Composition
The essentials of composing the frame, the application of composition principles in photojournalism, and the use of photo storyboards as a previsualization (previs) technique.
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Year 1 – The Frame
[Intro Unit] The “Composing the Frame” unit provides students with a comprehensive understanding of the fundamental principles and techniques of framing in film and photography. This unit covers key elements such as the frame, subject placement, angles, and lines.
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Modules
• The Frame
This module provides an in-depth focus on the ABCs of aspect ratio and shot size.
• Subject Placement
This module provides an in-depth look at the Rule of Thirds to explore the ratio of positive space to negative space that influences, supports, and defines the design of a film.
• Angles
This module provides an in-depth focus on camera angles and how they impact the meaning of a shot.
• Lines
This module provides an in-depth focus on dynamic lines and how they impact the viewer and/or emotionally charge a shot.
Year 2 – Photojournalism
[Intermedia Unit] The “Photojournalism” unit provides students with a comprehensive understanding of the principles and techniques used in capturing compelling and impactful images for journalistic purposes. This unit covers key elements such as the use of space, subject placement, angles, and lines in photojournalism.
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Modules
• Space and the Decisive Moment
This module provides an in-depth focus on composition techniques and the use of space while shooting around campus.
• Angles and Social Change
This module provides an in-depth focus on the use of camera angles while shooting around campus.
• Lines and Directing the Gaze
This module provides an in-depth focus on the use of dynamic lines while shooting around campus.
Year 3 – Photo Storyboards
[Advanced Unit] The “Photo Storyboards as Previs for a Film Shoot” unit provides students with the skills and techniques necessary to create effective photo storyboards for previsualization (previs) in film production. This unit covers the use of space, angles, and lines in composing photo storyboards.
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Modules
• Optimizing Space
In Part 1 of 3 Previsualizations for their short film, this module provides an in-depth focus on use of space with Photo Storyboards.
• Angles and Mise-en-scene
In Part 2 of 3 Previsualizations for their short film, this module provides an in-depth focus on the use of camera angles with Photo Storyboards.
• Lines and Color
In Part 3 of 3 Previsualizations for their short film, this module provides an in-depth focus on the creation of mood boards and the use of dynamic lines with Photo Storyboards.
Coverage
Designed to equip students with the essential skills and techniques required to effectively capture and convey visual narratives in film and video production; covers the fundamentals of coverage, specialized techniques for interview and event coverage, and advanced coverage methods.
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Year 1 – Intro to Coverage
[Intro Unit] The “Coverage Intro” unit introduces students to the foundational techniques and principles of coverage in film and video production. This unit covers the basics of single person coverage, two-person coverage, and the techniques for capturing moving subjects.
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Modules
• Single Person Coverage
This module provides an introduction to the 180-degree and 30-degree rules in order to master sight lines when shooting coverage of a single subject.
• Two Person Coverage
This module provides an introduction to the 180-degree and matching eye lines when shooting coverage of two subjects.
• The Moving Camera
This module provides an introduction to techniques for covering moving subjects and how to cover multiple subjects within a shot.
Year 2 – Interview Coverage
[Intermedia Unit] The “Interview Coverage” unit provides students with the essential skills and techniques required to effectively capture interviews in film and video production. Covers single-person interviews, two-person interviews, and walk-and-talk interviews.
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Modules
• Single Person Interviews
This module provides essential techniques for filming subjects, such as subject placement, eyeline, and direct address.
• Two Person Interviews
This module provides essential techniques for executing background selection, subject placement, compositional techniques, 3-point lighting, multi-camera coverage, and presenting opposing views visually.
• Walk and Talk Interviews
This module provides essential techniques for executing walk-and-talk interviews for their documentary project.
Year 2 – Event Coverage
[Intermediate Unit] The “Event Coverage” unit provides students with the essential skills and techniques required to effectively capture various types of live events, focusing on the unique challenges and strategies involved in filming dynamic and unpredictable events.
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Modules
• Sports Coverage
This module provides an in-depth overview of sports and game coverage, focusing on the various elements involved in capturing and presenting game coverage. Whether interested in becoming a sports journalist, a camera operator, or simply understanding the intricacies of sports broadcasting, this course will equip students with the knowledge and skills needed to excel in the field.
• High School Event Coverage
This module is designed to provide comprehensive knowledge and practical skills for single-camera event coverage, with a particular focus on capturing auditorium/speaker events and coverage of campus events. Students will learn how to plan, execute, and optimize coverage to produce professional event videos.
• Multi-Source Event Production
This module is as an introduction to the audio/visual needs of the most common meetings and conferences. Students will demonstrate ability to setup and operate a multi-source AV breakout room event.
Story Development
Designed to provide students with the essential skills and techniques required to create compelling narratives in film; covers the unique aspects of silent films, the intricacies of documentary filmmaking, and the principles of advancing the story in short films with dialogue.
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Year 1 – Silent Film
[Intro Unit] The “Silent Film” unit provides students with a comprehensive understanding of the unique art of silent filmmaking. This unit covers the concept of silent films, the application of the 3-act structure in silent narratives, and the practical aspects of producing a silent film. Students will learn how to create compelling stories without the use of spoken dialogue, relying instead on visual storytelling.
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Module
• The Silent Film Concept
This module provides essential techniques for developing an original silent film idea.
• 3-Act Structure
This module provides essential techniques for flushing out story ideas into a 3-Act Film Structure creating a photo storyboard to plan film production.
• Producing a Silent Film
This module provides essential techniques for the various elements of composition, coverage and sound design learned over the course to produce a final silent film project.
Year 2 – Documentary
[Intermedia Unit] The “Documentary” unit provides students with an in-depth understanding of the elements of non-fiction storytelling in film. This unit covers the fundamental principles and techniques used to create compelling and truthful narratives in documentary filmmaking. Students will learn how to research, plan, and produce documentaries that inform, engage, and inspire audiences.
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Module
• Elements of Non Fiction This module covers the key elements of non-fiction storytelling, including research, factual accuracy, narrative structure, interviews, observational footage, and ethical considerations.
Year 3 – Advancing the Story
[Advanced Unit] The “Advancing the Story” unit focuses on the creation of short films with dialogue, emphasizing the importance of character development and the super objective in storytelling. This unit covers techniques and principles that help create compelling narratives and well-rounded characters.
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Module
• Character Development
This module uses intersectional as a lens to create more complex and nuanced characters.
• The Super Objective
This module uses theme to explore the main character, to build a three-act structure on a solid foundation rooted in the character’s journey.
Production
Designed to provide students with the essential skills and knowledge required to effectively plan and execute a film production; covers the key aspects of pre-production and production sound.
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Year 1 – Film Prep
[Intro Unit] This unit covers the anatomy of a film shoot, creating shooting schedules and shot lists, and developing floor plans and storyboards. Students will gain the skills necessary to ensure a successful film shoot, with all elements thoroughly planned and coordinated.
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Module
• Anatomy of a Film Shoot
Students will deconstruct the components of a film to analyze how they function in relationship to each other to create meaning.
• Shooting Schedule and Shot Lists
Students will learn how to create shot lists and shooting schedules for their short films.
• Floor Plans and Storyboards
Students will create floor plans and storyboards for their short films.
Year 3 – Capturing Sound on Set
[Advanced Unit] The “Production Sound” unit is designed to equip students with the essential skills and knowledge required to capture high-quality audio during film and video production. This unit covers the use of mixers and boom microphones, as well as lavalier (lav) microphones and other mic types.
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Module
• The Mixer & Boom
Students will learn about the roles of the sound mixer and boom operator, mastering the art of capturing clean and clear audio on set.
• Lavs & Mic Types
Students will gain a comprehensive understanding of when and how to use microphone types, ensuring that they can capture high-quality audio in diverse shooting environments.