Active Outline

General Information

Course ID (CB01A and CB01B)
F/TV D056A
Course Title (CB02)
Introduction to Visual Effects and Color Grading
Course Credit Status
Credit - Degree Applicable
Effective Term
Fall 2024
Course Description
This course provides an overview of the finishing steps in the modern, digital post-production process. Students will examine film and television-based workflows in Adobe After Effects, such as titling and composite work, along with practical applications of the industry-standard software for professional color grading, DaVinci Resolve.
Faculty Requirements
Discipline 1
[Mass Communication]
FSA
[FHDA FSA - FILM/TV]
Course Family
Not Applicable

Course Justification

This course is transferable to CSU as an elective requirement of the C-ID model, and this course is also part of the Film/TV CTE program. Additionally, this course belongs on the Film/TV: Production A.A. degree. This course provides an introduction to visual effects and motion graphics software as well as color-grading skills needed for entry-level employment in the post-production industry.

Foothill Equivalency

Does the course have a Foothill equivalent?
No
Foothill Course ID

Course Philosophy

Formerly Statement

Course Development Options

Basic Skill Status (CB08)
Course is not a basic skills course.
Grade Options
  • Letter Grade
  • Pass/No Pass
Repeat Limit
0

Transferability & Gen. Ed. Options

Transferability
Transferable to CSU only

Units and Hours

Summary

Minimum Credit Units
4.0
Maximum Credit Units
4.0

Weekly Student Hours

TypeIn ClassOut of Class
Lecture Hours3.57.0
Laboratory Hours1.50.0

Course Student Hours

Course Duration (Weeks)
12.0
Hours per unit divisor
36.0
Course In-Class (Contact) Hours
Lecture
42.0
Laboratory
18.0
Total
60.0
Course Out-of-Class Hours
Lecture
84.0
Laboratory
0.0
NA
0.0
Total
84.0

Prerequisite(s)

F/TV D020.

Corequisite(s)

Advisory(ies)

Limitation(s) on Enrollment

Entrance Skill(s)

General Course Statement(s)

Methods of Instruction

Lecture and visual aids

Discussion of assigned reading

Discussion and problem solving performed in class

Quiz and examination review performed in class

Homework and extended projects

Guest speakers

Collaborative learning and small group exercises

Laboratory discussion sessions and quizzes that evaluate the proceedings weekly laboratory exercises

Assignments

  1. Weekly in-class tutorials and progress checks on the software platform being instructed.
  2. Short creative projects in After Effects that demonstrate a variety of uses, such as puppet animation, title treatments, credit sequences, etc.
  3. Raw footage or clips to be fully color graded in DaVinci Resolve and finished for delivery.
  4. Reading assignments from textbook, articles, and online tutorials.

Methods of Evaluation

  1. Weekly progress checks will be evaluated for completeness, accuracy, and continuing development of skills over the course of the quarter.
  2. After Effects and DaVinci Resolve projects will be graded based on effective and relevant use of the program, creative application of visual imagery, and effectiveness in conveying the desired message. Projects may be screened for in-class critique or workshopping.
  3. Projects will be assessed for proper color levels, consistent grading techniques, correct use of DaVinci Resolve, and accurate technical specifications in the video file. Projects may be screened for in-class critique or workshopping.
  4. A written midterm and final exam will test understanding of the software based on textbook and other reading assignments.

Essential Student Materials/Essential College Facilities

Essential Student Materials: 
  • None
Essential College Facilities:
  • 30 computer stations equipped with, and capable of effectively running, the following latest version of the software: Adobe Premiere Pro; Adobe After Effects; Adobe Photoshop; Adobe Illustrator; Adobe Media Encoder; and DaVinci Resolve

Examples of Primary Texts and References

AuthorTitlePublisherDate/EditionISBN
Fridsma, Lisa and Brie GyncildAdobe After Effects Classroom in a BookAdobe Press2022/1st Edition0137623925
James, HenryGetting Started with DaVinci Resolve 18Anodyne Press20221945028467
Fissoun, Daria, Jason Druss, Mary Plummer, Dion Scoppettuolo & David HoverThe Colorist Guide to DaVinci Resolve 18Blackmagic Design Learning Series2022979-8987267103
Clark, Barbara, Dawn Higginbotham, Kumari Bakhru, Susan SpohrThe Guide to Managing Postproduction for Film, TV, and Digital Distribution: Managing the ProcessRoutledge2019/3rd Edition1138482811
Haine, CharlesColor Grading 101: Getting Started Color Grading for Editors, Cinematographers, Directors, and Aspiring ColoristsRoutledge2019/1st Edition0367140055

Examples of Supporting Texts and References

None.

Learning Outcomes and Objectives

Course Objectives

  • Analyze how motion graphics and visual effects communicate their message to the audience both aesthetically and practically.
  • Integrate video footage with motion graphics and composite images in an efficient workflow.
  • Utilize Adobe After Effects for traditional motion graphics techniques including title treatments and basic animation.
  • Solve real-world, film and video-specific imaging problems through the usage of Adobe After Effects.
  • Demonstrate principles of color grading through the creative application of DaVinci Resolve.
  • Employ proper finishing and delivery in a modern post-production workflow.

CSLOs

  • Demonstrate finishing procedures needed to complete a project in a modern digital workflow.

  • Identify uses for and develop techniques to achieve effective, project-specific motion graphics and visual effects.

Outline

  1. Analyze how motion graphics and visual effects communicate their message to the audience both aesthetically and practically.
    1. Creative problem solving through moving images
    2. Exploration of typography, color, composition, and motion as primary communication tools
    3. The limits and possibilities of computer-generated imagery
    4. What programs and methods to use for what problems
  2. Integrate video footage with motion graphics and composite images in an efficient workflow.
    1. Types of media that can be created or imported within the Adobe Creative Cloud
    2. Best practices for digital post-production workflows
    3. Dynamic linking within the Adobe Creative Cloud
    4. File formats, settings, and technical specifications
  3. Utilize Adobe After Effects for traditional motion graphics techniques including title treatments and basic animation.
    1. Creating a basic composition and arrangement of layers
    2. Basic animation tools
      1. Effects and text animation presets
      2. Keyframing
      3. Nesting and precomposing
      4. Puppet tool
    3. Animation of text and shape layers
      1. Parenting
      2. Creating tracks and paths
      3. Using Animators
    4. Integration of video and audio formats as well as files from other programs such as Photoshop and Illustrator
    5. Differentiation and application of vector-based versus bitmap-based images
    6. Masking, mattes, and transparency
  4. Solve real-world, film and video-specific imaging problems through the usage of Adobe After Effects.
    1. Compositing and layering elements
    2. Rotoscoping
    3. Color keying with blue or green screen
    4. Motion effects using frame retiming
    5. Warp Stabilization
    6. Motion and camera tracking
  5. Demonstrate principles of color grading through the creative application of DaVinci Resolve.
    1. Importing footage and program setup
    2. The standard DaVinci Resolve workflow
    3. Color management through the basics of adjusting contrast and color balance
    4. Primary color correction and curves
      1. Lift, gamma, and gain
      2. HSL and clip curves
    5. Working with waveforms, vectorscopes, and histograms
    6. Secondary correction
      1. Power windows and tracking
      2. Keyframes and mattes
      3. Node editor
  6. Employ proper finishing and delivery in a modern post-production workflow.
    1. Video and audio compression
    2. Managing multiple video and audio streams
    3. Using the render queue, Adobe Media Encoder, and other batch-processing programs
    4. Render strategies and templates for different distribution methods

Lab Topics

  1. Modern Post-Production Workflows
  2. Project Setup and Composition Basics in After Effects
  3. Basic Tools of Animation
  4. Animating Text and Shape Layers
  5. Compositing and Green Screen Keying
  6. Stabilization and Motion Tracking
  7. Primary Correction in Davinci Resolve
  8. Secondary Correction in Davinci Resolve
  9. Rendering Strategies
  10. Finishing and Delivery
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