Teaching Camera Craft Online during the Covid Pandemic.

Abstract

This paper identifies and explores the challenges of teaching specialist camera and studio craft based production courses online given the Covid-19 pandemic. The Covid-19 pandemic resulted in all courses at the National Centre for Computer Animation, Bournemouth University being delivered online rather than face-to-face. This was particularly challenging for the units that involved camera production. This paper will explore the different strategies used to deliver online three different camera based units with very different intended learning outcomes; a) Visual Storytelling and Previsualisation, b) Visual Studies, and, c) Visual Effects Photography and Acquisition. A novel teaching model emerged that allowed for enhanced student engagement and practice whilst working within the constraints of inaccessibility to specialist camera equipment and location work. This can be summed up as an iterative spiral model; Introduce>Set>Practice>Reinforce>Assess>Feedback The resulting outcomes, both in terms of the teaching and delivery approaches as well as the student work will be discussed and analysed.