Basic Certificate in Video Editing:
This track introduces beginners to the foundational mechanics of non-linear digital editing, data ingestion workflows, structural continuity, and multi-platform media asset distribution.
Course Name: Certificate in Video Editing
Target Level: Foundational / Beginner
Average Study Duration: 2-3 Months
Department: School of Visual Arts
Core Hardware & Software Taught: High-Performance Post-Production Terminals, Adobe Premiere Pro, and DaVinci Resolve.
Detailed Curriculum Structure:
Module 1: Media Ingestion, File Systems & Codec Engineering
- Post-Production File Architecture: Structuring airtight, clean project folders, establishing dedicated scratch disks, and configuring automatic system vault backups.
- Compression & Codec Mechanics: Analyzing video wrappers vs. operational codecs (H.264, H.265/HEVC, Apple ProRes, and DNxHR formats).
- Resolution and Framerate Management: Setting up non-destructive timelines matching source assets from standard 1080p web layers to high-density 4K acquisition.
- Data Proxy Workflows: Creating low-resolution proxy streams to achieve fluid editing playback on intermediate processing terminals.
Module 2: Structural Cutting Logic & Timeline Grammar
- The Nonlinear Editing Interface: Full custom optimization, workspace layout tracking, and source-program monitor management inside Adobe Premiere Pro.
- Foundational Cutting Geometry: Mastery over three-point editing, ripple deletes, track locks, and nesting multi-layered visual clips.
- The Psychology of the Cut: Executing J-cuts and L-cuts to achieve organic dialogue transitions. Implementing smash cuts, match cuts, and invisible cuts to guide visual momentum.
- Pacing and Temporal Control: Analyzing scene rhythms, trimming dead handles, and using frame timing manipulation to adjust story velocity.
Module 3: Visual Continuity & Multi-Cam Event Synchronization
- Multi-Camera Waveform Matching: Ingesting and aligning multiple camera angles using automated acoustic waveform matching algorithms.
- Real-Time Multi-Cam Switching: Performing live multi-camera timeline cuts across panel interviews, corporate talk shows, and music videos.
- The Spatial 180-Degree Continuity Rule: Editing multi-cam angles without breaking spatial orientation lines, ensuring invisible narrative continuity.
- Long-Form Continuity Management: Eliminating pacing jumps and maintaining structural flow across extended event recordings and corporate corporate seminars.
Module 4: Foundational Audio Leveling & Dialogue Restoration
- The Audio Timeline Workspace: Audio track targeting, sample-rate matching, and managing stereo vs. mono voice channels.
- Dialogue Leveling Essentials: Normalizing dialogue gains, managing peak parameters vs. root-mean-square (RMS) metrics, and evening out multi-microphone levels.
- Acoustic Noise Reduction: Removing room reflections, hums, and low-frequency distortions utilizing integrated parametric filters.
- Basic Music and Voice-Over Ducking: Using track keyframes to dynamically lower background beds beneath speech blocks.
Module 5: Media Output Profiles & Broadcast Wrapper Compilations
- Digital Distribution Standards: Mastering export windows to deliver optimized compression wrappers for YouTube, TikTok, and social platforms.
- Pre-Roll Formatting & Aspect Ratios: Re-framing horizontal assets into responsive 9:16 vertical layouts using smart-crop parameters.
- Technical Metadata Embedding: Injecting tags, copyright details, and descriptive labels into final output render files.