Television and Video Production Training

for individuals, businesses, broadcasters, schools, and other groups

INTRODUCTION:


Hello, my name is Doug Jensen and I’ve been working in the television and video production industry for more than three decades. Do you need some help learning a new camera? Want to improve your shooting skills? Want to learn to light and shoot interviews, as if you worked for 60 Minutes? Are you having trouble mastering your editing system or post-production workflow? Do you need assistance writing, producing, or directing corporate videos? If you answered yes to any of these questions, I am here to help you.

 

More and more companies and individuals are realizing that the quickest and best results are often achieved through customized one-on-one or small-group training. Personal training is extremely efficient because we can skip over topics that you’ve already mastered and concentrate on the areas where you need the most help. I can take you to the next level.

 

In short, I specialize in helping people like yourself flatten the learning curve required to master new equipment, production techniques, software, and workflows that might take you weeks or months to learn on your own. Every custom training session I do is different, because everyone’s needs are different.

 

 

 

CUSTOM TRAINING TO MEET YOUR NEEDS:

 

How-to books, training videos, and workshops can only go so far — eventually we all reach the point where we need one-one-training and mentoring to get us to the next level.   To fill that need, I offer very efficient private consulting, training, and mentoring sessions that can be tailored for your unique needs. My service begins with a no-obligation phone call consultation that allows us to discuss your needs, evaluate your strengths and weakness, and determine if my training is a good fit for you.

 

 

ON-SITE TRAINING AT YOUR LOCATION:

 

Rather than sending people to attend a workshop at a remote location, on-site training is a flexible, cost-effective option that allows me to train as many or as few employees as you need all at once.  And by coming to your place of business, I'll have the opportunity to get a better understanding of your current production workflow, equipment resources, skill levels, and types of content being created.  Face-to-face sessions are an incredibly efficient way to learn, and they allow everyone the opportunity to ask questions and get immediate feedback while we’re working shoulder-to-shoulder.  Another major benefit of on-site training is that your employees can remain productive at your location while they are learning.  Naturally I am always available for follow-up training and ongoing support after a custom training session has been completed.

 

 

REMOTE TRAINING AND CONSULTING:

 

If travel is an issue, or you just need a few hours of help . . . no problem.  I can consult with you at your convenience via telephone or Skype.

 

 

CLIENTS:

 

My clients range from complete beginners to highly respected professionals who want to keep ahead of the game — but don’t have the time to learn new equipment or production techniques on their own. I have taught private and small-group workshops for TMZ, PepsiCo, FedEx, Dateline NBC, The Today Show, Ithaca College, DMA at Fort Meade, National Reconnaissance Office (NRO), Kentucky Educational  Television, Veterans Affairs (Orlando and West Virginia), Indiana University, Oklahoma University, North Carolina State, B&H, Sony, Litepanels, Abel Cine, U.S. government intelligence agencies, and others.  I am also a member of the faculty at Maine Media Workshops, where I teach several courses each year. My recent students have included employees of UPS, US Army, Vanguard, US Air Force, Dept. of Veterans Affairs, and numerous production company owners and freelancers.   (References available upon request.)

 

As a Sony Ambassador, I have worked for them at NAB each year since 2007, and frequently teach  workshops for tehem around the United States and in other countries, including Japan, where I have been sent by Sony to consult with their product development engineers.

 

 

ABOUT ME:

 

I have more than 40 years of experience in the Film and Television industry and I enjoy being involved in all facets of production. Currently I work as freelance director of photography and I'm the owner of Vortex Media, a production company that specializes in the production of training videos, documentaries, and all types of corporate productions.  Although my main area of expertise is camera-work, I'm a multi-skilled technician with extensive knowledge of cameras, lighting, sound, writing, directing, grading, and video editing.

 

Since 2006 I’ve been producing my own line of training videos and camcorder field guides, as well as teaching workshops on the topics of interview lighting, high-definition video cameras, and digital photography.  My teaching focuses on providing practical information and techniques that are foolproof and simple for anyone to put into practice.

 

  • Sony PXW-Z750
  • Sony FX6
  • Sony a1
  • Sony PXW-Z280
  • Sony PXW-Z90
  • Sony PMW-F55
  • Sony PXW-FS7
  • Sony PXW-Z150 & NX100
  • Panasonic S1H mirrorless cinema camera
  • DaVinci Resolve setup and workflow for grading Sony RAW and S-LOG footage
  • Consulting and evaluation prior to equipment purchases
  • Systems integration
  • Transitioning to 4K from HD - production and workflows
  • High-Frame-Rate shooting techniques
  • Shooting news magazine style interviews -- with an emphasis on LED lighting
  • Script writing and production management
  • Working with teleprompters
  • On-location shooting
  • Directing professional and non-professional talent
  • Audio recording techniques and equipment recommendations
  • Transitioning from automatic shooting modes to manual modes
  • Basic and advanced camera operation
  • Setting up and balancing tripods
  • The pros and cons of filters and other accessories
  • Depth-of-field control and lens selection
  • Creative White Balance
  • Understanding exposure and Zebra
  • Picture Profiles and Scene Files
  • Sony Catalyst Browser utility
  • Adobe Premiere CC
  • Adobe Encoder
  • Adobe Photoshop (for video graphics)
  • DaVinci Resolve
  • Microsoft Word (for script writing)
  • Apple Keynote

 

 

RATES:

 

Telephone and Skype sessions:
$105/hour.

 

On-site training without equipment:
$1300 per day (eight hours) plus any travel expenses.

 

On-site training with my equipment:
$1800 per day (eight hours) plus any travel expenses

 

 

CONTACT INFO:

 

Phone:  (401) 885-9731

 

My freelance website

 

Vortex Media's website

 

 

Join Doug Jensen at Maine Media Workshops for hands-on training and personal instruction.

The Art of Lighting and Shooting Interviews

July 31 to August 4, 2023

Writing & Producing Training Videos

June 26 to June 30 2023