Media

.5 credit                   Grades 9, 10, 11, 12             S1, S2

Prerequisite: None

Graduation Requirement Area: Open STEAM

Advanced Video Editing is a course for all those who enjoy post-production video editing. It is designed to advance the video editing skills of students who have a range of skill in editing from cell phones to editing studios. Students will become highly proficient with Adobe Premiere Pro software and specific techniques used in editing a wide variety of video projects. These range from films to news shows, special segments such as the Staples stadium video entertainment and selective audio projects. Students will utilize green screen technology, motion graphics, and other animation to build high level, sophisticated videos. The class is designed to interface well with other media courses like Narrative Film Production, TV Production, and other on-campus programs and events. As with other media classes, material produced from the class has the potential to be viewed by the school audience and the Westport public.

.5 credit                   Grades 9, 10, 11, 12             S1, S2

Prerequisite: None

Graduation Requirement Area: Open STEAM

Audio Production 1 is designed to introduce and develop student skill and awareness through collaborative project-based learning in the art of audio production. (Project-based learning is a dynamic classroom approach in which students actively explore real world problems and challenges and acquire deeper knowledge.) This course builds student capacity related to the roles and responsibilities of audio producers and engineers from idea inception to finished product. It is a hands-on introduction to modern recording, mixing, programming, and post-production techniques. Student learning objectives are oriented toward audio enthusiast and musicians with the desire to record themselves and others in a hybrid home studio recording environment or professional recording studios. Through a series of hands-on projects involving recording, programming, and mixing activities, students learn workflow strategies to boost their efficiency and productivity with digital media while addressing the increasingly hybrid nature of 21st century recording and mixing practices that exists in audio production.

.5 credit                   Grades 9, 10, 11, 12             S1, S2

Prerequisite: Audio Production 1 or course instructor’s recommendation

Graduation Requirement Area: Open STEAM

Note: This course can be taken multiple times or considered for an independent learning experience with teacher and department coordinator approval.

Audio Production 2 is designed to sequentially and systematically move student thinking forward by further developing student skill sets and awareness of conceptual and practical content introduced and developed in Audio Production 1. During Audio Production 2, students will continue to engage in collaborative project-based learning in the art audio production while further exploring and building skills and awareness of both analog and digital audio technology, microphones, recording techniques, audio signal flow, Digital Audio Workstations (DAW) session management and file exchange, integration of MIDI with audio tracks. In addition, signal processing, editing and professional mixing techniques will also be explored and discussed as a way to introduce and inspire students of ways to move their thinking forward. Through a comprehensive study that blends both historical and modern audio production perspectives, students gain a deeper insight to how the exciting world of audio production has evolved and where it is headed. Students are involved in the audio recording of SHS music and theater productions, producing and engineering SHS student ensembles, bands, and other recording artists, and assisting in the production of SHS audio artifacts used for WWPT Westport 90.3 FM.

.5 credit                   Grades 9, 10, 11, 12             S1, S2

Prerequisite: None

Graduation Requirement Area: Open STEAM

Narrative Film Production is a course for students who wish to learn and expand their skills in the use of video cameras and digital editing software. Students create films that express personal visions and understanding of their world and of people. Techniques include brainstorming, storyboarding, scripting, lighting, camera management, microphone treatment and application, and sound recording. Students will analyze and discuss the techniques used by Hollywood filmmakers and apply the techniques to their work. It is the goal of this class that students will participate in the production of a substantial narrative video piece that will be presented in an appropriate school venue. Additionally, the work produced by students will be broadcast on Westport’s Educational Access Channel, Channel 78, as well as be submitted to the Staples own yearly film festival and to other local, national, and international film festivals.

.5 credit                   Grades 9, 10, 11, 12             S1, S2

Prerequisite: None

Graduation Requirement Area: Open STEAM

Radio Production 1 is the first of a two-part course designed to develop student skills and awareness through collaborative project-based learning that embeds computer and information technology for the purpose of media communications. This course supports career and technical education (CTE) that prepares students for postsecondary education that can lead to industry certification, an associate, or baccalaureate degree. During Radio Production 1, students explore and develop ways to inform, entertain, market, and produce media messages via written and oral/aural audio communications. In addition, students gain hands-on experience learning to operate mixing consoles, electronic computer hardware, and software as well as specific telecommunications systems. Students also explore and learn management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, production methods, and coordination of people and resources. Further, students implement social and collaborative communication skills for the purpose of live radio and internet broadcasting on WWPT – Westport, 90.3 FM. Students who complete Radio Production 1 develop the essential skills required for pre- and post-broadcast production of media audio artifacts that contribute to the importance of becoming a literate consumer and responsible and ethical producer of media.

.5 credit                   Grades 9, 10, 11, 12             S1, S2

Prerequisite: Radio Production 1 or course instructor’s recommendation

Graduation Requirement Area: Open STEAM

Note: This course can be taken multiple times or considered for an independent learning experience with teacher and department coordinator approval.

Radio Production 2 is the second of a two-part course designed to sequentially and systematically move student thinking forward by further developing skills and awareness of conceptual and practical content introduced and developed in Radio Production 1. This course supports career and technical education (CTE) that prepares students for postsecondary education that can lead to industry certification, an associate, or baccalaureate degree. During Radio Production 2, students independently select strategies that reinforce their current knowledge and skills needed to support careers in media, computer, and information technology. In addition, Radio Production 2 students focus on personal reflections and peer-to-peer evaluation of media products generated. Further, students enrolled are required to regularly explain strategies and workflows with media technologies. 

.5 credit                   Grades 9, 10, 11, 12             S1, S2

Prerequisite: None

Graduation Requirement Area: Open STEAM

TV Studio & Documentary Production 1 is the first of a two-part course designed to develop student skills and awareness through collaborative project-based learning that embeds computer and information technology for the purpose of video and audio media communications. This course supports career and technical education (CTE) that prepares students for postsecondary education that can lead to industry certification, an associate, or baccalaureate degree. During TV Studio & Documentary Production 1, students explore and survey different methods used by industry professionals and media influencers regarding how to effectively inform, entertain, engage, and build audiences through the production of video and audio media communications. In addition, students gain hands on experience with industry hardware and software such as video switcher consoles and electronic computer hardware and software. Also, students explore and learn management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, production methods, and coordination of people and resources. Further skills include operating field and studio video equipment, voiceover techniques, audio capture, and fundamental video editing/production workflows. Lastly, students learn the technical essentials required for distributing content on the web and the workflows required for preparing content for online platforms.

.5 credit                   Grades 9, 10, 11, 12             S1, S2

Prerequisite: TV Studio & Documentary Production 1 or course instructor’s recommendation

Graduation Requirement Area: Open STEAM

Note: This course can be taken multiple times or considered for an independent learning experience with teacher and department coordinator approval.

TV Studio & Documentary Production 2 is the second of a two-part course designed to sequentially and systematically move student thinking forward by further developing student skills and awareness of conceptual and practical content introduced and developed in TV Studio & Documentary Production 1. This course supports career and technical education (CTE) that prepares students for postsecondary education that can lead to industry certification, an associate, or baccalaureate degree. During TV Studio & Documentary Production 2, students independently select strategies that reinforce their current knowledge and skills needed to support careers in media, computer, and information technology. In addition, students focus on personal reflections and peer-to-peer evaluation of products generated. Further, students enrolled are required to regularly explain strategies and workflows with media technologies.