"""Conversion pipeline templates. The problem: ------------ Suppose you have some data that you want to convert to another format, such as from GIF image format to PPM image format. Maybe the conversion involves several steps (e.g. piping it through compress or uuencode). Some of the conversion steps may require that their input is a disk file, others may be able to read standard input; similar for their output. The input to the entire conversion may also be read from a disk file or from an open file, and similar for its output. The module lets you construct a pipeline template by sticking one or more conversion steps together. It will take care of creating and removing temporary files if they are necessary to hold intermediate data. You can then use the template to do conversions from many different sources to many different destinations. The temporary file names used are different each time the template is used. The templates are objects so you can create templates for many different conversion steps and store them in a dictionary, for instance. Directions: ----------- To create a template: t = Template() To add a conversion step to a template: t.append(command, kind) where kind is a string of two characters: the first is '-' if the command reads its standard input or 'f' if it requires a file; the second likewise for the output. The command must be valid /bin/sh syntax. If input or output files are required, they are passed as $IN and $OUT; otherwise, it must be possible to use the command in a pipeline. To add a conversion step at the beginning: t.prepend(command, kind) To convert a file to another file using a template: sts = t.copy(infile, outfile) If infile or outfile are the empty string, standard input is read or standard output is written, respectively. The return value is the exit status of the conversion pipeline. To open a file for reading or writing through a conversion pipeline: fp = t.open(file, mode) where mode is 'r' to read the file, or 'w' to write it -- just like for the built-in function open() or for os.popen(). To create a new template object initialized to a given one: t2 = t.clone() """ # ' import re import os import tempfile # we import the quote function rather than the module for backward compat # (quote used to be an undocumented but used function in pipes) from shlex import quote __all__ = ["Template"] # Conversion step kinds FILEIN_FILEOUT = 'ff' # Must read & write real files STDIN_FILEOUT = '-f' # Must write a real file FILEIN_STDOUT = 'f-' # Must read a real file STDIN_STDOUT = '--' # Normal pipeline element SOURCE = '.-' # Must be first, writes stdout SINK = '-.' # Must be last, reads stdin stepkinds = [FILEIN_FILEOUT, STDIN_FILEOUT, FILEIN_STDOUT, STDIN_STDOUT, \ SOURCE, SINK] class Template: """Class representing a pipeline template.""" def __init__(self): """Template() returns a fresh pipeline template.""" self.debugging = 0 self.reset() def __repr__(self): """t.__repr__() implements repr(t).""" return '<Template instance, steps=%r>' % (self.steps,) def reset(self): """t.reset() restores a pipeline template to its initial state.""" self.steps = [] def clone(self): """t.clone() returns a new pipeline template with identical initial state as the current one.""" t = Template() t.steps = self.steps[:] t.debugging = self.debugging return t def debug(self, flag): """t.debug(flag) turns debugging on or off.""" self.debugging = flag def append(self, cmd, kind): """t.append(cmd, kind) adds a new step at the end.""" if type(cmd) is not type(''): raise TypeError('Template.append: cmd must be a string') if kind not in stepkinds: raise ValueError('Template.append: bad kind %r' % (kind,)) if kind == SOURCE: raise ValueError('Template.append: SOURCE can only be prepended') if self.steps and self.steps[-1][1] == SINK: raise ValueError('Template.append: already ends with SINK') if kind[0] == 'f' and not re.search(r'\$IN\b', cmd): raise ValueError('Template.append: missing $IN in cmd') if kind[1] == 'f' and not re.search(r'\$OUT\b', cmd): raise ValueError('Template.append: missing $OUT in cmd') self.steps.append((cmd, kind)) def prepend(self, cmd, kind): """t.prepend(cmd, kind) adds a new step at the front.""" if type(cmd) is not type(''): raise TypeError('Template.prepend: cmd must be a string') if kind not in stepkinds: raise ValueError('Template.prepend: bad kind %r' % (kind,)) if kind == SINK: raise ValueError('Template.prepend: SINK can only be appended') if self.steps and self.steps[0][1] == SOURCE: raise ValueError('Template.prepend: already begins with SOURCE') if kind[0] == 'f' and not re.search(r'\$IN\b', cmd): raise ValueError('Template.prepend: missing $IN in cmd') if kind[1] == 'f' and not re.search(r'\$OUT\b', cmd): raise ValueError('Template.prepend: missing $OUT in cmd') self.steps.insert(0, (cmd, kind)) def open(self, file, rw): """t.open(file, rw) returns a pipe or file object open for reading or writing; the file is the other end of the pipeline.""" if rw == 'r': return self.open_r(file) if rw == 'w': return self.open_w(file) raise ValueError('Template.open: rw must be \'r\' or \'w\', not %r' % (rw,)) def open_r(self, file): """t.open_r(file) and t.open_w(file) implement t.open(file, 'r') and t.open(file, 'w') respectively.""" if not self.steps: return open(file, 'r') if self.steps[-1][1] == SINK: raise ValueError('Template.open_r: pipeline ends width SINK') cmd = self.makepipeline(file, '') return os.popen(cmd, 'r') def open_w(self, file): if not self.steps: return open(file, 'w') if self.steps[0][1] == SOURCE: raise ValueError('Template.open_w: pipeline begins with SOURCE') cmd = self.makepipeline('', file) return os.popen(cmd, 'w') def copy(self, infile, outfile): return os.system(self.makepipeline(infile, outfile)) def makepipeline(self, infile, outfile): cmd = makepipeline(infile, self.steps, outfile) if self.debugging: print(cmd) cmd = 'set -x; ' + cmd return cmd def makepipeline(infile, steps, outfile): # Build a list with for each command: # [input filename or '', command string, kind, output filename or ''] list = [] for cmd, kind in steps: list.append(['', cmd, kind, '']) # # Make sure there is at least one step # if not list: list.append(['', 'cat', '--', '']) # # Take care of the input and output ends # [cmd, kind] = list[0][1:3] if kind[0] == 'f' and not infile: list.insert(0, ['', 'cat', '--', '']) list[0][0] = infile # [cmd, kind] = list[-1][1:3] if kind[1] == 'f' and not outfile: list.append(['', 'cat', '--', '']) list[-1][-1] = outfile # # Invent temporary files to connect stages that need files # garbage = [] for i in range(1, len(list)): lkind = list[i-1][2] rkind = list[i][2] if lkind[1] == 'f' or rkind[0] == 'f': (fd, temp) = tempfile.mkstemp() os.close(fd) garbage.append(temp) list[i-1][-1] = list[i][0] = temp # for item in list: [inf, cmd, kind, outf] = item if kind[1] == 'f': cmd = 'OUT=' + quote(outf) + '; ' + cmd if kind[0] == 'f': cmd = 'IN=' + quote(inf) + '; ' + cmd if kind[0] == '-' and inf: cmd = cmd + ' <' + quote(inf) if kind[1] == '-' and outf: cmd = cmd + ' >' + quote(outf) item[1] = cmd # cmdlist = list[0][1] for item in list[1:]: [cmd, kind] = item[1:3] if item[0] == '': if 'f' in kind: cmd = '{ ' + cmd + '; }' cmdlist = cmdlist + ' |\n' + cmd else: cmdlist = cmdlist + '\n' + cmd # if garbage: rmcmd = 'rm -f' for file in garbage: rmcmd = rmcmd + ' ' + quote(file) trapcmd = 'trap ' + quote(rmcmd + '; exit') + ' 1 2 3 13 14 15' cmdlist = trapcmd + '\n' + cmdlist + '\n' + rmcmd # return cmdlist

RE-INVENTING THE TELEVISION NEWS BUSINESS*

A revolution in video storytelling

Creating entirely new & cost-effective production methods

From the world leaders in video production training and the creators of Character Driven Storytelling™

*and every other business that uses video

WHAT WE DO

Over the past 35 years, we have designed, built or restructured some of the most powerful news and journalism companies in the world.

We replace the traditional TV news ‘crew’ with one highly trained journalist, working alone with nothing but an iPhone.

No more TV news ‘crews’, no editors and no field producers.

This is television news done the way newspaper journalism is done – one reporter with their electronic pad and pencil.

In doing this, we can cut the cost of production by as much as 75% while increasing ratings and audience engagement.

In the place of conventional TV news ‘packages’ – ie, reporter stand up, interview, b-roll, man on the street, we marry great journalism with Netflix and Hollywood storytelling.

It’s a combination that works.

We have taken most of our clients to #1 in their respective markets.

And it’s not just for news. Any company, any profit, any NGO and anyone else who is online needs to tell their story in compelling yet cost-effective video. We can teach you to do that. Either in person or virtually.

EXAMPLES OF WHAT WE CAN TEACH YOUR STAFF TO PRODUCE

ITAY HOD

Itay Hod, MMJ with KPIX/CBS in San Francisco, took the 5-Day Intensive Video Storytelling Bootcamp in 2018.

Because he works alone, with only an iPhone, he was able to embed himself with a homeless family.

Here’s the story he produced in a one-day turn.

KIET DO

Kiet Do, an MMJ with KPIX/CBS in San Francisco, took the 5-Day Intensive Video Storytelling Bootcamp in 2021.

Here is a story he produced, all on his own, with only an iPhone and in a one-day turn.

TAYLOR SCHAUB

Taylor Schaub, an MMJ with Spectrum News 1 in LA, took the 5-Day Intensive Video Storytelling Bootcamp in 2023.

Here is a story he turned in only one day, using only an iPhone. It was the first video story he ever did and it was nominated for an Emmy.

THE BOOTCAMP

How do we convert stations and whole networks to working in this way?

Since 1988, we have run intensive 5-Day Video Storytelling Bootcamps

We have done these all over the world.

These are hands-on bootcamps, and participants learn an entirely new way of creating TV news stories.

-We shoot at a 3:1 ratio or lower, so turnaround times are fast.

-We go directly from camera to timelilne and edit – no written scripts. We work in the medium of pictures and sound.

-We are entirely character-driven.

-We are driven by pictures and real events.

-We are focused almost entirely on ’the viewer experience’.

Since 1988, more than 70,000 journalists around the world have taken our bootcamps, either in person on virtualy.

Case Studies

CBS News

We have started to work with CBS News, bringing our ideas of character-driven storytelling to one of the most successful and biggest networks in the United States. Since beginning to work with them ratings have climbed and more importantly, audience engagement is through the ceiling.

Learn More

New York Times Television

We started New York Times Television in 1990 and it was the first paper to be brought into the world of TV. It quickly became one of the most successful non-fiction production companies in the United States. The series and documentaries we produced won many awards including multiple Emmys.

Learn More

The BBC

We have been working with the BBC since the year 2000 helping to convert their national news network to our visual storytelling technique. Most recently we have trained teams from their sports, documentaries, and comedy divisions to make character-driven stories using only smartphones.

Learn More

Spectrum News

For the past five years we have worked with Spectrum News to introduce and train their journalists on visual, character driven storytelling using smartphones helping to create a different kind of local news for their network of 24-Hour News Stations across the United States.

Learn More

The United Nations

In 2006, we were approached by the United Nations. Rather than rely on news outlets, it would be much easier to train the field operatives to produce their own stories. We spent two years working with the UN, training more than 100 of their staff in bootcamps in Geneva and Nairobi.

Learn More

The Newark Star-Ledger

We trained 50 print reporters at the paper to shoot and tell their own stories, in conjunction with their print work. We built a TV newsroom in their existing print newsroom – you could not ask for a better set and they began to live stream their stories in conjunction with their print work.

Learn More

Mcgraw Hill

We spent two years with McGraw Hill, training more than 150 of their staffers, making them completely video literate. McGraw/Hill media properties we transit included Business Week, Aviation Week, (what was the name of the architecture magazine), and JD Power and Associates.

Learn More

Voice of America

In 1990, we were approached by The Voice of America, the official broadcasting agency for the United States Government. When we met with VOA, they were only a short wave radio broadcaster, but working with them, we took them into television, launching VOA-TV.

Learn More

Oyster Yachts

British based Oyster Yachts makes some of the finest yachts in the world. Like every other company, they had to find a way to feed the never-ending video demands of social media – sites like Instagram and TikTok. We trained the Oyster staff to tell their own stories, using only iPhones.

Learn More

Scottish Environmental Protection Agency

We were approached by SEPA, the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency because they had to continually find a way to ‘feed the media beast’. The result was that SEPA was able to tell their own stories, whenever they wanted, and at almost no additional cost.

Learn More

Michael on Media

Michael Rosenblum has been writing about the media since 1988. His work and ideas have appeared in The Guardian, The Huffington Post, Ilkeston Life and many other publications.

He has been blogging regularly for the past 35 years on this subject. Having taught media studies at Columbia University, NYU and now the University of Oxford, he is considered an expert on this subject.

Continue reading this post or look back at previous posts.

Do You Have Questions About Learning Video Skills?

If you would like to know more about our courses contact us and one of our training advisors will be happy to call you.

Your IP : 216.73.216.103

RE-INVENTING THE TELEVISION NEWS BUSINESS*

A revolution in video storytelling

Creating entirely new & cost-effective production methods

From the world leaders in video production training and the creators of Character Driven Storytelling™

*and every other business that uses video

WHAT WE DO

Over the past 35 years, we have designed, built or restructured some of the most powerful news and journalism companies in the world.

We replace the traditional TV news ‘crew’ with one highly trained journalist, working alone with nothing but an iPhone.

No more TV news ‘crews’, no editors and no field producers.

This is television news done the way newspaper journalism is done – one reporter with their electronic pad and pencil.

In doing this, we can cut the cost of production by as much as 75% while increasing ratings and audience engagement.

In the place of conventional TV news ‘packages’ – ie, reporter stand up, interview, b-roll, man on the street, we marry great journalism with Netflix and Hollywood storytelling.

It’s a combination that works.

We have taken most of our clients to #1 in their respective markets.

And it’s not just for news. Any company, any profit, any NGO and anyone else who is online needs to tell their story in compelling yet cost-effective video. We can teach you to do that. Either in person or virtually.

EXAMPLES OF WHAT WE CAN TEACH YOUR STAFF TO PRODUCE

ITAY HOD

Itay Hod, MMJ with KPIX/CBS in San Francisco, took the 5-Day Intensive Video Storytelling Bootcamp in 2018.

Because he works alone, with only an iPhone, he was able to embed himself with a homeless family.

Here’s the story he produced in a one-day turn.

KIET DO

Kiet Do, an MMJ with KPIX/CBS in San Francisco, took the 5-Day Intensive Video Storytelling Bootcamp in 2021.

Here is a story he produced, all on his own, with only an iPhone and in a one-day turn.

TAYLOR SCHAUB

Taylor Schaub, an MMJ with Spectrum News 1 in LA, took the 5-Day Intensive Video Storytelling Bootcamp in 2023.

Here is a story he turned in only one day, using only an iPhone. It was the first video story he ever did and it was nominated for an Emmy.

THE BOOTCAMP

How do we convert stations and whole networks to working in this way?

Since 1988, we have run intensive 5-Day Video Storytelling Bootcamps

We have done these all over the world.

These are hands-on bootcamps, and participants learn an entirely new way of creating TV news stories.

-We shoot at a 3:1 ratio or lower, so turnaround times are fast.

-We go directly from camera to timelilne and edit – no written scripts. We work in the medium of pictures and sound.

-We are entirely character-driven.

-We are driven by pictures and real events.

-We are focused almost entirely on ’the viewer experience’.

Since 1988, more than 70,000 journalists around the world have taken our bootcamps, either in person on virtualy.

Case Studies

CBS News

New York Times Television

The BBC

Spectrum News

The United Nations

The Newark Star-Ledger

Mcgraw Hill

Voice of America

Oyster Yachts

Scottish Environmental Protection Agency

Michael on Media