DM 201: Videography

Overview

The sale of digital video camcorders is exploding. There are camcorders in more homes today than ever before. Yet fewer owners per capita know how to use them. This course will teach the skills necessary to tell a story using your video camcorder. This task, which sounds simple, is actually quite complicated. It requires gaining an understanding of how the camera operates including iris control, white balance, gain, shutter speed, etc. It means learning sequence development and the elements of story construction. This course is a comprehensive look at visual storytelling, including writing and editing in addition to photographing.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

• Thoroughly understand how to operate a camcorder with consequent understanding of exposure controls (iris, shutter, gain, neutral density).
• Demonstrate an ability to create visual sequences and assemble the sequences into a story with a beginning, middle, and end.
• Understand and explain the various theories of story development, i.e. Tension and Release, Compare and Contrast, etc.
• Produce a video story with all the elements of storytelling used and in addition the story will have a complete script.

Course Requirements

In this course, you will be producing digital video work. Therefore, the following are required:

• A digital video camera that allows for full manual control of iris, focus, and white balance
• Capability to digitally transfer video from camera onto a computer hard drive
• Basic video editing software such as Windows Movie Maker or Macintosh iMovie
• A digital still camera
• A sturdy tripod
• Wireless microphone, something like the Sony WCS-999 Wireless System @99.95 would be fine
• Earphones/earbuds - something to monitor recorded audio
• A free YouTube account
• Recommended but not required:
  A shotgun microphone
  wide angle (zoom through) lens adaptor

Required Texts
DM 201 texts are available from the JIU/MBS bookstore