ডিজিটাল সিনেমাটোগ্রাফি (Course Details)

Course Title: Digital Cinematography (Course Code: 211-413)

Level/Term/Semester: 4/1 (Fourth Year First Semester) 

Pre-requisite: Video Production, Film Studies & Appreciation 

Credit: 3 Credit (Credit Hours: 1.5) Contact Hours: Weekly 3 hours

Total Marks: 100 (CIE Marks: 60, SEE Marks: 40)

Rationale of the Course:

This advanced course integrates theory and practice of digital cinematography, focusing on lighting, shading, lenses, camera composition, and professional rendering workflows. Students learn to balance technical precision with creative storytelling for film, television, and digital media.

Course Objectives:

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

1. Analyze the fundamental principles of digital lighting, color theory, and illumination techniques। 
2. Understand advanced shading principles and their application in digital media production 
3. Master camera composition rules, framing techniques, and visual storytelling methods 
4. Apply professional cinematography techniques in creative digital productions 
5. Integrate technical precision with artistic storytelling in cinematographic works 
6. Utilize industry-standard software and equipment for digital cinematography production 
7. Evaluate cinematographic works critically through structured peer review and self-reflection 
8. Document cinematography processes professionally using digital portfolios and process books 
9. Collaborate effectively in team-based cinematography projects and critique sessions

Course Learning Outcomes (CLOs):

CLO 1 (Weeks 1-7)

Explain and analyze the principles of digital lighting, advanced shading techniques, and camera composition by demonstrating a comprehensive understanding of cinematographic theory and its application in digital media production.

CLO 2 (Weeks 8 - 11)

Apply professional cinematography techniques to produce creative digital works that integrate technical precision with compelling storytelling, demonstrating mastery of lighting, camera work, and post-production workflows.

CLO 3 (Week 11 - 14)

Critically evaluate and document cinematography practices through structured peer review, comprehensive self-reflection, and professional process documentation, demonstrating effective communication and lifelong learning capabilities.

Course Topics:

Week	Topic/Course Contents	CLOs	Teaching-Learning Strategy	Assessment Strategy
Week 1 (Session 1-2)	Introduction to Digital Cinematography -	CLO1	Lectures, Historical analysis, Video demonstrations, Open Discussion. Classification of shots - 5 C's of camera.	Interactive Discussion, Participatio n
Week 2 (Session 3-4)	Fundamentals of Lighting Design -	CLO1	Fundamentals of lighting design: three-point, mood & tone, psychology of light.	Class Test 1, Interactive Discussion
Week 3 (Session 5-6)	Advanced Lighting Theory and Color -	CLO1	Advanced lighting: color temperature, correction, gels, genre-based lighting.	Theory Assignment 1, Film Analysis
Week 4 (Session 7-8)	Shading Principles and Digital Rendering	CLO1	Shading principles: shadows, contrast, realism; intro to rendering concepts.	Class Test 2, Technical Exercise
Week 5 (Session 9-10)	Camera Composition and Visual Design -	CLO1	Composition & design: framing, perspective, rule of thirds vs motivated composition.	Theory Assignment 2, Compositio n Analysis
Week 6 (Session 11-12)	Camera Movement and Lens Theory -	CLO1	Focal length, depth of field, and integration with lighting.	Class Test 3, Comprehens ive Review
Week 7 (Session 13)	Mid-Term Examination - Comprehensive theory assessment - Cinematography principles evaluation	CLO1	Written Examination	Mid-term Exam
Week 7-8  (Session 14-15)	Practical Introduction and Equipment Training -	CLO2	Hands-on workshop, Equipment training, Practical demonstration, Safety briefing	Practical Exercise 1, Equipment Assessment

Week

Topic/Course Contents

CLOs

Teaching-Learning Strategy

AssessmentStrategy

Week8-9 (Session16-17)	AdvancedShadingandLightingPractice-Hands-onshadingexercises-Scenelightingandshadingintegration-Problem-solvinginlightingscenarios-Creativelightingchallenges	CLO2	Lighting setups, safe rigging, basic camera operations.	Practical Exercise 2, Creative Challenge
Week 9-10  (Sess 18-19)	Workflow & rendering: formats	CLO2	LUTs, color grading basics, QC standards.	Practical Exercise 3, Digital Portfolio Start
Week 10-11 (Sess 20-21)	Project Development and Portfolio Creation	CLO2	Treatment, shot lists, lighting/ lensing plan, role assignments. (CLO2, CLO3)	Project Proposal, Team Formation
Week 11-12 (Sess 22-23)	Process Documentation and Peer Review Training	CLO3	process journal (written/PDF), research on cinematography trends. (CLO3)	Process Book Developme nt, Peer Review Training
Week 12-13 (Sess 24-25)	Peer Critique and Research Application	CLO3	Peer critique workshop, Final project shoot, rough cut, color pass; showcase rehearsal.	Peer Review Sessions, Research Assignment
Week 14	Final Project Production and Showcase	CLO1 , CLO2 , CLO3	Final production, Professional presentation, Viva voce, Course evaluation	Final Project Portfolio, Viva Presentation

Week 8-9 (Session 16-17) Lectures, Case studies, Film analysis, Historical analysis,	Advanced Shading and Lighting Practice - Hands-on shading exercises - Scene lighting and shading integration - Problem-solving in lighting scenarios - Creative lighting challengesClass tests, Theory assignments,	CLO 1	K1, K2, K4	C1, C2, C4
CLO s	Teaching-Learning Strategy	Assessment Strategy	Knowledge Profile	Bloom’s Taxonomy level

Mapping Course Learning Outcomes (CLOs) with the Teaching-Learning and Assessment Strategy:

CLO s

Teaching-Learning Strategy

Assessment Strategy

Knowledge Profile

Bloom’s Taxonomy level

Technical demonstrations4	Mid-term exam, Final examApply
CLO 2	Hands-on workshops, Equipment training, Creative challenges, Project development, Software training	Practical exercises, Final project portfolio, Creative challenges	K3, K5, K6	C3, C5, C6
CLO 3	Documentation workshop, Peer critique training, Research methodology, Reflection exercises	Process book, Peer review sessions, Research assignment, Viva presentation	K4, K5, K6	C4, C5, C6

ASSESSMENT PATTERN:

CIE: Continuous Internal Evaluation (60 Marks)

Bloom’s Criteria	Attendance (7)	Class Tests (15)	Participation (8)	Assignments (5)	Mid-term Exam (25)
Remember	2	6
Understand	3	3	1	4
Apply	3	2	2	5
Analyze	2	3	5
Evaluate	0	3	5
Create	0

SEE: Semester End Examination [40 marks]

Bloom Criteria	Final Project (40)
Remember	2
Understand	5
Apply	10
Analyze	7
Evaluate	6
Create	10

LEARNING MATERIALS

Recommended Readings:

1. Cinematography: Theory and Practice – Blain Brown

2. Digital Cinematography: Fundamentals, Tools, Techniques – David Stump

3. Film Lighting – Kris Malkiewicz

4. The Visual Story: Creating the Visual Structure of Film, TV and Digital Media – Bruce Block

5. Motion Picture and Video Lighting – Blain Brown

6. The Filmmaker’s Eye: Learning (and Breaking) the Rules of Cinematic Composition – Gustavo

Mercado

7. Master Shots Vol 1, 2, 3: 100 Advanced Camera Techniques to Get an Expensive Look on Your

Low-Budget Movie – Christopher Kenworthy

8. Painting with Light – John Alton

9. Digital Lighting and Rendering – Jeremy Birn

10. The Art and Technique of Digital Color Correction – Steve Hullfish

Software and Tools:

• Adobe Premiere Pro (video editing and color correction)

• Adobe After Effects (motion graphics and compositing)

• DaVinci Resolve (professional color grading and editing)

• Blender (3D modeling, shading, and rendering)

• Maya (advanced 3D shading and lighting)

• DSLR/Mirrorless cameras (Canon, Sony, Panasonic)

• Professional lighting kits (LED panels, softboxes, reflectors)

• Color temperature meters and light measurement tools