PHTO 204: Video for Photographers

Citrus College Course Outline of Record

Citrus College Course Outline of Record
Heading Value
Effective Term: Fall 2022
Credits: 3
Total Contact Hours: 108
Lecture Hours : 36
Lab Hours: 72
Hours Arranged: 0
Outside of Class Hours: 72
Prerequisite: PHTO 102 or PHTO 202.
District General Education: C1. Arts
Transferable to CSU: Yes
Transferable to UC: Yes - Approved
Grading Method: Standard Letter

Catalog Course Description

This class introduces video production to still photographers. Video content will be captured with the use of DSLR or mirrorless camera system. Lighting and camera techniques, audio recording, output options and editing with the use of Adobe Premiere Pro will be explored. Visual storytelling and theme development are studied through the production of interviews, product videos, time-lapse videos, mini-documentaries or video shorts. Contemporary and historical video work will be viewed and discussed along with critique of student work. 36 lecture hours, 72 lab hours.

Course Objectives

  • Produce a commercially viable video with a clear narrative.\\n
  • Develop communication skills to maintain a positive and productive relationship with coworkers and clientele.\\n
  • Demonstrate effective pre-production planning.\\n
  • Evaluate finished videos according to impact, concept, technical excellence and aesthetics.\\n
  • Distinguish safe and appropriate procedures and practices utilized on set and in a lighting studio.\\n

Major Course Content

  1. Preproduction (Set up, Organize, Plan)
    1. Concept development
    2. Theme
    3. Personal Vision
    4. Script
    5. Story board
    6. Shot list
    7. Permits
  2. View video work
    1. Contemporary
    2. Historical
  3. Interviews
    1. Researching subject
    2. Preparing Interview Questions
    3. Conducting Interviews
    4. Lighting Interviews
    5. Shooting
    6. Recording audio of an Interview
  4. Camera
    1. Lenses
    2. Memory cards (storage capacity & class rating)
    3. Frame rates
    4. Compression
    5. Aspect ratios
    6. Exposure
  5. Camera Issues
    1. Moiré
    2. Flange Distance
    3. Aliasing
    4. Rolling shutter effect (CMOS sensors)                
  6. Production (Shoot, Action, Record)
    1. Camera Angles: low, high, eye level, reverse, POV, POV 2nd, voyeur, reflection, extreme high, extreme low
    2. Camera Shots: establishing shot, long/wide, medium, cutting, close Ups, B roll
    3. Camera Movements: zooming, panning, tilting, dolly shot, tracking, crabbing
    4. Composition
    5. Continuity
  7. Lighting
    1. Continuous light sources: Tungsten, HMI, LED, Fluorescent
    2. White Balance
    3. 3-point lighting
    4. Ratios (Key: Fill)
    5. amps, watts, volts
  8. Audio
    1. Recording systems
    2. Unidirectional microphones: shot gun microphone, windsocks
    3. Lavalier microphone
    4. Editing sound clips: add reverb, reverse, pitch up & down, stretch in & out, gate, delay, filter, repeat, slice, layer, fade
    5. Appropriated sound: copyright and royalty free
    6. https://www.online-convert.com/
  9. Accessories
    1. ND filters
    2. Sliders, dollies, sticks, monopod, Steadicam
    3. Viewing Loupe
    4. Camera cage
  10. Postproduction
    1. Editing software: Premiere interface: Source, Program, Project, Timeline
    2. Importing media
    3. Adjustment Layers
    4. Effects: Motion, Scale, Opacity, Dissolves, Masking, Transitions
    5. Cut
    6. Color: Correction & Grade
    7. Sound design
    8. Output: Exporting Files & File Formats
    9. Rights Usage: Copyright & Royalty Free

Lab Content

  • Develop a concept, write a script, light, shoot & edit a branded content video
  • Research a subject, write interview questions, light, shoot & edit an interview
  • Develop a concept, write a script, light, shoot & edit a mini documentary or video short
  • Apply camera settings to diverse shooting situations
  • Address and correct common camera issues
  • Practice camera angles, shots and movements
  • Record and manipulate common sounds
  • Record and edit an interview
  • Make and shoot with a slider
  • Critique student work
  • Use editing software to correct, cut, color and output video

Suggested Reading Other Than Required Textbook

http://www.ubuweb.com/ https://www.pond5.com https://www.lynda.com https://scottkelby.com/ http://www.permitadvisors.com/ https://www.filmla.com/for-filmmakers/permits/

Examples of Required Writing Assignments

Research a subject and write a set of interview questions. Prepare a script for a branded content video. Apply for a location permit. Summarize the narrative for a mini-documentary or video short.

Examples of Outside Assignments

Produce a time-lapse video Shoot and record sound for an interview Edit a selection of still photographs into a sequenced video with sounds. Shoot stills and video for a product

Instruction Type(s)

Lecture, Lab, Online Education Lecture, Online Education Lab