Days: Saturday and Sunday
Time: 11:00 - 17:00
Duration: Weekend
Price: £220 (concessions £132)
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Video Production Intensive

Course Overview
The aim of this course is to give you a basic introduction to making a micro-short film. This course focuses on documentary filmmaking and takes a 'hands-on' intensive approach. You will use a Cannon XL2 to 'shoot' as a group, gaining practical experience in the conceptual and technical elements of production. You will also get a chance to transfer your footage to a computer for a basic introduction to editing.

Course Outcomes
Upon completing this course, you will:
• Understand the different phases involved in a video production (Pre-production, Production & Post Production)
• Know how to operate a camera and microphone and how to use a tripod
• Understand shot composition and the terminology used
• Have an understanding of interviewing techniques
• Have an understanding of the documentary genre
• Gained basic experience in filming a sequence or an interview

Lesson Structure
Lesson 1 What is a documentary? • Introduction to camera language and shot composition • Camera training (hand held versus tripod, automatic versus manual, focus, iris, white balance) • Camera exercises (5 shots to describe a place using manual controls, with and without tripod) • Introduction to sound • External microphones - best practice • Interviewing techniques • Introduction to Final Cut Pro (the Viewer and Canvas, Marking in and out, placing in the Timeline and making an assembly edit)
Lesson 2 Pre-Production (proposal • treatment • script • shooting script • storyboard • budget • scheduling• crew • equipment list • the Recce) • Production (the shooting schedule) • Post-Production (offline and online editing • sound design, music and the audio dub • colour grading • graphics, credits and subtitles) • What to shoot for the edit • 180 degree rule • Using a storyboard • Shot composition • Planning a three shot sequence • Filming a continuity sequence on location • Capturing footage • Assembling footage • Marking In and Out points • Inserting images • Sound levels • Creating titles and credits • Exporting a Quicktime movie

Entry Requirements
No previous experience is necessary. Students should be fluent in English.

Tutor
Award-winning Alejandra Jimenez has many years of experience working with video and animation. She has directed short educational documentaries and animated films, including 'Andares in Times of War' for Channel 4. Alejandra’s animation and special effects work can be seen in a variety of short films such as ‘The Cat With Hands’ and ‘The Separation’ by Robert Morgan and ‘Journey Through the Night’ by Joram Ten Brink, among others. Alongside her freelance work Alejandra Lectures on video and animation at several Higher and Further Education institutions in London.