At the beginning of the Fall 2024 semester, the CIRT Creative Team is changing how we accept multimedia project requests, particularly for Studio usage. We are transitioning from the Microsoft Bookings scheduler to an online form to enhance our processes, improve media quality, and shorten turnaround times.
Previously, faculty used Microsoft Bookings to reserve Studio time and contacted us directly for video projects filmed outside the Studio.
Beginning August 16th, we will update our website to direct faculty to the new form and disable the Bookings scheduler. Faculty will use the new form to request any multimedia project, including:
- Studio services
- Greenscreen
- Lightboard
- Audio & Video podcasts (individuals and small groups)
- Studio portraits
- Video streaming (YouTube, Zoom, etc)
- On-location media support
- Events and guest speakers
- Lab experiments
- Interviews
- Class presentations
- Audio (PA) support
Why the change?
Microsoft Bookings lacked the necessary features for our booking system, leading to double bookings and overbookings. Additionally, managing different studio configurations on the same day was challenging. The new form allows us to schedule the Studio more efficiently and plan configuration changes in advance.
Furthermore, the previous system often resulted in bookings being made without sufficient project planning. The form-based system encourages more thoughtful consideration of project goals and desired outcomes before reserving studio time.
Benefits of the New Process
Our goal for the new, formed-based process is to improve the project quality and shorten turnaround times. By partnering with faculty from the start, we can offer our media expertise right from the planning stage. An adage in the media production world goes, “A minute in pre-production (planning) will save an hour in production and post-production.”
The new form will also simplify requests for on-location and mixed-location (Studio and on-location) projects. Some projects are filmed in the Studio and on location. For example, we may work on a video with interviews filmed in the Studio, activities and cover video recorded on location, and a voiceover recorded in our recording booth. The new process allows us to schedule all these elements simultaneously.
Implementation and Support
Two Creative Team members will monitor the form and respond to requests within two business days. Faculty with shorter projects that require no editing can email us directly without filling out the form. However, depending on your project, we may still ask many of the questions included in the form.
The Creative Team’s new form-based process, starting August 18th, will streamline multimedia project requests and scheduling, ensuring higher quality media and faster turnaround times. By focusing on pre-production planning, we seek to enhance collaboration and efficiency. This change will also help simplify requests for complex projects.
If you have questions or comments, please contact Dave (david.wilson@unf.edu) and Niam (niam.jones@unf.edu).
