The course aims to provide students with the basic knowledge about the realization of an audiovisual product, through the direct involvement of the participants. In particular, it aims to provide knowledge concerning: 1) the three production steps of writing, production, post-production; 2) the functioning of audiovisual language, including its rhetoric; 3) the making of short audiovisual stories through easily accessible technological devices.
Curriculum
teacher profile teaching materials
Film language as a universal language. The point of view of a story. The elements of an audiovisual work.
Telling a story and interpreting a concept through images.
**2. There Is More Than One Kind of Audiovisual Product: Audiovisual Genres and Styles**
Viewing and analysis of commercials, video art, cinema, documentaries, and video blogs. Stylistic differences. Introduction to directing and cinematography.
**Exercise:** first ideas for the final project.
**3. What Does It Mean to Frame an Image? Speaking Through Images**
The meaning behind every visual choice. Distance, space, shot sizes, and the invisible editing of mise-en-scène.
**Exercise:** telling a story through three photographs.
**4. What Do I Use to Look at the World? The Camera**
Different types of cameras (photo cameras, video cameras, handycams). The relationship between medium and language. Analysis of scenes shot using different tools and formats.
**Workshop:** presentation and discussion of project ideas.
**5. Film Language: Static Shots and Camera Movements**
Using tripods and prime lenses. Analysis of film sequences.
Types of camera movements and equipment (sliders, cranes, stabilizers). When and why to move the camera.
**Workshop:** writing and analysis of the project idea.
**6. Handheld Camera**
Creative and realistic uses of handheld and shoulder-mounted cameras. Camera support equipment.
**Exercise:** storytelling through handheld camera work.
**Workshop:** organizing the shoot and developing the shot list.
**7. Cinematography**
Light, shadows, and color as elements of visual language. Basic technical parameters (ISO, aperture, shutter speed, lenses).
**Exercise:** storytelling through light.
**Workshop:** visual analysis of the project.
**8. Natural and Artificial Light**
Working with natural light (reflectors, flags, ND filters). Types of artificial lights and lighting setups.
**Exercises:** creating an outdoor image using natural light; creating a self-portrait in the studio.
**Workshop:** developing the project’s visual style and project dossier.
**9. Sound Is More Important Than Images: Sound as a Language**
The importance of sound in audiovisual storytelling. Sound recording, microphones, and sound manipulation. How sound can transform the meaning of images.
**Exercise:** recording and editing different sounds over the same image.
**Workshop:** shooting.
**10. Editing as Rewriting**
Functions and techniques of editing. Breaking the rules. Analysis of film sequences.
**Workshop:** beginning the editing process.
**11. Technical Editing: What Do I Use to Edit?**
The main editing software. Post-production tools. Integrating new technologies into the editing process.
**Workshop:** editing.
**12. Working on Individual Projects**
Development, shooting, editing, and finalization of the students’ projects. Presentation and discussion of the completed works in class.
Programme
**1. How Do I Communicate What I Have in Mind? Communicating Through Images**Film language as a universal language. The point of view of a story. The elements of an audiovisual work.
Telling a story and interpreting a concept through images.
**2. There Is More Than One Kind of Audiovisual Product: Audiovisual Genres and Styles**
Viewing and analysis of commercials, video art, cinema, documentaries, and video blogs. Stylistic differences. Introduction to directing and cinematography.
**Exercise:** first ideas for the final project.
**3. What Does It Mean to Frame an Image? Speaking Through Images**
The meaning behind every visual choice. Distance, space, shot sizes, and the invisible editing of mise-en-scène.
**Exercise:** telling a story through three photographs.
**4. What Do I Use to Look at the World? The Camera**
Different types of cameras (photo cameras, video cameras, handycams). The relationship between medium and language. Analysis of scenes shot using different tools and formats.
**Workshop:** presentation and discussion of project ideas.
**5. Film Language: Static Shots and Camera Movements**
Using tripods and prime lenses. Analysis of film sequences.
Types of camera movements and equipment (sliders, cranes, stabilizers). When and why to move the camera.
**Workshop:** writing and analysis of the project idea.
**6. Handheld Camera**
Creative and realistic uses of handheld and shoulder-mounted cameras. Camera support equipment.
**Exercise:** storytelling through handheld camera work.
**Workshop:** organizing the shoot and developing the shot list.
**7. Cinematography**
Light, shadows, and color as elements of visual language. Basic technical parameters (ISO, aperture, shutter speed, lenses).
**Exercise:** storytelling through light.
**Workshop:** visual analysis of the project.
**8. Natural and Artificial Light**
Working with natural light (reflectors, flags, ND filters). Types of artificial lights and lighting setups.
**Exercises:** creating an outdoor image using natural light; creating a self-portrait in the studio.
**Workshop:** developing the project’s visual style and project dossier.
**9. Sound Is More Important Than Images: Sound as a Language**
The importance of sound in audiovisual storytelling. Sound recording, microphones, and sound manipulation. How sound can transform the meaning of images.
**Exercise:** recording and editing different sounds over the same image.
**Workshop:** shooting.
**10. Editing as Rewriting**
Functions and techniques of editing. Breaking the rules. Analysis of film sequences.
**Workshop:** beginning the editing process.
**11. Technical Editing: What Do I Use to Edit?**
The main editing software. Post-production tools. Integrating new technologies into the editing process.
**Workshop:** editing.
**12. Working on Individual Projects**
Development, shooting, editing, and finalization of the students’ projects. Presentation and discussion of the completed works in class.
Prerequisiti
No advanced prior technical skills are required to participate in the course. However, students are expected to: - have a basic knowledge of film history and of the main audiovisual genres and languages; - demonstrate an interest in creative practices and audiovisual content production; - be familiar with commonly used digital tools (file management, writing and presentation software, web browsing); - demonstrate an aptitude for teamwork and the ability to manage time effectively in collaborative projects. Any previous experience in areas such as photography, creative writing, amateur video editing, social media management, or related fields is considered an advantage, but is not required.