How to save, stores and access your video and audio files in the Media Center

Annenberg has a Media Asset Management system (MAM) for storing all of our video and audio files. These media files are stored in our FORK Production Server. As a student you are responsible for managing your own storage. We strongly suggest that you backup all files onto a personal external hard drive.

FORK is how you access the MAM while you are on one of the MC computers (on site).

• Xchange is how you access the MAM via the cloud from your personal laptop or from an off-site location. (remote)

• External Hard Drive is where you keep all your raw footage and copies of finished work (personal).

FORK media storage is an important part of the Media Center workflow. FORK allows work that is being produced on site to be shared from one computer to another. FORK also connects to our studio control room playback system.

FORK is organized with folders for different media types. Make sure you transfer all the footage to the proper folder so you and others can find it.

Video: While working on Packages, SOT and VO’s for ATVN, raw media will be uploaded to FORK on the multi-edit room computers. All raw footage from the week will be erased on Friday. Only special assignment stories with Executive Producer authorization will be kept for longer periods of time. FORK is for MC production use only. Personal and class projects are not to be stored on FORK and need to be saved to your personal hard drive.

Only a Media Center Staff Member may delete footage from FORK.

Audio pieces for ARN and other MC projects will be archived to FORK as completed broadcasts.

Xchange is the Media Center’s Cloud MAM system for uploading, sharing, and analyzing clips. Students will be able to upload their work to share with faculty and other MC students for project collaboration.

Xchange is organized with bins that correspond to your personal media, Annenberg courses, and all other MC Programs. MC video and audio files are categorized by:

• Raw Source – Unedited media and rough drafts. You may also use this to submit raw footage to the MC remotely. Raw footage for class assignments should be stored on your personal external hard drive.

• Finished Edit – Completed Packages, SOT and VO’s ready to be used in a broadcast production.

• Broadcasted – Final shows which will include intros and graphical elements. These files can be subclipped and downloaded for your resume.

Use Xchange to submit remote packages from the field and class assignments for use in a Media Center production.

• Stories must be approved by the EP’s or Faculty Advisors

• After approval an MC Production Supervisor will move the file from Xchange to the FORK MAM.

• All clips should have adjusted audio.

• Video sequences should include 10 seconds of pad at the end.

• Please do not include lower third graphics on video packages.

External Hard Drive is your personal storage for keeping class assignments and raw footage. As a student, you are responsible for managing your own storage. We strongly suggest that you also backup all finished work from FORK onto your personal hard drive. Never rely on computers and drives in the MC for permanent storage.

Note: Impact has a unique media storage workflow. Refer to its separate documentation.

About This Site

This is a resource hub to help student reporters at the Annenberg Media Center.

If you’re new to the Media Center, check out this one-page guide to see what it’s all about.

Contact the Media Center

Media Center Director, Professor Christina Bellantoni
bellanto@usc.edu

Annenberg Media Executive Editor, Tess Patton
tepatton@usc.edu

Annenberg Media Assignment Desk:
(213) 740-3847

For equipment-related issues:
(213) 740-5739
ascequip@usc.edu
annenbergtechops.com