The Video Option offers a comprehensive aesthetic and technical foundation in all aspects of narrative and documentary digital filmmaking by balancing theory with hands-on production classes taught by established, award-winning faculty. A sequence of team-based production classes which include collaboration with students from other integrated media disciplines offer multiple opportunities to explore narrative, documentary, commercial, industrial, and music video formats.
EMPLOYMENT OUTLOOK: The Video option is structured to develop a broad range of skills and prepares graduates for opportunities in wide range of opportunities in the creative service industry. Entry-level jobs include Camera Operator, Camera Off-Loader, Grip, Boom Operator, Production Assistant or Assistant Editor. Students who advance in the post-production area have additional opportunities in on-line and web-based communication work. Additionally, there are many mobile sports and independent production units working in the Pacific Northwest that employ our graduates on a freelance basis.
PRODUCTION FACILITIES: MHCC features professional production studios and digital editing workstations with Final Cut Studio. Our electronic field production equipment includes professional level camcorders, support, Grip and audio. The facility supports HD, DVD pro MiniDV, DVcam, and Beta SP formats.
Working within a multi-camera studio this course teaches foundations to video production. Students gain an understanding of camera operation, compositional rules, technology and function of crew members supporting the production process. Discussion centers on analysis and deconstruction of peer and professional work to gain insight into industry production practices.
This class develops an understanding of the post-production process with an emphasis on workflow. Discussion centers on thedevelopment of story from production plans, treatments, and scripts with work on fiction, non-fiction and documentary-style program materials. Lab work includes intermediate camera techniques, lighting and sound acquisition as well as an introduction to mulit-camera studio production practices.
This course introduces the forms and processes used in planning film and video productions. Screenplays are lined, coded, breakdown pages are produced and schedules designed in both software and hand-entered systems to introduce the process of budgeting a production. Students deal with simple non-fiction treatments and breakdowns to achieve a professional level of production planning. The roles and duties of line producer, continuity and location scout are researched and discussed. Students create production notebooks to apply practical program management, script supervision and budget development skills.
This course introduces students to screenwriting, establishing a foundation for future media writing. Students create a screenplay for a short film using step outlines, treatments, and pre-visualization tools. Students study original screenplays, classic constructions and plot structures to learn how good story design is focused on audience. Standard formats are covered so students understand how to write scene description, describe characters and develop sequences in a professional manner.
This course introduces students to the documentary film though class discussion, viewings and written reviews. Students pitch, develop and produce a short nonfiction video that demonstrates an historical, technical and theoretical understanding of the various elements of nonfiction filmmaking. Planning, shooting style, interview techniques, scripting and editing are addressed. Emphasis is placed on linking strong research methods to story development .
Move beyond fundamental theories in field production and digital filmmaking. Students work through pre-production planning, advanced camera operation and location production techniques. Emphasis is on practical applications, performance of basic crew functions and the creation of a production notebook. A series of production tasks bring hands-on learning as videographer, sound recordist and director. Lectures focus on the role of Grips and Gaffers in the film and video industry.
This course covers the professional application of software and hardware in digital postproduction. Lab work focuses on understanding of digital workflow, media management, and advanced non-linear editing tools. Exercises work through translating edit scripts into sequences, sharing digital media with other post-production tools and a variety of layering and compositing effects. Students prepare media for delivery on common distribution platforms.
This course examines current trends in the marketing and distribution of digitized content. Emphasis is on online media applications for sharing content and attracting audiences. Class discussions and projects include a review of systems that lead the market and how independent producers can leverage these distribution tools. Course provides a survey of the broad range of opportunities emerging and a framework to develop media distribution plans.