MACA 1400 - Introduction to Digital Video

Credit Hours: 4.00

Objectives: The student will:

1. Develop a working knowledge of digital video theory and technologies.

Outcome 2: Upon completion of this course, students will be able to plan, script, and shoot one-camera video production projects.

Objectives: The student will:

1. Script and storyboard projects in pre-production.

Outcome 3: Upon completion of this course, students will be able to edit video project in a non-linear environment.

Objectives: The student will:

1. Capture video for assigned projects.
2. Capture sound for assigned projects.
3. Download and edit projects on non-linear editing systems.

Outcome 4: Upon completion of this course, students will be able to produce projects to a variety of media formats.

Objectives: The student will:

1. Produce projects in a variety of media formats using diverse applications.

Outcome 5: Upon completion of this course, students will be able to demonstrate how to prepare video in various file formats for clients.

Objectives: The student will:

1. Compile projects in a variety of media formats and deliverables.

• Communication: The graduate can communicate effectively for the intended purpose and audience.
• Critical Thinking: The graduate can make informed decisions after analyzing information or evidence related to the issue.
• Global Literacy: The graduate can analyze human behavior or experiences through cultural, social, political, or economic perspectives.
• Information Literacy: The graduate can responsibly use information gathered from a variety of formats in order to complete a task.
• Quantitative Reasoning: The graduate can apply quantitative methods or evidence to solve problems or make judgments.
• Scientific Literacy: The graduate can produce or interpret scientific information presented in a variety of formats.

1. Introduction, course goals and objectives, grading and attendance policy. Overview of materials and supply list. Lecture: Pre-production planning.
2. Lecture: Equipment basics and camera exploration. Video technology. Non-broadcast video theory, vocabulary and equipment settings. Present and potential applications of the technologies.
3. Lecture: Production staff: duties, responsibilities of crew and video team will be examined. Assignment: Production crews are formed and assignments made for first project.
4. Lecture: Non-Linear Editing application, terminology and user interface explored. Backing up and safeguarding your files. Assignment: Use the NLE to edit a specific project.
5. Lecture: Single camera video productions. Basic shooting techniques. Assignment: Shoot a short video demonstrating the proper use of the camera controls and framing composition. 
6. Lecture: Planning Your Edit. Continued introduction to editing. Edit the previous assignment and begin pre-production on the next assignment. 
7. Lecture: Basic shot composition and framing. Establishing shot, medium shot, and close-ups. General rules of shot composition. Tilt, Pan, Dolly, and Zoom. Assignment: Shoot a short video demonstrating the proper use of basic shots, camera angles and camera movement.
8. Lecture: Assignment: Short Story, using the previous assignments, plan, write and shoot a short story.
9. Lecture: Pre-Production presentation of the Short Story Assignment.
10. Lecture: Script approval. Planning the shoot. Managing the shoot.
11. Lecture: Audio acquisition, basic microphone components and their varieties. Assignment: Use external microphones to record foley sound. 
12. Lecture: Shooting the projects. Post-Production. Editing digital projects.
13. Lecture: Assignment: Using the previous assignments record a Portrait of someone in your life. Voice overs are recorded of your written script. 
14. Lecture: Shooting and Editing continue.
15. Lecture: Shooting and Editing continue. Review for Final Practical Exam.
16. Final practical exam. Equipment maintenance.