Post Production
| SMAD 303: Post Production |
| Section 1: Monday/Wednesday 5:00pm – 6:15pm, Harrison Hall, 0241 |
Course Syllabus Spring 2026
| Instructor: Olivia Booker Office: Harrison Hall, 0244 Office Hours: Monday/Wednesday: 3:30pm-5:00pm Tuesday: 1pm-3pm or by appointment |
| COURSE DESCRIPTION: Explore the theory, history, and techniques of post-production methods with an emphasis on high definition non-linear video editing. Focus on the technical, aesthetics, and creative strategies of editing fiction and non-fiction visual media projects. Prerequisite SMAD 302 or permission of the instructor. |
COURSE OBJECTIVES:
- Generate a strong foundation in the theory, history, and craft of editing.
- Develop competency in the operation of non-linear editing systems.
- Identify and define post-production terminology and concepts.
- Develop competency in the planning and execution of a post-production project.
- Effectively use titles, graphics, and sound elements to enhance a project’s impact.
- Recognize the technical/aesthetic possibilities and limitations of each medium in the post-production process.
- Create engaging digitally manipulated images and stories.
- Explore resources for editors in a professional post-production environment.
COURSE MATERIALS:
Required Textbooks (Books are available on O’Reilly online via JMU Library account)
Art of the Cut, 1st Edition, Steve Hullfish, Publisher: Routledge; 1 edition (March 8, 2017), ISBN-10: 9781138238664 (Online)
First Cut 2: More Conversations with Film Editors, 2nd Edition, Gabriella Oldham, Publisher: University of California Press (August 1, 2012) | ISBN-13: 978-0520273511 (Online)
https://www.jstor.org/stable/10.1525/j.ctt1pn67s
REQUIRED EQUIPMENT:
1 pair of closed back headphones (Senal, Sony or Sennheiser) http://www.bhphotovideo.com/
Additional Required readings and supplemental course materials can be found on Canvas.
RECOMMENDED EQUIPMENT: An external hard drive (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/buy/Headphones/ci/12572/N/4035153652)
Checkout Room: website- https://www.jmu.edu/smad/about-smad/equipment-checkout.shtml
*This includes an inventory of gear, tutorials, manuals, hours, and links.
LinkedIn Learning: SMAD students have on-campus access to the software tutorials on LinkedIn Learning. Click on the link from the JMU website. https://www.jmu.edu/computing/help-and-support/linkedin-learning.shtml
Link to Adobe Premiere pro tutorial:
COURSE REQUIREMENTS
- Attend all classes/screenings and labs.
- You are responsible for all course material and film excerpts screened.
- Read each week’s assigned essays/chapters before class to facilitate discussion.
- Participate in class discussions.
- Complete projects on time (details follow).
- Endure public screenings and critiques of your work.
GRADES: Your final grade for the course will be calculated by combining your overall percentage grade for each project (group and solo), as well as tests and class participation totalling 100%. Class participation is based upon your participation in class discussions/critiques, project group dynamics, attendance and meeting post-production project deadlines. Projects will be graded on their technical proficiency, application of post-production techniques/craft and overall aesthetics. Detailed project descriptions and requirements will be given when projects are assigned.
GRADES Breakdown
Grade Scale & Assignments:
| Assignments | Grade Scale | |
| Reading Journals…… 20% Project#1- Narrative Editing……………….20% Project #2- Documentary………..30% Project #3- Commercial …………20% Editor Profile…………...10% Total: 100% | A | 94-100 |
| A- | 90-93 | |
| B+ | 87-89 | |
| B | 83-86 | |
| B- | 80-82 | |
| C+ | 77-79 | |
| C | 73-76 | |
| C- | 70-72 | |
| D+ | 67-69 | |
| D | 60-66 | |
| F | 0-59 | |
Reading/Lecture Journals: You are required to keep a reading/lecture journal in which you will write 1-2page reaction/reflection papers for assigned weekly reading materials and projects. The journals will be collected twice during the semester.
Editor Profiles: You are required to create a short 5-7 minute video presentation/profile of a professional editor, the presentation should include a breakdown of a scene/sequence of the editor’s work.
Project #1: Dramatic Narrative (Solo Project) Use supplied rushes to create a clear narrative story arc employing classic Hollywood continuity techniques. Use natural sound, pacing, and music to increase tension for optimum emotional impact.
Project #2: Non-Fiction (Documentary). (Team Project) Use supplied footage, graphics, SFX, and music to create an engaging and polished documentary (non-fiction) sequence.
Project #3: Commercial. (Solo Project) Using supplied footage you will edit a professional spec commercial.
Grading:
A=Extremely well done and goes above and beyond the assignment and displays attention to detail and meets a professional standard.
B= Displays above average work with clean and precise attention to detail and added additional elements above the minimum standard.
C= Meets the assigned goals of the assignment and met the minimum standard.
D=Missed parts of the assignment and didn’t pay attention to detail.
F=Failed to meet any part of the assignment or failed to turn the assignment in.
To achieve a particular grade, you must earn the minimum percentage required for that grade. There is no rounding. Late projects will result in a 10% decrease for every 12 hours, beginning at the deadline. Deadlines will be posted on Canvas. Some assignments won’t allow for late work, resulting in a zero.
Project Reflections and Critique: Each project will include an INDIVIDUAL reflection posted on Canvas at the due date/time. Missing reflections will deduct 10 points from your project grade.
Group critique is an important element of learning in this class. If you miss a critique without an excused reason, you will automatically have ten points deducted from that project grade.
If it is a group project, BOTH group members are required to submit on Canvas. If someone fails to submit, the late policy applies even if their group member has submitted.
| Updated Course Schedule is located on the home page of Canvas |
Note: The schedule is subject to change but is a reasonable reflection of the topics to be covered, and the time devoted to each topic. Always check the Canvas home page for updates.
Olivia Booker 