When you enroll in this course, you'll also be enrolled in this Specialization.
Learn new concepts from industry experts
Gain a foundational understanding of a subject or tool
Develop job-relevant skills with hands-on projects
Earn a shareable career certificate
There are 3 modules in this course
In this course, we will learn about pre-production, which requires levels of planning before you ever pick up a camera. We will share with you the terminology used widely in production work, along with our ideas for affordable camera gear and editing applications. We’ll also discuss strategies to help you generate story ideas and the focus, find characters, write treatments and scripts, draw storyboards, and even pointers on how to pitch your stories.
The start of this module begins with an Introduction to Video Production and to the instructors. You will learn about the most common terms used by industry professionals when describing the elements to your video production. You will also learn to identify the equipment and software needs that will produce video with high production value. We will make recommendations for affordable camcorders, and accessories, and about apps that can convert your smartphone camera into a professional recording device. You will learn about lighting devices, media cards, and microphones. We will also make recommendations on affordable editing applications such as Adobe Premiere, or even free editors like iMovie or FilmoraGo, depending on whether you’re using a Mac, PC, iPhone or Android devices.
What's included
10 videos3 readings2 assignments3 peer reviews
Show info about module content
10 videos•Total 33 minutes
Course and Instructor Introduction: Stages of Production•4 minutes
Video Production Elements and Terminology•2 minutes
Types of Shots•4 minutes
Camcorder or DSLR?•1 minute
Memory Cards•3 minutes
Tripods and Other Pods•4 minutes
Microphones and Headphones•7 minutes
Lights•3 minutes
Editing Applications•2 minutes
Free Applications•2 minutes
3 readings•Total 31 minutes
Course Updates and Accessibility Support•1 minute
Learning Checkpoint•20 minutes
Final Assignment Overview•10 minutes
2 assignments•Total 90 minutes
Module 1, Lessons 1 & 2•60 minutes
Module 1, Lesson 3•30 minutes
3 peer reviews•Total 180 minutes
Student Introduction Video•60 minutes
Collect a Variety of Shots•60 minutes
Baseline Video•60 minutes
Finding and Telling Your Story
Module 2•2 hours to complete
Module details
You might have an idea for a video, but you have yet to know the story. Essentially, you need a plan. In this module, you will learn about classic narrative structure for storytelling, and come to understand the difference between print and visual stories. You will also be able to identify different story structures such as the Inverted Pyramid, Hourglass and Diamond. Additionally, you will learn how to cultivate sources through pre-interviews to find compelling characters that personalise the story, generate drama, and show the audience what’s at stake. The main goal will be to anticipate how you want to tell your story.
What's included
5 videos1 reading1 assignment1 discussion prompt
Show info about module content
5 videos•Total 17 minutes
The Narrative•4 minutes
The Visual Story•3 minutes
Generating ideas - How to find stories•3 minutes
The Focus - What Is Your Story About?•3 minutes
Finding Characters•4 minutes
1 reading•Total 20 minutes
Learning Checkpoint•20 minutes
1 assignment•Total 60 minutes
Module 2, Lessons 1 & 2•60 minutes
1 discussion prompt•Total 30 minutes
Generating Ideas for your Story•30 minutes
Script Formats, the Treatment, and Pitch
Module 3•3 hours to complete
Module details
Would you ever build a new home without blueprints? A home needs a strong foundation, and so does the story you want to tell. In this module, you will learn how to write treatments, scripts and draw storyboards -- tools that will carefully craft your story before you ever pick up a camera. The treatment is a narrative description of your story, which will help you understand how the parts of your story connect. The script shows the specific words that are written to both images and sound, which typically undergoes many revisions. Storyboards are a collection of drawings that help you visualise a scene, and to troubleshoot potential problems before they occur. These documents are key to helping you reduce the uncertainty that is common in many video productions.
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Learner reviews
4.6
81 reviews
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GA
5·
Reviewed on Dec 4, 2024
I know more than I did before I started the course. It has been eye opening, and informative. Thank you for sharing your knowledge with me.
T
TT
5·
Reviewed on Jul 7, 2025
It's enriching, and you get to learn the basics from scratch while practicing.
N
NG
5·
Reviewed on May 13, 2025
Es un curso que desde el punto de la narrativa visual te abre los ojos para desarrollas proyectos de mayor interés para los espectadores, es claro práctico y profundamente inspirador
No special background knowledge is required. This course jumps head first into video production and explains the necessary concepts.
Do I need to take the courses in a specific order?
Yes, the courses should be taken in the order in which they are offered. Each course builds on the previous one.
Will I earn university credit for completing this Specialization?
No, this specialization cannot be completed for university credit.
When will I have access to the lectures and assignments?
To access the course materials, assignments and to earn a Certificate, you will need to purchase the Certificate experience when you enroll in a course. You can try a Free Trial instead, or apply for Financial Aid. The course may offer 'Full Course, No Certificate' instead. This option lets you see all course materials, submit required assessments, and get a final grade. This also means that you will not be able to purchase a Certificate experience.
What will I get if I subscribe to this Specialization?
When you enroll in the course, you get access to all of the courses in the Specialization, and you earn a certificate when you complete the work. Your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile.
Is financial aid available?
Yes. In select learning programs, you can apply for financial aid or a scholarship if you can’t afford the enrollment fee. If fin aid or scholarship is available for your learning program selection, you’ll find a link to apply on the description page.