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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 immediate use.
• Individuals will receive 100% attention as opposed to being one of many students in a classroom.
• Many students taking classes at schools (which are 8 hours long for several days), frequently describe it as trying to get a drink of water from a fire hose. Private training allows you to 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, and savings greatly increase when two or more students share a session.
• The minimum training session is 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.

    
Do I have to commit to taking several sessions in advance?

No. Book one session, get a sense of the pace that works best for you and then go from there. I'm sensitive to people's budgets, and I'm happy to provide you with some strategies for making your training budget go further as well.
     

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. I feel some of my stengths are getting new users up and running quickly with Avid Media Composer while providing them with a solid understanding as to the logic of the system, in addition to helping intermediate users grow by revealing many of the system's shortcuts, features and capabilities.
       

Do you teach any other applications?

Yes. While I am not an Adobe certified instructor, I do teach introductory courses in Photoshop and After Effects at the American Film Institute, and have provided introductory training to individuals as well.
      

Can I get hands-on practice while you are present?

It's always up to you. I encourage my clients to let me know what pace works best for them, to ask as many questions as they need and to request hands-on practice any time, and for as much time, as they need or want. Practicing with me present affects the amount of topics covered within a session. I'm conscious that the client is paying for every minute and I always want to make sure they get the most out of each session that's reasonably possible.
   

How does private training typically work?

Training can be customized to suit your needs, though here are some common scenarios:

1. An individual books the minimum four hour long session to concentrate on the priorities from their prepared list of topics. If after four hours they feel like they would like some additional time within that session, it is billed in 1/2 hour increments. Future sessions can be arranged at any time.
2. An individual forsees requiring several sessions so as to be able to cover a larger range of topics at a comfortable pace. They book one session and get the feel of things before deciding if they would like to book additional sessions.
3. A corporate client books one or more four hour sessions of customized training for their editorial team.
4. A corporate client books one or more full days of customized training for their editorial team. Generally, concurrent days are scheduled.

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", 2.5 GHz Intel Quad Core i7 MacBook Pro
- 8 GB RAM
- The latest version of Avid Media Composer
- Anti-glare screen
- Peripheral mouse
            
        
       
         
        
          

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

Policies:
      

• The minimum training session is four (4) hours for one flat fee. The fee for each session is based on how many students are being trained, if extensive set-up is required prior to the training session(s), travel costs and travel time (outside the L.A. area only). Aditional time within a session is billed in 1/2 hour increments.
   

• 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.
    

• Training does not include any materials such as books or completion certificates.
    

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

© 1997 Benjamin Hershleder