Video Editing

Course requisites: DSLR, smartphone and a personal laptop with professional editing software(s)

Prerequisites: Basic working knowledge on photography, videography and computers

Pedagogy: The course involves a balanced approach that combines theoretical knowledge with practical application. Lectures and demonstrations introduce fundamental concepts, while practical assignments and projects allow students to apply their learning in real-world scenarios. Peer feedback and critique provide valuable insights and guest lectures from industry professionals offer real-world perspectives. Regular assessments and feedback help students track progress, while reflective practice and self-evaluation encourage students to set personal goals for improvement. By incorporating these pedagogical approaches, students develop a strong foundation in sound design and mixing, gaining both knowledge and practical skills for success in the field.

Modes of evaluation: Self-learning, assignments (theory and research), field work and presentation

Duration: 15 weeks (45 lectures)

Assessment: Participation (5%), Theory & Research (20%), Field work & execution (25%), Deliverables (30%), Project completion & Presentation (20%)

Course catalog: In this course, students will have the opportunity to learn the history of editing. The idea is to make every participating student aware of editing tools and breathe life into recorded visuals that showcase the unseen and narrate the untold. The multidisciplinary perspectives and approaches involved in visual continuity, dramatic construction and intensified realism will be explored. The course components expose every participating individual to various genres within films, advertisements, documentaries and photo-stories. Specific modules will focus on allied areas, including the inclusion of text and graphics, sound, multi-camera editing, and presentation of content.

Course objectives:

  • Understanding smartphones and its editing capabilities 

  • Introduction to editing tools like Premiere Pro 

  • A comprehensive and definite look on the artistic principles linking realistic vision and stylistic aesthetics.

  • Explore storytelling choices juxtaposing the story, context and background.

  • Working knowledge on creative techniques and methodologies involved in content creation.

  • Influence of popular arts on new technologies and international advances.

  • Understanding the creative medium in order to present the intended impressions aimed towards the desired outcome.

  • Parallel creatives : Using texts, choosing fonts, basic design execution and communication strategies. 

  • Individualistic thinking and self-directing approach: Perceive, investigate, linking theory and practice, exploring ideas and presentation of concepts.

  • Defining an editing style and making an artistic statement

Unit 1 : Journey from the physical cut to technology

Week-1

  • Introduction to the course, faculty portfolio and evaluation criteria

  • Classroom discussions and understanding the personal interests of participating students 

  • Introduction to editing — the creative force in video production

Week-2

  • Capturing and understanding the element in movement. The selection, timing and arrangement of shots for visual continuity

  • Introduction to editing terminologies 

  • The practice of editing for newsreels, documentary reportage, docudramas, films and social media

Week-3

  • Linear editing, nonlinear editing and digital technology

  • Building aesthetics to representing space and time

  • Preproduction, production & postproduction

A workshop on editing: Experimenting Standard cut, Jump cut, J-cut, L-cut,  Cutting on motion/action, Cross-cutting or Parallel action, Cutaway, Montages, B-roll, Match cuts and closeups.

Unit 2 : The blueprint for video editors

Week-4

  • Types of videos - Live action, Animation, Whiteboard, Motion Graphics, Typography, Screencast, Live action screencast, Live streaming, Webinars, Photo-montage, 360°/VR, Vlogs, Training videos, Behind-the-scenes and social media (feature/product videos)

  • Understanding file formats, codecs and containers

  • Power of computer and software selection

Week-5

  • Editing softwares & Interface - iMovie, Final Cut, Da Vinci, Windows Movie Maker, Camtasia, Screenflow, Premiere elements and Premiere Pro 

  • The phases in video editing - Organise & Sync, Sequence, Rough cut, Transitions, Fine Cut and Finalising 

  • Introduction to color grading

Week-6

  • Essential design - News ticker, Scroll, Living hold, Banner advertising, Score bug, Channel bug, Motion Graphics, Chyron, Subtitles, Captions, Crawl, Bump, Snipe, Mortise, Idents, Stings, Lower Thirds, Acknowledgements and Closing credits

  • Understanding audio codecs, resolution, bit rate and frame rate

  • Smart editing practices, defining a workflow, storage and managing data

A workshop on video sharing platforms and guidelines from subscription based streaming services like Netflix, Prime etc

Unit 3 : Video editing for Content creators

Week-7

  • Introduction to Premiere Pro tools - Project settings, sequences, making Ins & Outs, trim, adding effects, sync audio, color, adding texts, chroma key, keyframes, layering audio & video tracks, saving and exporting project files.

  • Multi-cam setup, Audio-Visual synchronisation and edit

  • Best practices for audio recording and audio filters in editing softwares

Week-8

  • Introduction to Infographics - Basic animations using Keynote (Apple Inc.)

  • The audio element in visuals - Voiceover, live recording at studio and locations and sound effects. 

  • Optimising lighting conditions and audio on any chosen location(s)

Week-9

  • Best practices for filming on smartphones, 360 cameras, GoPro and vlog cameras

  • The smartphone interface for editing videos using native and other commercial apps 

  • Thinking for visuals and interactive editing techniques

A workshop on sourcing content, stock footage, integration of footages from various cameras, transcoding, acquiring permissions, copyrights, fair use, using third party captions and graphics, royalty free images and audio. 

Unit 4 : Video editing for Documentary films, Cinema, News & Reportage

Week-10 (Documentary Films)

  • Researching for a documentary project - Academic research papers, Newspapers & Radio Archives, Archival footages and photos.

  • Types of documentaries : Poetic, Expository, Observational, Participatory, Reflexive and Performative

  • Working with Soundtrack & Audio for Documentaries

Week-11 (Cinema)

  • Understanding the storyteller’s narrative, organising and sequencing footages

  • Using LUT & Color Grading 

  • Censorship on Visuals & Audio 

Week-12 (News & Reportage) 

  • Sourcing from authentic Third Party news agencies and using Stock footages 

  • Introduction to Video Switchers 

  • Building standard/quick visual templates 

Unit - 5 : Practice - Defining a style and advancing further 

Week-13

  • Personal Project - 1 - News Project

Week-14

  • Personal Project - 2 - Documentary Film 

Week-15

  • Personal Project - 3 - Short Film / Ad Film

Student deliverables:

  • Learning editing philosophies and methodologies from established videos editing practitioners and applying them to ones own practice

  • A well researched topic(s) to be presented in NEWS, DOCUMENTARY & SHORT FILM format

  • Should have established industry connections with creative professionals in India and abroad

  • Readiness to adapt newer technologies and creative processes

Course outcome:

  • Clear understanding on the editing tools and international editing practices across various industries.

  • Knowledge to exchange/communicate codecs and formats with camera/sound personnels, directors, cinematographers and news agencies.

  • Edit plan to deliver immersive Audio-Visual content across various platforms.

  • Ideas on developing essential interactive inserts and templates

  • Using profesional editing apps on smartphones

READING LIST

  • The Technique of Film & Video Editing by Ken Dancyger