Video Media Studies
Description: This course will include broadcasting, visual effects, animation, and compositing. A component of this course focuses on the creation of 2D visual effects in digital video productions with an emphasis on animation, keyframing, technical accuracy, and proper rendering techniques. Using Adobe After Effects or Discreet Combustion, students will conceptualize and create professional design elements such as show openings for special school events, our education access channel, or a personal endeavor. Students, working in teams, will record school events, produce segments to be aired on Darien Educational Access (Channel 78), and broadcast weekly news segments to the school. Students will aid in bridging the gap between the elevated visual expectations set by network television and what is commonly seen broadcasting from a school or public access channel. Students may assist with running the studio, do internal broadcasting via VBrick technology for delivery on certain plasma screens at designated intervals, and pursue individual projects building their skills as they move forward.
What is this class
Type: Elective - Partially fills fine/practical arts requirements
Note: This course may be repeated.
Prerequisite: Introduction to Media Studies or permission from the teacher.
Objectives:
1. To further develop an informed and critical standing of mass media, especially television news.
2. To increase pre-production skills, such as storyboarding, audio recording, scriptwriting, and news writing.
3. To master skills in camera operation, audio recording, and lighting.
4. To choose an area of video expertise to further personal and professional growth.
5. To set goals with the instructor and to work independently to meet those goals, reviewing and revising the goals as necessary. Some areas of concentration may include animation, audio techniques, post-production effects and news/script writing.
Expectations: The nature of this course will require collaborative work, problems solving, research, and time management. Students will be expected to keep logs of their time working on projects. All projects will begin with the student’s or group’s written proposal which must be approved before any shooting may begin. Projects must meet the broadcast standards for WAVETV and/or Neirad and must meet the deadlines imposed by the teacher/broadcast schedule. Students will be expected to use all the equipment responsibly. Students will write frequently. Reading, written homework assignments, quizzes, and tests will be given. Students will often read newspapers, watch television news programs, and interact with online and social media. Students are expected to choose noteworthy artifacts from their classwork and include them in their Media Studies digital portfolio.
Resources/ Content
Student Work Examples