23 October 2024

Creating a first class school setup

Renaldo Lawrence is a content creator at the Glyn School in Surrey, UK. He talks to Atomos about his go-to setup creating innovative and high-quality resources within a dynamic school environment.

By Atomos

In recent years, advancements in technology have modernised learning in schools, changing the way teachers deliver their lesson plans. Where we once pictured a conventional classroom with whiteboards and text books, has now progressed into a hybrid work environment with new, complementary online tools available. Today, video creation is an essential part of a child’s education, whether it’s learning by means of online tutorials, interactive materials or other video-based resources.

As someone with a life-long passion for helping people learn, coupled with many years’ teaching experience, Renaldo Lawrence is just one of many educators who is striving to make a difference. His role as a content creator for Glyn School, a comprehensive secondary school near London, sees him work alongside fellow staff members and students to craft personalised lessons and learning materials. “Traditional, one-size-fits-all teaching methods are becoming outdated as educators recognise the different needs, learning styles, and interests of their students,” he shared.

In what can be a varied role, a typical day for Renaldo involves creating digital content such as videos, activities, and other learning tools to support children with their education. “Whether it’s breaking down complex ideas into digestible information, or providing clear explanations, seeing students’ knowledge and confidence grow is what makes this profession fulfilling,” he enthused.

With many formats to choose from, Renaldo reveals that creating video content is noticeably more convenient, with students able to access resources at the click of a button. “Many students today are visual learners, and video is the perfect medium to demonstrate concepts, processes, or techniques that are harder to explain by using text or words. They also enable me to reach a broader audience as they can be shared easily across social media platforms or learning management systems,” he explained.

“The Ninja’s a reliable tool for filming events around the school, which is crucial as the day consists of five different one-hour lessons.”

To begin with, Renaldo filmed projects using only his Canon R5C camera, however he soon realised he could benefit from further features, including a larger display to view footage, as well as the ability to record in ProRes RAW. “I needed a user-friendly device that could support shooting in ProRes. I often work with ProRes 422 as I believe this results in a higher quality output, which is crucial for the professional work I do. It offers a level of compression that keeps file sizes smaller than uncompressed video.”

Renaldo opted for the Atomos Ninja external monitor-recorder to enhance the capabilities of the R5C. “Like all content creators, I look for top-tier production tools at an affordable price. I leaned towards Atomos for the excellent value their products offer.”

Filming within a school often presents its challenges – a lively classroom filled with teachers and students means that it’s almost impossible to capture an event without some sort of interruption or delay. In these cases, Renaldo relies on the Ninja to capture the events at close-range, first time around. “The Ninja’s precise colour accuracy allows me to film intricate science experiments, while its recording capabilities ensure that every aspect of school life is beautifully documented,” he added.

The ability to swiftly transition between capturing bright and airy classrooms to low-light, narrow hallways, means Renaldo is fully equipped to handle the diverse shooting conditions. Pairing the portable Ninja monitor with Canon 28-70 and 85mm lenses helps reduce baggage and allows for quick transportation to withstand the rigours of a busy school setting. “The Ninja’s size and durability allows for easy setup in different locations without compromising performance. It’s a reliable tool for filming events around the school, which is crucial as the day consists of five different one-hour lessons.”

After shooting his footage, Renaldo cuts with Adobe Premiere Pro. Using the Ninja to film in ProRes not only improves image quality, but it also makes the whole editing process much smoother. “Since using ProRes, I noticed faster rendering and quicker export times, which is ideal when I’m working to a tight deadline,” he noted.

Overall, Renaldo’s extended setup has enabled him to continue doing what he enjoys most – creating interactive and informative materials to benefit others. “For me, the bottom line is to try and make the world a better place for all the students and parents I am engaged with. I absolutely love what I do, and Atomos’ products have helped create lasting memories for everyone at Glyn School.”

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