Introduction to Videography & Social Media Content Creation
Prepared for
Shauna
Prepared by
Shohn Page — RecFocus
Date
September 3, 2026
Course overview
An entry-level, no-experience-required course introducing high school students to videography fundamentals and social media content strategy as a real creative career path. It blends hands-on technical skill — camera, lighting, audio, editing — with how content actually gets made, distributed, and turned into opportunity today. Taught by a working DC-market video professional: industry practice, not just theory.
The structure below is written as 12 modular sessions. It can run weekly across a semester, monthly across a full school year, or compress and expand to fit — happy to adapt the pacing once we align on schedule.
Learning outcomes
Understand core videography fundamentals — composition, lighting, audio, and camera movement
Operate a camera confidently — smartphone, DSLR, or mirrorless
Plan and execute a short video from concept to final cut
Edit using accessible, real-world tools — CapCut, Premiere Rush, or similar
Understand Reels, TikTok, and Shorts as both storytelling formats and distribution tools
Build the beginning of a real portfolio and understand pathways into the industry
Course modules — proposed sequence
Foundations
01
Welcome & Industry Overview
What careers in video and content actually look like — videographer, editor, content creator, DP, producer.
02
Camera Fundamentals
Exposure basics, framing, shot types, smartphone vs. dedicated camera.
03
Composition & Visual Storytelling
Rule of thirds, leading lines, headroom, developing a visual style.
04
Lighting Basics
Natural light, simple three-point setups, why lighting matters more than gear.
05
Audio Essentials
Why bad audio kills good video — mic types, room noise, quick fixes.
06
Planning a Shoot
Concept development, shot lists, storyboarding.
Production
07
Hands-On Shoot Day #1
Students shoot a short, guided assignment.
08
Editing Fundamentals
Cuts, pacing, music, and captions in an accessible editor.
Finding your voice and building a consistent presence.
11
Capstone Production
Students plan, shoot, and edit a final piece — solo or in teams.
12
Showcase & Industry Pathways
Screening student work, feedback, and a discussion of internships, freelance, and college paths.
Logistics
What's needed
Smartphones are enough to start — school cameras are a bonus, not a requirement
No paid software required — free, accessible tools available
Ideally a room with a screen for screenings and group review
Assessment approach
Portfolio-based, not test-based
Graded on participation, growth, and a final produced piece
Effort and decision-making weighted over raw polish
About the instructor
Shohn Page is a professional videographer and content producer based in the DC market, running RecFocus — real-world experience across event, branded, and drone video production. He brings a working industry perspective into the classroom, not just theory.
Open questions
Let's align on
This draft is a starting point — here's what would help shape it into something real:
Meeting cadence — weekly or monthly? Is Thursday the intended day?
How many total sessions, and over how long?
Confirmed grade level(s) — 11th, 12th, or mixed?
Approximate class size?
Available equipment — cameras, tripods, editing computers, or bring-your-own-device?
Is there a media lab or classroom with AV setup?
For credit, an elective, or an extracurricular program?