Computer Video Editing and Special Effects
(Grades 9 - 12 ; 2 Periods a week for one full school year.)

This course provides students with basic knowledge of computer and video techniques. Skills learned include: green screening, transitions, composites, color manipulation, morphing , basic animation and titles, story board development, lighting, video recording techniques, and musical composition via Garage Band.

Each student group will produce two five minute videos. Examples might include: "how-to" video, a commercial advertisement, an action filled flick, or a laugh-out-loud comedy, all of which will incoporate the visual effects taught in this course. A rudimentary knowledge of current video software and equipment is also outlined for the students.

Students will be using Final Cut Express HD on three newly acquired Macintosh computers, each with a full terabyte of memory, in order to produce their videos. ALL videos will be shown in the John Burroughs Film Festival on May 26, 2009. Top vote-getting videos in the Festival will be accorded the special honor of a reserved spot on Stamper Library shelves FOR ALL OF TIME!!

This course fulfills the 1/3 addtional unit of the Arts requirement.