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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "DMA 353"
COURSE NAME: "Advanced Post-Production"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Fall 2019
SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Brian Thomson
EMAIL: [email protected]
HOURS: T 3:30-6:15 PM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS: 45
CREDITS: 3
PREREQUISITES: Prerequisite: COM 230
OFFICE HOURS:

COURSE DESCRIPTION:
In this course students will learn to harness the power of professional-level software in order to edit projects, add visual effects and motion graphics, mix and master audio, execute color grades, and prep projects for distribution to a variety of outlets. As students explore these disciplines they will better grasp best practices for how to collaborate with large teams of professionals charged with delivering films and video that meet the exacting standards of contemporary audiences.
SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:
Advanced Editing is based around four projects. In the first we will work together as a class in order to learn the basics of the DaVinci Resolve workflow: from setting up a project and ingesting media to exporting a final product. The first assessed project will put your understanding of the basic workflow to the test. The second assessed project will involve creative color grading and compositing effects in Fusion, topics that we will cover during class. The third project will be shorter than the others but much more demanding: producing a short sci-fi sequences that uses greenscreen and a virtual set and that furthermore requires a creative approach to sound design. 
LEARNING OUTCOMES:

By the end of the class students should be able to:

Edit a project using DaVinci Resolve

Color correct footage and apply a creative grade that reinforces the project’s storytelling strategy

Manipulate individual audio clips, mix a multitrack audio sequence, and master a project

Perform basic compositing/graphics tasks in a node-based environment

Prep footage and supporting materials at each stage of the process for delivery to relevant departments/personnel

TEXTBOOK:
NONE
REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
NONE

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
NONE
GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
AssignmentGuidelinesWeight
Quizzes 10
Individual Project 30
Group Project 01 30
Group Project 02 30

-ASSESSMENT CRITERIA:
AWork of this quality directly addresses the question or problem raised and provides a coherent argument displaying an extensive knowledge of relevant information or content. This type of work demonstrates the ability to critically evaluate concepts and theory and has an element of novelty and originality. There is clear evidence of a significant amount of reading beyond that required for the course.
BThis is highly competent level of performance and directly addresses the question or problem raised.There is a demonstration of some ability to critically evaluatetheory and concepts and relate them to practice. Discussions reflect the student’s own arguments and are not simply a repetition of standard lecture andreference material. The work does not suffer from any major errors or omissions and provides evidence of reading beyond the required assignments.
CThis is an acceptable level of performance and provides answers that are clear but limited, reflecting the information offered in the lectures and reference readings.
DThis level of performances demonstrates that the student lacks a coherent grasp of the material.Important information is omitted and irrelevant points included.In effect, the student has barely done enough to persuade the instructor that s/he should not fail.
FThis work fails to show any knowledge or understanding of the issues raised in the question. Most of the material in the answer is irrelevant.

-ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS:
In this course students will learn to harness the power of professional-level software in order to edit projects, add visual effects and motion graphics, mix and master audio, execute color grades, and prep projects for distribution to a variety of outlets. As students explore these disciplines they will better grasp best practices for how to collaborate with large teams of professionals charged with delivering films and video that meet the exacting standards of contemporary audiences.
ACADEMIC HONESTY
As stated in the university catalog, any student who commits an act of academic dishonesty will receive a failing grade on the work in which the dishonesty occurred. In addition, acts of academic dishonesty, irrespective of the weight of the assignment, may result in the student receiving a failing grade in the course. Instances of academic dishonesty will be reported to the Dean of Academic Affairs. A student who is reported twice for academic dishonesty is subject to summary dismissal from the University. In such a case, the Academic Council will then make a recommendation to the President, who will make the final decision.
STUDENTS WITH LEARNING OR OTHER DISABILITIES
John Cabot University does not discriminate on the basis of disability or handicap. Students with approved accommodations must inform their professors at the beginning of the term. Please see the website for the complete policy.

SCHEDULE

Weeks 1-6

Technical foundations of modern postproduction

Media management and the Resolve workflow

Editing techniques

Layers vs Nodes

Color correction in Resolve

Fusion for basic motion graphics

Mixing tracks in Fairlight

Shared storage and collaborative workflows

In-class project (unassessed)

Project #1

Quiz #1

 

Weeks 7-10

Color Grading in Resolve

Compositing Effects in Fusion

Project #2

Quiz #2

 

Weeks 11-14

Workshop: Planning and executing a complex scene involving greenscreen, virtual set6s, 3D composites, HDRI lighting, and extensive sound design

Project #3 due on final exam day