Six weeks to produce a short film: challenge accepted!

Lights… camera… action!

The first group project for our Bachelor 1 students, the video module is an unmissable rite of passage at Digital Campus.

Facing real professional briefs, managing a video project, learning video editing, colour grading and sound recording: a look at the skills that will make our students the video creative experts of tomorrow!

Our students worked for several weeks on producing short films with the aim of responding to the theme of the 6th MAIF Grand Angle Competition 2022: "Choosing the right helmet to avoid injury".

This year, the objective is simple: to help everyone understand the role a helmet plays in the event of an accident, and to give the general public the tools to understand the importance of wearing a helmet, as well as how to choose one and the pitfalls to avoid.

Wearing a helmet helps prevent serious physical or psychological consequences. Not all helmets are equal in terms of safety. Your mission is to contribute to this collective awareness.The 5 videos with the most views from internet users will then be judged by jury members to win the audience award — we're counting on you!

The Debate

To better understand the importance of audiovisual content and the stakes of the video module, Yann Morillon, who guides our students through this project, shares the expectations and added value of such an exercise. 

• What are the educational expectations of this module?

Yann Morillon: There are two key axes in the journey through this module. 

Technically, by the end of the 6 intensive weeks of work, students must be fully able to master the tools associated with video production. As we know, visual media are essential drivers of communication today. Mastering the entire chain of film creation is a real asset for any student heading towards a career in digital.

On the creative side, they learn — whether in fiction or brand content — to understand a brief and respond to it with relevance and originality. Then to put the film at the service of a strong message; what we call the "big idea". They become familiar with writing when they tackle the screenwriting phase. They truly become aware of the choice of words, the emotions intended, what the viewer reads. Casting is a key moment because their words will finally come to life. They call on professional actors. This stage is crucial because a "bad" casting can kill a film. Then during the shoot, they must demonstrate impeccable organisation in order to stick to the schedule. 

Finally, the power of editing allows them to grasp what technique can do with filmed footage and what the choice of images will tell the audience.

• How does this module work? 

Yann Morillon: They are young — they have just finished their baccalaureate. Throughout the module I encourage them to develop their cinematic culture. I push them to watch as many films, documentaries and advertising campaigns as possible so they sharpen their critical eye, draw inspiration, and understand genre conventions…

Then I make them "pitch" and "brainstorm" until they find THE big idea. Out of 100 proposals, I keep… 1! It unsettles them, but that is part of the exercise.  

• What does the video module bring to digital students?

Yann Morillon: In the first year, this is their first group project. They come to understand the notion of working collectively. It is not always easy, as temperaments, personalities and work ethic differ from one student to another. It requires a certain maturity from them, as they must set aside anything that might get in the way of their shared goal: making a film! Every link in the chain has its place, and during the shoot this is felt even more acutely as they have to deal with the unpredictable nature of filmmaking (such as the weather, for example…)

• What would you say to students who wish to join Digital Campus?

Yann Morillon: Digital is nothing without its (great) share of creativity. That is what makes all the difference. Mastering the tools, in my view, is a bit like learning the alphabet in order to write, or music theory for a musician — the basics. These basics, to be used with panache, must be fed by innovative and memorable ideas, whether you are a UX designer, UI designer, Motion designer, developer or marketer!

• How are students assessed?

Yann Morillon: Students receive several individual technical grades as well as a group grade, which I adjust according to each person's contribution.

The presentation of their projects is a very moving and powerful moment: they present their films to an audience, with all the great successes and small failures that entails. 

I also bring together a jury of professionals so that students benefit from constructive feedback. The jury's fresh perspective, free of any preconceptions, is important as it delivers a response in the same way one would react as a viewer of a film or an advertising campaign. 

To "boost" them, I enter them in several competitions or festivals (Nikon, Grand Angle MAIF…) — and rightly so, as Digital Campus has won the schools prize at the MAIF Grand Angle Festival on several occasions!