Week 1: Introduction & Cinema Grammar
To Do in This Class
- Orientation – syllabus, grading & equipment needs
- Create or confirm your Vimeo –or– YouTube account.
- Join the course Slack workspace (invite on Canvas) & post a short hello.
- Bring a charged smartphone/camera and earbuds to all classes.
- Smartphone Cinema – Blackmagic app, stabilisation hacks & 1080p @ 24fps baseline
- Production Workflow – storage/backup/editing → folder naming → project setup
- Equipment such as monopods can be checked out. Supply your own smartphone attachment.
- Bring a journal (with grid) to classes - for notetaking and working out ideas/storyboarding.
- Cinema Grammar - watch silent film shorts. Take notes
Module Notes
Key Concepts
- Film, Video, Moving Image, Animation, Cinema...
- Pre‑production · Production · Post‑production
- Frame → Shot → Scene → Sequence → Story Arc
Tools & Resources
Cinema "Grammar"
In-Class Mini‑Assignment (groups) · 5‑Shot Silent Story (5%)
Goal: Tell a concise visual story in exactly five shots < 30s. Use framing variety to reveal information.
- Shoot static shots only (use monopod); no dialogue & no music. Keep the video sound in the timeline, but mute the track!
- Edit, export H.264 1080p.
- Upload to Vimeo or YouTube. Set videos to unlisted for privacy.
- Share the public link in Canvas and drop it in the Slack channel.