Gavilan College
	DM/Art/CSIS 113: Introduction to Digital Video

SYLLABUS, Fall '07
Lecture/class lab: MW 11:20 AM to 12:40 PM in Studio DM (Li 128)
Lab: Studio DM (Li 128) 2.2 hours arranged--see studio schedule.

INSTRUCTOR: Robert Beede
Email: rbeede@gavilan.edu Web: http://hhh.gavilan.edu/rbeede
See instructor’s web page for office hours.

DESCRIPTION: Introduction to the aesthetic and technical aspects of digital video recording, non-linear editing, special effect generation, and production of video (and associated audio) using the personal computer equipped with specialized software such as Final Cut Pro, SoundTrack, Live Type, and After Effects. Also considered will be the preparation of digital video for use in interactive media such as CD, DVD, VidCasting, and the World Wide Web. Students will produce a final digital video project on DVD. Students may be required to work on a team to produce a documentary for GavTV.

ADVISORY: CSIS 1 or CSIS 2 or equivalent computer experience. May be transferable: CSU

COURSE OBJECTIVES: After successfully completing this course students will be able to:

• Analyze digital video/audio requirements for a digital video project.
• Deduce what equipment, artistic concept, and technical concerns will be needed to meet the results of the above analysis.
• Identify proper edit points in any video/audio file to satisfy technical and artistic constraints.
• Apply principles of rhythm to enhance emotional content of video/audio media.
• When given a specific effect requirement in a multimedia project, solve the problems of how to set up the recording, which filters to use, and how to assemble the pieces (edit) to achieve the desired effect.
• Use contrast and affinity to enhance emotions while editing a video.
• Synthesize a video and/or audio concept to meet critical factors in a particular client’s intended message.
• Understand the fundamental artistic and technical aspects of digital video and associated audio.
• Produce a short digital video narrative or story using the personal computer and specialized software design.
• Understand and solve the associated problems of preparing a video for distribution on the world wide web, CD, DVD, and television.

COURSE SCHEDULE: http://hhh.gavilan.edu/rbeede/DM113DAVWeb/113sched.html

SOFTWARE: The course is taught using Final Cut Pro software. If you use a Wintel computer running Adobe Premiere or AVID Express, you can still participate and learn things from this class.

TEXT: Final Cut Pro 5 H•O•T, by Larry Jordan, Published by Lynda.com/PeachPit Press, 2006; Handouts and assignments will be available via links on the schedule page. Online video tutorials are available at http://www.atomiclearning.com/home.

STUDIO DM (see the Studio Help page for operation help): It is expected that you work outside of class on your projects. Gavilan has just built Studio DM for interdisciplinary use in digital media. The computers are the fastest available, each is equipped with CD/DVD burner, and are cross platform capable. Our server and gigabit ethernet network are state of the art. The projector and 10 foot screen are top quality while sound is delivered via a Dolby 5.1 studio monitor surround sound system.

SUPPLIES: Even though our server keeps your own individual and private data, we cannot guarantee it. To be safe, you will need some sort of storage device such as USB Flash memory key/stick or 5+ blank CD-Rs or DVD-Rs (read DVD dash R) for storing and backing up your work and project files. All the computers are equipped with cross-platform CD-R/DVD-R burners. Note that these Macintosh computers will burn cross platform CDs and will accept Windows CDs, multiple sessions should be used on a single platform only.

A Firewire hard drive is recommended for those who need to produce portable video projects. Completed video can be printed to tape or rendered to a DVD-R that is playable on most set top DVD players. You will need to purchase your own DVD-Rs (read as DVD dash R) for this purpose. Studio DM does not currently support DVD+R format.

Video camcorders in mini DV format are available for checkout if you do not have your own.

IMPORTANT!: All video and sound projects shall use a computers DAV hard disk or a portable Firewire drive. Under no circumstances shall video or sound be captured to the desktop or another part of a users account.

COURSE SCHEDULE: http://hhh.gavilan.edu/rbeede/DM113DAVWeb

COURSE EVALUATION: There will be at least two main projects during the semester. Students will be assigned a letter grade for each. The weighting is approximately 30% for Project 1 and 40% for project 2. An additional 30% will be a letter grades for quizes, good class participation, and project documentation.

LECTURE POLICY: Use of computers during lectures is prohibited. We have found that this leads to poor student retention of material, thus resulting in poor grades. Students will be asked to leave lectures if this occurs.