Introduction to Digital Editing is a hands-on foundational course designed to introduce learners to the art and technique of editing for film. The course explores how raw footage is transformed into coherent, engaging stories through editing decisions that shape rhythm, meaning, emotion, and visual continuity.
Students are introduced to the principles of non-linear digital editing, including shot selection, continuity, pacing, transitions, sound integration, and basic visual effects. Using industry-standard editing software (Adobe Premiere Pro) learners gain practical skills in organising media, assembling sequences, and producing short edited projects while developing a critical understanding of how editing influences narrative and audience perception.
The course combines theory and practice, drawing on examples from cinema, to demonstrate editing styles and conventions. By the end of the course, students will be able to edit simple narrative and non-narrative projects confidently, preparing them for further study in film, media production, advertising, and digital content creation.
- Teacher: simon Mutunga
Visual Anthropology is a course that explores how visual media—such as photography, film, and digital technologies—are used to study and represent cultures. It examines the history of ethnographic film, theories of representation, the politics of the gaze, and the ethics of visual documentation. Students learn how to analyze and produce visual materials, engage in hands-on projects, and consider the cultural and sensory dimensions of visual experience.
Key Topics Include:
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History of visual representation in anthropology
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Ethnographic film and photography
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Visual culture, power, and ethics
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New media and digital anthropology
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Visual research methods and collaborative projects
Learning Outcomes:
Students will gain the ability to critically analyze visual media, understand core concepts in visual anthropology, and create or reflect on visual projects with anthropological insight.
- Teacher: Mugabe Grace
Sound recording is the process of capturing sound waves—such as speech, music, or environmental noise—and converting them into a form that can be stored, edited, and reproduced later. It is one of the most fundamental aspects of audio production, used in radio, television, film, music, and digital media.
- Teacher: Edison ISHIMWE
This course introduces students to the foundational principles of writing scripts for film, focusing on storytelling structure, character development, dialogue, and visual writing techniques. Through analysis of classic and contemporary screenplays, as well as practical writing exercises, students will learn how to craft compelling narratives tailored for visual media. The course emphasizes the standard screenplay format, the three-act structure, and essential elements such as theme, conflict, and pacing. By the end of the course, students will be equipped to develop original film concepts into professionally formatted short scripts and understand the role of the screenwriter in the collaborative filmmaking process.
Objectives:
Understand the fundamental elements of film storytelling, including plot, character, setting, and theme.
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Learn the structure and formatting of professional screenplays using industry standards.
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Explore narrative techniques such as conflict, turning points, and resolution.
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Analyze film scripts to understand effective use of dialogue, pacing, and subtext.
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Develop and pitch original story ideas suitable for short or feature-length films.
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Gain insight into the collaborative role of the screenwriter in film production.
Apply the three-act structure and other narrative frameworks to screenplay development.
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Create compelling characters with clear goals, motivations, and arcs.
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Write original scenes and dialogue that serve the story and reveal character.
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Format screenplays correctly using standard scriptwriting conventions.
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Critically assess and revise scripts based on feedback and self-evaluation.
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Present and defend their story ideas through loglines, treatments, and pitch sessions.
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Collaborate with peers and mentors to refine creative concepts into polished scripts.
Course Code: BFS 1104
Academic Year 2024-2025
Lecturer: Simon MUTUNGA
E-mail: mutungathefilmaker@gmail.com
- Teacher: content creator
This course offers a foundational understanding of cinematography—the art and craft of visual storytelling through the camera. Students will explore key principles such as composition, lighting, camera movement, lens choice, framing, exposure, and shot design. Through hands-on practice and analysis of cinematic techniques, learners will gain the technical skills and creative insight needed to visually support narrative and emotional content. The course emphasizes both artistic vision and technical execution, preparing students to work collaboratively in film and video production environments with a solid grasp of how cinematography influences audience perception and storytelling impact.
Objectives:
Understand the fundamental principles of cinematography, including lighting, framing, composition, and camera movement.
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Explore the creative role of the cinematographer in visual storytelling and narrative development.
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Identify and operate basic cinematographic tools and equipment, such as cameras, lenses, tripods, and lighting gear.
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Analyze visual styles and techniques used in films and videos to communicate mood, tone, and perspective.
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Develop the ability to plan and execute shots that visually support a script or concept.
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Collaborate effectively with directors and production teams to realize a shared visual vision.
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Apply technical knowledge to achieve specific cinematic effects, such as depth of field, camera movement, and lighting contrast.
• Understand the fundamentals of camera operation and cinematography.
• Develop basic skills in camera handling, shot composition, and use of Natural lighting.
• Analyze shots from established films and apply learned techniques.
• Collaborate effectively with other crew members during practical exercises.
Course Code: BFS 1103
Academic Year 2024-2025
Lecturer: Simon MUTUNGA
E-mail: mutungathefilmaker@gmail.com
- Teacher: content creator
The module is designed to introduce students to the key skills of Digital editing within the field of digital film making. This includes preparation and organization of moving-image materials, the conventions of editing for narrative realist (continuity editing) and non-narrative film making, understanding of the main digital formats and codecs for import and export of moving-image files. There will also be an introduction to the principles of audio editing and colour correction. The understanding and development of these skills will be demonstrated via a series of short exercises using prepared materials. Students will edit using Adobe Premiere Pro. This unit will culminate in a substantial editing project based on multi-camera DSLR footage collected by students working in teams to cover a short story done by them. The edited films will be for internal university distribution only unless appropriate permissions are obtained. In addition to gaining and improving practical editing skills, students will also cement learning of film making language and techniques from other modules.
Certainly! Here’s a comprehensive handout for your course "Introduction to Digital Editing," focusing on Adobe Premiere Pro. Each section includes detailed explanations, practical applications, and essential concepts.
Table of Contents- Teacher: Edison ISHIMWE
Description:
This course explores the evolution of cinema, from its early beginnings to contemporary filmmaking, analyzing major movements, influential directors, and technological advancements. Students will examine key theoretical frameworks, including realism, formalism, and auteur theory, to understand how films communicate meaning and reflect cultural contexts. Through screenings, discussions, and critical analysis, learners will develop a deeper appreciation of cinematic art and its impact on society.Course code: BFS1101
Course credit: 10
Assessment type: Quiz & Forum
Pre-requisites : None
Academic year 2024-2025
Lecturer: Kathambi Justina
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Understand the Evolution of Cinema:
- Examine the historical development of cinema, from its inception in the late 19th century through to the present day.
- Explore the key movements, innovations, and shifts in the film industry that shaped the global landscape of film production, distribution, and consumption.
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Analyze Film Genres and Styles:
- Identify and analyze various film genres (e.g., drama, comedy, horror, science fiction) and stylistic elements (e.g., expressionism, realism, formalism).
- Understand how different genres and styles have evolved in response to cultural, social, and technological changes.
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Explore Major Filmmakers and Their Influence:
- Investigate the contributions of significant filmmakers, directors, and producers to the development of cinema.
- Understand the impact of key figures such as D.W. Griffith, Orson Welles, Alfred Hitchcock, Akira Kurosawa, and others on the theory and practice of filmmaking.
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Engage with Film Theory and Criticism:
- Examine major schools of film theory, such as formalism, structuralism, post-structuralism, feminism, and psychoanalysis.
- Apply critical theory to analyze films in terms of ideology, narrative structure, symbolism, and aesthetics.
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Understand the Relationship Between Cinema and Society:
- Explore the ways in which film reflects, critiques, and influences society and culture, addressing topics like race, gender, class, and politics.
- Investigate the social and cultural impact of cinema on public opinion, identity, and social movements.
Course Learning Outcomes
By the end of this course, students will be able to:
- Analyze the historical development of cinema, including major movements, genres, and technological advancements.
- Evaluate key film theories, such as realism, formalism, auteur theory, and structuralism, to interpret cinematic meaning.
- Critically assess the works of influential filmmakers and their impact on the evolution of film as an art form.
- Examine the social, political, and cultural influences on film production and reception across different eras and regions.
- Apply film theory concepts to analyze and critique films from various historical periods.
- Demonstrate an understanding of cinematic techniques, including editing, cinematography, and mise-en-scène, in relation to storytelling and meaning-making.
- Develop well-supported arguments in written and verbal film analyses, using appropriate academic frameworks.
- Teacher: Aline k
INTRODUCTION
Sound plays a crucial role in enhancing storytelling, evoking emotions, and creating immersive experiences in various media, including film, television, music, and digital content. The Introduction to Sound module provides students with a foundational understanding of sound theory, recording techniques, editing, and mixing principles.
This course explores the physics of sound, different types of microphones, audio recording methods, and the importance of sound design in media production. Students will learn how to capture high-quality audio, reduce noise interference, and manipulate sound elements to enhance clarity and impact. Additionally, the module introduces key concepts such as soundscapes, Foley effects, dialogue editing, and the use of digital audio workstations (DAWs) for post-production.
Through hands-on exercises, practical projects, and critical listening activities, students will develop the skills necessary to work with sound in various professional contexts. By the end of this module, they will be equipped with the fundamental knowledge to create, edit, and integrate sound effectively into multimedia productions.
COURSE LEARNING OUTCOME
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Understand the Fundamentals of Sound
- Explain the basic principles of sound, including frequency, amplitude, wavelength, and acoustics.
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Identify and Use Different Types of Microphones
- Differentiate between microphone types (e.g., dynamic, condenser, ribbon, lavalier) and their applications in various recording environments.
COURSE OBJECTIVES
Understanding the Nature of Sound:
- Define sound as a physical phenomenon and explore its origin as vibrations in a medium.
- Discuss the nature of sound waves, including longitudinal and transverse waves.
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Characteristics of Sound:
- Describe the basic properties of sound, such as frequency, wavelength, amplitude, and speed.
- Explore how these properties affect pitch, loudness, and tone quality.
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Propagation of Sound:
- Understand how sound travels through different media (solid, liquid, gas).
- Study the factors affecting the speed of sound (temperature, medium type, etc.).
- Teacher: HABINSHUTI EMMANUEL
Description:
This module provides a foundational understanding of sound recording techniques for film production, focusing on the principles, equipment, and workflows essential for capturing high-quality audio. Students will explore the technical and creative aspects of sound recording, including microphone selection, placement, field recording, and synchronization with visual media.
The course covers various sound recording environments, from controlled studio settings to on-location shoots, ensuring learners gain hands-on experience with industry-standard tools such as boom microphones, lavaliers, recorders, and mixers. Additionally, it introduces sound design concepts, ambient sound capture, and the importance of dialogue clarity in storytelling.
By the end of this module, students will have the skills to professionally record, monitor, and troubleshoot audio for film production, laying the groundwork for advanced studies in sound design and post-production.
Course code: BFS 1103
Course credit: 10
Pre-requisites: None
Academic year: 2024-2025
Lecturer: Fiston Kevin Ntwali
Course Objectives:By the end of this module, learners should be able to:
- Understand the fundamental principles of sound recording and its importance in film production.
- Identify and operate essential sound recording equipment, including microphones, recorders, mixers, and boom poles.
- Demonstrate proper microphone techniques and placement for capturing clear dialogue and ambient sounds.
- Apply best practices for recording sound on location and in controlled environments, addressing common challenges such as background noise and acoustics.
- Understand the different types of microphones and their applications in film production.
- Sync audio with video using timecode and other synchronization techniques.
- Monitor and troubleshoot sound quality issues during recording to ensure optimal audio capture.
- Recognize the role of sound in storytelling and how it enhances the cinematic experience.
- Work collaboratively with the film production team, ensuring smooth coordination between sound recording and visual elements.
- Prepare and organize recorded audio files for post-production, following professional industry standards.
This module equips students with the technical and creative skills necessary for high-quality sound recording in film production, laying a strong foundation for careers in sound design, audio engineering, and film production.
Course Learning Outcomes:
Upon successful completion of this module, learners will be able to:
- Explain the fundamental principles of sound recording and its significance in film production.
- Identify and operate key sound recording equipment, including microphones, audio recorders, boom poles, and mixers.
- Demonstrate proper microphone selection and placement for capturing high-quality dialogue, ambient sounds, and effects.
- Record clear and high-quality sound in different environments, addressing common challenges such as background noise, wind interference, and reverb.
- Apply industry-standard techniques for on-location and studio sound recording, ensuring optimal audio capture.
- Sync recorded audio with video using timecode, clapperboards, and software tools.
- Monitor and troubleshoot sound issues in real time to prevent poor audio quality during production.
- Understand the role of sound in enhancing cinematic storytelling, including dialogue, ambient sound, and sound effects.
- Collaborate effectively with directors, cinematographers, and post-production teams to ensure seamless integration of sound and visuals.
- Prepare and organize recorded audio files for post-production, following professional workflows and best practices.
This module equips students with the essential skills and knowledge to capture professional-quality sound for film, laying a strong foundation for careers in film sound recording, audio engineering, and post-production sound design.
- Teacher: Fiston, Kevin NTWALI