Earning Criteria

• Understand the three stages of production — Pre-Production, Production, and Post-Production. Be able to describe the tools and techniques involved in each stage of visual storytelling.
• Identifies core shot types (wide, medium, close-up, over-the-shoulder, POV, profile, etc.) for storytelling. Correctly use vocabulary and terminology to describe them when seen in example images.
• Understand fundamental composition principles: framing, focus, rule of thirds, headroom, foreground/background, camera movement, etc. Be able to describe them when seen in example images.
• Demonstrate safe setup and operation of DSLR cameras and tripods, including leveling and camera mounting (Canon 5D’s). Adjust essential camera settings such as ISO, shutter speed, aperture, frame rate. Demonstrate ability to take still photos showing proper exposure and creative intent.
• Demonstrates 3-point lighting (key, fill, backlight) using LED kits and bounce cards. Use hard vs soft light and color temperature (Kelvin scale) to shape a scene’s mood. Be able to describe how existing stage lighting becomes part of a 3-point theory for recording a live event.
• Sound: demonstrate the ability to captures clean on-set audio using lavalier, shotgun/boom, and handheld microphones. Include personal interaction to mic up a performer with professional communication, body mechanics and respect for physical boundaries.
• Media Storage: understand and identify SD cards, SDD hard drives and cloud storage locations. Demonstrate professional work habits to backup images and video files using consistent folder structure and naming conventions for efficient post-production.
• Follows set etiquette and professional communication, including safety and crew role awareness (Director, Camera Op, Sound, etc.). Be able to describe these roles to another person on set when working with a team.
• Demonstrates the ability to PLAN a short video (30–60 seconds) including concept, storyboard, lighting, props, actors, script, shot list, editing, review and delivery. Be able to draw a simple plan on paper with a magic marker. Be able to verbally explain what the video is and how it will be created.