PAL is an acronym that represents three very important factors for success in this course.  Those three factors are:

P= Participation- This course requires students to participate.  Students are expected to participate in discussions, software demonstrations, individual and group activities, and self-paced tutorials.

A=Attitude – Students are expected to demonstrate and maintain a positive attitude during all scheduled class meetings.  It is imperative that all students listen while others are speaking or presenting, get actively involved in the learning process, and make positive contributions to the learning environment.

L=Learning – Realizing that some students come to this course with professed “advanced” skills in certain areas, while other students are true “beginners,” it is expected that each student will push themselves to learn as much as possible about each assignment/topic covered.  Slacking-off because a student thinks that they “already know this stuff” is not acceptable.

 

Course Description

Video Production students will have the opportunity to learn how to produce a movie from the idea stage to a finished product.  Video Production 1A will focus on three major themes.  The  first is Editing where student pairs will learn and practice using “Final Cut Pro” digital editing software, which is becoming a movie industry standard, in teacher-led or self-paced tutorials.  Students that demonstrate an aptitude for video editing and, equally important, the maturity and self-control to work independently, may be given the opportunity to learn the software through a series of self-paced lessons.  Learning to use Final Cut Pro independently is a privilege, not a right, and the instructor will determine if each student will be better served in a group or individual learning environment. Students may be moved from one method to the other, depending on their behavior and productivity.
The second theme is Short Film Exercises where students will work in small groups of 5-8 to create very short movies to practice the basics of visual storytelling.  The third component is Writing the Screenplay which must be done at home. Students will begin with pre-writing exercises and finally complete a 7 - 15 page short subject screenplay. The second semester Video Production 1B, will involve selecting several screenplays to be produced by the entire class, with every student filling a role as either cast or crew.  Video Production is a two-semester class that fulfills the UC/CSU “VPA” requirement.

Grading:
30%- Short film exercises
40%- Writing assignments, equipment, and homework
30%- PAL points