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August 20, 2008
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The Hornbake Studio - bookshelf set.

There is one metered spot for crew parking. The loading dock can be seen in the distance.

Hornbake Library Map showing cable run and loading dock entrances.

Google map showing cable run and loading dock entrance. Click on the photo for a larger version.

Roadrunner ISDN Unit

The Roadrunner ISDN unit can handle any codec. Dial the number twice for best quality.

A closer view of the Roadrunner codec.

A closer view of the Roadrunner ISDN "codec" used at the University of Maryland.

A shot looking at the UM banner with pipe and drape background.

Education Dean Donna Wiseman being interviewed in the studio.

Education Dean Donna Wiseman being interviewed in the studio.

A closer shot of the bookshelf set - Hornbake studio, University of Maryland.

A closer look at the bookshelf set. Everything can be moved depending on the needs of the shoot.

Director's chairs in front of the UM banner in the Hornbake studio.

The Maryland banner with director's chairs. Pipe and drape provide the background.

Rt. 1 shot outside Hornbake Library

Sat crews can park here, next to Hornbake Library. A site survey makes sense if plans are to do lives.

The studio has been used for media days for faculty interviews on specific subjects - like Back-to-School.

The studio has been used for media day events for faculty interviews on specific subjects. Here WTOP's Kate Ryan talks with Maryland Education experts about Back-to-School issues.

This crew interviews University Spokesman Millree Williams outside the Turner Building on campus.

This crew interviews University Spokesman Millree Williams outside the Turner Building on campus.

The University of Maryland Windtunnel is another popular location for packages looking at the upcomming hurricane season.

A popular media location is our Glenn L. Martin Wind Tunnel - where reporters find out what it's like to report in hurricane-style winds.

Fire Tornados were a big story during the 2007 fire season

James Quintiere, associate professor of fire protection engineering, was a frequent guest of TV news shows in 2007, explaining the origin of "fire tornadoes" which wreaked havoc in Southern California.

The Smith Business School offers a fee-based live insert studio for their faculty experts.

The Smith Business School offers a fee-based live insert studio for their faculty experts.

UMTV Set

Current Acting Journalism Dean Lee Thornton on the UMTV set with University President Dr. Dan Mote.

Maryland's Video Production Unit has produced a number of award-winning videos, including one for the 150th anniversary of the school.

Maryland's Video Production Unit (shown with freelance crew and John Benedict Calvert impersonator) has produced a number of award-winning videos, including one for the University's 150th anniversary.


Hornbake Studio -- Media Information

H9N2 Avian Flu Strain Has Pandemic Potential

Back To School Experts - 2008 Edition

UM Wins International Robot Competition

UM's Fall Semester to Focus on All Aspects Of War

Highlighted News Items, August 15

College Presidents Seek Debate on Drinking Age
President Mote encourages debate on effective student alcohol policy, among 100 college presidents signing Amethyst Agreement. (Baltimore Sun)

Military Funds Mind-Reading Study
Linguist David Poeppel's research engages in research that "could someday lead to a gadget capable of translating the thoughts of soldiers who suffered brain injuries or even stroke patients." A $4M Army contract sponsors the research. (Associated Press)



University Initiatives


Hornbake Media Studio
University of Maryland

University Communications at the University of Maryland operates a news studio for media and oncampus use. We have been given approval for a fiber connect to AVOC - please see the "Future Plans" section below for more information. The studio aims to provide a way for our faculty and staff to showcase their expertise to local, national and international media. Faculty, staff and student groups may also book the studio for internal events, media training, oral histories and other media-related uses. There is no cost to use the studio for interviews or events involving Maryland experts. Questions? Contact Dave Ottalini, Senior Media Relations Associate at 301-405-4076.


Description | Hours of Operation | Booking the Studio | Access for Crews | Directions | Microwave/Satellite | ISDN Radio | Sets in the Studio | Electrical/AC | Cost | Future Plans |
Other Campus Locations / Live and Feed Points


Description:

The Hornbake Library studio is 34' long by 22.5' wide. There is a nearly 10' ceiling. Next to the entry door is a table with a Musicam (c) Roadrunner ISDN "codec" for broadcast-quality radio interviews. There is a TV set in the room hooked up to the campus cable system, a house phone (with speaker for long-distance interviews) and two outside analog lines for IFB and producer use. Cell phones do not work well in Nonprint Media or the studio. Wireless internet access is available throughout campus, including Hornbake Library, but we'll need to provide guest access for you. Let us know your needs! There is one Lowell light kit available but plan to bring your own equipment.

The "House" telephone number in the studio is 301-405-0151.
The analog numbers are 301-405-1570 and 301-405-1104.
(We do not have phones attached to the analog lines.)

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Hours of Operation

During the regular school year, Nonprint Media (where the studio is located) is open from 8 a.m. until 10 p.m. Monday-Thursday. Friday hours are 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. Weekends: Saturday Noon to 5 p.m. and Sunday from Noon until 10 p.m. There may be exceptions due to holidays and other events. Please ask when booking for availability or check this library website for more information.

SUMMER HOURS: During the summer (which starts shortly after Commencement in late May), there is reduced access during non-business hours or between summer sessions. Nonprint is closed on Saturdays and open 1 p.m. until 5 p.m. on Sundays. That said, we can coordinate access should you require times other than when Nonprint Media Services is normally open. Let us know what your needs are.

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Booking the Studio

We make it easy! All bookings for the Hornbake studio go through University Communications. We also specialize in helping you find a faculty or staff expert for the story you're working on. Call 301-405-4621 for more information. Note that we consider each request carefully and reserve the right to turn down requests for studio use.

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Access for Crews Bringing TV Equipment:

There is a loading dock at the back of Hornbake Library that is easily accessable from Regent's Drive (just off Campus Drive). It provides access to the same floor as the studio. There is only room for one car to park at the loading dock - at a metered spot opposite the loading dock. Please arrange with University Communications for a parking pass. Any other cars can offload gear at the loading dock, but must park either at Turner Hall ("The Dairy") or in the Union Lane Garage next to the Stamp Student Union (both are easy walks to Hornbake Library and the studio). Please see the Directions section below for more information.

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Directions

Get a campus map.

Via the main entrance to Hornbake Library:

Go through the main entrance (facing Hornbake Plaza ) and make an immediate left. Go down the stairs and through the glass doors into Nonprint Media. The reception desk will be on the left. The studio is kitty-corner to the reception desk at the far end of the floor - Room 0302HH. Go past the computers (on the right), turn right and go down the hallway. At the end of the hallway, go left almost to the end. The TV studio will be on the right - there's an "On Air" light mounted on the wall (see photo above).

Hornbake Library
main entrance (on the right through the collums). Note one of two submerged courtyards.
Walking to the entrance (to the right). Far underground
courtyard is just
ahead and to the left.
Stairs take you down into the courtyard (for cable runs or outdoor set use). The Hornbake Studio is a short walk from here inside through a glass door.

Via the Loading Dock:

To get to the loading dock at Hornbake Library, turn into Campus Drive off of Rt. 1 (also called Baltimore Ave.). You want to stay in the LEFT of the two lanes. Continue past the guard house and up towards the "M Circle." At the "M Circle" you will be turning RIGHT onto Regent's Drive. The Physics building will be on your right, Geology on your left. You will be making an almost immediate LEFT turn into an alley. You'll see a Maryland sign that says "Plant Sciences Dock / Hornbake Library Dock." This is where you'll want to turn left. Go up and to your left. The loading dock will be on the right, the parking place with a meter is on your left. You can offload your equipment at the dock (there is a ramp beyond the dock on the Campus Drive side of the building). A University Communications associate will meet you at the dock to get you into the building.

Campus Drive takes you to the M Circle. Turn RIGHT onto Regent's Drive. Turn LEFT into the alley from Regent's Drive. The Hornbake loading dock. Ramp is on the left.

Parking in the Union Lane Garage

Once on Campus Drive, go around the "M Circle" and up the hill past the Hornbake Library. As you continue, you will pass the Stamp Student Union. The Jim Henson and Kermit Statue will also be on your right. Just beyond the Student Union is Union Lane. Turn RIGHT and make an immediate LEFT into the Union Lane Garage. Hours of operation are 7:00a.m. to 1:45 a.m., seven days a week.  Current rates at this facility are $2.00 per hour, with a $10.00 per day maximum. Note if you pass Cole Field House, you've gone too far and will need to turn around to get back to the garage.

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Microwave/Satellite

Microwave is difficult to impossible from this location and is not recommended. Satellite trucks can park on the sidewalk off Campus Drive near Hornbake Library (the buildings are too high at the loading dock) but you should plan for a 200'+ cable run. You can get to the studio by running the cable down through the far courtyard (there are two) in front of the main entrance to Hornbake Library and then into the studio. A site survey is recommended if you want to use a satellite truck. Let us know and we'll be happy to set up a time that is convenient. Ultimately, with the planned fiber connect to AVOC, this option will not be necessary. We are happy to work with you if you want to use other locations on campus for live shots via microwave or sat truck.

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ISDN Radio Feeds

Our ISDN codec/mixer is a Musicam RoadRunner that "contains a full-featured monaural audio mixer with two microphone inputs and a third input switchable between microphone and line levels. The analog audio section also contains a wide array of outputs: two individually adjustable headphone outputs, plus two unbalanced and one balanced line level output." It can talk to virtually any codec you might have (we've done interviews with the BBC, NPR, and local stations). You can download the (PDF) manual if you need more information. We have two sports-style headsets with directional microphones as well, so that two guests can be interviewed at the same time with the same audio quality.

The ISDN telephone line is: 301-226-9927 (dial it twice for both lines). We request that media dial into our line - just let us know what the codec (the settings) needs to be so the ISDN equipment on both sides can talk to each other. Producers and control room engineers should call the "House" telephone in the studio at 301-405-0151.

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Sets in the Studio

The Hornbake studio features a bookshelf set in the far left corner of the room with three leather-bound (dark green) high-backed chairs, table, plants, flags, and other props that can be moved as desired. There are two director's chairs available as well. We have one Lowell light kit if needed, but crews should bring their own lighting at present.

A second "set" features a UM logoed white banner. Black drape stands behind the banner and flows around the right side wall to provide soundproofing and aesthetics. The drape may also be used for a backdrop if desired.

Note that while you are free to move things around in the studio, we appreciate knowing you will put everything back the way it was.

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Electrical/AC

There are multiple isolated "hospital grade" outlets around the studio. The room has air conditioning and heating that does make a low-level hum. It can not be turned off, as it is part of the Nonprint Media system. There is one switch to turn on and off all the lights in the room. There is also an "On Air" light on the outside of the studio.

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Cost

There is no cost to credentialed/legitimate media (including production companies working on programs for cable networks like Discovery) for using the studio so long as the interviews being done are with a student, faculty or staff member of the University of Maryland. Internally, colleges, units or student groups on campus may also reserve use of the studio for in-house video shoots, media events, oral histories, media training, production shoots, or other use. All requests for booking the studio must come through University Communications. Call 301-405-4621 for more information.

If you would like to use the studio (or any location on campus) but are not interviewing a University of Maryland student, faculty or staff member, there may be a charge. Please contact Administrative Assistant Pam Lloyd at 301-405-4621 for more information and a rate card.

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Future Plans
- AVOC Connectivitity Coming!

We are working to make this facility a professional studio that you can use for interviews and other productions as desired. Our main focus is to add connectivity via fiber from the studio to our head-end site on campus and then to the Verizon AVOC (Audio-Video Operations Center) switch in Washington, D.C. The university has approved this project - and we hope to have it ready by fall, 2008. Once completed, media can use the studio as a feed point, send interviews down the line real-time for taped or live interviews locally, via satellite or on the Vyvx fiber optic network (costs for signal switching and fiber optic prices will have to be negotiated directly with the carrier).

Producers can conduct interviews via speakerphone or use one of the analog lines with an IFB (not provided). We ultimately hope to provide additional lighting for the bookshelf set. We also hope to run a line out to an outdoor courtyard near the studio to provide an alternative outdoor set with connectivity (this is available for interviews now, however). We have also discussed the possibility of adding a green screen of some kind to the studio if there is enough call. Note there are no plans for a control room at the present time.

Another project already underway includes the installation of black ceiling tiles to reduce glare (done!), separate the lighting into two circuits (ability to turn off lights in one section or the other or both), paint the wall above the bookshelves black, and add a track for backlights above the bookshelf.

We welcome your comments, suggestions, even contributions to help make this studio as user friendly as possible. Contact Dave Ottalini, Senior Media Relations Associate, at 301-405-4076.

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Other Campus Locations /
Live and Feed Points / Resources
  • If the Hornbake Studio does not fit your needs, we have a number of other locations on campus that have just the look you want - just ask! For example, you may always use a faculty member's office for interviews so long as they invite you. Although our public areas are generally available for you to shoot B-Roll or conduct interviews or MOS interviews, we ask that you touch bases with University Communications first at 301-405-4621. You will need permission to go inside any University of Maryland building - something we can help you with. If you are looking for a University of Maryland site for your longer form news or movie production, you will need to contact Pam Lloyd at 301-405-4621 to discuss site surveys, contracts, etc. Please note that we consider each request for access and production shoots both outside and in carefully, in consultation with the affected entity, and access is not guaranteed.

  • The Robert H. Smith School of Business has its own insert ("flash") studio that you can use for a fee to do live or taped interviews with their experts. Contact Public Relations Director Angela Toda at 301-405-8062 for more information.

  • Feed Point and other Services: Our Distance Education Technology and Services (DETS) unit in the Glenn L. Martin Engineering Building can provide fiber line feeds to AVOC, satellite uplinks (they have the only uplink on campus) and video coferences. DETS also maintains various links around campus in order to serve the media in more convenient locations and can set up fiber services for remote shoots or video coverage from any campus venue. Contact Assistant Director Marty Ronning at 301-405-4899 for more information and costs.

  • UMTV in the Tawes Building on campus is undergoing renovation. Once completed (planned for the fall of 2008), it is available for studio, field and post-production services. UMTV does have a control room and remote gear for production work. For more information and costs, call 301-405-6251.

  • The University of Maryland has gained national prominence and attention for its 27 intercollegiate athletics teams. A staff of media relations professionals stand ready to assist media in any aspect of coverage of our varsity sports - from originations of live broadcasts to interviews with student-athletes, coaches and staff. We have the capability to assist in live coverage at each venue - from Chevy Chase Bank Field at Byrd Stadium to Comcast Center and others. Please contact Associate Athletics Director Doug Dull (ddull@umd.edu) in the Athletics Media Relations Office at 301-314-7064 for information regarding facilities, accommodations and policies for covering Terrapin athletics.

  • Internally, the University of Maryland has its own Video Production Unit that is available for projects within the university community. For more information and costs, contact Video Production Producer Mac Nelson at 301-405-4617.

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