DOWNLOAD THE EXERCISE FILES HERE

Class Project 01 - The Talking Head

You’ve been tasked with editing a Talking Head video for a client that is clear, concise, and illustrates the points in the video.

Requirements:
- Video Length must be under 60s
- Please include B-Roll footage and a backing music track
- Video Output needs to be Horizontal 1080p (1920 x 1080) and an MP4 file

Deliverables:
- Upload your video to either Vimeo, YouTube, Behance, or similar. Share the link to your video to the Class Project/Assignments section of this website. DO NOT SUBMIT ANY DRIVE/CLOUD LINKS (i.e. Google Drive or Dropbox).
- Share on social media as well:
  - Instagram: @bringyourownlaptop
  - Facebook group here
  - LinkedIn group here

Class Project 02 - Talking Head from Scratch

The client was happy with your first delivered video and would like to do a follow up project. Please create a new and improved talking head that is to the point, makes use of additional footage and includes some sound design

Requirements:
- 1 Video near 60s in length
- Please include B-Roll, Music and SFX. There will be provided assets for you to use, but feel free to download and use your own.
- Video output needs to be Horizontal (16:19), 1080p (1920 x 1080), MP4 file

Deliverables:
- Export as “ClassProject02_TalkingHead_[YourName].mp4”
- Upload your video to either Vimeo, YouTube, Behance, or similar. Share the link to your video to the Class Project/Assignments section of this website.
- Share on social media as well:
  - Instagram: @bringyourownlaptop
  - Facebook group here
  - LinkedIn group here

Class Project 03 - Tech Product Review

You’ve been asked to create a short-form video to promote an office tour. The goal is to highlight the products used in this gaming creator’s setup. The creator has mentioned they like “clean” and fast paced editing.

Requirements:
- Video Length: 30-60 seconds
- Format: Vertical 9:16 (1080 x 1920), MP4 file.
- Use appropriate B-roll of the products that match what’s being said in the VO.
- Add music and at least one SFX for emphasis

Deliverables:
- Export as “ClassProject03_TechReviewShort_[YourName].mp4”
- Upload your video to either Vimeo, YouTube, Behance, or similar. Share the link to your video to the Class Project/Assignments section of this website.
- Share on social media as well:
  - Instagram: @bringyourownlaptop
  - Facebook group here
  - LinkedIn group here

Class Project 04 - The Keyboard Short

Now it’s your turn. Using new footage provided, apply what you’ve learned about short form editing and talking head videos to create a well-paced, vertical video.

You’ll be working with footage for a Keyboard review. The creator is reviewing three of their favorite keyboards and have asked that you make an engaging short from their recordings.

The appropriate B-Roll for each brand of keyboard will be located in their respective folders. Don’t be afraid to take creative liberties! It’s OK to have gaps before, after, and in between voice lines where you show footage to the beat of the song.

Requirements:
- Video Length: Less than 60 seconds
- Format: Vertical 9:16 (1080 × 1920), MP4 file.
- Use B-roll, music, and at least one SFX to support the story.

Deliverables:
- ClassProject04_TechVideo_[YourName].mp4
- Upload your video to either Vimeo, YouTube, Behance, or similar. Share the link to your video to the Class Project/Assignments section of this website.
- Share on social media as well:
  - Instagram: @bringyourownlaptop
  - Facebook group here
  - LinkedIn group here

Class Project 05 - Animating an Image

We are going to animate in Fusion, and we’re starting with one of the most common requests, a logo in and out animation. You’ve been provided with a creator’s logo and have been asked to animate it on and off frame.

Requirements:
- Format: Horizontal 1080p (1920 × 1080), MP4 file.
- Create a Fusion Composition and animate the logo in Fusion.
- Use two different styles of motion and make sure both are eased (ease in / ease out).

Deliverables:
- Upload your video to either Vimeo, YouTube, Behance, or similar. Share the link to your video to the Class Project/Assignments section of this website.
- (Optional but encouraged) Export a still of your Fusion node tree and upload it as an image alongside your video link in the Assignments / Projects / Comments section.
- Share on social media as well:
  - Instagram: @bringyourownlaptop
  - Facebook group here
  - LinkedIn group here

Class Project 06 - Tracking a Callout

We’re going to take what we’ve learned into a practical use case. You’ve been asked to design and include a tracked callout, identifying the subject as they walk across the screen.

This is a scene from an upcoming documentary where we’re introducing our subject. The callout should follow the subject across the screen from frame right to frame left, and there should be a lower third that indicates the time of day this was filmed.

Requirements:
- Using the provided footage, overlay a Lower Third (L3) that provides the time of day.
  - Include an animated border around the L3
- Create a callout that includes:
  - A text label with a “write-on” animation
  - A line or graphic pointing to the subject
- Track this callout to the subject

Deliverables:
- Export as “ClassProject06_TrackedCallout_[YourName].mp4”.
- Upload your video to either Vimeo, YouTube, Behance, or similar. Share the link to your video to the Class Project/Assignments section of this website.
- (Optional but encouraged) Include a PNG screenshot of your Fusion node tree.
- Share on social media as well:
  - Instagram: @bringyourownlaptop
  - Facebook group here
  - LinkedIn group here

Class Project 07 - Famous Landmarks

This time we’re applying what we’ve learned to landmarks.You’ve been hired to create a clean, professional graphic used in travel documentaries. Your client would like a location reveal that introduces where the story takes place and highlights a landmark within the shot.

Pick one clip from the clip pool, create a custom callout and track it to the landmark. If you are unfamiliar with the landmark, its name and the city it’s located in will be in the filename. This time I would like you to animate a “marker” as well.

Requirements:
- Track the callout and marker to the landmark as the camera moves.
- You have creative liberty with the marker graphics, but a simple circle or square animation will also suffice.
- Include both the landmarks name along with the city it’s located in, in the callout. Again, feel free to be creative with how both text fields are displayed and positioned.

Deliverables:
- Export your final video as:
  “ClassProject07_LocationCallout_[YourName].mp4”
- Upload your video to either Vimeo, YouTube, Behance, or similar. Share the link to your video to the Class Project/Assignments section of this website.
- (Optional but encouraged) Include a PNG screenshot of your Fusion node tree.
- Share on social media as well:
  - Instagram: @bringyourownlaptop
  - Facebook group here
  - LinkedIn group here

Class Project 08 - Dirt Bike Documentary Promo

You’ve been hired to cut a high-energy trailer for a dirt bike documentary. Your job is to make it exciting enough that someone wants to watch the full film.

The director would like to see you make use of speed ramping, visuals and sound design to elevate the trailer.

Requirements:
- Video length: 30 seconds.
- Format: Horizontal 1080p (1920 × 1080), MP4 file.
- Use at least one speed ramp or retime effect.

Deliverables:
- Export as “ClassProject08_DirtBikePromo_[YourName].mp4”.
- Upload your video to either Vimeo, YouTube, Behance, or similar. Share the link to your video to the Class Project/Assignments section of this website.
- Share on social media as well:
  - Instagram: @bringyourownlaptop
  - Facebook group here
  - LinkedIn group here

Class Project 09 - Parkour Promo

You’ve been hired to edit a trailer following the journey of a parkour athlete. This is your chance to combine storytelling, pacing, and style; and to apply the techniques we’ve learned thus far.

You’ll be provided the full interview recording to pull sound bytes from, along with Music and Foley for audio.

You have full creative freedom here. There will be a large pool of video and audio to work with, but feel free to download and import your own library to this project.

Requirements:
- Video length: 30–60 seconds.
- Format: Horizontal 1080p (1920 × 1080), 24 FPS, MP4 file.
- Include at least one speed ramp or use of retime controls.

Deliverables:
- Export as “ClassProject09_ParkourTrailer_[YourName].mp4”.
- Upload your video to either Vimeo, YouTube, Behance, or similar. Share the link to your video to the Class Project/Assignments section of this website.
- Share on social media as well:
  - Instagram: @bringyourownlaptop
  - Facebook group here
  - LinkedIn group here

Class Project 10 - Color the Donut

It’s time to learn how to color. You’ve been handed clips from a documentary called Donut Dynamite. Under the tutelage of your instructor, color correct and grade the two clips provided.

Start by balancing each shot, and then work to create a look that fits the tone of the documentary.

Requirements:
- Start from a logically structured node tree, including at least:
  - Exposure correction node.
  - Balance node.
  - Contrast node.
  - Optional look/grade node.

Deliverables:
- Export a “still” of each clip and upload to the Class Project/Assignments section of this website.
- Share on social media as well:
  - Instagram: @bringyourownlaptop
  - Facebook group here
  - LinkedIn group here

Class Project 11 - Donut II: Judgement Day

Take what you’ve learned and apply your color page knowledge to the remaining footage from Donut Dynamite. Balance the footage first, and then do your best to boost the “fullness”. Make use of your scopes and the node structure we’ve learned!

Requirements:
- Start from a logically structured node tree, including at least:
  - Exposure correction node.
  - Balance node.
  - Contrast node.
  - Optional look/grade node.

Deliverables:
- Export a “still” of each clip and upload to the Class Project/Assignments section of this website.
- Share on social media as well:
  - Instagram: @bringyourownlaptop
  - Facebook group here
  - LinkedIn group here

Class Project 12 - The Big Sha-Bang Sha-Boom Final Project

This is your capstone project. You’re creating a full 60–90 second mini-documentary / explainer for “Gnarly in Pink” that could live on social media or as a standalone trailer.

You’re being asked to make a hybrid video of sorts. Social media has changed the landscape of marketing for movies and documentaries. Production studies need to be able to publish videos that can function as trailers but also exist on their own as standalone posts. Your goal should be to create the best story you can in 60-90 seconds.

Requirements:
- Video length: 60–90 seconds.
- Format:
  - Primary master: Horizontal 1080p (1920 × 1080), MP4 file.
  - (Optional bonus) A social version (vertical or square) if you’d like an extra challenge.
- Deconstruct the client brief:
  - Who is the target audience?
  - What’s the main story and takeaway?
  - Where might this be posted?
- Use music and SFX to enhance emotional impact without overwhelming dialogue.
  - You will not be provided with Audio for this project. You may re-use existing assets or source your own.
- Add text where needed (lower thirds, key phrases, titles) to clarify information.
- Apply a coherent color grade that suits the tone of the story.

Deliverables:
- Export as “ClassProject12_FinalMiniDoc_[YourName].mp4”.
- Upload your video to either Vimeo, YouTube, Behance, or similar. Share the link to your video to the Class Project/Assignments section of this website.
- (Optional) Include a short written note (150–250 words) on your story decisions and what you prioritized.
- Share on social media as well:
  - Instagram: @bringyourownlaptop
  - Facebook group here
  - LinkedIn group here

John Apostol

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