Study Abroad in London
Media Production
Department Dean: Michèle Turner, M.A.
Degrees:
- M.A., Royal College of Art 1989
- B.A. (Hons), North Staffordshire University, 1987
"I can't believe how lucky the AIU London students are in
comparison to other universities: the small class sizes, the
industry-standard facilities and the dedicated faculty. There is
a real sense of community within the departments. It isn't just
a place of learning or work, but a place where like minded
people come together to exchange ideas. I guess that is the
traditional concept of education, but this feels more like I am
spending time with people I really want to be with, not just
earning a crust."
AIU London Media Production Courses*
MVC 461 AUDIO ENGINEERING
Prerequisites: VID 262
Students are expected to apply skills taught in VID 162 and VID
262 to recording, processing, mixing and mastering live music.
Included are recordings of a live drum kit, vocals, electric guitar
and keyboards. Students can learn advanced engineering
techniques including use of reverb, compression and EQ.
MVC 467 ADVANCED MUSIC PRODUCTION TECHNIQUES
Prerequisites: MVC 461, VID 359,VID 372
Students will have the opportunity to produce a MIDI generated
music track and combine it with live instrumentation. This
involves using a sampler and appropriate software, synchronization
of linear and non-linear audio, live instrument and vocal
recording, and audio engineering to produce a CD master.
MVC 470 COMPOSING FOR FILM AND TELEVISION
Prerequisites: VID 260, VID 259
At the center of this course are the students' activities at the
computer, composing music for film, video, TV, and other related
media. Instruction in compositional techniques, elements of
sound/film integration and digital instrument processes will be
offered. It is assumed that each student will spend the major
portion of his/her time composing. Students will be expected to
compose, record and playback music for programs which may
have originated from other areas within the University's Media
Production Program.
VID 101 SURVEY OF MEDIA TECHNOLOGIES
Prerequisites: None
This course examines the many technologies that make up the
media industry. Beginning with the basics of television and video
cameras, discussions and lectures progress into new technologies
like HDTV, satellites and interactive computing. Emphasis is placed
on how each area is linked with others and the social implications
of each.
VID 162 AUDIO I
Prerequisites: None
Audio is a crucial component of all video and television
productions.This course introduces students to the basic
concepts and equipment of audio including microphones,
sound gathering, recording technologies and signal processing.
Also included is transferring audio to videotape and rudimentary
editing skills.
VID 163 VIDEO TECHNIQUES I
Prerequisites: None
This studio-based television production course introduces
students to the concepts, terminology and equipment of a
multicamera, live-intape production. Several class projects require
students to rotate crew positions.
VID 164 SCRIPT WRITING I
Prerequisites: CIS 102
Introductory yet comprehensive, this course discusses the role
of the script in the production process and introduces students
to varied styles used in specific media. It also explores the
elements of narrative form, dramatic tension, plot and character
development. Emphasis is placed on the student's development
of their own individual style.
VID 171 SIGHT, SOUND AND MOTION
Prerequisites: None
The course aims at further engaging students in video production
language concepts and video as an art form.This is a practical
course that not only gives students experience in the structuring
of narrative and the overall digest of a project, but focuses on
the creative, aesthetic, and emotive levels inherent in video
production.These areas include narrative, structure, form, editing,
color and sound use. An emphasis is placed on the interactivity of
different media and image making. Students have the opportunity
to investigate and develop an appreciation for how time-based
languages use other media (video, animation, computer imaging,
still video, photography, montage, and book design) to become
multidisciplinary.
VID 220 EDITING AND POST-PRODUCTION I
Prerequisites: CIS 102
This course introduces the student to the theory and practice of
computer-based, offline non-linear editing, including capture,
creation, manipulation and digital video output. It is an intensive
course offering students a working knowledge of the subject; a
digitally-edited project for their resume, reel or portfolio; and
abilities that are an invaluable part of their skill set.
VID 259 ELECTRONIC MUSIC I
Prerequisites: VID 162, CIS 102
This introductory course focuses on the creation of music via
MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface). Students can learn
how to record, sequence and edit their own music using a
computer with appropriate software and synthesizing keyboard.
VID 260 SURVEY OF MUSIC AND SOUND FOR VIDEO
Prerequisites: None
Students are introduced to various styles of music, such as rock,
jazz, country, techno and contemporary urban, which are used to
enhance the visual statement. From a historical perspective, this
course examines the use of music within specific film and video
genres and emphasizes the understanding of melody, harmony,
texture and drama in music.The course will also focus on
methods of choosing music, editing, recording sound effects,
and creating space with sound.
VID 262 AUDIO II
Prerequisites: VID 162
This course explores aspects of audio in video post-production,
as well as introducing students to some of the applications of
digital audio technology. Included are eight-track recording and
mixing, signal processing, and synchronizing sound with video.
Emphasis is placed on creating and recording sound effects, laying
down tracks, and mixing sound to picture.
VID 263 VIDEO TECHNIQUES II
Prerequisites: None
This course is an introduction to the concepts and practices of
field or remote video production. Students can learn to shoot
out of sequence, organize their shoots, assemble their crew and
edit their work into a finished product.
VID 266 PRODUCING AND DIRECTING
Prerequisites: VID 163
This course examines the roles of the producer and the director.
It discusses how each differs from the other and where in the
production team hierarchy each is placed. The course also
discusses working with actors and the difference between
producers and directors of television, film and freelance projects.
VID 267 SCRIPT WRITING II
Prerequisites: VID 164, CIS 102
Using VID 164 as a starting point, students are expected to
continue to develop an individual writing style in the areas of
characterization, emotion, comedic relief, and dialog editing.
This course also examines the marketability of the script or
screenplay, protecting ideas and obtaining an agent.
VID 271 AFRICAN-AMERICAN MUSIC HISTORY
Prerequisites: None
This is an introductory survey of African-American music in the
20th century from blues to hip hop.The course gives a broad
overview of the major developments in African-American music
and places those developments in a social context through a
series of informal lectures and listening seminars.
VID 320 EDITING & POST-PRODUCTION II
Prerequisites: VID 163, VID 263, VID 365
This is an intensive course studying the techniques and styles
of editing, creating dramatic tension and storytelling, and the
psychological effects of specific techniques. Students are expected
to complete and analyze a variety of editing assignments and view
numerous examples.
VID 359 ELECTRONIC MUSIC II
Prerequisites: VID 259
This is an advanced course extending the principles and
applications established in VID 259. Students can learn how to
record, edit and program digitally-sampled material, how to
trigger those samples using MIDI, and how to create samplebased
music. Different forms of digital data transfer and storage
are also covered.
VID 362 LIGHTING FOR TELEVISION & VIDEO
Prerequisites: VID 163, VID 263
This is an advanced lighting course that builds on basics presented
in VID 163 and VID 263. Incorporated are the elements of stage
lighting, special effects, and remote shoot lighting. Special emphasis
is placed on the equipment involved, diagramming and plot,
programming and safety.
VID 363 VIDEO TECHNIQUES III
Prerequisites: VID 163, VID 263
This is an advanced course, which builds on the concepts and
skills taught in VID 163 and VID 263. Included are camera
operation skills, chroma key, digital video effects, videotape roll-in,
and advanced use of the video switcher. Students rotate through
crew positions supporting each director as they improve their
timing, directing language and management skills.
VID 368 COMPUTER ANIMATION I
Prerequisites: CIS 102
This course is an introduction to animation, looking at both its
history and application, spanning the pioneering animation of
the 1980s to present-day virtual reality computer animation
techniques. It gives students an opportunity to utilize newlyacquired
skills.
VID 370 WRITING FOR THE MEDIA
Prerequisites: VID 164
The objectives of this course are to examine and apply the
techniques required for writing press feature articles (news,
general interest, topical debate, art reviews, etc.). The course
emphasizes the importance of writing in video production and its
construction at many different levels, and develops the critical
reading of film and video as organized in structured essays and
reviews.
VID 372 AUDIO POST-PRODUCTION FOR VIDEO
Prerequisites: VID 259, VID 260, VID 262
This course continues to develop the skills of audio postproduction
for video first explored in VID 262. Students have
the opportunity to use a computer to record, manipulate, and
desynchronize sound to picture. Included are the skills of pitch
shifting, Foley, time-stretching and digital mix automation.
VID 374 EUROPEAN CINEMA
Prerequisites: None
This course, a survey on the history of European film as an art
form, introduces students to a wealth of European cinema,
including Italian, French, German, Spanish, Swedish and Eastern
European filmmakers. Class content includes representative
samples from a classic and contemporary repertoire. In addition,
students are encouraged to attend current films playing at local
cinemas and analyze them in an open class discussion.
VID 382 AUDIO FIELD RECORDING TECHNIQUES
Prerequisites: VID 162
This course looks at the role of sound recordings in film and
video production and examines how to record sound to picture.
Microphone selection, boom swinging, stereo recording, live mixing,
and use of wireless microphones are all essential elements of
the course.
VID 464 PROMOTION & DISTRIBUTION
Prerequisites: None
This course investigates the processes involved after the
production is "in the can" (finished). How do major motion
picture studios go about promoting and distributing their films,
and how does that differ from a small independent producer of
programs? Included are the elements of distribution contracts,
negotiating points, and an exploration of the hierarchy of the
integral, yet separate, promotion and distribution businesses.
VID 465 MEDIA LAW
Prerequisites: None
This course is intended to raise the general level of knowledge
and understanding of those without formal legal training with the
law as it relates to video production. It addresses such legal
issues as copyright, defamation of character, intellectual property,
freedom of speech, pornography and contracts.
VID 473 VIDEO TECHNIQUES IV
Prerequisites: VID 163, VID 261, VID 363, VID 340
This is an advanced and intensive course where students apply
principles and skills taught in VID 163, VID 261, VID 363,
and VID 340 to a weekly production suitable for cable or
broadcast distribution. Assignments are edited and prepared
for roll-in to a live-to-tape, studio-based show with exacting
deadlines and timing constraints.
VID 474 COMPUTER ANIMATION II
Prerequisites: CIS 102
This is an advanced and intense course that introduces students
to computer-based animation techniques, including the creation
and manipulation of computer models, digitally "clothing" and
lighting those models, and outputting them to video as finished
animations.
* Courses and content subject to change.