I. General Information

1. Course Title:
Camera Operations

2. Course Prefix & Number:
VPRO 1114

3. Course Credits and Contact Hours:

Credits: 3

Lecture Hours: 2

Lab Hours: 2

4. Course Description:

All video production starts with the camera. This course will introduce students to professional still and video camera operations. Instruction will include standard functions critical for professional-level DSLR and video camera operation: focus, color balance, audio, exposure and power. Shot composition and video sequencing will be practiced regularly. Students will record on a variety of professional-level cameras each week, with an emphasis on safe handling of equipment.

5. Placement Tests Required:

Accuplacer (specify test):

No placement tests required

Score:

6. Prerequisite Courses:

There are no prerequisites for this course.

9. Co-requisite Courses:

There are no corequisites for this course.

II. Transfer and Articulation

1. Course Equivalency - similar course from other regional institutions:

2. Transfer - regional institutions with which this course has a written articulation agreement:

Bemidji State University, Oct, 2019, Mass Communications, MASC 2460 - Digital Photography

3. Prior Learning - the following prior learning methods are acceptable for this course:

• Advanced Standing
• Military Experience
• Specialty Schools
• Demonstration

III. Course Purpose

1. Program-Applicable Courses – This course is required for the following program(s):

Videography Production - AAS
Videography Production - Diploma
Master Video Producer - Diploma
Social Media Producer - Diploma

IV. Learning Outcomes

1. College-Wide Outcomes

College-Wide Outcomes/Competencies	Students will be able to:
Analyze and follow a sequence of operations	Follow standardized photo/video acquisition and distribution processes in order to provide customers/viewers with accessible content.
Utilize appropriate technology	Access and use appropriate built-in camera functions and effects; altering those technologies appropriately to achieve superior quality image quality.
Work as a team member to achieve shared goals	Share responsibility with partners on camera-related group assignments.

2. Course Specific Outcomes - Students will be able to achieve the following measurable goals upon completion of the course:

• Safely handle, set up, take down and transport professional-grade camera gear;
• Successfully operate DSLR cameras; 
• Analyze and adjust main functions on cameras to maximize exposure;
• Calculate basic audio recording settings;
• Employ standard cinematic camera angles in the acquisition of all media;
• Create visually aesthetic compositions in both still and moving pictures;
• Utilize contemporary, continuity-based methods for seamless sequencing of clips;
• Utilize a comprehensive storytelling process in photo essays and videos;
• Manage media for editing and archival;
• Conduct esthetic, artful one and two-camera interviews; and,
• Generate visual writing documents - (premises, treatments, scripts).

V. Topical Outline

Listed below are major areas of content typically covered in this course.

1. Lecture Sessions

1. Camera Handling Procedures
• Safe handling, storage and operation of professional camera equipment
2. DSLR Camera Operations
• Basic DSLR Photography with Emphasis on Exposure
• Discuss and appraise camera exposure controls (E=IxT+ISO+WB)
• Characterize technology and compositional consistencies and “laws”
• Operate and predict exposure variables through still and video imagery
• Discuss and evaluate capture media devices and file size
3. Equipment types, manufacturers specifications, and care
• Operate camera menus and define principles and capabilities
• Predict and adapt to environmental variables
• Examine camera filters and other accessories
4. Video Camera Operations
• Basics of camera operations/production assistant/team
• Basics of composition/shot selection/accessibility
• External controls on video cameras
• External controls on cameras
5. Main Functions on Video Cameras (Exposure, White Balance, Focus)
• Controlling – focus, white balance, exposure/Indoor - outdoors
6. Camera Angles
• Traditional cinematic angles/Good composition/bad composition
7. Lenses and Apertures
• Video Lens control, lens options, principles of focus & depth of field
8. Composition
• Rule of 3rds
• Headroom
• Noseroom
• Foreground
• Background
• Vectors
• Rack focus
• Extreme angles
• Handheld techniques
• Rule of 180
9. Interviewing and Standups
• Five interview techniques
• Studio interviews
• 2-camera interviews
10. Advanced Cinematography
• Creating continuity
• Sequencing
• Camera movement
• Scriptwriting
• Metawriting
11. Script formats
• Writing to be ‘made’ not ‘read’
• The language of motion pictures

 

2. Laboratory/Studio Sessions