Course Information

CRN: 26718

Section Number: 1

Format: Online

Credit Status: Undergraduate, Graduate

Credit Hours: 4

Course Description: This is a practical, introductory course that gives a fast-paced

overview of a broad range of topics related to contemporary digital media. The course

aims to equip students with an understanding of the basics of exposure and composition which are vital for the closely related fields of digital photography and digital

cinematography. Topics also include fundamental lighting techniques, video technology,  video production processes with practical exercises in each stage of the workflow, audio production, video compression, and distribution. The basic elements of web design via a graphical interface is also touched upon. Given the power of modern personal

computers, all course topics apply to both professional production environments and personal media projects alike. By the end of the course, students can expect to

understand common production workflows for a wide array of digital media including digital photography, video production, audio recording, and practical related topics.

Mode of Attendance & Participation Policy

We have 2 types of gatherings, Lectures and Sections.

Lectures

Core course content introducing new topics

Sections / Labs

Online via Zoom where lecture material is reviewed, reenforced, and broken down

For Spring 2024, the some of the lectures are pre-recorded and some will be streamed  live (attendance optional). You may watch at your own pace so long as you keep up the schedule. Roughly every other week we will meet synchronously via Zoom for

sections/labs. Attendance at synchronous sections is optional but encouraged. After a

section, all students must submit a reflection on the lecture/section’s topic. Most students find it helpful to attend these. See sections/labs for more information.

Canvas will be kept up to date with meetings for Lectures and Sections.

Please be sure to review important information on Student Policies and Conduct.

Section Meetings

In alternate weeks the class will meet online via Zoom for synchronous in person discussions and labs. Attendance is not required but strongly encouraged. For

participation credit, all students (attending section or not) will be required to submit a

reflection paragraph which will follow the discussion from the section. If you don’t attend the section you must watch the media on your own time and submit the reflection.

For the full list of dates and times for sections and lectures, please refer to the Canvas Calendar.

Course Materials

DaVinci Resolve

Editing Software (has free option)

https://www.blackmagicdesign.com/products/davinciresolve/

Adobe Premiere

Editing Software

https://www.adobe.com/products/premiere.html

Available via Harvard IT

The Shape of Stories (YouTube Video)

Authors: Kurt Vonnegut

Used for Week 1

https://youtu.be/oP3c1h8v2ZQ?t=21

Linked In Learning Video Tutorials

While we provide some overview of software, students are encouraged and may need to seek out additional training.  Linked In Learning provides ample resources covering the software needed to create content for this course.

https://linkedinlearning.harvard.edu/

Course Schedule

* This schedule is subject to change, please stay current with the Canvas calendar for Lectures, Sections, and Assignments

Week 0: Mon., January 22 to Fri., January 26

Pre-course survey and Meet your Classmates assignment

Week 1: Mon., January 22 to Fri., January 26

Lecture (NEW): Storytelling

Week 2: Mon., January 29 to Fri., February 2

Lecture (NEW): Intro to Post-Production

Week 3: Mon., February 5 to Fri., February 9

Section/Lab: Storytelling & Post-Production

Week 4: Mon., February 12 to Fri., February 16

Lecture: Framing, Composition, Lens Basics

Week 5: Tues., February 20 to Fri., February 23 (University holiday, Mon., Feb. 19)

No Meeting: President's Day Holiday

There may be assignments, please check the Calendar

Week 6: Mon., February 26 to Fri., March 1

Section/Lab: Framing, Composition, Lens Basics

Week 7: Mon., March 4 to Fri., March 8

Lecture (NEW): Exposure and Camera Artifacts

Week 8: NO CLASS MEETINGS (Spring Break, March 10-16)

No Meeting: Spring Break

There may be assignments, please check the Calendar

Week 9: Mon., March 18 to Fri., March 22

Section/Lab: Exposure Discussion

Week 10: Mon., March 25 to Fri., March 29

Lecture: Basic Video Production

Week 11: Mon., April 1 to Fri., April 5

Section/Lab: Basic Video Production

Week 12: Mon., April 8 to Fri., April 12

Lecture: Basic Audio Production

Week 13: Mon., April 15 to Fri., April 19

Section/Lab: Basic Audio Production

Week 14: Mon., April 22 to Fri., April 26

Lecture (NEW): Video Encoding, Technology, Delivery, and Web

Week 15: Mon., April 29 to Fri., May 3

Section/Lab: Final Project Discussion

Week 16: Mon., May 6 to Sat., May 11 (Final Exams Period)

Section/Lab: Class presentations

Final Projects

A larger final project will be due at the end of the semester in addition to the projects

above. The project has three checkpoints to be outlined in the project specifications. All checkpoints are required.

The final project must include the following elements: still photography, video, and a web component. We highly encourage students to help each other, but everyone must submit their own project.

The final project specification will be released at the first lecture so that you may start planning early!

Course Goals / Learning Outcomes

Course Goals:

1. Introduction to Digital Media:

Provide a broad but comprehensive overview of the fundamental concepts, tools, and technologies used in digital media creation and distribution.

2. Critical Analysis and Evaluation:

Foster critical thinking skills in analyzing and evaluating digital media content, addressing aspects of creative intent, composition, exposure, and camera

movement.  Determine the successfulness of the application of these techniques.

3. Hands-on Experience:

Offer practical experience and hands-on training and self-directed learning in using cameras (building to use manual-exposure), digital media tools and

software for video/audio editing.

Develop and demonstrate a basic understanding of various stages of single-   camera filmmaking and digital workflow: pre-production, production, and post- production.

4. Emerging Trends in Digital Media:

Discuss and explore current and future trends in digital media, such as High Dynamic Range (HDR) video and video delivery methods.

Learning Outcomes:

1. Demonstrate Proficiency in Digital Media Tools:

Gain proficiency in using digital media tools (hardware and software) for various purposes, including content creation, editing, and distribution.

2. Critical Analysis of Digital Media Content:

Develop the ability to critically analyze and evaluate digital media content in terms of its impact, credibility, and relevance in different contexts.

3. Creation of Digital Media Content:

Create digital media content using learned tools and techniques and demonstrate an understanding of the creative process involved.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Do I need to purchase a camera for this class?

Yes, you will need access to a camera for this class but you may not need to buy one.

For this class, you will need access to a camera with full manual control and either

interchangeable lenses or a variable focal length lens (roughly 35-100mm equivalent). It   should also be capable of HD video, in resolutions of either 720p, 1080p or greater. If you are local, there are some cameras that meet these requirements available for loan from    Harvard Extension’s Church Street Media Support Lab. If you are at a distance, you may

have a friend or family member that is serious about photography and might lend you their camera for some assignments.

OK, what camera should I buy?

We recognize that some students enter this course with the intention of improving their photography and were therefore planning on purchasing a camera anyway. Of course, given the wide range of cameras available, it is difficult to recommend any single

particular camera that might fit everyone’s needs!

In the end, if you are able to delay a camera purchase for even a few weeks, you may find that you have a better understanding of your own style of photography and which  features you may want in a camera. Buying used from B&H or KEH may also make a  purchase more affordable.

Thanks for the non-answer, can you still recommend something?!

Make sure your purchase includes:

Memory card

Battery

Charger

Lens

We do not recommend kits that come with 1,000 accessories.  It's not that the

accessories are no tuseful but most of them are cheap and will not help you in this class. Here's an example of what those kits might look like:

Late Policy

Grading

Grade Definitions

Students registered for undergraduate or graduate credit who complete the requirements of a course may earn one of the following grades:

A and A– Earned by work whose superior quality indicates a full mastery of the subject —and in the case of A, work of extraordinary distinction. There is no grade of A+.

B+, B, and B– Earned by work that indicates a strong comprehension of the course

material, a good command of the skills needed to work with the course materials, and the student’s full engagement with the course requirements and activities.

C+, C, and C– Earned by work that indicates an adequate and satisfactory

comprehension of the course material and the skills needed to work with the course materials, and that indicates that the student has met the basic requirements for

completing assigned work and participating in class activities.

D+, D, and D– Earned by work that is unsatisfactory but that indicates some minimal   command of the course materials and some minimal participation in class activities that is worthy of course credit.

E Earned by work that is unsatisfactory and unworthy of course credit. This grade may also be assigned to students who do not submit required work in courses from which

they have not officially withdrawn by the withdrawal deadline. Zero or E grades are

assigned to students for missing work. These grades are included in the calculation of the final grade.