Week 1
Editing theory | Introduction to Premiere Pro
We’ll introduce the core concepts of film editing with Premiere Pro, fast-emerging as the new industry standard. In addition, we’ll explore the history of editing theory from early silent films of Edison and Melies, through Griffith and Eisenstein, up to the most current editing techniques of the modern masters of cinema.
Week 2
Advanced Premiere Pro | Cutting Short-Form
This week centers around hands-on experience, guiding students through the entire process of transforming a brief project from its initial stages to completion. The main emphasis will be mastering advanced functionalities within Premiere Pro. In addition, we delve into the techniques of short-form editing in music videos, film trailers, promos and 30-second spots. An introduction to the Dynamic Link feature, which allows for seamless collaboration between Premiere Pro and After Effects, is also included.
Week 3
Avid Media Composer Basics
We’ll introduce you to editing with Avid Media Composer, and analyze the difference and similarities between Avid and Premiere Pro. We’ll also look at the challenge of cutting comedy and deconstruct some of the funniest examples in film history – from Chaplin and Keaton to Allen and Coen.
We’ll apply week three’s Avid concepts to a start-to-finish exercise in non-fiction editing. Looking at the history and technique behind Documentary, we’ll study the genre from the earliest examples of Robert Flaherty and Leni Riefenstahl, to more modern movements like Cinema Verite. In addition, we’ll visit Splash Studios and learn about the intricacies of sound design for film.
Week 4
Workflow with Avid Media Composer
Week 5
Scene Work
As you develop and edit your reel, you’ll meet with our Artist in Residence for a discussion about their work and a career in editing. The class and the Artist in Residence will also screen and critique the week’s work-in-progress. We’ll also take a trip to a working post production facility schedule permitting. This field trip varies between iTV America and Radical Media.
Week 6
Incorporating DaVinci Resolve into your workflow | Scene Work & Finishing Your Reel
This week we will learn the workflow and process of conforming an Avid/Premiere project in DaVinci Resolve. In addition, we will give an overview of the main features of DaVinci Resolve as well as resources to get you started with this exciting program. The Artist in Residence returns for an additional in-class screening and discussion. We’ll screen our work again as we finalize changes for picture-lock. Finally, we’ll take you through the process of compressing a final output, building your own website, and posting your reels on-line for potential employers to see with a single click.
Class ends with a student screening and class lunch where we discuss how to find work and get off to the right start in the industry.