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Film & Video: Refining Skills

About This Course

Building on the fundamental skills practiced in the first course, this course will increase the production challenges as we add more complex audio and video elements and techniques. Collaboration will be a key element of the process.

You’ll hone your writing, directing and/or editing skills in several team-based film projects. You’ll incorporate peer and instructor feedback as you refine your work and strive to achieve both best practices and a polished artistic vision. With special attention to audio, the class will also participate in a professional sound mix. Depending on your chosen capstone project, you'll write an original narrative script or research and write a documentary treatment for your film or video. By the end of the quarter, you'll have laid the groundwork for your spring quarter capstone project.

What You’ll Learn

  • How to make use of storyboarding and break down scriptwriting
  • Best practices for camera use and lighting
  • The fundamentals of professional audio recording, sound editing and sound mixing
  • How to use dailies and rough cuts to help revise your work
  • How to produce a narrative film and conduct documentary interviews

Get Hands-On Experience

  • Write a script or documentary treatment
  • Participate in the production of a dramatic film, including casting, location scouting and assembling a team and equipment package
  • Edit a narrative or documentary project, including soundtracks

Course Sessions

In-Person

January 2027
Dates Jan 6 - Mar 10
Location UW Seattle
Cost $2,215
Scheduled Meetings
Date
Day
Time
Location
Jan 6, 2027
Wed
6:30 – 9:30 p.m.
UW Seattle
Jan 13, 2027
Wed
6:30 – 9:30 p.m.
UW Seattle
Jan 20, 2027
Wed
6:30 – 9:30 p.m.
UW Seattle
Jan 27, 2027
Wed
6:30 – 9:30 p.m.
UW Seattle
Feb 3, 2027
Wed
6:30 – 9:30 p.m.
UW Seattle
Feb 10, 2027
Wed
6:30 – 9:30 p.m.
UW Seattle
Feb 17, 2027
Wed
6:30 – 9:30 p.m.
UW Seattle
Feb 24, 2027
Wed
6:30 – 9:30 p.m.
UW Seattle
Mar 3, 2027
Wed
6:30 – 9:30 p.m.
UW Seattle
Mar 10, 2027
Wed
6:30 – 9:30 p.m.
UW Seattle

All times are Pacific Time.

Course Note

Optional additional meetings and guidance sessions for the capstone film projects will be added to the course schedule; details are TBD. You'll spend time outside class producing your film projects; most shoots are on weekends.

Noncredit Course

You'll earn 4.0 continuing education units (CEUs) for successfully completing this course.