ZNMC0106 - Visual Post-Production for Film

Course Description

This course is designed to advance the knowledge and skills of the post-production process for narrative film. Trainees will learn about the workflow and responsibilities of studio positions in the editorial department, from digital ingesting on set to the picture lock phase. Practical exercises will include managing RAW cinema media, setting up projects, cutting assembly edits, dealing with notes, solving creative challenges, and preparing project files for delivery to other team members, including the sound and color teams. This course will feature guest speakers to give trainees the opportunity to meet and learn from other local post-production professionals who work in sound design, color grading and visual effects. Trainees will leave this class with the skills needed to perform the role of assistant editor or editor for film and commercial projects.

Note: This course was previously offered as two separate courses: Visual Post for Film I and Visual Post for Film II.

Course Outline

Note: Trainees will be provided with footage from a previous Film Crew Intensive Training short film to work with throughout the course.

Week 1 — Intro to Post-Production:

• Understanding the different roles in post (DIT, assistant editor, editor, colorist, VFX, sound designer, etc.) and how they work together
• Technical and soft skills required for working as an editor

Week 2 — Assistant Editing:

• Importing and organizing footage
• Setting up the Premiere project
• Syncing sound

Week 3 — Editing:

• Understanding the timeline, program and project window
• Creating sequences
• Different cuts (J, L, jump, match)
• Begin creating an assembly cut of a scene using provided footage

Week 4 — Editing (Continued):

• Continue assembly cut 
• Assembly cut vs. rough cut
• Begin rough cut 

Week 5 — Editing (Continued):

• Finish rough cuts
• Review rough cuts in class

Week 6 — Narrative Editing:

• Types of scenes and how they are achieved through editing
• Discuss how editing shapes performance
• Read the script from former Film Crew Training short film and discuss themes
• Develop editing plan for additional scenes 

Week 7 — Narrative Editing (Continued):

• Compressing and expanding time, understanding pacing
• Reading reports (sound, camera, script supervisor)
• Timeline organization

Week 8 — Narrative Editing (Continued):

• Continue rough Cut of additional scenes
• Review rough cuts in class 

Week 9 — Intro to Color and VFX

• Technical considerations
• How these roles work with the director and other members of the post-production team
• Guest speakers

Week 10 — Intro to Post Sound:

• Technical considerations
• How these roles work with the director and other members of the post-production team
• Guest speakers
• Project hand-off: creating exports for sound and color teams

Learner Outcomes

Upon completion, student will be able to:

1. Properly offload media files on set using Checksum software

2. Identify the responsibilities and hierarchy of each position within the post department

3. Demonstrate an understanding of post terminology and process

4. Demonstrate the proper handling and set up of files and projects

5. Demonstrate skills in file management and communication with the post team

6. Demonstrate ability to cut assembly edits for movie and commercial applications

7. Understand the technical aspects of full-res media, proxy files, turnover files and deliverable files

8. Demonstrate the ability to interpret and understand creative notes to craft a story in a team environment

9. Effectively perform the position of assistant editor

10. Apply for a position on the Tri-C Film Academy Short Film Practicum

Notes

Pre-Requisite: Students must be proficient in Adobe Premiere Pro in order to enroll in this course. 

Required Technology: Students must provide their own external hard drive for the course (storage capacity: 2 TB).