Course syllabus

1. DE LA SALLE-COLLEGE OF ST. BENILDE
SCHOOL OF DESIGN AND ARTS
COURSE SYLLABUS
3rd Term 2009-2010
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 and Thursdays 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 student 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 art and technique of visual storytelling
2. Learn the fundamentals of digital video production
3. Understand the roles and responsibilities in various stages of production.
4. Develop concepts, and produce their own video production
5. Appreciate the art and science of video production and evaluate their work
and the work of others.
CLASS REQUIREMENTS: 1. A filler notebook for use as a production journal
2. Mini-DV blank tapes for use in shooting exercises (I’m encouraging you to
buy SONY tapes since we will be using Sony Video Camera most of the
time
3. Access to a Video Camera (you can borrow the following cameras at the
department: Sony VX2000 / Sony VX2001 / Canon XL1 or feel free to
bring your own if you have one).
4. Access to computer/editing system (most of the time we will be using the
Adobe Premiere CS2 / CS3 / CS4 editing software)
5. DVD’s (where your works should be encoded)
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

2. COURSE OUTLINE:
WEEK 1 Introduction to the Course
TUESDAY: JANUARY 19, 2010 Prior Knowledge Survey
THURSDAY: JANUARY 21, 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 Filmic Language / Video Technology
TUESDAY: JANUARY 26, 2010 Basic Parts of the Video Camera and intro to basic equipment
THURSDAY: JANUARY 28, 2010 Film /video showing
ASSIGNMENT: 1. Read assigned readings
2. Bring Mini-DV tape
3. Secure Camera and tripod for next meeting
WEEK 3 Stages of Production: Preproduction, Production, Postproduction
TUESDAY: FEBRUARY 2, 2010 Introduction to Visual Composition: Shot sizes, camera composition, camera
THURSDAY: FERUARY 4, 2010 placement and movement
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 1 min video showing a transaction scene.
Rushes only, no editing. Be prepared to show it next meeting
2. Read assigned readings
WEEK 4 Showing of 1-minute video assignment
TUESDAY: FEBRUARY 9, 2010 Briefing and Lecture on Midterms: Music Video
THURSDAY: FEBRUARY 11, 2010 Discussion on The Elements of Mise-En-Scene: Production Design, Direction,
Acting, Cinematography
Film Showing
Lecture on Continuity: Narrative, Temporal (matching actions, entrances & exits)
and Spatial (eyelines, 180 degree rule)
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
Showing of 2-minute video assignment
WEEK 5 Film / Video Showing
TUESDAY: FEBRUARY 16, 2010 Familiarization with lights (natural/ambient/artificial), lighting equipment
THURSDAY: FEBRUARY 18, 2010 Basic Lighting: 3-point lighting: key, fill, backlight, kicker, eye lights, hard and soft,
bounce and diffusion.
Alternative lighting” use of 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
Further Discussions on Lighting
WEEK 6 Lighting aesthetics: Painting with light, creating mood, style, effects
TUESDAY: FEBRUARY 23, 2010 EXERCISE: Lighting exercise- shooting in a contained set
THURSDAY: FEBRUARY 25, 2010 Discussions on Midterms Project: MUSIC VIDEO

3. Deadline of Midterms Project: MUSIC VIDEO
WEEK 7 Regrouping for Finals Project- Short Film
TUESDAY: MARCH 2, 2010 Introduction to film sound, sound recording, microphones and placement
THURSDAY: MARCH 4, 2010 Introduction to Conceptualization/ Storytelling
Format of a script
EXERCISE: Shoot a 1-minute transaction scene with dialogue. The objective of the
exercise is for the students to be able to shoot with audio recording.
Film / Video Showing
WEEK 8 Scriptwriting: Developing a story
TUESDAY: MARCH 9, 2010 - 3-act structure
THURSDAY: MARCH 11, 2010 - Narrative continuity: Character continuity
- Plant and Pay-off / Cause and effect
Format of a Script
Introduction to Post-Production: Principles of Editing (montage)
Transitions: Cut-To, Fade in/Fade out
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 Familiarization with the editing software
TUESDAY: MARCH 16, 2010 EXERCISE: Edit a 1-minute clip using basic editing skills
THURSDAY: MARCH 18, 2010 Preparations for finals: Short Film (solo or group)
Further Discussion and Hands-on on Editing
WEEK 10 Editing music video style
TUESDAY: MARCH 23, 2010 EXERCISE: Edit a 3-minute music video using movie clips
THURSDAY: MARCH 25, 2010
Submission of editing exercise
WEEK 11 Further Discussion on Editing
TUESDAY: MARCH 30, 2010 Introduction to Sound designing and Musical Score
THURSDAY: APRIL 1, 2010 EXERCISE: Scoring of previous exercises
GROUP ASSIGNMENT: Submission of edited MUSIC VIDEO
Lecture on TVC
WEEK 12 Shooting Exercise: 30-seconder TVC. The objective for this exercise is to apply all
TUESDAY: APRIL 6, 2010 the principles and techniques of visual storytelling
THURSDAY: APRIL 8, 2010 Group meeting: conceptualization for finals
Editing of 30-seconder TVC: putting together of shots and audio clips and burning it
into a DVD
WEEK 13 Screening of Music Video
TUESDAY: APRIL 13, 2010 Short films and its aesthetics
THURSDAY: APRIL 15, 2010 Consultations on finals project
GROUP EXERCISE: Recap of exercises on camera handling
WEEK 14 Deadline of Submission of the Finals Project
TUESDAY: APRIL 20, 2010 ( 2 DVD COPIES; DVD PLAYER-TESTED)
THURSDAY: APRIL 22, 2010
FINALS Public Screening of works / Panel Defense
(APRIL 26-30, 2010)
If time permits, we might have:
*SPECIAL DAYS 1. IN-SCHOOL DEMONTRATION OF A LIVE SHOOTING STAGED IN ONE OF OUR
STUDIOS
2. OUT-OF-SCHOOL FIELD TRIP TO A SHOOTING LOCATION AND OR
SHOOTING/ FILM FACILITIES

4. 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 given an “absence” mark. The university standard “3-absence rule” will be implemented for the
duration of the trimester. Students with excess absences will be given a grade of 0.0.
2. RESPECT DEADLINES. Plan ahead if you must. Failure to submit the final project at the prescribed deadline will
merit an immediate 0%. This is non-negotiable.
3. BE RESPONSIBLE ENOUGH TO SECURE EQUIPMENT AND POST PRODUCTION FACILITIES FOR CLASS
USE. DF students may have only no or limited access to MMA video production facilities; as such it is your
responsibility to secure the equipment/facilities that will be used for the class.
4. BE MINDFUL OF ACADEMIC ETHICS. Plagiarism is unforgivable. Respect 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 where to reach me.
6. BE BRAVE ENOUGH TO CHALLENGE ME WHENEVER YOU FEEL I HAVE SAID SOMETHING WRONG. I
attend classes also to learn. Teach me.
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
Video Lectures from the American Film Institute
Video Lectures from the New York Film Academy