What is a pop shield?

Sometimes called a Pop Filter a pop shield is a device to decrease the amount of hiss, crackle and poping you hear on recordings. At least some of these are caused by the person speaking into the mic and due to the shape of their mouths causes burst of air to hit the mic and create a pop noise. This is called plosives to see what I mean hold a piece of paper close to your face and speak, two things will occur occasionally you will accidentally spit on the paper but also the paper will move by varying amounts depending the sound you are making.

Professional pop shields do an amazing job at reducing pops without to much loss of high frequencies but they can be a little costly, and so if your on a budget or a hurry I present the cheap skates version and in true Blue Peter fashion you will need….

• A Pair of tights (If you don’t wear tights Your wife, spouse, girlfriend, mum will no doubt have a laddered pair the laddering does not cause significant issue)
• Some Cardboard
• Metal wire, or plastic ring

Make a pop shield out of tights

The pictures are self explanatory, but take the tights and place them over your wire or plastic frame, then create a stand with the cardboard.

Hopefully this may help a few Podcasters out there, but remember nothing is a substitute for a quiet room and a half decent microphone. Back to the SEO I guess

Serious Side

Chroma keying is expensive if done properly with the software alone costing several thousand pounds before you get to the hardware lights etc. To help offset the cost we offer other companies the opportunity to come down and join us in getting their own promotional bits filmed and edited. If you are a UK company/group and need some chroma key work done this maybe a great opportunity to get professional level work done on a budget.
The results are:

• Alpha channel video suitable for use in video editing software
• Transparent FLV with suitable embedding code for use on the web

Cambridge New Media Services will provide the film equipment, and production editing team but it will be the business responsibility to bring any cast needed. We can put you in touch with aspiring actors and actresses if needed.
If your interested in joining us on the day to get some filming done along with the follow up editing then please get in touch via my form and I will send you the details and the cost.

Fun side & Learning bits

In addition to the serious part of the day which of course takes precedent we offer a more fun training session for people to come down have some fun learn about the process and film a short clip for themselves along with the editing side of things. There is a small cost mainly to cover insurance but particularly for students or people who are interested in digital video techniques this is a great day out. If you would be interested in joining the crew again get in touch and I will send you details.

So what do we do

The day consists of

• Meet and greet plus volunteer safety talk
• Setting up the location, introducing the green or blue background, lighting, camera and audio equipment
• Filming the business shots
• Demonstration of the software being used

Lunch

• While the editing team gets on editing the business shots, volunteers are given the chance to record their own shots
• As editing equipment becomes available volunteers can edit and produce their shots under guidance
• Star Wars finish – day finishes with some fun demo’s and shots based on Star Wars

Pub

The date hasn’t been confirmed still waiting on the venue we have run similar things in the past with great success with everyone having a good day, business get professional edits for a fraction of their normal cost and individuals get the chance to come along pick up new skills and enjoy themselves.

Legal bits
Some general bits you got to be over 16, if you suffer from epilepsy/ fits or have a pace maker please let us know in advance. Businesses have priority over volunteer filming any additional filming is done after they are finished. Volunteers must be available for safety briefing, and please if you are planning on coming do so for the whole day. There is no specific finishing time but the facilities will be available till the team go home.