Communication Studies and Language Media Studies

Single Camera Production Techniques Training

SAQA US 243967 | NQF 5 | Credits 15 | Duration 12 Days
From $2,214 per delegate

Description

This course equips learners with the practical skills and theoretical knowledge required to direct single camera productions in a studio or field environment. Participants will learn to plan, coordinate, and execute single camera shoots, ensuring professional-quality video output.

Learning Outcomes

  • Apply single camera production principles to plan and execute a video shoot.
  • Demonstrate the ability to set up and operate single camera equipment effectively.
  • Analyze scripts and storyboards to determine production requirements.
  • Implement lighting, sound, and composition techniques for optimal visual storytelling.
  • Evaluate footage and direct post-production processes to achieve desired outcomes.
  • Coordinate crew and talent to ensure smooth production workflows.

Target Audience

This course is ideal for aspiring video producers, directors, content creators, and media students who wish to gain hands-on experience in single camera production techniques.

Prerequisites

None — open enrollment.

Course Outline

Day 1: Introduction to Single Camera Production

Objectives:
• Understand the single camera production workflow
• Identify key roles in a single camera crew
• Explain the advantages and limitations of single camera shooting
• Differentiate between single and multi-camera production
• Outline the course structure and assessment criteria

Topics:
• Overview of single camera production
• Comparison with multi-camera production
• Key crew roles: director, camera operator, sound recordist, lighting technician
• Production phases: pre-production, production, post-production
• Equipment overview: camera, lenses, audio gear, lighting
• Safety considerations on set

Day 2: Camera Fundamentals and Operation

Objectives:
• Identify camera components and their functions
• Adjust exposure settings: aperture, shutter speed, ISO
• Apply focus techniques: manual, auto, follow focus
• Select appropriate frame rates and resolutions
• Operate a single camera with confidence

Topics:
• Camera types: DSLR, mirrorless, camcorder, cinema camera
• Sensor sizes and their impact
• Exposure triangle: aperture, shutter speed, ISO
• White balance and colour temperature
• Focus modes and techniques
• Frame rates, resolution, and aspect ratios
• Hands-on camera operation exercise

Day 3: Lenses and Composition

Objectives:
• Select lenses based on focal length and aperture
• Apply composition rules: rule of thirds, leading lines, depth
• Use camera movement techniques: pan, tilt, dolly, handheld
• Frame shots for narrative storytelling
• Understand lens characteristics: prime vs zoom, wide vs telephoto

Topics:
• Lens types and their creative uses
• Focal length, depth of field, and bokeh
• Composition principles
• Camera movement: motivated vs unmotivated
• Shot types: wide, medium, close-up, extreme close-up
• Storyboarding for single camera

Day 4: Lighting for Single Camera

Objectives:
• Identify lighting equipment: fresnels, LEDs, softboxes, reflectors
• Apply three-point lighting setup
• Control light quality: hard vs soft light
• Use colour gels and diffusion
• Light for different moods and genres

Topics:
• Lighting fundamentals: intensity, direction, colour
• Three-point lighting: key, fill, backlight
• Lighting ratios and contrast
• Practical lighting: windows, practicals, motivated light
• Lighting for interviews, drama, and documentary
• Safety with electrical equipment

Day 5: Audio Capture and Monitoring

Objectives:
• Select microphones: shotgun, lavalier, boom, handheld
• Set audio levels and monitor with headphones
• Minimize noise and use wind protection
• Record dual system audio if needed
• Understand audio sync methods

Topics:
• Microphone types and polar patterns
• Audio recording devices: field recorders, camera audio
• Setting gain and levels
• Monitoring and metering
• Noise reduction techniques
• Audio sync: clapperboard, timecode, waveform

Day 6: Pre-Production Planning

Objectives:
• Develop a production plan: script, storyboard, shot list
• Scout locations and assess lighting/acoustics
• Create a shooting schedule and call sheet
• Manage permissions and releases
• Plan for continuity

Topics:
• Script breakdown
• Storyboarding and shot listing
• Location scouting checklist
• Scheduling and logistics
• Permissions, model releases, and copyright
• Continuity planning

Day 7: Directing for Single Camera

Objectives:
• Direct actors and non-actors effectively
• Block scenes for camera coverage
• Communicate with crew during shooting
• Maintain performance continuity
• Adapt directing style to genre

Topics:
• Directing techniques: motivation, blocking, rehearsal
• Working with actors: casting, direction, feedback
• Coverage: master shot, inserts, cutaways
• Continuity of performance and action
• Directing documentary and interview subjects

Day 8: Production Day – Setup and Shooting

Objectives:
• Set up equipment following safety protocols
• Execute a shooting schedule under time constraints
• Capture clean audio and video
• Log and label footage
• Troubleshoot common production issues

Topics:
• Equipment setup and checklists
• On-set roles and communication
• Shooting to a schedule
• Footage logging and labelling
• Problem-solving: exposure, audio, continuity
• Wrap and equipment care

Day 9: Post-Production Workflow

Objectives:
• Ingest and organize footage in editing software
• Create a rough cut following the script
• Apply basic editing techniques: cuts, transitions, pacing
• Sync audio and video
• Use colour correction tools

Topics:
• Editing software overview: DaVinci Resolve, Premiere Pro
• Project setup and media management
• Timeline editing: trimming, cutting, arranging
• Audio sync and multi-track editing
• Colour correction basics
• Export settings for online and broadcast

Day 10: Advanced Editing and Sound Design

Objectives:
• Apply advanced editing techniques: J and L cuts, match cuts
• Design sound: ambience, Foley, sound effects
• Mix dialogue, music, and effects
• Add titles and graphics
• Understand colour grading

Topics:
• Advanced editing techniques
• Sound design principles
• Audio mixing and levels
• Titles, lower thirds, and motion graphics
• Colour grading vs correction
• Reviewing and refining the edit

Day 11: Practical Assessment – Production

Objectives:
• Plan and shoot a short scene or interview
• Apply all pre-production, production, and safety skills
• Work as a team under time constraints
• Capture high-quality video and audio
• Demonstrate problem-solving on set

Topics:
• Practical assessment brief
• Pre-production planning (30 mins)
• Setup and shooting (4 hours)
• On-set roles and collaboration
• Quality control and footage review
• Wrap and debrief

Day 12: Practical Assessment – Post-Production and Review

Objectives:
• Edit the footage into a coherent sequence
• Apply editing, sound, and colour skills
• Export a final video file
• Present and critique work
• Receive feedback and identify areas for improvement

Topics:
• Post-production practical (4 hours)
• Final export and delivery
• Screening and peer feedback
• Self-assessment and reflection
• Course wrap-up and certification

Practicals

40 hours of practicals To be conducted online or on-campus or in-house
Overview

Practical sessions form the core of this course, allowing learners to apply theoretical knowledge in hands-on camera operation, lighting, audio, directing, and editing. Learners work in small crews to produce a short video piece, reinforcing skills through supervised practice and real-world problem-solving.

Practical Activities
  • Camera Operation and Composition Exercise — Learners practice setting up a camera, adjusting exposure and focus, and composing shots according to given scenarios. (6h)
  • Lighting and Audio Workshop — Learners set up three-point lighting for an interview scene and capture clean audio using boom and lavalier microphones. (8h)
  • Pre-Production and Shooting Practical — In small crews, learners plan, storyboard, and shoot a short scene or interview, applying all production skills. (14h)
  • Post-Production and Editing Practical — Learners edit their footage into a polished sequence, including audio sync, colour correction, and sound mixing. (12h)

Summatives

Each delegate is assessed continuously throughout the course via daily exercises, scored practical assignments, and a final summative test at the end.

Practical Assignments — 30%

Practical assignments are observed and scored against a rubric during the practical sessions. Each delegate's practical mark is averaged into a single 100% score and contributes 30% to the final total.

Daily Exercises — 20%

Every training day ends with a multiple-choice exercise scored out of 100%. The scores from each daily exercise are averaged across the duration of the course to produce a Daily Average mark, which contributes 20% to the final total.

Final Test — 50%

On the last day a final summative test is written. It is a multiple-choice paper with multiple-answer questions: each question may have more than one correct option, and a single wrong selection on a question marks the entire question wrong — no partial credit. The final test is scored out of 100% and contributes 50% to the overall mark.

Final Total
Component Out of Weight
Practical Assignments (rubric-scored) 100% 30%
Daily Average (multiple choice) 100% 20%
Final Test (multi-answer multiple choice) 100% 50%
Final Total 100%

All marks are recorded on the AATICD LMS and visible to each learner under their account.

Certificate

Certificate of Completion

Awarded to delegates who achieve an overall mark of 50% or higher on the Final Total (Practicals 30% + Daily Average 20% + Final Test 50%).

How it works
  • Certificates are auto-generated on the AATICD LMS as soon as the marks pass the 50% threshold.
  • Each certificate is a branded PDF with the delegate's name, the course title, the unit standard ID, NQF level, credits, and the date of issue.
  • You can download or print your certificate from your LMS dashboard at any time after issue — there's no reissue fee and no expiry date.
  • If you scored under 50% you can sit the final test again at the next scheduled session at no extra cost.
Where to find it

Sign in to the LMS, open your dashboard, and your certificates appear under My Certificates. Each entry has a View / Download button and a print option.

Training Discounts

Group discounts apply automatically — the more delegates you enrol, the greater the saving. Discounts are calculated at 3% per 5 delegates, scaling up to 40% off for 100+ delegates.

Delegates Discount
5 3% off
10 6% off
15 9% off
20 12% off
25 15% off
30 18% off
50 30% off
75 35% off
100 40% off

3% discount per 5 delegates, up to 40% off for 100+ delegates. Contact us for a custom group quote.

Upcoming Training Sessions
Online training — attend live sessions from anywhere via our virtual classroom.
Start End Delivery Season Price Action
Mon 07 Sep 2026 Tue 22 Sep 2026 Virtual Spring 2026 $2,214 Register
Fri 02 Oct 2026 Mon 19 Oct 2026 Virtual Spring 2026 $2,214 Register
Thu 22 Oct 2026 Fri 06 Nov 2026 Virtual Spring 2026 $2,214 Register
Thu 10 Dec 2026 Fri 25 Dec 2026 Virtual Summer 2026 $2,214 Register
Wed 13 Jan 2027 Thu 28 Jan 2027 Virtual Summer 2026 $2,214 Register
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Wed 29 Dec 2027 Thu 13 Jan 2028 Virtual Summer 2027 $2,214 Register
Tue 18 Jan 2028 Wed 02 Feb 2028 Virtual Summer 2027 $2,214 Register
On-Campus training — face-to-face sessions at our training venues across Africa and beyond.
Showing all 498 sessions across 26 venues
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Mon 03 Aug 2026 Tue 18 Aug 2026 Cape Town, South Africa Winter 2026 $5,481 Register
Tue 04 Aug 2026 Wed 19 Aug 2026 Dubai, UAE Winter 2026 $7,641 Register
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Thu 06 Aug 2026 Fri 21 Aug 2026 Johannesburg, South Africa Winter 2026 $4,995 Register
In-House training — we bring the trainer to your organisation, tailored to your team.
Start End Delivery Season Price Action
Tue 15 Sep 2026 Wed 30 Sep 2026 Your Premises Spring 2026 $2,878 Register
Mon 05 Oct 2026 Tue 20 Oct 2026 Your Premises Spring 2026 $2,878 Register
Fri 30 Oct 2026 Mon 16 Nov 2026 Your Premises Spring 2026 $2,878 Register
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Fri 26 Mar 2027 Mon 12 Apr 2027 Your Premises Autumn 2027 $2,878 Register
Thu 17 Jun 2027 Fri 02 Jul 2027 Your Premises Winter 2027 $2,878 Register
Wed 07 Jul 2027 Thu 22 Jul 2027 Your Premises Winter 2027 $2,878 Register
Tue 27 Jul 2027 Wed 11 Aug 2027 Your Premises Winter 2027 $2,878 Register
Mon 13 Sep 2027 Tue 28 Sep 2027 Your Premises Spring 2027 $2,878 Register
Fri 08 Oct 2027 Mon 25 Oct 2027 Your Premises Spring 2027 $2,878 Register
Thu 28 Oct 2027 Fri 12 Nov 2027 Your Premises Spring 2027 $2,878 Register
Fri 17 Dec 2027 Mon 03 Jan 2028 Your Premises Summer 2027 $2,878 Register
Thu 06 Jan 2028 Fri 21 Jan 2028 Your Premises Summer 2027 $2,878 Register
Wed 26 Jan 2028 Thu 10 Feb 2028 Your Premises Summer 2027 $2,878 Register
Training Discounts
Delegates Discount
5 3% off
10 6% off
15 9% off
20 12% off
25 15% off
30 18% off
50 30% off
75 35% off
100 40% off

3% off per 5 delegates, up to 40% for 100+

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