Course

Video and Projection Systems

Faculty
Language, Literature and Performing Arts
Department
Performing & Fine Arts
Course code
PEFA 4410
Credits
3.00
Semester length
15 Weeks
Max class size
30
Method(s) of instruction
Lecture
Lab
Course designation
None
Industry designation
None
Typically offered
To be determined

Overview

Course description
This course explores the principles of video and projection systems in the contexts of performance, live event production, art installations, and public presentation. Students will gain experience with industry standard software and hardware, and learn how to control, distribute, and project video content. Through collaborative exercises, students will learn how to approach the use of video for their personal artistic practices, study key techniques used by video and projection professionals, and explore the different roles and responsibilities within the live event and performance industries.
Course content
  • History and Evolution of Video and Projection Technology
  • Overview of Careers in Video and Projection
  • Script Analysis, Cue, and Content Planning
    • Developing a Design Concept
    • Sourcing, Organizing, and Adapting Media
    • Preparing Design/Production Paperwork
  • Projection Optics, Photometrics, and Projection Image Control
    • Aiming and Focusing Projectors
    • Projection Calculations, Resolution and Aspect Ratio
    • Projection Mapping, Blending, and Stacking
    • Projection Surfaces
  • Installation of Projectors, Screens, and LED walls
  • Video Distribution, Components, and Cabling
    • Tools for Video Distribution and Control
    • Long Distance Video Transmission
    • Understanding Bandwidth/Data Flow
  • Media Servers and Software
    • Understanding Computer Specifications
    • Navigating Display Preferences on Mac and PC
    • Digital Media, Containers, and Codecs
    • Media Servers and Projection Software
      • Cue Based
      • Timeline Based
      • Node-Based
      • VJ-Based
  • System/Block Diagrams, Projection Plans, and Centreline Sections
  • LED Video Wall Technology
  • Live Camera Reinforcement, Camera Switching, and Live Streaming
  • Interactivity and Show Control Protocols

Learning activities

Students will receive instruction via lecture, demonstration, and computer lab work. Guest speakers, industry demonstrations, and field trips to audio/visual studios, venues, and equipment rental shops may be included.

Means of assessment

Assessments will be based on course objectives and will be in accordance with the Douglas College Evaluation Policy. An evaluation schedule is presented at the beginning of the course. This is a graded course.

Students are expected to be self-motivated and to demonstrate professionalism, which includes active participation, good attendance, punctuality, effective collaboration, and ability to meet deadlines.

Instructors may use a student’s record of attendance and/or level of active participation in the course as part of the student’s graded performance. Where this occurs, expectations and grade calculations regarding class attendance and participation will be clearly defined in the Instructor Course Outline

Sample Grading Scheme:

Research Project  15%
Content Creation Project    15%
Projection Design Project  30%
Equipment and Technology Quiz    20%
Attendance and Professionalism  20%
 total:  100%

Students may conduct research as part of their coursework in this class. Instructors for the course are responsible for ensuring that student research projects comply with College policies on ethical conduct for research involving humans, which can require obtaining Informed Consent from participants and getting the approval of the Douglas College Research Ethics Board prior to conducting the research.

Learning outcomes

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

  • Set up, configure, and operate simple projection systems;
  • Understand and troubleshoot signal flow for video and projection systems;
  • Understand the mechanics, optics, and constraints of projection technology;
  • Demonstrate competency in select media server and software standards;
  • Source and prepare media and graphics for use in video and projection systems, observing intellectual and property rights;
  • Summarize workflows and requirements of adjacent technologies encapsulated within the video production industry, including LED walls, live camera reinforcement, and live streaming;
  • Demonstrate the use of video and projection to creatively amplify artistic practice.
Textbook materials

A list of recommended textbooks and materials is provided on the instructor’s course outline, which is available to students at the beginning of each semester.

Requisites

Prerequisites

PEFA 3410 or permission of the instructor

Corequisites

None

Equivalencies

None

Course Guidelines

Course Guidelines for previous years are viewable by selecting the version desired. If you took this course and do not see a listing for the starting semester / year of the course, consider the previous version as the applicable version.

Course Transfers to Other Institutions

Below are current transfer agreements from Douglas College to other institutions for the current course guidelines only. For a full list of transfer details and archived courses, please see the BC Transfer Guide.

Institution Transfer details for PEFA 4410
There are no applicable transfer credits for this course.

Course Offerings

There are no course offerings this semester.