Syllabus

The following is a sample syllabus from a typical six-week course. Please keep in mind that the schedule may vary from class to class.

Week One

Intensive Avid Training

Schedule: 10am - 5pm, M-F

We begin the class by providing you with a solid technical foundation in Avid Media Composer 8. Our goal for this week is to get everyone comfortable with the fundamentals of the software.

Week Two

INTRODUCTION TO Narrative Editing

Schedule: For weeks 2-6, most classes have two shifts: 9am - 2pm or 2pm - 7pm, M-F
More details here.

  • Begin working on the narrative class project

  • Meet the film's director and discuss her/his creative vision

  • Class discussion about the director/editor relationship
  • Avid Lecture: Asymmetrical Trimming
Week Three

ADVANCED Narrative Editing TECHNIQUES

  • Meet one-on-one with the director and get feedback on your work in progress
  • Q&A with a special guest. Previous guest speakers include Craig McKay (The Silence of the Lambs), Jay Rabinowitz (Requiem for a Dream), Sarah Flack (Lost in Translation), and Alisa Lepselter (Midnight In Paris).
  • Avid Lecture: Basic visual effects
Week Four

Introduction to Documentary EDITING

  • Second feedback session with the director
  • Finish work on your narrative scenes
  • Screening of the class's rough cut
  • Begin editing the documentary project
  • Special Lecture: How to Edit Vérité Footage
  • Meet the director of the documentary
  • Avid Lecture: Working with Stills, Archival, and Text
Week Five

ADVANCED Documentary Editing TECHNIQUES

  • Meet one-on-one with the director of the documentary
  • Q&A with a special guest (usually the editor or director of a recent documentary)
  • Special Lecture: Editing interviews
  • Avid Lecture: Basic Color Correction
Week Six

Continue Narrative Documentary Editing and Wrapping Things UP

  • Final feedback session with the documentary director
  • Screening of the class's rough cut
  • Avid Lecture: Essential Skills for Assistant Editing
  • Special Lecure: Career Paths