Shooting Video – Our main beginners production course

This introduction to video-making covers the whole process of video production from the initial idea through to a final product. The course is designed for those wishing to make that first step into video production, and runs over seven Tuesday evening sessions, plus two weekend sessions. Students will work in two groups of four producing two short videos using professional digital video cameras and editing digitally with Adobe Premiere software.

Who is Shooting Video aimed at?

Shooting Video is our main digital video production course for the confident beginner. The course looks at the whole filmmaking process in a holistic way, rather than going into over complicated detail on specific topics! The learning is very hands-on and practical, because learners make a narrative based digital video production during the course (i.e. a drama or documentary, which they will be able to share with their friends and family on YouTube).

Your tutor will be very supportive and guide you through this technical and creative process, (including idea development, shoot planning, camera technique, and editing). Shooting Video is a really good place to start on your first step on an amazing journey into the world of filmmaking. It will help you to understand the basics and decide where to go next.

We also offer a shorter weekend taster course called Introduction to Digital Video.

Pre-Production

WEEK 1: 

Screening of previous course work and related films and videos, with analysis and discussion from the group.  Introduction to shot types and how they are used in film. Introduction to video production and first look at the video cameras.  Students practice setting up and de-rigging cameras kit.

Homework – think of an idea for a short film to be made on the course

WEEK 2: 

Camera shot types, camera movements and compositional rules.
Students film a storyboard and rotate roles in the production process.  Introduction to storyboarding. Discuss, develop and choose ideas for their shoot.

Homework –  Production Meeting 1

WEEK 3: 

Edit demonstration of previous weeks practice shoot. The use of lighting to enhance video: lighting to create mood and atmosphere. Discussion of white Balance and colour temperature and its effect on video.The use of sound:  looking at film clips and the various ways sound can enhance a video. Sound recording and microphone operation, how different microphones are used in different situations. Further development of production ideas.

Homework – Production Meeting 2

WEEK 4: 

With full lighting kit complete a practice shoot based on a short script, to prepare people for weekend shoot. Finalize preparation for shoot.

Students will need to meet with their production groups, outside of class time,  in preparation for the shoot.

Production

WEEK 5: Shoot weekend

During this week, both groups will go out on location to shoot their productions (not at Film Oxford, location arranged during the course); this takes place at the weekend.
Each group has around 6 hours in which to shoot the video and in this time every member of the group rotates production roles, taking it in turns to direct, operate the camera, the lights and sound record, etc.

Post-Production

WEEK 6: 

Edit suite introduction and Viewing of rushes, logging.

WEEK 7: 

Creating edit decision list, Digitising picture and sound rushes, setting up your project and beginning the edit.

WEEK 8: Consists of usual evening class on Tuesday plus editing day on Saturday.