Matt Funke works on small commercial projects and is currently working on a commercial for a community advocacy network in San Diego. He currently teaches Video Production I and Video Production II in the Digital and Social Media certificate program at the College of Extended Studies.
How did you get into video production?
It started when I was young. As a teenager I was skateboarding with all my friends and I was never really that good, but I ran with a lot of kids that were. Back in that time, if you wanted to get sponsored, and get free skateboards and t-shirts, you had to make videos. A buddy of mine got a camera and we took turns shooting. Around that same time, they were building a new high school where I was living, and they offered a video class. That was the first time I got to use computers and so I started to learn the fundamentals.
Which software platforms will you be using in class or going over in class?
For Video Production I, we use iMovie. Video Production II, we use Final Cut Pro Express, but it’s in flux and will upgrade to a new platform soon. Last year Apple unveiled its latest iteration of Final Cut Pro and changed directions. It’s more of iMovie Pro software and so Apple dropped support for Final Cut Pro Express.
So who should take your Video Production I class?
Video Production I is for anybody who is interested in creating a high-quality video. You do not have to be professional and it does not have to be for a job. It can just be for a passion or you want to have an extra skill set that can set you apart in your job. Many companies now need an online presence and it is one thing to have pictures and be able to write, but the video will give it a little extra something. So I think it is a good place to get your feet wet and see if it is something you can excel at.
Who should take the advanced Video Production class?
This class moves a lot faster and the software is advanced. It can be for anyone looking to create a high-quality video for themselves or a personal project to sell an idea or get a message across. We gear it toward online video because that is where everything is going. The software that we use is powerful so it is up to how students want to use it.
So what kind of activities, or projects, or homework will you have in the class?
The class is hands on. There will be lecture, but mostly students will jump in, shoot and edit. That is how you learn what works, what looks good, and what does not. Each class is going to have two projects. The first is getting your feet wet with the camera. It’s basic and students learn the editing application. The second project is what we consider the final. Students will turn their video in and screen it at the end of the class. It can be a personal project or something that a student is interested in. It could be something for your work or just your own idea. By the end, it will be something polished that you can use.
Why is video production beneficial in marketing?
Video production, when done right, can grab people. It can give people a visceral reaction to an idea or product that they are not necessarily going to get through reading. I do not think it is for everything and I do not think it works in every situation, but in a lot of ways it can be extremely powerful. You can take two different images that do not mean a whole lot by themselves, but put them next to each other, it creates a new meaning. I think now that everyone has a camera on their cell phone, there are a lot more photographers but they are not necessarily doing a good job of taking a photo. The same thing goes for video. We all have access to it. Now we just need to learn how to use it to communicate effectively.
What do you hope that your students will take away from the class?
I hope that they will leave with not just an understanding of software or how to use a camera, but have a desire to go out and create more videos, be creative and share their stories.
Is there anything else?
I notice from having been in the class and teaching, a lot of people are intimidated by the software and the camera. Technology is changing so fast. I think one thing is to not get caught up in and worry about that. Every day something new comes out. It’s about learning to appreciate what we can do with video, especially with the web, which gives us a platform so that millions of people can view our content.
