Video + Digital Cinema

Video + Digital Cinema is ideal if you want to gain skills in the use of digital filmmaking, sound, motion, and sequence-generated content.

Session 1: June 18–30, 2023

A still of a Pre-College student's film on the big screen in CIA's screening room.

In this course, you will learn to meet standards for work in digital cinema, documentary, installation, or experimental video work. Digital Cinema emphasizes the importance of the image and visual storytelling within time-based work, incorporating a solid foundation in photographic essentials. Your focus will be on creative thinking and problem solving as you work on both individual and group projects. In addition, the class will focus on the fundamental rules of composition, contemporary concepts, and examples of historical and contemporary video works of art.

Students will engage in a collaborative studio environment; contribute to and receive constructive critique; and establish critical thinking skills while developing personal projects.

No previous video experience required. It is strongly recommended that students bring their own digital SLR camera with video functions and an external hard drive or large USB flash drive (64GB) for digital file storage.

Projects

During the first week, students will be introduced to software including Adobe Premiere, DSLR functions, and sound recording. Film history, scene selection, lighting and staging will also be explored.

During the second week, students will learn more about contemporary and experimental film, with ample time to work on filming and editing their final projects for the exhibition.

Projects will include video assignments exploring techniques in collage and multiple images, continuous one shot filming, and effects and editing approaches such as cut on action, juxtaposition, cutaways, and inserts. The final project will take into account all the techniques and skills learned in class to create either a narrative or experimental film.