MMD 304 | Course Introduction and Application Information - Department of Visual Communication Design

Course Name

Video Techniques and Production

Code	Semester	Theory (hour/week)	Application/Lab (hour/week)	Local Credits	ECTS
MMD 304	Fall/Spring	2	2	3	4

Prerequisites	None
Course Language	English
Course Type	Elective
Course Level	First Cycle
Mode of Delivery	face to face
Teaching Methods and Techniques of the Course	-
National Occupation Classification	-
Course Coordinator	-
Course Lecturer(s)	Öğr.Gör. CAN FAKIOĞLU
Assistant(s)	-

Course Objectives	The aim of the course is to move students from the position of viewer to that of maker, by teaching how a scene is constructed at both the level of analysis and the level of production. In the first half of the semester, students break down a scene from a film or series shot by shot, and through this work learn film language, mise-en-scène, performance and sound design. In the second half, students write their own scene, shoot it in the studio or with a mobile camera, edit it, and then transform it using AI-based image and video tools. The course positions current production technologies within the production chain without departing from the axis of a strong idea, strong dialogue and a strong concept.
Learning Outcomes	The students who succeeded in this course; Will be able to analyze a scene shot by shot and explain the decisions that produce its effect, Will be able to read and apply film language (shot sizes, camera angles and movement, mise-en-scène, lighting, colour, sound), Will be able to develop a scene script, a storyboard and a shot list, Will be able to produce consistent character, location and prop designs using AI-based image tools, Will be able to shoot in a studio environment or with a mobile camera, setting up lighting and sound, Will be able to edit recorded material and make decisions on rhythm and sound design, Will be able to transform their footage using video-to-video tools and plan production costs, Will be able to develop an informed position on copyright, ethics and transparency.
Course Description	The course is organised around a single object: the scene. The first half covers the fundamentals of film language — camera, mise-en-scène, performance and sound — and students present a detailed breakdown of a scene of their choice. In the second half, students develop a scene of their own, working sequentially through idea generation, screenwriting, storyboarding, production design, shooting, editing and sound. Character, location and prop designs are produced and locked with still-image generation models, and the recorded footage is then transformed against those designs using video-to-video models. In this way, traditional production discipline and current production tools are combined within a single workflow.
Related Sustainable Development Goals

Course Category	Core Courses
	Major Area Courses
	Supportive Courses	X
	Media and Management Skills Courses	X
	Transferable Skill Courses	X

Week	Subjects	Related Preparation
1	Introduction: course overview, basic production processes and the concept of the scene. Case studies of existing work with their production histories.
2	Class profile and survey. "Everything is a remix": creativity, reference and transformation. Introduction to still-image generation and prompt anatomy.	Selection of three scenes the student finds compelling
3	Scene breakdown methodology. Film language I: shot sizes, camera angles, camera movement, coverage and the logic of the cut.	Image generation exercises
4	Film language II: mise-en-scène, location, lighting, colour, costume and props. Character design and consistency across shots.	Selection of the midterm scene
5	Film language III: performance, dialogue, subtext and sound. Location design. Camera practice: single-shot exercise.	Character design sheet
6	Midterm presentations I: scene breakdowns and critique.	Scene breakdown presentation; single-shot exercise
7	Midterm presentations II and general evaluation. Synthesis of shared patterns.	Scene breakdown presentation
8	MIDTERM EXAM PERIOD — Midterm week in the academic calendar. Assessment of presentations and individual feedback.	-
9	AI production workshop: prop design and asset set; transforming recorded footage with video-to-video tools; scene extension, cost and quota management.	Submission of the single-shot exercise
10	From idea to scene: building a story from a single image. Scene writing: desire, obstacle, turn. Dialogue and subtext.	Starting image and draft concept
11	Project pitches and script critique. Production design: storyboard, shot list, shooting plan and budget. Studio and equipment planning.	Scene draft and moodboard
12	Shooting practice: studio and location shoots. Blocking, lighting and sound setup, working with performers.	Script, storyboard, shot list and asset set
13	Editing and sound: core workflow in Premiere Pro and CapCut, rhythm, take selection, dialogue clean-up, music and atmosphere design.	Completion of shooting
14	Transformation: rebuilding the locked rough cut with the asset set. Rough cut review. Copyright, ethics and AI labelling.	Rough cut of the final project
15	Final project presentations: scene screenings, process documentation and critique. Closing discussion on current production and distribution practices.	Final cut of the project and process documentation
16	FINAL EXAM PERIOD — Final week in the academic calendar. Submission and assessment of final project files.

Course Notes/Textbooks

Suggested Readings/Materials

• McKee, R. (1997). Story: Substance, structure, style and the principles of screenwriting. New York, NY: HarperCollins.
• Snyder, B. (2005). Save the cat! The last book on screenwriting you’ll ever need. Studio City, CA: Michael Wiese Productions.
• Everything is a Remix — https://www.everythingisaremix.info
• Higgsfield (YouTube channel)
• Curious Refuge (YouTube channel)
• Ozan Sihay (YouTube channel)
• Current production tools: still-image generation models, video models and editing software (Adobe Premiere Pro, CapCut). The tool list is updated at the beginning of each semester.

Semester Activities	Number	Weigthing
Participation	1	20
Laboratory / Application
Field Work	-	-
Quizzes / Studio Critiques	-	-
Portfolio	1	20
Homework / Assignments	-	-
Presentation / Jury	1	20
Project	1	40
Seminar / Workshop
Oral Exams
Midterm
Final Exam
Total

Weighting of Semester Activities on the Final Grade	3	60
Weighting of End-of-Semester Activities on the Final Grade	1	40
Total

Semester Activities	Number	Duration (Hours)	Workload
Theoretical Course Hours (Including exam week: 16 x total hours)	16	2	32
Laboratory / Application Hours	16	2	32
Study Hours Out of Class			0
Field Work	-	-	0
Quizzes / Studio Critiques	-	-	0
Portfolio	1	16	16
Homework / Assignments	-	-	0
Presentation / Jury	1	16	16
Project	1	24	24
Seminar / Workshop			0
Oral Exam			0
Midterms			0
Final Exam			0
		Total	120

#	Program Competencies/Outcomes	* Contribution Level
#	Program Competencies/Outcomes	1	2	3	4	5
1	To be able to apply the fundamental principles of design in creating visual narratives and messages, using physical and digital media,	-	-	-	-	-
2	To attain complex problem-solving skills, using various design methods,	-	X	-	-	-
3	To have a clear understanding of creative/art direction,	-	-	-	-	-
4	To be able to use the advanced theoretical and applied knowledge attained in the areas of Visual Communication Design,	-	-	-	-	-
5	To act with social and ethical awareness and to take responsibility, both individually and collectively, for developing aesthetic and effective design solutions,	-	-	-	-	-
6	To be able to investigate, interpret and evaluate the developments on Visual Communication Design in the world and in Turkey,	-	-	-	-	-
7	To have an advanced level of knowledge and experience in producing/editing still and moving images,	-	-	-	-	X
8	To attain proficiency in using related software, media, and communication technologies,	-	-	X	-	-
9	To gain reflexive and critical thinking abilities,	-	-	-	-	-
10	To undertake self-directed and continuous education in the discipline, to develop a lifelong learning attitude,	-	-	-	-	-
11	To be able to collect data in the areas of Visual Communication Design and communicate with colleagues in a foreign language ("European Language Portfolio Global Scale", Level B1),	-	-	-	-	-
12	To be able to speak a second foreign at a medium level of fluency efficiently,	-	-	-	-	-
13	To be able to relate the knowledge accumulated throughout human history to their field of expertise.	-	-	-	-	-