LIGHTS, CAMERA…ACTION!

For cadets looking to add an art credit, enjoy creative storytelling, or just want to explore the world of high-end digital cinematography, MMA’s sizzling hot Cinematography Arts class provides them the perfect opportunity to do just that…and a whole lot more!  In addition to getting hands-on instruction with full high-definition camcorders, here cadets learn non-linear video editing (a video editing method which enables direct access to any video frame in a digital video clip), special effects, animation, digital graphics and composition, audio composition and editing, as well as lighting and green screen studio time wherein the principal subject is filmed or photographed against a green background - green because this color is considered to be the furthest away from skin tone; the portions of the video which match the preselected color are replaced by the alternate background video…and three weeks in OUR CADETS ARE ALREADY MASTERING THIS TECHNIQUE!  

Cinematography Instructor Allen Aleshire reports that since Day One of the academic year, cadets have worked as teams in a project-based learning environment and produced three separate video productions focusing on framing and composition.  Allen enthusiastically explains, “Cadets in this class have also attended football games to practice the art and skill of telling the MMA Leatherneck football story.   They shoot from the Press Box to capture the entire game for fans on Facebook and Vimeo - both video-sharing websites on which users can upload, share, and view videos” Allen continues, a pleased smile tugging at the corners of his lips, “These same cadets rotate each week to produce a highlight video with upbeat music that is a little more fun and gives each team the opportunity to express their own creative ideas. Cadets in the class are so excited about using the technology, one team already has three extra credit productions under their belt!  As the semester progresses, they’ll produce a weekly show highlighting their projects using the green screen and their own virtual set design. I believe the skills cadets learn in this class will be helpful for the rest of their lives.  It’s so exciting to watch   cadets that normally wouldn’t want to be in front of the camera look forward to being able to telling THEIR story!”