Audiovisual Production Course

Lesson 1 • Core Visual and Audio Concepts

Introduces frame rate, resolution, aspect ratio, sample rate, and bit depth. Provides the technical vocabulary needed for every later chapter.

Lesson 2 • Reading and Creating Production Documents

Covers scripts, storyboards, shot lists, and call sheets as communication tools. Students produce a basic document set for a short project.

Lesson 3 • Production Workflow and Phases

Breaks production into pre-production, production, and post-production stages. Students trace how decisions in each phase affect the final product.

Lesson 1 • Camera Movement Techniques

Covers handheld, tripod, slider, gimbal, and crane movement and their emotional effects. Students match movement style to scene tone and pacing.

Lesson 2 • Exposure and Focus Control

Teaches manual exposure, focus pulling, and monitoring tools like waveforms and histograms. Ensures students capture technically clean footage in varied conditions.

Lesson 3 • Camera Systems and Controls

Examines DSLR, mirrorless, cinema, and broadcast camera types and their controls. Builds the operational fluency required for all shooting exercises.

Lesson 4 • Multi-Camera Production Setup

Introduces multi-camera configurations for live events, interviews, and scripted content. Students plan camera placement and coordinate coverage across angles.

Lesson 1 • Lighting Equipment and Fixtures

Surveys LED panels, tungsten, HMI, fluorescent, and practical fixtures and their uses. Students select appropriate tools for interior, exterior, and mixed environments.

Lesson 2 • Lighting Continuity and Safety

Covers maintaining consistent exposure and colour across setups and shooting days. Includes electrical safety, load calculations, and safe rigging practices.

Lesson 3 • Location and Natural Light Control

Addresses working with daylight, mixed sources, and challenging location conditions. Students adapt setups using available light and minimal equipment.

Lesson 4 • Three-Point and Narrative Lighting

Builds three-point lighting as a foundation, then extends to high-key, low-key, and motivated setups. Connects lighting style to genre and emotional tone.

Lesson 1 • Microphone Types and Placement

Compares shotgun, lavalier, handheld, and stereo microphones and their polar patterns. Students select and position mics to maximise clarity and minimise noise.

Lesson 2 • Troubleshooting Common Audio Problems

Identifies and resolves hum, RF interference, wind noise, and room acoustics issues. Builds diagnostic skills essential for maintaining quality under production pressure.

Lesson 3 • Audio Fundamentals for Video

Covers sound waves, frequency, dynamic range, and how audio integrates with video. Provides the acoustic and signal-chain knowledge underlying all recording decisions.

Lesson 4 • On-Set Audio Workflow

Addresses the sound department's role, communication with camera, and set etiquette. Students manage a complete audio workflow from setup through wrap.

Lesson 1 • Directing Crew and Managing the Set

Establishes the director's communication hierarchy and decision-making process on set. Students practise leading departments through a structured production day.

Lesson 2 • Developing Original Story Concepts

Guides students from concept to treatment to script outline using proven story structures. Builds the creative development skills needed for independent and commissioned projects.

Lesson 3 • Scene Coverage and Shot Design

Plans master shots, coverage angles, inserts, and cutaways for complete editorial flexibility. Students design coverage that supports pacing and emotional arc.

Lesson 4 • Working with Actors and Talent

Covers auditions, rehearsals, direction techniques, and building trust with performers. Students practise giving actionable, specific direction that improves performance.

Lesson 1 • Non-Linear Editing Fundamentals

Introduces NLE interface, project setup, media management, and basic editing operations. Establishes efficient habits that scale to complex professional projects.

Lesson 2 • Audio Editing and Mixing in Post

Addresses dialogue editing, music placement, sound effects, and basic mix levels. Integrates audio post skills with the picture editing workflow.

Lesson 3 • Narrative Assembly and Pacing

Covers building a rough cut, refining pacing, and using rhythm to guide audience emotion. Students assemble a scene from raw footage using editorial principles.

Lesson 4 • Export, Delivery, and Archiving

Covers codec selection, export presets, platform specifications, and project archiving. Students deliver files correctly formatted for broadcast, web, and client review.

Lesson 1 • Primary Colour Correction

Teaches lift, gamma, gain, and offset adjustments to balance exposure and neutralise colour casts. Students correct a diverse set of shots to a consistent baseline.

Lesson 2 • Creative Look Development

Guides students in building cinematic looks using curves, LUTs, and node-based grading. Connects aesthetic choices to genre, tone, and client brief.

Lesson 3 • Finishing and Deliverable Standards

Addresses legal levels, loudness standards, HDR delivery, and final QC procedures. Students prepare a project for broadcast, streaming, and theatrical deliverables.

Lesson 4 • Colour Science and Scopes

Explains colour spaces, gamma curves, log formats, and how scopes measure image data. Provides the technical foundation for accurate and repeatable colour work.

Lesson 1 • Scheduling and Logistics

Teaches breakdown-based scheduling, location logistics, and permit and insurance requirements. Students produce a full production schedule for a multi-day shoot.

Lesson 2 • Crew Hiring and Team Leadership

Addresses sourcing, contracting, and leading crew across departments. Students practise delegation, conflict resolution, and maintaining a productive set culture.

Lesson 3 • Budgeting and Financial Planning

Covers line-item budgeting, contingency planning, and cost tracking for productions of varying scale. Students build a realistic budget for their capstone project.

Lesson 4 • Capstone Project Execution

Students apply all course skills to plan, shoot, edit, grade, and deliver a complete short production. Peer review and instructor critique provide structured professional feedback.