Digital Video Camera Techniques
Overview
This unit introduces students to the basic principles of digital video camera technology, industry terminology and the art of cinematography. Students will develop camera movement and production lighting skills as well as an introduction to audio-recording and basic editing techniques and will further enhance their application of visual composition. Pre-visualisation, planning and executing a workflow will be discussed.
Requisites
Rule
50 Credit Points in:
Bachelor of Design (including double degrees and old Bachelor of Design tagged codes – currently on teach out), Bachelor of Design (Communication Design) (Honours), Bachelor of Screen Production, Bachelor of Games and Interactivity (including double degrees), Bachelor of Film and Television, Bachelor of Film and Television (Honours), Bachelor of Animation and affiliated double degrees.
01-June-2025
02-November-2025
Learning outcomes
Students who successfully complete this unit will be able to:
- Develop the best practice workflow including pre-visualisation, using language and terminology specific to digital video
- Demonstrate competent manual control of key functions and operation of digital video cameras and lighting set up for production
- Illustrate creative experimentation to develop a digital video production
- Apply visual composition, camera movement, production lighting, audio-recording and editing techniques to develop a digital video production
- Effectively communicate, collaborate and project manage as part of a creative team
Teaching methods
Hawthorn
| Activity Type | Activity | Total Hours | Number of Weeks | Hours Per Week | Venue Type and Activity Detail |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| On-campus | Studio | 36 | 12 weeks | 3 | |
| Online | Learning activities | 24 | 12 weeks | 2 | Asynchronous online activities (e.g. Discussion boards), Readings, Group work |
| Unspecified Activities | Various | 90 | 12 weeks | 7.5 | Independent study, Assignment preparation, Revision |
| Total Hours: | 150 | Total Hours (per week): | 12.5 | ||
Assessment
| Type | Task | Weighting | ULO's |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brief 1 | Group | 50% | 1,2,4,5 |
| Brief 2 | Individual | 50% | 1,2,3,4 |
Content
- Function and operation of digital video cameras
- Lighting equipment and lighting techniques
- Industry standards, production protocols, processes and workflows
- Shooting for editing
- Introduction to basic editing techniques
- Creative application of principles of cinematography
- Operation of external microphones and basic location recording
- Copyright regulations for commercial application
- Graduate Attribute – Digital Literacies: Technical literacy
Study resources
Reading materials
A list of reading materials and/or required textbooks will be available in the Unit Outline on Canvas.