camera and lighting crews in silhouette in studio environment with lights and green screen

Hello Filmmakers!

Welcome to Intermediate Video Production: Cinematography and Visual Storytelling!

My name is Kelly Whalen and I'm a new full-time faculty member of Berkeley City College's Multimedia Department. I'll be your instructor this semester, with support the first couple weeks of class from Rachel Mercy Simpson, until my appointment is officially approved by the Peralta Community College District Board this week! You can learn more about my professional filmmaking experience, teaching philosophy, and story here. We're also lucky to have the support of Tutor Marian López. I will be building out the CANVAS shell for this class this week. Stay Tuned!

We are excited to be your guides as you continue to hone the shooting and lighting skills you began in learning 9A. This class will focus on getting you comfortable working with professional video cameras, support systems, and lighting rigs. You'll learn various concepts and techniques to develop your visual storytelling approach and more!

I'm so excited to work with you this term, assist you in achieving both your career and educational goals, and getting to know you. Every year, I create a “Kelly thrives” statement to get centered on what gives me purpose and joy. My 2023 statement is: “Kelly thrives on community, meaning, and rest.” I’m grateful and excited to be in community with you all and hope we can bring more meaning to each other’s lives. (I guess the rest comes in the summer. 😉)

You are welcome to use my first name: “Kelly." If you are uncomfortable with that, then "Professor" or Ms. Whalen is fine too. Please help me understand how to pronounce your preferred name and record it in Name Couch.

What Will Help You Succeed in This Class

A Problem-Solving Attitude: In the professional world of filmmaking, you face unexpected challenges -- A LOT. A camera or piece of equipment malfunctions. The weather interrupts production plans. You run out of time. To stay in the game, it's important to show up prepared to problem-solve. As you learn new concepts and skills and put them into practice, try to wear your problem solving hat and seek creative and technical solutions whenever you face challenges.

Strong Communication: Communicate with us if you run into any stumbling blocks or challenges that impact your ability to complete your work. I want you succeed and get a lot from this class. I need to know if something is tripping you up. Come to my office hours Mondays 12:15 - 1:15pm or email me: kwhalen@peralta.edu

By default, all communication from me goes to your peralta.edu student email account. If you do not feel comfortable using it, please make sure your Peralta email forwards to your regular email inbox or change your email preferences in your Student Center here: https://sa.peralta.edu/

During the semester you can send an email via the Canvas Inbox feature (look for the "Inbox" icon on the Canvas menu to the left). I will typically answer your email within 24-48 hours Monday through Friday. I reserve the right to wait until Monday to reply to messages sent over the weekend ;-)

If you have a question or comment for the instructor and you think it will beneficial for your classmates, post your question in "Ask The Teacher" Discussion Forum. Unlike the email communication mentioned above, all students in the group will see your questions and teachers' answers.

Also rely on your classmates. "Student Lounge" Discussion forum: this is the group area open for your introductions and questions to your fellow-students. Throughout the semester, you can post questions about the class topics here where your fellow students might be able to help you. There's a range of talent here! Questions posted here are intended to be viewed and answered by your peers and not by your instructor.

I'll also use CANVAS to post videos and reading materials, find/submit assignments, and post in discussion forums for help, inspiration, and conversation. For Canvas and technical support - you will find a separate section on the course overview module or you can just click on the Help ? icon on the left-side Canvas menu. Additionally, here's a link forCanvas Chat Support.

Showing Up: Attend EVERY lecture and lab on time, ready to engage and learn with one another. Let's strive to make the class environment safe and comfortable for everyone. Here we will be working on the issues that connect us as humans, not divide. Please do not use offensive or belittling language, be generous in spirit, and always respect your classmates.

To begin, click the "Student Orientation" icon below.