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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY
COURSE CODE: "COM 230-3"
COURSE NAME: "Foundations of Digital Video Production"
SEMESTER & YEAR:
Spring 2025
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SYLLABUS
INSTRUCTOR:
Brian Thomson
EMAIL: [email protected]
HOURS:
W 6:30 PM 9:15 PM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS:
45
CREDITS:
3
PREREQUISITES:
OFFICE HOURS:
By appointment
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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.
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SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:
COM230 will help you get up to speed with the art and craft of video production and will empower you to present yourself to your world the way that you intend. The course explores a broad swath of the techniques that filmmakers have used to create moving images, from hand animation and traditional cameras through phones and computer-generated imagery, and throughout emphasizes how you can use these techniques to add power and polish to your digital presence.
COM230 starts hands-on and stays hands-on as we dig into the principles of traditional animation and use them to create compelling graphics for content ranging from video essays to YouTube listicles. We harness the power of open-source software to set up livestreams using multiple audio and video sources, as well as learn how to unleash the potential of whatever camera we have on hand through lighting and composition. We hone our editing and audio production skills on an action movie before diving into a story development and screenwriting bootcamp. At the end of the course, you will have the opportunity to showcase your skills through a scripted short film.
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LEARNING OUTCOMES:
By the end of the class, you should be able to:
- take charge of how you present yourself on any number of platforms (e.g., YouTube, Instagram, Zoom, Teams, etc.)
- optimize your phone for video production, and use battle-tested techniques to compensate for its limitations
- capture clean dialogue, craft unique sound effects, and use freely available tools to improve the quality of your audio
- conceptualize, develop, produce, and deliver a short project
- limit DMCA takedowns and third-party monetization through an understanding of the legal frameworks informing the distribution of audio and video
- deploy your knowledge of production techniques and methodologies in the critical analysis of media artefacts
- determine where you fit (or would like to fit) in the matrix of video production, and use the skills you developed in the class as a foundation to build upon
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TEXTBOOK:
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REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
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GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
| Assignment | Guidelines | Weight |
| Quizzes and In-class Exercises | Individual quizzes and in-class exercises (group). | 25 |
| Video Editing Project | Post-production on a short film, including editing, sound design, and color correction. | 25 |
| Final Project | A short film, produced either individually or as a group, with specific details to be determined on a case-by-case basis. | 40 |
| Project post-mortem | A brief video interrogation of the lessons learned from working in a production environment. | 10 |
-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:
PLEASE READ!
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.
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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.
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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.
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SCHEDULE
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Week One –Stories for Film
Week Two –Pitches
Week Three – Recording audio for foley and effects
Week Four –Working in Premiere
Week Five –Shooting video with a phone
Week Six – Shooting video with a mirrorless/DSLR camera
Week Seven –Editing workshop
Week Eight—Color Correction and Grading
Week Nine—Story development and screenwriting workshop
Week Ten—Shooting video (and audio) with the Canon C100
Week Eleven—Lighting for video
Week Twelve—Group production project
Week Thirteen—OBS for desktop video
Week Fourteen—Final Project Workshop
Short films are due on the day of the final exam
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