Overview
Aims
Mastering visual preproduction and non-linear editing in DaVinci Resolve for clear narrative structure.
Developing color grading techniques (RAW pipelines, scopes, film emulation) to drive narrative mood.
Integrating motion design and kinetic typography via After Effects and Fusion into cohesive digital stories.
Assembling and synchronizing multi-layered media assets (text, stills, voiceover, music, and video clips) into a polished, professional master cut of a digital story
Course contents
1. Introduction to Digital Storytelling: Foundational concepts, case studies, and representative examples of contemporary digital narratives.
2. Foundational Video and Audio Editing in DaVinci Resolve: Core non-linear editing techniques, rough cut assembly, and timeline management. Audio mixing fundamentals in DaVinci Resolve. Sourcing and licensing royalty-free music and sound effects.
3. Visual Preproduction: Developing storyboards and shot lists. Cinematic scene previsualization (previs) using specialized tools such as StoryboardThat, FrameForge Studio, Previs Pro, or Cine Tracer.
4. Foundational Color Correction in DaVinci Resolve: Primary color correction techniques, exposure and white balance normalization, contrast control, and video scopes analysis.
5. Advanced Color Grading and Creative "Look" Development in DaVinci Resolve: LUTs and Color Space Transforms (CST). Ingest and workflow management for CinemaDNG RAW footage. Digital emulation of analog film stocks using specialized tools (FilmConvert, Dehancer) and complex PowerGrades (e.g., CinePrint 16).
6. Introduction to Adobe After Effects: Interface architecture, timeline logic, and layer-based compositing. Project setup, keyframe animation, foundational motion graphics, and rendering pipelines.
7. Augmented Visual Storytelling via After Effects and DaVinci Resolve (Fusion): Leveraging and customizing motion graphics templates from professional asset libraries (such as Envato Elements) for title sequences, lower-thirds, and visual transitions. Tailoring pre-built assets to organically serve a cohesive narrative vision.
Learning outcomes
Develop complete digital narrative concepts from visual preproduction (storyboarding and previs) to final master delivery; Perform competent non-linear video editing and audio mixing within DaVinci Resolve; Execute primary color corrections and creative color grading, managing RAW/CinemaDNG workflows and analog film emulation;Create and composite motion graphics, kinetic typography, and lower thirds using Adobe After Effects and Fusion;Critically assess and tailor technical workflows to serve narrative and emotional objectives in contemporary digital media.
Assessment
Assessment: Continuous lab exercises (previs, color grading, motion graphics), final narrative project, and oral defense. Criteria: Story structure (20%), editing/audio (20%), color grading (25%), motion design (15%), technical delivery (20%).