Middle Tennessee State University Department of Electronic Media Communication Marc J. Barr, Professor Office Comm 148 - Telephone (615) 898-5118

Course Outline

A. Department: RA/TV/Photo - Number: 332
Title of Course: Introduction to Digital Compositing - Credits: 3

B. Description and Objectives

The purpose of this course is to introduce the history, techniques, and applications of Compositing in the areas of film,video, and multimedia production.

Students will have a broad survey of the process and techniques involved with creating composites. They will also have the opportunity to learn about the techniques and aesthetics incorporated into traditional methods of compositing for contrast and comparison. Frequent review and discussion of current work from industry will occur in the form of Videotape and DVD presentations.

C. Topics Covered

 1. Introduction to Digital Compositing: History, Techniques and Applications

 2. The Digital Representation of Visual Information

 3. Basic Image Manipulation

 4. Basic Image Compositing

 5. Matte Creation and Manipulation

 6. Time and Temporal Manipulations

 7. Image Tracking and Stabilization

 8. Interface Interactions

 9. Image Viewing and Analysis Tools

 10. Formats: Media, Resolution, and Aspect Ratios

 11. Quality and Efficiency

 12. Learning to See

 13. Creating Elements

 14. Integration Techniques

D. Activities Required of Students

1. Attendance at all lectures and demonstration

2. Minimum of six hours per week additional laboratory time

3. Equipment operation and daily system administration

4. Tutorial exercises demonstrating competency in the areas of:

Basic Workflow: Layering
Basic and Advanced Effects
Displacement Layering
Moving Images in 2 and 3 Dimensions
Animated Effects
Adjusting Color
Matte Creation and Manipulation
Masking
Animating TravelMattes
Digitizing TravelMattes
Image Stabilization and Destabilization
Synchronizing Audio with Composited Images

5. Case Studies from Film and Video

E. Evaluation Procedures

1. Individual testing of students on operating procedures, vocabulary, and concepts  covered.

2. Student journal of activities including evaluation of individual projects from conception to completion.

3. Presentation of videotape containing completed projects

4. Individual and group critiques

F. Required Text

The Art and Science of Digital Compositing
Ron Brinkmann

Maya Composer User's Guide

G. Materials

Storage media, Videotape ( your choice), Journal book, other items as suggested and required.