Featured Class: Digital Sight Sound & Motion

Digital Sight Sound and Motion can be a bit of a confusing name for incoming E-Media students. The course essentially acts as an introduction to single camera video preproduction, production, and postproduction.

Students use digital video as the medium through which they apply the aesthetic media theory they’ve studied in Dr. Manfred Wolfram’s Sight Sound and Motion course. By applying the theories they’ve learned from both courses students will be able to create an engaging media message.

The class (16 EMED 251) is offered every quarter and limited to 12 students.

Digital Sight Sound and Motion is very much a hands on course. Students are required to submit three projects.

The first assignment familiarizes the students with composition, framing, and shot techniques. The second requires the students to create a montage theory piece. The third is an all-encompassing project that pieces together all the theory learned throughout the quarter.

Professor Kevin Burke has been teaching Digital Sight Sound and Motion (previously known as TV-2) since he joined the faculty in 1996. 

 "I know many students want to get into Digital Sight Sound Motion during their freshman year because they want to start producing video content immediately, but that's not the way our curriculum is structured. The most important thing that freshman can do to prepare themselves to produce outstanding media content is to learn media literacy, theory, aesthetics, and writing”, says Professor Burke.

For most students this is their first time doing any kind of video production but being thrust into the course head on allows for quick learning.

“I feel I am learning the essentials of film-making. Composition of shots, window dubbing, and using Final Cut Pro are all skills that will pay off”, says E-Media junior Ashley Morgan.

Students have an array of video production equipment at their disposal and become very familiar with the Sony cameras, lighting, tripods, and the Final Cut Pro editing systems.

“Professor Burke puts in an extra effort to make sure students understand the complexity of film making. We learn everything from the basic function of the cameras to the complex editing systems”, explains Ashley.

Digital Sight Sound and Motion opens the doors for other media production opportunities. Many freshmen go on to become members of UCAST, the student run television station.

"I really enjoy the Digital Sight Sound Motion class because students are learning to communicate and express themselves with a new language, one constructed with image and sound, rather than simply the written and/or spoken work. I often learn from our students–who unlike myself–aren't necessarily hemmed in or somewhat inhibited by all the rules and therefore try things that I would never attempt. It is a real testament to the inherent creativity of the individual to see many of the projects that are produced in this first-time environment”, says Professor Burke.

Digital Sight Sound and Motion is more than just a video production class but a course that actively challenges students to be creative, professional, and knowledgeable in a growing media world. 

Written by Stephen Campbell, May 2009