American University of Rome, COM217
Spring 2010
Professor: Kristen Palana
e-mail: k.palana@aur.edu

This is a hands-on, practical course that teaches students how to use the equipment needed for visual media production including broadcast quality digital video cameras, lighting equipment, microphones and audio technologies, and non-linear editing software. The course will take students from the basic introduction to the equipment to gaining expertise in handling the equipment and learning how to get the most out of it.


Essential Information:

Spring 2011 Syllabus (PDF)

Weekly Topics and Links for Discussion: (Will be added to as the semester progresses.)

Weeks 1 and 2:
The Power of Still Images
Principles of Design
The Power of Still Images: Clips from The Civil War by Ken Burns -The Emmy-winning Series.Camera Angles and POV's
Camera Shots and Terms
Camera Movements
Good general camera and video production online resource.

Weeks 5 and 6:
Good camera techniques tutorial
How to light for movies
Outdoor Lighting
Film Noir Lighting

Color Quizzes
See how much you know about color
Analize your current mood/personality

Weeks 7 and 8:
Royalty Free Sound Resources:
Flashkit.com -Free music loops and sound effects
Incompetech -Free long and short music loops
Soundsnap -Free music loops and sound effects
SoundsXtras.com -Free sound effects

Weeks 9 and 10:
Storyboarding