Duration
30h Th
Number of credits
| Bachelor in information and communication | 5 crédits | |||
| Master in performing arts, professional focus (Master international) | 5 crédits |
Lecturer
Coordinator
Language(s) of instruction
French language
Organisation and examination
All year long, with partial in January
Schedule
Units courses prerequisite and corequisite
Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program
Learning unit contents
The Audiovisual Techniques course is a general introduction to the various techniques that make up the contemporary audiovisual landscape, from the moment a project (script, journalistic investigation, etc.) exists on paper to the moment it is broadcast.
The course will cover :
- pre-production techniques: script breakdown, casting direction, location scouting;
- shooting techniques: video sensors, recording formats, frame rates, exposure, lenses, shooting aids;
- lighting techniques: basic properties of light, functions and positions of light sources, different technologies of lamps ;
- sound techniques: sound sampling, recording formats, different microphone technologies;
- and basic post-production techniques: editing, colour grading, mixing.
Learning outcomes of the learning unit
The aim of the course is to grasp the fundamental notions of sound and video image techniques in today's digital and IT environment in order to master the tools. This will enable students to successfully complete the audiovisual projects proposed in the Masters and to quickly become operational during internships.
At the end of this course, students will be able to :
- organise a fiction or non-fiction shoot in the best possible way;
- evaluate the technical needs of an audiovisual project;
- make relevant technical choices relating to the specific features of an audiovisual project;
- Uuse professional audiovisual equipment: cameras used in manual mode, lenses, tripods, lamps of different technologies, sound recorders, microphones and post-production software.
Prerequisite knowledge and skills
None.
Planned learning activities and teaching methods
INTRODUCTION TO PRACTICAL WORK
Practical work is carried out in groups of three students and culminates in the creation of a remake of a film sequence lasting approximately three minutes. This activity includes all the most important tasks related to pre-production, filming, and post-production.
The distribution of learning activities over time is designed to optimally support the students in the completion of the remake.
LEARNING ACTIVITIES
- Theoretical sessions delivered in an ex cathedra format are punctuated by in-class exercises. The introduction of theoretical material is closely followed by its application within the practical work. This approach facilitates making the connection between theory and practice easier. That is why it is strongly recommended that the student be present in class to avoid any delays in the progression of the practical work.
- Practical introductory sessions on the handling of audiovisual tools are mandatory; otherwise, students will not be allowed to borrow equipment from LICAM. Online video tutorials are available to help students continue their understanding of the equipment provided to them.
- PRE-PRODUCTION / Creation of a preproduction dossier by each group, which includes a technical breakdown, the script as well as a script analysis. This dossier will be available online and can be accessed at any time by the members of the concerned group and the course instructor. Students are expected to draft it at home (technical breakdown, analysis) and to complete it progressively during the course sessions. This work strengthens the link between theory and practice and is an integral part of the assessment of the remake. The deadlines associated with this exercise must be respected in order to receive a grade.
- PRE-PRODUCTION / Each group of students is tasked with conducting a casting session to select actors/actresses for their remake.
- FILMING / Filming is carried out autonomously by the students in locations that have been previously scouted.
- POST-PRODUCTION / Finally, each group must complete the post-production tasks at LICAM. Individualized pedagogical support is provided to introduce students to editing, mixing, color grading, and titling. If a group wishes to conduct part of the post-production at home, they must inform the course instructor before starting these tasks to organize regular check-ups regarding the different stages of the work.
Mode of delivery (face to face, distance learning, hybrid learning)
Face-to-face course
Course materials and recommended or required readings
Platform(s) used for course materials:
- eCampus
Other site(s) used for course materials
- OneDrive (https://onedrive.live.com/)
Further information:
All course materials are gathered on eCampus. To allow students who do not yet have access to eCampus to consult these documents, a private OneDrive link will be provided to them during the first course sessions.
COURSE MATERIALS
- The slides, organized by chapter, will be published no later than before the relevant sessions.
- the "Course Guide for Audiovisual Techniques", an important document that includes the regulations of LICAM and the Media Campus of La Grand Poste, the various reservation and space occupation procedures, as well as crucial instructions for the execution of the remake.
- Videos to reinforce mastery of the subject matter.
- A peer support forum for students.
The preproduction files, on the other hand, will be published privately on OneDrive. OneDrive is a personal storage space that is part of the Microsoft suite, to which every student at the University of Liège has free access.
Exam(s) in session
Any session
- In-person
written exam ( open-ended questions )
Written work / report
Continuous assessment
Further information:
The course evaluation consists of two parts: theory and practice.
The theoretical part consists of a written exam with open questions. It evaluates the student's ability to use their new technical knowledge in a relevant and transversal manner while appropriately using technical vocabulary. This part accounts for 60% of the final grade.
The practical part involves the production, in groups of three students, of a remake of a film sequence lasting approximately 3 minutes, accompanied by a preproduction file. The grade for the practical part is a group grade and accounts for 40% of the final grade.
- Compliance with the guidelines accounts for 5% of the remake grade.
- The preproduction file is subject to continuous evaluation, which accounts for 10% of the remake grade.
- The grading for the remake includes framing, exposure, lighting, sound recording, mixing, editing, color grading, as well as the overall effect of the sequence. This part accounts for 85% of the remake grade.
1. The encoding of the exam grade can only take place on the condition that the remake has been submitted.
2. In the event of an overall failure resulting from the failure of any one of the two parts, the grade for the successful part is retained until the other part is successful.
3. Within the work group, it is essential to ensure an equitable distribution of work. Each student must actively participate in the three main stages: preproduction, filming, and postproduction at LICAM. In the event of a failure to meet this obligation, the remake grade will become an individual grade.
4. Knowing how to work in a team is a central skill in audiovisual work. In the event of a significant dysfunction within a work group, it is the responsibility of each member to take necessary measures as early as possible to avoid potential pitfalls. If significant obstacles hinder the work, the student may request a meeting with the course instructor.
Work placement(s)
n/a
Organisational remarks and main changes to the course
Organizational Remarks
As part of this course, the LICAM (Laboratory of Audiovisual and Multimedia Information and Communication) provides students with professional audiovisual resources.
As a user of the LICAM, each student must comply with the laboratory's regulations as well as the various procedures related to the use of audiovisual resources. In the event of non-compliance with these regulations or procedures, the heads of the LICAM reserve the right to suspend or revoke the user's access to the provided resources.
The regulations and procedures of the LICAM are accessible to students in the Course Guide for Audiovisual Techniques, which is available on eCampus and distributed in paper version.
Main Changes Made to the Course
Starting this year, the course, which previously took place only in the first semester, will be offered for the first time over the entire academic year, in both the first and second semesters. Sessions, lasting 4 hours, will be organized flexibly according to the topics covered: some sessions will be dedicated to 2 hours of theory followed by practical exercises, others will consist of 3 hours of theory without practical exercises, and finally, some will be 4-hour workshops entirely dedicated to practice. Students will not have classes every week, allowing them to focus on their practical work. The detailed schedule of sessions will be communicated to students at the beginning of the academic year.
Contacts
Fanny Pluymers
LICAM
fanny.pluymers@uliege.be
04/366.53.11