Digital media can be found in every aspect of our our modern world. It includes the movies we see in theaters and the videos we stream online. It is the music and podcasts we enjoy. It is social media reels, news broadcasts, TV shows, commercials, animated features and so much more. Digital media plays a central role in our culture, education and entertainment.
Digital media is a wide-ranging and lucrative career opportunity. Entire industries are built around technology, storytelling and media production. Great storytellers who can communicate effectively through technology enjoy a distinct advantage in the work place and in our society.
This class is designed to teach you essential production skills and how to use professional tools to create impactful stories, explore important narratives and communicate effectively. Even if you do not end up pursuing a career in digital media, these concepts are still incredibly important. Understanding technology, media and storytelling will make you see your world with new eyes and enrich your life in profound ways.
To develop technical and creative skills in digital media in order become an effective storyteller and communicator. You will also explore career paths and learn about the many opportunities to work or freelance in the digital media industry.
You will reach your goal by creating projects using digital cameras, audio equipment, and video editing and animation software. You will create scrips, storyboards, work in production teams, work with lighting, and use computers to produce high quality short films, interviews, and public service announcements. You will also learn to analyze the work of professional storytellers in order to apply their craft to your own productions.
Demonstrate both the technical and aesthetic aspects of video field production and knowledge of basic production techniques (SLO 1)
Operate and set up portable video and sound equipment including camera and microphones and complete a basic edit of the material
Incorporate professional pre-production planning including proper use of forms for scripting, budgeting, script breakdown and lists
Operate video field recording equipment correctly to acquire quality video and audio products (SLO 2)
Conceive and execute appropriate approaches to editing field footage into cohesive projects (SLO 3)
Analyze professional and student work and evaluate proper technique and areas for improvement
Apply post production theory (i.e. continuity and dynamic editing) plus basic operation for nonlinear editing including ingest, editing operation and distribution
Demonstrate the skills needed for successful teamwork in television, film or other media employment (SLO 4)
Demonstrate through projects that with the power of a communicator, comes moral and ethical responsibility (SLO 5)
Assemble a final individual project suitable for review and evaluation during a department showcase
Week 1
What is DMA?
Class Expectations & Norms Contract
Digital Media in the Real World
The Power of Narratives & Storytelling
History of Film Technology
Week 1
Welcome Back & Tech Review
Class Norms Review
The Role of Stories in Culture
Cinematography review
Storyboards Review
Week 2
Digital Video Workflow & Editing
What is a video workflow?
Personal Intro Film
Linear and Non-linear Editing
WeVideo
Editing to the Beat
Week 2
Subject Framing
What is a frame?
Storyboarding Subjects
How to frame subjects & shot sizes
Camera Framing Video
Week 3
Camera Operation Basics
What constitutes a good video/photo
Over and under exposure
Parts of a Camera
Photo workflow
Week 3
Camera Movement
Defining Camera Movements
Storyboarding Camera Movements
Camera Movement Guide
Camera Movement Video
Week 4
Cinematography Skills
Understanding cameras and camera settings
Exposure, shutter speed, aperture & ISO
Storyboard Conventions
Week 4
Film Sequence
Film sequence Storyboard
Using what you have
Recreate a 1 minute trailer or sequence from a film or show
Week 5
Design Principles in Film
How to create beautiful shots
Lighting , Color & Exposure
Design Principles Video
Week 5
Online Video: YouTube Channel Conventions
YouTube Video conventions
Why people keep watching?
YouTube Channel Trailer Project
Week 6
Film Story Structure
The layers of Film: Shots, Sequences, Scenes, Story Beats, & Acts
3 Act Story Structure
12 story beat analysis project
Week 6
Postproduction: Animation & Keyframes
Introducing After Effects
Keyframes & Iteration
YouTube Channel Intro Project
Week 7
Film Structure Analysis
2nd Story beat analysis
Story Pitch Project
Structured Story Trailer
Week 7
Explainer Video Conventions
What is an explainer video?
Scripts and Information
Week 8
Film Sequences
Using a professional Video Editor
Similarities & Differences to WeVideo
Automation Tools
Effects, transitions & overlays
Week 8
Explainer Video Project
Interview conventions
Basic Audio Workflow
The Feature Interview video project
Week 9
Interview Final & Portfolio
Design Challenge Completion
Finish Freelance Project
Week 9
Careers in Digital Media
You can make a living with this?
Career research Project
Caree Video
Storytelling Through Editing
The Kuleshov Effect
Coherence and continuity
Trailer Mashup Final Project
Week 10
Freelance Fundamentals
How to run a freelance video business
Quotes, Contracts, & Invoices
Design Challenge
You will be taking this class in the Trailivision production studio. This is is an amazing space full of advanced production equipment, lights, and computers. You will be assigned your own iMac desktop each quarter to complete your projects.
The software you will use and in this course includes the Adobe Creative Suite, focusing specificcally on Adobe Premiere and Adobe After Effects as well as an online video editor called WeVideo. You will also use other online applications including Canva, Google Drive and Google Classroom.
Other equipment you will use includes digitial cameras, including DSLRs and mirrorless cameras, an assortment of lenses, microphones, audio equipment, mixer and MIDI musical instruments.
Pen or pencil every single day
Notebook for notes, storyboards and sketches. It can be an art sketchbook, a composition notebook, or even just blank pages stapled together. Minimum size is 5.5 by 8.5 inches
Projects will be turned in every Friday via google classroom and they will be graded over the weekend.
Late projects are accepted. However, if a project is turned in late, you lose the ability to resubmit for revisions to improve your grade.
There is a final deadline for any late project a week before the end of the term. No late work will be accepted after that date.
Plagiarized or copied work will receive an automatic 0.
Each major project has a rubric that explains the grading. Please review the rubric carefully before starting AND before submitting your project so you understand the grading criteria.
We have a number of Quizzes during each term. Quizzes are taken each Friday and the same quiz is taken again early the following week. You get to keep the highest of your two grades.
This class is a Project-Based Course. Most of the projects have multiple components and each part must be completed in order to receive a grade. The grades in this class break down as follows:
60% - Video Projects
30% - Assignments, Guides and Reports
10% - Weekly Quizzes
This class follows a set of common sense norms in order to create a respectful, positive and nurturing learning environment for all students. The classroom norms outline the expected day to day behaviors and practices for everyone in the classroom. The Content and digital norms focus on the expectations in relation to the technology we use and the content we create as part of this class. Please visit the links below a detaled look at the norms and expectations.
Mr. Sarabia is the C.T.E. Digital Media Arts instructor at Monterey Trail High School. With over 18 years of experience as an educator, Mr. Sarabia is dedicated to help students develop a passion for film, animation, music production, and graphic design. His classes nurture creativity, curiosity and problem solving. In addition to being a teacher, Mr. Sarabia is also an independent multimedia creator, graphic artist, photographer, musician and writer.