Introduction to Digital Compositing
Middle Tennessee State University
Department of Electronic Media Communication
Marc J. Barr, Professor
Office Comm 148 - Telephone (615) 898-5118
Course Outline
A. Department: EMC - Number: 3320
Title of Course: Introduction to Digital Compositing - Credits: 3
B. Description and Objectives
The purpose of this course is to introduce the history, techniques, and applications of Compositing in the areas of film, video, and multimedia production.
Students will have a broad survey of the process and techniques involved with creating composites. They will also have the opportunity to learn about the techniques and aesthetics incorporated into traditional methods of compositing for contrast and comparison. Review of work from industry will occur in the form of Videotape and DVD presentations.
C. Topics Covered
1. Introduction to Digital Compositing: History, Techniques and Applications
2. The Digital Representation of Visual Information
3. Basic Image Manipulation
4. Basic Image Compositing
5. Matte Creation and Manipulation
6. Time and Temporal Manipulations
7. Image Tracking and Stabilization
8. Interface Interactions
9. Image Viewing and Analysis Tools
10. Formats: Media, Resolution, and Aspect Ratios
11. Quality and Efficiency
12. Learning to See
13. Creating Elements
14. Integration Techniques
D. Activities Required of Students
1. Minimum of six hours per week laboratory time
2. Equipment operation and daily system administration
3. Tutorial exercises demonstrating competency in the areas of:
Basic Workflow: Layering
Basic and Advanced Effects
Displacement Layering
Moving Images in 2 and 3 Dimensions
Animated Effects
Adjusting Color
Matte Creation and Manipulation
Masking
Animating TravelMattes
Digitizing TravelMattes
Image Stabilization and Destabilization
Synchronizing Audio with Composited Images
4. Case Studies from Film and Video
5. Viewing of tutorial videos available at the LRC
6. Reading of The Art and Science of Digital Compositing on reserve at the University Library
E. Evaluation Procedures
Students must create and keep either scripts or projects from each lesson and render images or Quicktime movies for each lesson. These will be turned in at the completion of all lessons.
Students will maintain regular communication with the instructor via email regarding their progress through the lessons and the video programs.
Students must also submit a signed document stating that all work submitted was done by their own hand.
F. Required Text
Adobe After Effects Classroom in a Book
Or
Apple Pro Training Series: Shake 4 (2nd Edition)
G. Materials
Storage media and other items as suggested and required.
Please bring to my attention if you have a learning disability that may interfere with your success in this class.
Do you have a lottery scholarship?
To retain Tennessee Education Lottery Scholarship eligibility, you must earn a cumulative TELS GPA of 2.75 after 24 and 48 attempted hours and a cumulative TELS GPA of 3.0 thereafter. You may qualify with a 2.75 cumulative GPA after 72 attempted hours (and subsequent semesters), if you are enrolled full-time and maintain a semester GPA of at least 3.0. A grade of C, D, F, or I in this class may negatively impact TELS eligibility. Dropping a class after 14 days may also impact eligibility; if you withdraw from this class and it results in an enrollment status of less than full time, you may lose eligibility for your lottery scholarship. Lottery recipients are eligible to receive the scholarship for a maximum of five years from the date of initial enrollment, or until a bachelor degree is earned. For additional Lottery rules, please refer to your Lottery Statement of Understanding form, review lottery requirements on the web at http://scholarships.web.mtsu.edu/telsconteligibility.htm, or contact the Financial Aid Office at 898-2830.