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What are the benefits of private training?

• Private training allows the training to come to you, rather than you to the training. Benjamin provides training at homes, offices and post production facilities in the Los Angeles area as well as anywhere in the U.S. or abroad. Why have yourself or your staff learn with a different system or facility set-up than which you/they will be using?
• Benjamin is an instructor with understanding of, or background in, all phases of production and post production who can help to tie concepts and techniques together within a particular editing situation or across an entire production. This is a major component missing from canned training available online, on DVD or in a school setting with a set curriculum.
• Whether it's during the workday, after working hours or on weekends, private training can take place on your schedule, rather than a school's.
• Private training allows for customization of topics based on your specific needs and goals, rather than having to attend a course that may contain topics of which you are already familiar or are of no use.
• Individuals will receive 100% attention as opposed to being one of many students in a classroom.
• Learn at whatever pace suits you best.
• Ask questions whenever you want to. Further, you will be able to ask questions related to your unique situation or workflow. DVDs and online training can repeat the demonstration of a tool or technique, but they are unable to provide additional context for different editing situations or clarification of use through analogies and alternate demonstration methods.
• Learn with the most current release of the software. As you compare your training options, be sure to inquire what version they have installed and what hardware you'll be using.
• Private training is available for individuals or groups.

    
What is the cost for private training?

• In the Los Angeles area, other training companies' rates range from $125 per hour and up, per student. However, my rates for private, on-site training are highly competitive in comparison, with savings of 28% at minimum and savings greatly increasing with additional students within a session. Further, for those seeking complete Avid Certified courses, I add no mark-up on Avid Certified training materials.
• The minimum training session is up to four (4) hours for one flat fee. The fee for each session is based on how many students are being trained and if extensive set-up is required prior to the training session(s).
• Additional time, beyond the initial four hours of each session, is billed in half-hour increments.
• As rates are dependent on a variety of factors, please contact me with details of your needs and goals and I'll be happy to provide you with a quote.
• Payment is due upon completion of each session in cash, check, or money order.

  
Are you an Avid Certified Instructor?

Yes. I've been teaching Avid since 1995 and have been an Avid Certified Instructor since 1997. If you'd like more information about my experience as a private instructor for companies such as NBC, PBS, Disney Feature Animation, Granada Television, etc., or as an Adjunct Professor at institutions such as The American Film Institute, UCLA Extension, University of Central Florida Film Division and others, please review my teaching resume. My background also includes experience as an award-winning Editor and Director.

 
What areas of Avid operation do you teach?

I teach introductory through advanced Avid editing as well as introductory and intermediate Avid effects.

  
Do students have to take an entire Avid Certified Course?

No. You may elect to take a certified course, which includes an Avid certified course book and an Avid Certificate of Course Completion, or you may choose to focus only on topics specific to your needs. An Avid certified course ranges from 16 hours to 40 hours of instruction, including student hands-on lab time. For each certified course, Avid Technology, Inc. charges a $125 fee for each student receiving the corresponding Avid certified course book and Certificate of Course Completion. I do not mark-up this fee. Additional policies regarding Avid certified course materials are below.

 
What topics are covered in the Avid Certified Courses you teach?

Avid certified courses include instruction as well as hands-on lab time (with the instructor present) to ensure that concepts and techniques can be better absorbed and solidified. Course curriculum is currently being restructured by Avid's Education Division. However, here are details on the courses as they are provided at this time:

• MC101 – Editing with Avid Media Composer » (3 days)
• MC110 – Introduction to Avid Media Composer Effects » (2 days)
• MC201 – Advanced Techniques for Avid Media Composer » (2 days)
• MC305 – Advanced Avid Media Composer Effects » (4 days)
• Please note: For each certified course, Avid Technology, Inc. charges a $125 fee for each student receiving the corresponding Avid certified course book and Certificate of Course Completion. I do not mark-up this fee. Additional policies regarding Avid certified course materials are below.

   
What software & equipment will I train on?

• I can train you using your Avid system(s), running any release of the software. I am familiar with Avid software and hardware dating back as far as 1994. Additional fees may apply depending on the extent of pre-session set-up at your facility.
• If being trained with my system, you will learn on the most current release of Avid software. As you compare your training options, be sure to inquire what version they have installed and what hardware you'll be using.
• I can provide training utilizing my portable system, which consists of the following:

 
   
- 17", 2.93GHz Intel Core 2 Duo MacBook Pro Unibody
- The latest version of Avid Media Composer software.
- Peripheral mouse
      
   
   

       
- An Avid Media Composer keyboard cover ensures that you become familiar with the default keyboard layout.

Policies:
      

• The minimum training session is up to four (4) hours for one flat fee. The fee for each session is based on how many students are being trained and if extensive set-up is required prior to the training session(s).
    

• A non-refundable deposit of $50 per student is required to officially book each session. A session is not considered booked unless a deposit has been received. The deposit is applied to the total fee of each session.
    

• Cancellations must occur at least 72 hours in advance in order to have the deposit applied to a rescheduled session.
    

• Training can take place at your home, office, facility or location of your choosing. I do not provide training out of my home or office.
    

• Payment is due at the completion of each session in cash, check or money order.
    

• Payment for Avid certified course books and corresponding Certificates of Completion must be made at least two weeks prior to the first session in order to ensure they are available for the training sessions. There are no refunds on unused materials as they can not be returned to Avid Technology once purchased. Avid Technology allows the sale of certified course materials only in conjunction with Avid certified courses. If training is cancelled at any time following the purchase of course materials, the unused materials can not be provided to the client as per the ACI agreement with Avid Technology, and fees for the purchase of these materials can not be refunded.
   
       

© 1997 Benjamin Hershleder