This one year course is an intense four semester programme covering the full range of skills for screen presentation at the appropriate professional level. The students of this course learn these skills in general and four of them - Production/Director & TV Journalism, Camera & Lighting Techniques, Video Editing & Sound Recording and Acting Presentation _ in particular. The students apply their skills in the working unit to actually produce training films following the industry practices.

In the first semester, the students learn the techniques of acting and presentation. Through the Acting & Presentation course exercises, students learn how an actor trains himself physically and emotionally to crawl inside a character. Sensory work, emotional recall and improvisations are the tools the students are exposed to in order to understand how actor is able to live out a character's reality. The students explore in-depth the craft of acting and learn about acting from the inside through intensive scene study. Carefully designed practical exercises enable the students to culture their voice for making their and speech clear and attractive. This is also an effective personality development programme. During the second semester, the students learn the process of capturing a vision which involves the composition of light, shadows, time and movement. The students learn about lenses, focal length and their properties, exposure and light-filters, basic lighting ratios and lighting aesthetics. They learn first hand the theory and practice of composing framing framing and focussing images for the screen presentation. Camera & lighting techniques are indeed a synthesis of technical and creative sensibility.

In the third semester, the students learn cutting, shaping and polishing the raw material of moving images and sound into a desirable finished product. Post production work provides an understanding of the craft and the obligations placed on others during the production process to provide the best material to the editor. They also learn the theory and practice of recording and manipulating sound track which carries a large part of film's meaning.

In the fourth semester, the students learn to develop visual concepts and to transform designs into reality in the studio and to outdoor locations. This involves the art of making up the artists designing sets, costumes and graphics. They also learn the essentials of production management and translating a worthwhile idea into a worthwhile show. The ability to think in terms of pictures, taking work from the cast and the crew and scripting the production is indeed all about directing. Workshops on television journalism and writing for the screen form the integral part of the training during the semester. The students of Master Diploma in Visual Communication course are indirectly associated with the production or about 400 training films during one year.

SEMESTER-1

Ninety percent of the movie business is concerned with the human faces and it is the actor who brings the screen to life. The audience is drawn by the actors on the screen and expect them to give believable and moving performance.

The students of this course are trained in the skills for verbal and non-verbal communication.

The training lays stress on developing the individual's sensibility as a person, sensitising his imagination, creating a keen sense of observation, refining his critical appreciation and on his development as an individual unique in his artistic potential.

The students of Acting & Presentation are helped to learn to observe, absorb, and imaginatively create and project a character. Through improvisation and scene study they are trained to develop sense of truthful behaviour in imaginary circumstances.

The students are also trained to develop a sense of rhythm in the movement and sense of music in the speech through lessons in music and dance. Practical exercises aimed at creating awareness of the body as an instrument of the actor, form integral part of the training.

Besides the regular training in acting and presentation, students of Acting & Presentation are required to participate in the current affairs and fictional television programmes produced during the session following the standard industry norms under the watchful eyes of the faculty. Each student gets an opportunity to participate in about ten to fifteen productions during the training session.

A video copy of the production is provided to the students which may be used a show reel.

SYLLABUS

• An overview of film & television production techniques and practices
  
• The techniques of verbal communication
  
• Good and pleasing voice
  
• Clear and attractive speech
  
• Feelings for the words
  
• Skills in the use of language
• Lessons in music
• The techniques of non-verbal communication
• Expressive use of movement- sense of pace, timing and style
• Expressive use of body postures & facial expressions
• Exercise for relaxation and concentration
• Action problem
• Nurturing the acting talent, imagination, improvisation, empathy, emotion and emotional memory, retentive memory, sensory memory
• Scene study
• Play back
• Practicals in choreography
• Exercise in anchoring, interviewing, news reading and pantomime
• Exercises in acting for the Camera
• Instructions on make-up and dressing- up for the show
• Participation in the production of a number of non-fictional and fictional television programmes.

SEMESTER-II

The objective of the orientation programme is to acquaint the students with the technique of film making and the production of television programs in general. In other words, the would be film professional are taught how to arrive at a worthwhile idea for a film or a television program and how to convert the same into a worthwhile show. To this end, nearly 150 hours of the under mentioned inputs are provided to them.

1. Planning, production and post production of films.
   
2. Films industry practices and role of film and television personnel.
   
3. Types of studio and basic film & television production tools.
   
4. Management of satellite television channels.
   
5. Television broadcasting station set up.
   
6. Films & television as the medium of mass communication from the point of view of a filmmaker and television producer.
   
7. Structuring of a film.
   
8. Role of research in the film & television production work.
   
9. Importance of memory, observation, communication, continuity, blocking & business, Floor Plans, major camera shots and commands on the floor in the production of films and television program.
   
10. Graphics, make up, costumes, setting and lighting as the film and television production elements.
    
11. Recording sound for the screen presentation.
    
12. The art of lighting the scene.
    
13. Creative use of camera for producing moving images
    
14. Video recording basics.
    
15. Video special effects.
    
16. World television standards.
    
17. Advertising and public relations in film and television.
    
18. The art and craft of writing for the screen.

(2) Camera & Lighting Techniques Course

Films and Television are a medium of the camera because all techniques of screen presentation are related to it. Using the camera is a highly creative job. The training of a cameraperson includes understanding the potential of the equipment as well as developing an artistic bent of mind. A good cameraperson has to posses a keen pictorial sense together with manual dexterity and co-ordination.

Lighting in television and films is much more than just making things visible. The objective of television and film lighting is to illuminate the scene to produce a good quality as well as a pleasing picture. Lighting for films and television is an art which is best learnt by doing.

Television is a highly technical medium. Technological advances are resulting in availability of a new equipment to provide better quality pictures, every now and then.

The training course in Camera and lighting Techniques prepares the student through carefully designed practical exercises and theoretical instructions to learn to use the camera and the lights as a persuasive production tools as well as to handle the ever changing equipment with confidence.

The students are provided with the professional grade analog and digital television cameras during the training as well as to handle the ever changing equipment with confidence.

During the training period, the students of this course are required to do the camera and lighting work as a camera - person and lighting director for several television exercises.

SYLLABUS

• Still Photography
  - How photography works
  - Lenses
  - Film
  - Framing and composition of still shot.
  
  
• Television and Movie Cameras
  - The television camera
  - Television camera controls and adjustments
  - The television camera mounts
  - Basic optics
  - The Lens
  - Lens Filters
  - Controlling Exposure
  - Focusing the shot
  - Composing the shot
  - Perspective and depth of field
  - Camera movements
  - Shooting for editing
  - Camera care routines
  - The digital television camera
  
  
• Lighting of Film & Television
  - Nature of light
  - The human vision
  - Light sources
  - Types of luminaries and their mounts
  - Controlling intensity of light
  - Colour and colour temperature of light
  - Technical and artistic requirement of lighting
  - The three point lighting
  
  
• Practicals and Production Exercises
  - Extensive practical exercises on operating professional grade camera in the studio and outdoors as well as the lighting of sets
  - Production Exercises

SEMESTER-III

Theoretical instructions and practical exercises on Camera & Lighting Techniques are provided to the students of this course prior to the commencement of the education and training in Video Editing & Sound Recording with a view to helping them gain more confidence in the creative use of camera for screen presentation.

(2) Video editing 7 sound recording course

The editor handles raw material of moving pictures and sound. Cutting, shaping and polishing them into a finished product.

Video editing which is essentially assembling of television programmes, is a creative activity. The entire process of creative film and television art lies in the techniques of editing. The artistic effects of video editing and film editing are identical.

Proper use of spoken words, music and effects sounds is important for editing the programme. Laying of the sound track to match the picture and the dubbing of dialogues is the responsibility of the editor. Creative use of the microphone is indeed a professional job.

The course helps the students to understand and to learn the overall concept of editing and the way they relate to each other. This is the key to using different types of electronic post-production equipment currently available in the market. The basics of video editing remains unchanged no matter which equipment is used. However, the student are prepared to handle through systematic training, the ever changing tools used within the process of video editing.

The student are trained to work with professional grade linear and non-linear editing equipment.

Theoretical instructions, practical exercises and the post production work of television programs have been designed to impart knowledge and skills in adequate measure.

SYLLABUS

• Editing as an art and craft of film making & television presentation
• Role of the editor and his relationship with the director.
• Video editing theory and practice.
• Film versus video editing.
• The video cassette recorder and the recording of television programmes.
• Tape to tape video editing system.
• Digital- Computer as a tool of editing.
• Picture transitions.
• The nature of sound; microphones-their characteristics and application in film and television production.
• The sound track and sound editing.
• The sound mixing console, sound, editing and languages dubbing.
  Sound editing and language dubbing
• Extensive practical exercises in sound recording and non-linear editing.
• Editing of programmes produced during training exercises.

SEMESTER-IV

Theoretical instructions and practical exercises on Video Editing & Sound Recording are provided to the students prior to the commencement of the education and training of the students as a producer/director of films and television programs. This part of the students to exercise their editorial judgement expeditiously as well as to make the screen presentation artful by exploiting the vast potential of digital computer as a tool of editing.

(2) Production/direction & tv journalism course

Films and television presentation aim at entertaining, informing and educating the audience and their making has to be viewed from technical, artistic as well as business angles. The producer is responsible for overseeing various activities and managing men, material and money required for this work. The director - a creative person - has to think in term of pictures, take work from the performers in front of the camera as well as other who are behind it and we interested in reading and writing. Production/Direction & TV Journalism course has been designed to provide necessary education and training in the art and craft of screen presentation. Due emphasis is laid on television journalism and writing for the screen with a view to making the training of a producer/director truly broad based. Students of this course are required to make screen presentation using both single and multi-camera production techniques. They are also provided with an oppurtnity to face the camera during the production exercises. The students of Production/Direction & TV Journalism course plan and produce news and current affairs as well as fictional type of programmes under the watchful eyes of the experienced faculty.

The academy also supports the commercial production os its alumni in all possible manner.

SYLLABUS

• Communication: Concept and theories _ Prints, Films, Radio & Television as means of mass communication
• Role of Director.
• Grammar of Films & Television
• Researching for films & TV Programmes
• Television Programme Formats.
• Understanding creative use of the Camera, Lighting for Films and Television and Recording Sound for Films & Television.
• Writing for Films & Television
• Developing Films/Television Projects.
• Studio Production Routine.
• Practicals & Production Exercises.

DETAILS OF PRODUCTION EXERCISES CONDUCTED IN VARIOUS SEMESTERS

Single Camera News
Production Exercise no.1
Objective

Learing production featureing static presenter against a simple matching background (indoors), interested with proper visuals ( photographs & graphics) using single camera.

Format

News in English/Hindi, Duration 5 mt. approx.

Experience Provided

(a) Developing the news sense, its presentation & writing to visuals.

(b) Making of floor plan, budget, story board, conducting production planning meeting & submission of requisitions.

(c) Using & framing static shot of a presenter/visual & learning the technique of three point lighting (indoors).

(d) Picking up sound of the performer, recording on videotape & simple cut to cut insert mode editing.

(e) Assisting each other & working precisely to scheduled time.

(f) To be cool headed & disciplined.

ELECTRONICS NEWS GATHERING
Production Exercise no.2

Objective

Recording pictures & sound outdoors with a hand held camera, for the purpose of reporting for television.

Format

Electronic news gathering (ENG) English/Hindi: edited version of 40-60 seconds.

Experience Provided

(a) Recording pictures & sound of a newsworthy subject/event in the field & reporting from the spot through a piece to camera.

(b) Scouting/locating appropriate subject/event and taking necessary permissions wherever required.

© Editing the raw footage to fit a 40-60 seconds slot in a television news bulletin.

(d) Recording of various shots (hand held) with fixed frames (without paning, tilting, dolling or trucking) as well as collecting clean ambience sound for the purpose of voice over during editing.

MULTI CAMERA INTERVIEW
Production Exercise no.3

Objective

Learing production featuring two persons in conversation with each other, against a simple but Imaginative staging (indoors) using multiple cameras.

Format
Interview in English/Hindi, Duration : approximately 8 Minutes.

Experience Provided

(a) Interviewing a personality (guest) adlib (without script) yet with a proper structure (rehearsed opening & closing)

(b) Framing of opening/closing shots, medium to close shots including over the shoulder shots with proper headroom and looking room, ensuringthat they will match with each other.

© Lighting for two persons with different camera positions/movements.

(d) Recording of sound & picture on video tape& editing of shots taken from various camera positions.

(e) Preparing floor plan, budgets, story board: conducting production planning meeting, submitting requisitions, assisting each other in a disciplined manner & working precisely to the schedule.

MULTI CAMERA NEWS PRODUCTION
Production Exercise no. 4

Objective

Learning scripted production with multiple cameras, featuring three or more static presenters against an appropriate set (indoors) , using many live/recorded inputs/sources and editing it on-line for live telecast without requiring post production.

Format

News & current affairs in English/Hindi duration : approximately 8 minutes.

Experienced provided

(A) Developing news sense with a flair for current affairs, writing & presentation of news & current affairs programs for multi camera/multi sources input live production.

(B) Learning studio & production control room routine; cues & commands; communicating through intercom facility from PCR and by sign language from studio.

© Making a floor plan, budget, shooting script, arranging planning meeting & submission of requisitions.

(D) Lighting for multi camera production, following commands & inserting shots/visuals in the productions.

(E) Learning on-line editing of visuals & sound from multiple sources.

(F) Presentation of news/current affairs/weather report & conducting interview on the spot in the studio.

(G) Crewing for each other, working as a well knit team to the schedule, keeping cool & maintaining discipline

ENTERTAINMENT
Production exercise no.5

Objectives

Learning unscripted production (with or without rehearsals) with multiple cameras featuring one or more artists, moving against an appropriate background; using audio, live from studio or recorded from studio or recorded from production control room (as fold back) and editing it on-line requiring minimum post production effort.

Format

Variety program/show : duration 2 to 5 minutes.

Experience Provided

(A) Developing a sense of anticipation and knowledge of comlimentary shots with proper placements of cameras for on-line editing with out any jump cuts.

(B) Learning studio & production control room discipline, cues and commands, communicating through intercom from PCR & by sign language from the studio.

© Making a floor plan, budget, shooting script, arranging planning meeting & submission of requisitions.

(D) Lighting for multi camera production, following commands & inserting shots/visuals in the productions.

(E) Learning on-line editing of visuals & sound from multiple sources.

(F) Presentation of news/current affairs/weather report & conducting interview on the spot in the studio.

(G) Crewing for each other, working as a well knit team to the schedule, keeping cool & maintaining discipline.

DRAMATIC SEQUENCE
Production Exercise no.6

Objective

Sequence to produce a fully scripted dramatic sequence with single camera.

Format

Sequence of a fiction- Hindi/English of five minute duration.

Experience Provided

(A) Learning of pre-production, production & post production work meticulously.

(B) Developing art of writing script, screenplay & shooting script for a fiction's sequence involving three or more actors.

© Providing cinematic treatment to the subject so as to exhibit the best performance and creativity from the actors, cameramen, editor & director.

(D) Full application of grammar of production e.g. cutting on movements, creative lighting & composing of shots, maintaining continuities, achieving visual & sound perspectives.

(use of dissolves & special effects are permitted only incase they are warranted by the grammar of production)

(E) Shooting indoors as well as outdoors, using available facilities as per requirement of the script within the allotted time.

(F) Developing team spirit and learning to properly manager the cast, crew, resources and time.

DIPLOMA FILM

Production Exercise no.7

Objective

Providing freedom to the students for creative work.

Format

Documentary film/advertisement film/music video.

Experience Provided

Oppurtunity to artfully tell a visually rich story by experimenting with cutting on movement, dialogue and music, using single camera film production technique and professional grade digital video production/ post production equipment.

Note: This exercise is usually carried out in the III/IV semester in lieu of the exercises No.1 & 2.