1. Introduction to Digital Media Design and Production
Instructor: Michael Weston, University of Houston-Victoria
Required textbook:
Musburger, Robert B. & Gorham Kindem. Introduction to Media Production: The Path to Digital Media
Production. Fourth Edition. Focal: 2009. ISBN: 978-0-240-81082-9
Course Description:
This course provides the design, theory and development of production skills and techniques for a
variety of digital media. Students are required to participate in labs dealing with the operation and
utilization of production equipment and the actual production of materials.
Course Objectives:
After successful completion of the course, the student will:
• Be able to prepare, propose, plan, and carry out a small-scale media production.
• Gain experience and ability in digital photography and image manipulation.
• Gain experience and ability in visual and audio storytelling.
• Gain experience and ability in digital video and audio editing.
• Gain experience and ability in collaborative media production.
• Have explored narrative, aesthetic, legal, and technical aspects of mass communications and
media production.
• Gain experience and ability in working with Microsoft PowerPoint, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe
Story, Audacity, Adobe Premiere and other computer applications
WEEK 1 • Introduction to the Course
A discussion of tools to be used, necessary software, time commitments, work to be produced and
mutual expectations.
WEEK 2• HISTORY OF VISUAL MEDIA / AESTHETICS AND TECHNIQUES
Read: Introduction to Media Production, Chapters 1 and 2
Due: Registration on course blog
Read: Introduction to Media Production, Chapter 8
WEEK 3 • DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY
Shooting Day
Reading: Roland Barthes Essay on Image Construction
Due: Digital Photography Assignment

2. WEEK 4 • PHOTOSHOP
Feb 8 Read: Introduction to Media Production, Chapter 11
Read: Knight Digital Media Center: “PhotoShop”
(http://multimedia.journalism.berkeley.edu/tutorials/photoshop/pdf)
Due: Photoshop Assignment
WEEK 5 • PROJECT MANAGEMENT
Read: Introduction to Media Production, Chapter 3
WEEK 6 • PROJECT PLANNING and PREPRODUCTION
Due: Informal Project Presentations
Project Proposal and Powerpoint Presentations
WEEK 7 • PROJECT PREPRODUCTION and PROPOSAL
Due: Project Proposal Presentations
WEEK 8 • FALL/SPRING BREAK
WEEK 9 • RECORDING AUDIO and AUDACITY
Read: Introduction to Media Production, Chapter 6
Watch Audacity Tutorial
WEEK 10 • AUDIO MEDIA
Read: Introduction to Media Production, Chapter 4
Due: Podcast Project Script
WEEK 11 • AUDIO PROJECTS
Working Week: Audio Projects
WEEK 12 • PROJECT CONVERGENCE
Due: Podcast Project
Due: Peer Podcast Evaluations
WEEK 13 • VIDEO PRODUCTION USING ADOBE STORY AND PREMIERE ELEMENTS
Watch Adobe Story Tutorial
Develop Script in Adobe Story
WEEK 14 • PRODUCTION
Due: Movie Project Script
WEEK 15 • POSTPRODUCTION
Bring video into computer, begin editing

3. WEEK 16 • POSTPRODUCTION
Due: Premiere Elements Project
FINALS WEEK
Final Movie Project Presentations
Assignments:
Digital Photography Assignment:
Using a digital SLR camera, you will shoot a series of photographs. The subjects and composition of
these photographs will relate directly to aesthetics and techniques covered in lecture and in reading
assignments. Assignments will be handed in digitally and made available via the course blog.
Photoshop Assignment:
In class, we will cover the basics of digital image manipulation via a series of PhotoShop tutorials and
assignments. Initial assignments will inform the student on the basics of digital image manipulation,
scanning, editing, cropping, resizing, layering, and rendering for the web. Final assignments will be
renderings of digital photo(s) taken by the student and will be uploaded by the student to the course
blog. In addition, graphics and title screens for Adobe Premiere projects will be created during
“postproduction.”
PowerPoint Project:
Following discussions on the logistics and utility of visual aides in public speaking/presentation, your
group will develop a PowerPoint presentation to accompany your Adobe Premiere Project proposal. The
proposal will be delivered to the class who will act as a body charged with the duty of determining
whether or not to “green light” your project. You will be expected to relay to the class your project title;
description; crew; cast; preproduction, production, and postproduction schedule; shotlist; and locations
shouting. In addition, you will explain how the narrative of your project will be related sans all visual
aides via an audio podcast that will act as a story about your Adobe Premiere project, an addendum to
your Adobe Premiere project, and publicity for your Adobe Premiere project.
Podcast Assignment:
You will script and record a short three minute audio podcast about your project. Details to be given in
class.
Adobe Premiere Project:
Your final project for the course will be an Adobe Premiere project incorporating video, still
photography, graphic design, and narration. The project (the subject and focus) will be entirely of your
own design with only minimal direction. The project will be overseen trough a structured schedule of
preproduction, production, and postproduction. Your grade will be determined via an assessment of
several criteria including: Plan, Proposal, Preproduction, Production, Postproduction, Peer Assessment,
and Final Edit.

4. Grades:
20% – Attendance, Attentiveness, Class Work, & Participation
10% – Digital Photography Assignment
10% – Photoshop Assignment
10% – PowerPoint Project
10% – Audacity Assignment
40% – Adobe Premiere Project
This course proposal was developed by Michael Weston and may not be repurposed in whole or in
part without express permission. Copyright 2010.