provided that these images are saved on a USB storage device prior to class. This class is ongoing, so keep coming back for more fun (and learning)!
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Green Screen 2.0: Chroma Key takes place:
Seating is limited, and registration is required.
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Introduction to Video Editing
In this hands-on course, learn the fundamentals of video editing using Adobe Premiere, a program included in the Adobe Creative Cloud. Participants will learn how to import video clips into the editor, edit clips inside the editor for improved playback, and export video projects so you can share them to your favorite online video-sharing websites. Sample footage will be provided, but participants may also bring a USB storage device with their own footage. This course is ongoing, so keep coming back to develop your skills!
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Audio Production
Let’s get weird! Are the beats and bass lines of traditional beat making a bit too structured for you? Are you searching for a sound, your own sound, that doesn't live on today's popular playlists? Come to an Audio Alchemy session and explore some experimental soundscapes with us!
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We'll primarily use Alchemy, a sound module included with Logic Pro X, but other ingredients like real-world sampling and vocal chopping may be on the menu. A basic knowledge of Mac OS and music production is strongly recommended. Attend multiple times for best results!
Seating is limited, and registration is required.
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Intro to Art Digitization
This introductory class will familiarize you with the necessary equipment and fundamentals to digitize your two-dimensional works of art using the 970West Studio.
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The 970West Mic Locker
Explore the collection of microphones available at 970West Studio! In this beginner-friendly class we will review fundamentals of sound, learn about different types of microphones and their features, and practice the basic mechanics of setting up microphones and mic accessories.
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Additional technology resources are available on our Technology Guide: Tutorials and Classes page. T here you will find printable class handouts, basic tech help for your computer or mobile device, and a selection of tutorials. Still not finding what you're looking for? Fill out a Book a Librarian form to receive one-on-one instruction for your tech-related topic.
All studio classes take place at the 970West Studio, 502 Ouray Ave., across from the Central Library in downtown Grand Junction.
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Follow the 970West Studio on Instagram |
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Follow @970west_studio on Instagram for regular posts about all things 970WestStudio. |
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A NOTE TO READERS
You are receiving this e-newsletter because you are a patron of Mesa County Libraries and/or the 970West Studio.
- The 970West Studio email newsletter is sent monthly (with occasional special editions) to patrons to keep you informed about what's happening at the studio and your local library.
- The library values your privacy and will not share your email address or other information with anyone.
- You can update your library e-newsletter subscriptions by visiting the "Update Profile" link at the bottom of this newsletter.
- You can also remove yourself from all library e-newsletter lists by visiting the "Unsubscribe" link at the bottom of this newsletter.
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Contact Mesa County Libraries at 970-243-4442 or visit mesacountylibraries.org |
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