1. DE LA SALLE-COLLEGE OF ST. BENILDE
SCHOOL OF DESIGN AND ARTS
COURSE SYLLABUS
1st Term 2010-2011
COURSE CODE: BAVIDEO
COURSE TITLE: BASIC VIDEO PRODUCTION
CREDIT: 3 units
PRE-REQUISITE (S) / TO: None
TYPE OF COURSE: Design Foundation
FACULTY: Nestor S. Abrogena Jr.
nestorabrogena@gmail.com
+(63) 916 724 5153
CONSULTATION: Tuesdays 2:30-2:45PM / 5:45-6PM ; Wednesday 2:30-2:45PM / 5:45-6PM
For inquiries, concerns and scheduling of special consultation, please email me or
contact me through my mobile phone number.
Email add for the class: basicvideoproduction@gmail.com
COURSE DESCRIPTION: A workshop in the basics of video production, seeking to introduce the students to
the disciplines and techniques of creative visualization and execution of ideas into a
motion picture medium for use in various applications
COURSE OBJECTIVES: At the end of the course, the students should be able to:
1. Learn the fundamentals of video production
2. Understand the roles and responsibilities in various stages of production
3. Learn the art and technique of visual storytelling
4. Develop concepts, and produce their own video production
5. Appreciate and evaluate their work and the work of others.
CLASS REQUIREMENTS: 1. A small sketch pad to keep all the notes and storyboard sketches
2. Mini-DV blank tapes for use in shooting exercises- PANASONIC TAPES
(for the Panasonic camera) / SONY TAPES (for the Sony camera)
3. Access to a video camera (we’ll be using the PANASONIC DVX100b, or
for lack thereof, SONY VX2100)
4. Access to computer/editing system (we will be using the Adobe software
programs- ADOBE PREMIERE CS3/CS4 and ADOBE AFTER EFFECTS
CS3/CS4)
5. DVD’s (where your works should be encoded)- I encourage you to avail
the DVD-R 16x
6. Membership to class website:
Facebook Page- BASIC VIDEO PRODUCTION
ASSESSMENT/EVALUATION: Grading system will be based on the average of the following criteria, given each
item corresponds to 100%
1. Attendance and Class Participation
2. Assignment
3. Exercises
4. Midterms Project
5. Finals Project
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2. COURSE OUTLINE:
WEEK 1 Introduction to the Course
TUESDAY: JUNE 1, 2010 Prior Knowledge Survey
WEDNESDAY: JUNE 2, 2010 Overview of the Syllabus
Discussion of Expectations, Deadlines, and House Rules
Groupings / Briefing for Midterms Project- Music Video
Film / Video Showing
ASSIGNMENT: 1. Membership to class website
2. Read assigned readings
WEEK 2 Introduction to the Video Technology and Film Language
TUESDAY: JUNE 8, 2010 The Stages of Production: Preproduction, Production, Postproduction
WEDNESDAY: JUNE 9, 2010 The Who’s of the Production: Above-The-Line and Below-The-Line
Film /Video Showing
ASSIGNMENT: 1. Read assigned readings
2. Bring Mini-DV tape
3. Secure Camera and Tripod for next meeting
WEEK 3 Basic Parts of the Video Camera and Introduction to the Basic Equipment
TUESDAY: JUNE 15, 2010 Introduction to Visual Composition: Shot Sizes, Placement and Movement
WEDNESDAY: JUNE 16, 2010 Introduction to a Storyboard
Film /Video showing
EXERCISE: Shoot a scene of transaction. Use available light only. Use different angles
and shot sizes. The objective is for the students to familiarize themselves with the video
camera and show the transaction visually through shot sizes, placement, angle and
movement.
GROUP ASSIGNMENT: 1. Shoot a 3-min video of an “action scene” (to be explained)
2. Read assigned readings
WEEK 4 Showing of 1-minute video assignment
TUESDAY: JUNE 22, 2010 First Phase of Music Video Lecture: Forms, Styles and Concepts
WEDNESDAY: JUNE 23, 2010 Further Discussions of Visual Composition: Shot Sizes, Camera Composition, Camera
Placement and Movement
Lecture on Photographic Composition
Lecture on Continuity: Narrative, Temporal (matching actions, entrances & exits) and
Spatial (eyelines, 180 degree rule)
Film/Video Showing
EXERCISE: Shoot a 1-min conversation scene. The objective is for the students to be
familiar with the aesthetics of a frame and continuity.
GROUP ASSIGNMENT: 1. Shoot a 2-min video showing a conversation scene. Rushes
only, no editing. Be prepared to show it next meeting
WEEK 5 Mis-En-Scene: Production Design, Acting/Directing, Cinematography
TUESDAY: JUNE 29, 2010 Introduction to Basic Lighting: Lights and Equipment
WEDNESDAY: JUNE 30, 2010 Familiarization with Natural and Artificial Lighting
Set-Ups: Three-Point and Set Lighting: Key, Fill, Backlight, Kicker, Eye lights, Hard and
Soft, Bounce and Diffusion.
Alternative Lighting: Practicals
EXERCISE: Shoot a 1-minute performance video using lights. The objective of this
exercise is for the students to familiarize themselves to the basics of lighting
GROUP ASSIGNMENT: Concept for Music Video + planning stage
WEEK 6 Second Phase of Music Video Lecture: The Process of Conceptualization and
TUESDAY: JULY 6, 2010 Preparation
WEDNESDAY: JULY 7, 2010 Further Discussions on Lighting Aesthetics: Painting with Light, Creating Mood and
Effects
EXERCISE: Lighting exercise- shooting in a contained set (Green Room)
Discussions on Midterms Project: MUSIC VIDEO
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4. WEEK 7 PRODUCTION PHASE OF MUSIC VIDEO PROJECTS (MIDTERMS WEEK)
TUESDAY: JULY 13, 2010 Introduction to Short Film Narrative and Regrouping for Short film finals project
WEDNESDAY: JULY 14, 2010 First Phase of Writing for Short Film: The art of Storytelling and Conceptualization
Brief Discussion on Sound Effects and Musical Score: Free-Royalty Sound and Scores
EXERCISE: 3-Object Exercise and Stimuli Exercise
ASSIGNMENT: “Conversations with DREAM”
WEEK 8 DEADLINE FOR THE PRODUCTION PHASE OF MUSIC VIDEO PROJECTS
TUESDAY: JULY 20, 2010 Film / Video Showing
WEDNESDAY: JULY 21, 2010 Second Phase of Writing for Short Film: “The Big Idea” and Treatment Writing
Character Sketching: Profile, Environment, Problem, Solution
Developing a Story: 3-Act Structure, Plant and Pay-off, Montage
The Process of Scriptwriting: Format and Style
INDIVIDUAL ASSIGNMENT: Write a 3-minute worth of script based on topic that will be
given to you
Introduction to Post-Production: Principles of Editing
WEEK 9 The Editing Console: Basic Interface of Adobe Premiere program
TUESDAY: JULY 27, 2010 Video Transitions: Cut-To, Dissolve, Fade in/Fade out
WEDNESDAY: JULY 28, 2010 Creating Titles: OBB (opening billboard) and CBB (closing billboard), Subtitles
Rendering clips and exporting to movie file
Creating a DVD-Movie and DVD-Data: Nero program
EXERCISE: Edit a 1-minute clip using basic editing skills
Preparations for Finals
NOTE: CHANGE OF ROOM: to be announced
Further Discussion on Post-production: Review on Previous Editing Activity
WEEK 10 Workspace: Video Effects, Special Effects and Style
TUESDAY: AUGUST 3, 2010 Editing Audio Effects and Transitions, Keying Audio Track
WEDNESDAY: AUGUST 4, 2010 EXERCISE: Edit a 3-minute music video using movie clips
ASSIGNMENT: Shoot a 3-minute short film (without dialogues) for Editing Exercise next
week
NOTE: CHANGE OF ROOM: to be announced
WEEK 11 Submission of editing exercise
TUESDAY: AUGUST 10, 2010 Brief Discussion on Adobe After Effects: Basics, Presets and Plug-ins
WEDNESDAY: AUGUST 11, 2010 Output: DVD Authoring and Creating Menu
EXERCISE: Short Film Editing with Assignment
NOTE: CHANGE OF ROOM: to be announced
WEEK 12 Submission of edited Midterms MUSIC VIDEO on DVD and Showing
TUESDAY: AUGUST 17, 2010 Third Phase of Short Film Writing: Further discussions on Scriptwriting
WEDNESDAY: AUGUST 18, 2010 Sound Recording: Equipment and Placement
EXERCISE: Shooting a transaction scene with dialogues
WEEK 13 Last Phase of Short Film Writing: Finalization of Concepts, Scripts and Storyboards
TUESDAY: AUGUST 24, 2010 Proposals of Concepts and Consultation of Finals Project
WEDNESDAY: AUGUST 25, 2010
WEEK 14 Consultations for Final Project
TUESDAY: AUGUST 31, 2010
WEDNESDAY: SEPTEMBER 1, 2010
FINALS- SUBMISSION Deadline of Submission of the Finals Project
SEPTEMBER 8, 2010, WEDNESDAY 2 DVD-MOVIE COPIES; DVD PLAYER-TESTED AND PROPERLY LABELLED
(tentative) 1 DVD-DATA COPY .AVI SOFT FILE OF YOUR SHORT FILM FOR BACK-UP
FINALS Public Screening of Works / Panel Defense
SEPTEMBER 10, 2010, FRIDAY
(tentative)
SEPTEMBER 11, 2010, SATURDAY Course Card Distribution (14th floor, 11AM to 1PM)
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5. OUR ARRANGEMENT
I will try to keep our classes interesting and fun if you promise to be interested. This is a two-way street. I enjoy lively
discussions that are not strictly limited to textbook information. I detest being the only one speaking during our sessions.
Learning is an interactive enterprise and, I am the type of teacher who considers every situation an opportunity to learn.
My responsibility to you goes beyond our lesson plan. You will get along with me if you:
1. ATTEND CLASSES AND SPECIAL EVENTS ON TIME. We both need to see and hear each other for learning to
happen. It is your job to make me remember you. The class will start at exactly 11:30am / 2:45pm. I will give a 15-
min allowance for you to come to my class but at exactly 11:45am / 3pm, if a student is not present at roll-call, the
student will be marked “late,” given he/she attends the class. This constitutes to a 0.5-point attendance for the
meet. Given an emergency and you can’t come in to the class, inform me in advance and you will be marked
“excused;” This constitutes to a 1-point attendance but this does not mean that you’ll be credited with the hands-on
exercise for that particular day. Remember, this is a workshop class; attendance equals exercise. I will only allow “3
excuses” for the whole term; otherwise you will be marked “absent.” The university standard “3-absence rule” will
be implemented for the duration of the term and students with excess absences will be given a grade of 0.0.
2. RESPECT DEADLINES. Plan ahead if you must. Failure to submit projects at the prescribed deadline will merit an
immediate 0%. This is non-negotiable.
3. SECURE EQUIPMENT AND POST PRODUCTION FACILITIES FOR CLASS USE, IN ADVANCE. DF students
may have limited access to Video Production equipment and facilities due to other production classes; as such it is
your responsibility to secure the equipment/facilities in advance; be responsible enough to have your forms signed /
letters endorsed, at least a week earlier.
4. BE MINDFUL OF ACADEMIC ETHICS. Plagiarism is unforgivable. Violation of Intellectual Property Rights Law is a
mortal sin. As early as now, I want you to practice professionalism. You are artists as well, and you will not want
others to use your material without crediting you. Respect the works of others, and acknowledge authors whenever
you borrow their ideas/materials. Cite them.
5. ASK FOR HELP WHEN YOU FEEL YOU NEED GUIDANCE. You know how/where to reach me.
6. BE BRAVE ENOUGH TO CHALLENGE ME WHENEVER YOU FEEL I HAVE SAID SOMETHING WRONG. It
should be a learning process for the both of us.
7. OPEN YOURSELF UP TO NEW IDEAS AND EXPERIENCES. You are design and arts students and should be
informed and opinionated. I cannot perform magic (though I wish I could), so you have to build on whatever
curiosity you currently have. Read. Watch. Experience!
8. COME TO CLASS WITH THE WILLINGNESS TO LEARN. Again. I am no magician. Every class is composed of
different people who, collectively, determine its spirit. You can choose to enjoy this class or hate it. Help me make it
a mind-blowing experience for all of us.
REFERENCES
Ascher, Steven and Pincus, Edward, THE FILMMAKERS’ HANDBOOK. New York: Penguin Group, 1999.
Bordwell, David, FILM ART: AN INTRODUCTION (8TH ED.). New York: The McGraw-Hill Companies Inc., 2008
Campbell, Drew, TECHNICAL FILM AND TV FOR NONTECHNICAL PEOPLE. New York: Allworth Press, 2002
AMERICAN FILM INSTITUTE SCREEN EDUCATION PROTOCOL AND MATERIALS GUIDE TO THE SCREEN EDUCATION
PROCESS. American Film Institute, 2006
Video Lectures from the American Film Institute
Video Lectures from the New York Film Academy
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