Duration
15h Th, 15h Pr
Number of credits
Lecturer
Language(s) of instruction
English language
Organisation and examination
Teaching in the second semester
Schedule
Units courses prerequisite and corequisite
Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program
Learning unit contents
Through the completion of an authentic project, this course provides an immersive experience in the field of audiovisual production. Students are guided through the essential stages of preproduction, production, and post-production. By mastering the technical skills required at each phase, students build a solid foundation for creating high-quality multimedia content.
Additionally, the course contextualizes these learnings with a brief analysis of the current audiovisual communication landscape, highlighting its strategic importance in effectively conveying messages and engaging diverse audiences.
Blending theoretical instruction with practical projects, students will develop the expertise necessary to make meaningful contributions in various professional environments. Ultimately, this course equips students with both the practical skills and the critical understanding essential to excel in the ever-evolving field of audiovisual communication.
Learning outcomes of the learning unit
By the end of the course, the student will be able to:
- understand the basic concepts of audiovisual production, including framing, composition, lighting, sound, and editing;
- adequately use basic technical tools such as cameras, microphones, and editing software (DaVinci Resolve or Premiere Pro);
- collaborate effectively within a production team by taking on various roles (director, cameraman, editor, etc.);
- complete a full audiovisual project, from concept to final output, applying the skills acquired throughout the course.
Prerequisite knowledge and skills
There are no prerequisites for this course.
Planned learning activities and teaching methods
The course is structured around theoretical and practical sessions during which students explore the three main stages of audiovisual production: preproduction, production, and post-production.
The first fifteen hours of the course (Th) are organized in a hybrid format, with two-hour sessions that combine theory and practice. Each session is equally divided between a theoretical component and a practical component.
During the theoretical phase, I present the strategies necessary to develop and successfully execute an audiovisual project. I also cover the various theoretical concepts associated with each of the three production stages.
To reinforce the understanding of theoretical concepts, each topic is paired with practical applications through exercises or demonstrations. During in-class demonstrations, I utilize the equipment available to the students for their audiovisual productions. Students are then invited to replicate these technical operations under my supervision, allowing me to provide immediate feedback on their handling of the equipment.
During the remaining fifteen hours (Pr), I organize meetings with the groups to support them in completing their projects and to address their specific needs. These meetings take place at LICAM or La Grande Poste. Each group is required to present a weekly update on the progress of their project.
Mode of delivery (face to face, distance learning, hybrid learning)
Face-to-face course
Further information:
The entire course is conducted in person. The first fifteen hours of theoretical instruction are delivered collectively in a hybrid format, combining lectures and practical workshops. The subsequent fifteen hours are dedicated to group-based interviews.
Course materials and recommended or required readings
Platform(s) used for course materials:
- eCampus
- Microsoft Teams
Other site(s) used for course materials
- OneDrive (https://onedrive.live.com/)
Further information:
All course materials are consolidated on eCampus. To enable students who do not yet have access to eCampus to view these documents, a private OneDrive link will be provided to them during the initial class sessions.
Exam(s) in session
Any session
- In-person
oral exam
Written work / report
Further information:
Assessment is divided into two complementary components: an individual assessment (25%) and a group assessment (75%).
Both assessments are structured around the three main stages of audiovisual production: preproduction, production, and postproduction. The individual assessment allows each student to demonstrate their personal technical skills and understanding of the production process, while the group assessment focuses on the ability to apply these skills collaboratively to the development of an original audiovisual project.
Individual Assessment - 25%
Each student is required to reproduce, as closely as reasonably possible, an existing interview or talking-head video of at least one minute.
The chosen reference must feature one person speaking directly to camera in a relatively simple indoor setup, with clear and intelligible sound, visible text overlays, and a static camera or very limited camera movement. The reference video must be approved by the instructor before any preproduction or filming begins.
The objective is not to reproduce expensive set up, furniture, or complex locations, but to analyse the reference carefully and recreate its main technical and visual characteristics using the resources available to the student.
Students should pay particular attention to:
- framing and shot size;
- camera position, height, angle, and distance;
- lighting direction and overall atmosphere;
- sound quality;
- background and location;
- camera movement or absence of movement;
- editing rhythm;
- subtitles and text overlays;
- the use of B-roll.
For the preproduction phase, each student analyses how the reference video was produced before attempting to reproduce it. This analysis may include screenshots, notes, diagrams, lighting plans, shot breakdowns, or other relevant visual material.
For the production phase, students film their own version of the reference. Manual exposure and manual white balance are mandatory, while autofocus is permitted. Each student must also submit a written technical self-analysis of at least one full page explaining their camera settings, framing, lighting, sound, and other technical choices in relation to the original reference. The analysis should identify what worked, what did not, what was learned, and what could be improved in the event of a reshoot.
For the postproduction phase, students edit their work using DaVinci Resolve. Their project must contain at least two separate timelines: one dedicated to logging and organising the footage and another containing the final edit.
The final video must include subtitles and relevant text overlays. Where B-roll is present in the reference, extracts from the original reference may be incorporated in order to reproduce its editing rhythm and structure.
The purpose of this individual assessment is to verify that each student can independently observe, analyse, reproduce, and critically evaluate the technical and aesthetic choices involved in the production of a short audiovisual sequence.
Group Assessment - 75%
The second assessment is completed in groups of two or three students.
Each group produces an original video of at least one minute. The subject is free, according to the students' interests, but must be approved by the instructor before filming begins.
The video must include:
- at least one person speaking on camera;
- synchronized and intelligible sound;
- relevant cutaway shots / B-roll;
- visible text overlays;
- a minimum duration of one minute.
The project must be delivered in two formats:
- a horizontal version in 16:9;
- a vertical version in 9:16.
Both versions must be based on the same project, but the vertical version must be properly adapted to its format rather than simply produced through automatic cropping.
For the preproduction phase, each group submits evidence that the project has been properly prepared. This must include a script or interview guide, a production timeline or back-planning, a visual/editorial treatment or annotated moodboard, and location scouting photographs. Additional documents such as shot lists, storyboards, lighting plans, equipment lists, or production-role descriptions may also be included when relevant.
For the production phase, students record all the material necessary for the final video while paying particular attention to framing, exposure, white balance, focus, sound quality, background, continuity, and the relevance of the cutaway shots.
Manual exposure and manual white balance are mandatory. Autofocus is allowed.
Because the instructor cannot be present during every shoot, each group must also submit a written production self-analysis of at least one full page. This document must explain how the group organised the shoot, who performed the different roles, the main technical choices that were made, the problems encountered and how they were addressed, what the group learned, and what they would do differently if the project were to be filmed again.
For the postproduction phase, students use either DaVinci Resolve. The submitted editing project must include a timeline dedicated to logging and organising footage, as well as the final edit timelines for both the horizontal and vertical versions.
The group must also submit the final exported videos according to the technical specifications communicated during the course.
Submission and Feedback
During the initial class sessions, two submission deadlines are collectively established and spaced approximately two to three weeks apart.
The first submission gives students the opportunity to receive detailed feedback on their work together. Students then have an additional two to three weeks to revise and improve their work before the final submission.
Assignments must be submitted via a OneDrive link, which will be provided during the course.
Individual Responsibility Within the Group Project
Although the group assessment results in a shared production, participation must be equitable.
Each student is expected to participate actively in the three main stages of the project: preproduction, filming, and postproduction, including the practical work carried out at LICAM or La Grand Poste.
The individual assessment is intended to provide evidence of each student's personal technical competence before these skills are applied collaboratively during the group project.
If there is clear evidence that a student has not participated sufficiently or equitably in the group project, the instructor reserves the right to convert the group project grade into an individual grade based on the student's actual contribution and demonstrated competencies.
Work placement(s)
Organisational remarks and main changes to the course
Contacts
For any questions regarding the course or its organization, I invite you to contact me via email (available through the internal directory). If you are properly registered, please make sure to contact me exclusively using your Uliège email address.
I am also available via Teams, either through written messages or video calls during my office hours for more direct and personal interaction. You can also ask your questions in the Teams channels dedicated to the course so that the answers benefit all students.