COM1105 – Audio/Video

Audio & Video is the fifth credit in this class. This module builds off technical and creative skills acquired in the previous modules. In Audio/Video, students will acquire basic production skills, including planning, recording and editing, through the production of simple audio and/or video projects using basic equipment and techniques.

Assessment breakdown:

#1. Theory = 20%
#2. Practice = 40%
#3. Final Project = 40%

REMINDER: Unless indicated otherwise, all assignments are to be turned in through the assignments tab in Microsoft Teams.

Theory

IN THIS SECTION WE WILL LEARN IMPORTANT CONCEPTS NEEDED TO DO THE PRACTICE. PLEASE ENSURE YOU HAVE REVIEWED THE MATERIALS BELOW BEFORE TAKING THE QUIZ ASSIGNED THROUGH TEAMS.

Before video, there was audio. Families used to gather around the home radio to listen to the news, sports, and music. Today, radio and podcasting remain alive and well; however, video has exploded with popularity and has become the dominate choice of Multimedia consumption. Let’s learn more about audio and video inside these two presentations.

Practice editing using footage downloaded from the Pexels site listed in the Video Software & Resources section below.

Practice

IN THIS SECTION YOU WILL APPLY WHAT YOU LEARNED IN THE THEORY SECTION. THE AIM OF PRACTICING IS TO EQUIP YOU WITH THE KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS NEEDED TO CHOOSE AND CREATE YOUR OWN FINAL PROJECT. CLICK ON THE BUTTON BELOW TO DOWNLOAD A PRACTICE PORTFOLIO TEMPLATE (MOVE IT TO YOUR STUDENT FOLDER) AND CAREFULLY REVIEW THE INSTRUCTIONS.

> How to do Practice Portfolio in Multimedia (00:00)
> Student Example

Include the following challenges, plus pictures of any other in-class activities you completed (earn bonus marks), inside your practice portfolio:

#1 – Shot List Scavenger Hunt

DOWNLOAD & PRINT: > Camera Shots/Moves Cheatsheet
ADDITIONAL READING: > MasterClass: Camera Shots

Read the information below and review ‘Presentation 1’ in the theory section.

Then, while viewing clips on YouTube of your favourite Hollywood movies, find and paste screenshots (use “Snipping Tool” app) of at least 6 different camera shots. Include these screenshots in your portfolio and label which shot type is being demonstrated.

Shot: snippet of uninterrupted recorded footage.

Scene: segment of a movie or TV show that is composed of a series of shots, and usually takes place in one time and place.

Sequence: series of connected, successive scenes that advance a distinct component of the story narrative, plot and/or character development'.

Shot size: how much of the setting or subject is displayed within a given frame of a video, photo, or animation.

Camera angle: the angle at which you face the lens toward the subject(s). Different angles add a layer to how we are to perceive the subject and they can greatly add to the mood of the scene.

Low Angle, High Angle, Overhead, Dutch Angle, Eye Level, Shoulder Level, Hip Level, Knee Level, & Ground Level.

When composing a shot, you will have to decide the distance and angle from which you shoot the subject.

 

#2 – You’ve Got the Moves

DOWNLOAD & PRINT: > Camera Shots/Moves Cheatsheet

Read the information below and review ‘Presentation 1’ in the theory section. Then, using a cellular camera (film horizontal) or class camera, do the following:

  • Film and demonstrate at least 8 different camera movements with a clear subject in mind and using a variety of shot types (camera distances/angles). Your filming should help the audience follow the action(s) taking place.
    (Note: You can combine more than one movement into a single shot).

  • The subjects you film can be a person, place, or thing.

  • Use editing software (Adobe Premiere or another website linked at the bottom of this webpage) to compile your footage.

  • Add text captions indicating which moves are being shown.

  • Export your footage as a .MP4 video and place inside your practice portfolio.

> Camera Angles and the Emotions They Evoke
> Sample Script: High School Short Stories

 

#3 – Transitions

For this practice challenge, you will review the video below and demonstrate 4 different transitions of your choosing. Place each transition as a clip on a slide in your portfolio and caption them. You can add the transitions separately or compiled together in one video clip. Many transitions can be added in post-production (effects folders) while others will be achieved through camera work.

  • The Cut, Fade, Dissolve, Match Cut, Iris, Wipe, Passing, Whip Pan, Smash Cut, J-Cut, L-Cut, Hyperzoom, Other!

> How to do a passing cut in Adobe Premiere

 

#4 – What’s the Plan, Stan?

NOTE: USE THIS PRACTICE CHALLENGE AS A CHANCE TO PLAN FOR YOUR FINAL PROJECT, SO HAVE A PROJECT IDEA IN MIND BEFORE BEGINNING THIS PRACTICE CHALLENGE.

For this practice challenge, you will review the information below and ‘Presentation 2’ to learn about and create ONE of the following planning tools (add image(s) of completed planning tool inside your practice portfolio).

Screenplay (or script): Screenplays are a text-based document that tells a films story (narrative) in sequential order. They include character descriptions, dialogue, and an outline of when and where events take place. It is the foundation from which a film is then visualized and created.

> How to Format a Screenplay
> Screenplay Example
> Screenplay Template (Microsoft Word)

What is the relationship between a script, shots list, and storyboard? Read this article to find an answer.

Shot list: a document that outlines what will take place in each shot. Shot lists don’t provide a clear visual interpretation which is why a storyboard should be produced to help the filmmaker “see” the shot. (See example in ‘Presentation 2’)

Storyboard: a panel of sketches that visually depict key shots in your video production.

Storyboarding is a way to produce a unified interpretation of what various shots will look like. Your storyboard should include enough linework, shading, arrows, and annotations to effectively communicate the various shots for each scene in your film. They don’t need to be highly rendered drawings!

> Storyboard Template (PDF)
> Storyboard Example (PDF)

Final Project

IN THIS SECTION, YOU WILL HAVE THE CHANCE TO CHOOSE AND DESIGN A PROJECT THAT RELATES TO WHAT YOU HAVE LEARNED IN THIS CREDIT (SEE FINAL PROJECT DESCRIPTION BELOW). PLEASE DOWNLOAD THE INSTRUCTIONS AND FOLLOW THEM CAREFULLY. PLEASE SEE ME IF YOU ARE STRUGGLING TO COME UP WITH A PROJECT IDEA OR NEXT ADDITIONAL GUIDANCE.

Final Project Description: For this final project, you will complete a short video project with sound (minimum of 30 seconds). The video will be based off at least one type of planning document (script, audio plan, storyboard, shots list, etc.) and you must hand this in as part of your final project.

> How to do Final Projects in Multimedia
> Final Project Ideas & Resources
> Student Example

 

SOFTWARE:

> Storyboard Creator:(Website)
> FlexClip (Free Video Templates)
> Kapwing (Website)
> CapCut (Website or App)
> Canva (Website)

ASSETS:

> Slidesgo.com (Free Ppwt. Templates)
> Pixabay (Free Stock Videos, Sounds)
> Coverr (Free Stock Videos)
> Videezy (Free Stock Video)
> Pexels.com (Free, Stock Video)
> Mixkit (Free Sounds)
> Dafont.com (Free Fonts)
> Unsplash.com (Free, Stock Images)