Summary
The Digital Film Production course will expose candidates to the various digital film production techniques, editing concepts and the art of storytelling. Candidates will be able to master the art of cinematography as well as the technical aspects of digital video camera.
Candidates will be exposed to the various digital non-linear editing platforms and experience the various editing concepts while developing the required editing skills in making movies or TV programmes. The editing styles of two-person interaction, continuity and cinema verite editing are some of the editing techniques discussed in the course. Particular attention shall also be allocated for sound editing.
Upon completion of this course, Students will be able to work as Digital Film/Video Editors, Telecine Operators, Producers, Motion Graphics Designers, Broadcast Designers, Assistant Cameramen, Screenwriters and Directors in the Advertising, Broadcasting and Digital Film-making Industries.
What is Film and Video?
‘Film and Video’ is a broad-based term used to describe process, technology, study and/or act of capturing or recording images from the world with cameras. The actual term ‘film’ refers to a medium of storage or photographic film which is a sheet of polyester, nitrocellulose or cellulose acetate plastic coated with a chemical emulsion that determines the sensitivity, contrast and resolution of the film. It also encompasses individual motion pictures, the field of film as an art form, and the motion picture industry. ‘Video’ on the other hand is the technology of electronically capturing or recording, processing and transmitting a sequence of moving images utilizing magnetic tape or digital solid state storage device.
‘Film and Video Production’ is the study and practice of the artistry, processes and technology involved in the production of moving images from an initial story idea or commission, through scriptwriting, shooting, editing, directing to the distribution to an audience. ‘Film and Video Production’ is categorized into four (4) major fields of study; Pre-Production & Development, Production, Post-Production and Business & Distribution. The Study of ‘Film & Video Production’ is not just limited to one stream/scope of study but may involve a combination of two or more of the streams/scopes depending on the type and area of study in question.
Pre-Production: Also encompasses the development process of the pre-production stage namely the screenplay and initial script proposal. Pre-production is the planning stage of the Film and Video shoot, and occurs before the camera starts rolling. This may include these processes; script/outline – which covers pre-visualization, story-boards, script/narration and/or treatment; Production Planning (Producers’ Role) – which covers casting, location, props, sets, crew and budgeting; Logistics – equipment and schedules.
Production: Production is the filming stage of the Film & Video shoot which includes cinematography, audio and lights, as well as directing and effects including sets, props and/or décor/staging. This may include these processes; art – which covers the conceptualization, design and production of set designs, décor, props, make-up and/or costumes; audio – which involves music scoring, sound design and recording; cinematography – which covers the study and practice of camera movement and angles, formats and/or composition; directing; effects and stunts – which cover green/blue screens, pyrotechnics/lighting, motion-capture and stunts; and lighting.
Post-Production: Post-production is the final stage in the production of a film or video after completion of principal photography involving but not limited to editing, addition of sound/visual effects/compositing, dubbing/titling, transfer of data formats or telecine/color grading. Principal to the area of Film & Video is the art and study of the practice and technology behind film/video editing.
Course Structure
In this level candidates will be taught the basics of story and idea conceptualization for screen and how to bring those ideas from paper to camera to screen. Candidates will be introduced to treatment writing and script formatting in Screenwriting. From there onwards candidates will be introduced to the technical aspect of filming which includes camera, lights and audio in Screen Production Techniques. Finally in Digital Post they will be introduced to the editing software, Final Cut Pro in order to be able to make their ideas a reality.
- Screenwriting
- Screen Production Techniques
- Digital Post (Final Cut Pro — Sound and Visual)
At this level candidates will be learning advanced editing skills in order to enhance the quality and the believability of final products. This will be stressed especially in Advanced Digital Post where they will learn all about non-linear editing and media management. In Motion Graphic they will be taught on compositing and how to create special effects for their final products. Cinematography will educate candidates on the importance of mise-en-scene and camera angles especially to make their shots believable.
- Advance Digital Post (Non Linear Editing and Media Management)
- Motion Graphic (Compositing)
- Cinematography
By this level candidates would have already learnt all the basics of creating, producing and compositing, therefore at this level candidates will be taught on alternatives of production like webcasting and the likes. This will be touched in New Media. An advanced level of Motion Graphic will be conducted where candidates will be taught Effect Motion Flow. Candidates will be taught 3D Visual Effects where final products will be able to have animated effects and to allow candidates to produce high quality video projects.
- New Media
- Motion Graphic (Effect Motion Flow)
- 3D Visual Effects
