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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "COM 230-2"
COURSE NAME: "Foundations of Digital Video Production"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Fall 2025
SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Cecilia Palmeri
EMAIL: [email protected]
 HOURS: T12:30 PM 3:15 PM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS: 45
CREDITS: 3
PREREQUISITES:
OFFICE HOURS:
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course introduces students to the technical, conceptual, and aesthetic skills involved in video production through the single camera mode of production. Still the most dominant mode of film and video production, the single camera mode places an emphasis on using the camera to fullest capacity of artistic expression. In addition to the multiple skills and concepts involved with the camera, the course also introduces students to the principles and technologies of lighting, audio recording and mixing, and non-linear digital video editing. Special focus is given to producing content for successful web distribution.
SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:
The course will introduce you to film language and will help you identify the building blocks of filmmaking as you begin to study them and put them in practice. You will learn how to collect ideas and put them on paper and into practice and eventually on screen – a process that will unleash your creativity and make your vision a reality. This intensive course will provide you with an overview of the entire filmmaking process as you work with a production unit to produce a short documentary film.
LEARNING OUTCOMES:

As students work to create their own films they will learn how to make a short documentary from conception to distribution. By the end of the course, students should be able to:

 

    • Understand the basic elements of storytelling and know how to turn an idea into a story 
    • Discover the different application of non-narrative storytelling in media
    • Select shots and camera movements to create a strong visual strategy to tell the story
    • Understand how to use principles and technologies of the camera and lighting 
    • Record sound using principles and technologies of audio recording
    • Understand the basic principles of editing & sound design
    • Use non-linear digital video editing software 
    • Understand technical and aesthetic role of sound mixing & color correction 
    • Create a promotional package and a pitch
TEXTBOOK:
NONE
REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
NONE

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
NONE
GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
AssignmentGuidelinesWeight
Participation and AttendanceGiven that you will be learning how to make a film in just a few months, it is absolutely essential that you attend each and every class. You must provide feedback in class and you are required to help on each other’s productions. You will be expected to do assigned readings and watch assigned films.20%
ExercisesEach student will write and direct a few exercises and will present them in class.20%
Production PackageCreate and present a film package for your short film (logline, synopsis, visual approach, audience and distribution strategy)25%
Final ProjectComplete and screen a short documentary film.35%

-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:

This course requires an extraordinary amount of work to be completed outside of class hours. Students who expect to travel frequently during weekends are strongly advised against registering for this course. 

Tardiness will not be tolerated, as managing time is one of the most crucial components of being a filmmaker, so you will all be expected to arrive promptly unless you are delayed for a valid reason. Due to the once-a-week meeting schedule for the course, missing one class can mean missing out on a major technical or conceptual lesson plan, which can affect the quality of your projects and those of your fellow students. Only two unexcused absences will be tolerated. In the case of excused absences due to documented illness or family emergencies, please present a Dean's note as soon as possible (you should submit the Excused Absences Request Form, also available on the Registrar’s Office webpage).

You cannot make-up a major exam (midterm or final) without the permission of the Dean’s Office. The Dean’s Office will grant such permission only when the absence was caused by a serious impediment, such as a documented illness, hospitalization or death in the immediate family (in which you must attend the funeral) or other situations of similar gravity. Absences due to other meaningful conflicts, such as job interviews, family celebrations, travel difficulties, student misunderstandings or personal convenience, will not be excused. Students who will be absent from a major exam must notify the Dean’s Office prior to that exam. Absences from class due to the observance of a religious holiday will normally be excused. Individual students who will have to miss class to observe a religious holiday should notify the instructor by the end of the Add/Drop period to make prior arrangements for making up any work that will be missed.
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

NB:

 Equipment

Different digital recording equipment will be used for each project and these will be available from the Digital Media Lab. You all have access to the digital equipment JCU has on reserve for the course. You can check out gear from Thursday afternoon with gear needing to be returned Monday morning.

Out of Pocket Materials
Students enrolled in this course should provide their own external USB hard drive (250-500GB) to store and archive captured material and video projects. These drives must be Mac formatted.

Please note that this schedule is subject to change.

Week 01: Introduction to film and Production process

Week 02: Storytelling

Week 03: Introduction to documentary

Week 04:  Pre-production of a documentary

Week 05: Composition and Framing

 Week 06: Interview techniques

Week 07: Technicals of video

Week 08: Lighting & Sound 

Week 09: Introduction to Editing

Week 10: Editing Workshop

Week 11: Post Production - Color Correction, Sound Design, Graphics

Week 12: Editing Workshop 

Week 13: Narrative Screenwriting Principles

Week 14: Rough Cut screening & Ethics of Documentary

Exam Week: Final Film Screenings