# Avid Media Composer for Cinema Editing: instructor pacing guide

## Delivery model

This is a 27-30 hours college-level intensive for students beginning with no application-specific experience. Students complete the 75-minute Professional Media Workflow Foundation first. Module checkpoints are formative; the completed portfolio is assessed with the 100-point rubric.

## Lab readiness

- Current institution-supported Avid Media Composer 2025.x or later tested release.
- Approved project storage and at least 120 GB for camera originals, editorial media, renders, and turnovers.
- Closed-back headphones and an institution-approved Rec. 709 viewing path.
- No prior Media Composer experience is required.
- Create one clean student account and complete every guided build before release.
- Publish the exact tested application version, workspace/keymap assumptions, storage location, and support escalation route.
- Provide captions and transcripts for demonstrations, text alternatives for diagrams, and additional time or alternate input methods where required.

## Module 1: Create the project and preserve dailies metadata

**Student workload:** 4 hours

**Before class or release:** Verify the module diagram, application version, required source media, storage path, and checkpoint folder. Reproduce the guided build on a clean lab account.

**Suggested pacing:** 20 minutes retrieval and orientation; 30 minutes principle instruction; 30 minutes annotated demonstration; 90-120 minutes guided build; 45-60 minutes independent challenge; 15 minutes checkpoint packaging and reflection.

**Outcomes:**
- Choose project format and raster from the post plan.
- Link and transcode media without losing source identity.
- Build bins, views, columns, and media storage that support assistant and editor work.

**Checkpoint:** Submit the clean project, metadata report, source/transcode comparison, storage map, and repaired-fault log.

**Common diagnostic prompts:**
- Transcodes cannot relink to originals: Compare source file/reel metadata, timecode, frame rate, source path, AMA/link attributes, and any naming changes.
- Media is offline after moving systems: Verify managed media path and databases, linked source availability, drive names, permissions, and project media ownership.
- Picture looks different after transcode: Review source color space, LUT/transform application, project color settings, bake versus metadata behavior, and display path.

## Module 2: Sync, group, subclip, and prepare scripted material

**Student workload:** 4 hours

**Before class or release:** Verify the module diagram, application version, required source media, storage path, and checkpoint folder. Reproduce the guided build on a clean lab account.

**Suggested pacing:** 20 minutes retrieval and orientation; 30 minutes principle instruction; 30 minutes annotated demonstration; 90-120 minutes guided build; 45-60 minutes independent challenge; 15 minutes checkpoint packaging and reflection.

**Outcomes:**
- Synchronize camera and production sound with independent evidence.
- Create usable groups and subclips with stable naming.
- Connect script, continuity, and performance notes to editorial sources.

**Checkpoint:** Submit sync bin, group clips, script view, exception report, and a recorded demonstration of slate and end-of-take verification.

**Common diagnostic prompts:**
- Sync is correct at slate but drifts later: Check actual sample/frame rates, variable-rate sources, clocking, pull settings, and whether the wrong source version was used.
- Production channels disappear in group clips: Review AutoSync/group audio choices, source channel mapping, track count, and group update method.
- Subclip names break conform metadata: Keep source master metadata intact and place editorial naming in the appropriate clip-name or custom fields without rewriting reel/source identity.

## Module 3: Edit with source/record discipline

**Student workload:** 4 hours

**Before class or release:** Verify the module diagram, application version, required source media, storage path, and checkpoint folder. Reproduce the guided build on a clean lab account.

**Suggested pacing:** 20 minutes retrieval and orientation; 30 minutes principle instruction; 30 minutes annotated demonstration; 90-120 minutes guided build; 45-60 minutes independent challenge; 15 minutes checkpoint packaging and reflection.

**Outcomes:**
- Navigate bins, Source monitor, Record monitor, timeline, and command palette efficiently.
- Perform controlled three-point insert and overwrite edits.
- Maintain sync and track intent while building an assembly.

**Checkpoint:** Submit both assemblies, keyboard practice record, track-patching diagram, and source trace for five edits.

**Common diagnostic prompts:**
- Edit goes to the wrong record tracks: Inspect source/record selectors, active tracks, sync locks, and whether the loaded source contains expected channels.
- Sequence duration changes unexpectedly: Confirm whether Splice-In, Extract, Lift, Overwrite, or filler was used and what marks defined the operation.
- Match frame opens unexpected media: Check selected track, position, nested content, group/source relationship, and whether the sequence references a subclip or render.

## Module 4: Construct performance, continuity, and dramatic rhythm

**Student workload:** 4 hours

**Before class or release:** Verify the module diagram, application version, required source media, storage path, and checkpoint folder. Reproduce the guided build on a clean lab account.

**Suggested pacing:** 20 minutes retrieval and orientation; 30 minutes principle instruction; 30 minutes annotated demonstration; 90-120 minutes guided build; 45-60 minutes independent challenge; 15 minutes checkpoint packaging and reflection.

**Outcomes:**
- Choose takes and shot size based on dramatic function.
- Use dual-roller and single-roller trims precisely.
- Build continuity that supports rather than overrules performance.

**Checkpoint:** Submit both cuts, trim comparison, performance-select notes, point-of-view map, and audience turning-point evidence.

**Common diagnostic prompts:**
- Every cut feels visible: Return to performance intention, reaction timing, sound continuity, and shot motivation rather than adding dissolves.
- Continuity is perfect but scene feels flat: Prioritize dramatic beat, point of view, silence, and strongest performance over exhaustive matching.
- Trim Mode affects the wrong side: Check selected rollers, active tracks, sync locks, linked selection, and whether asymmetric trim is enabled.

## Module 5: Refine the cut, sound world, effects, and review cycle

**Student workload:** 3.5 hours

**Before class or release:** Verify the module diagram, application version, required source media, storage path, and checkpoint folder. Reproduce the guided build on a clean lab account.

**Suggested pacing:** 20 minutes retrieval and orientation; 30 minutes principle instruction; 30 minutes annotated demonstration; 90-120 minutes guided build; 45-60 minutes independent challenge; 15 minutes checkpoint packaging and reflection.

**Outcomes:**
- Create a coherent temporary sound and picture presentation.
- Track VFX and editorial effects without hiding source intent.
- Run a review and revision cycle with traceable versions.

**Checkpoint:** Submit rough cut, review export, screening notes, prioritized change log, VFX/temp asset list, and revised cut.

**Common diagnostic prompts:**
- Temp music dictates every cut: Mute it, restore scene performance and internal sound rhythm, then reintroduce music only where it adds a specific function.
- Reviewers comment on unfinished distractions: Raise the temporary presentation to a clear review threshold or label known issues and frame the review question explicitly.
- VFX turnover loses original framing: Preserve source references, handles, transform data, timewarp information, and clean plates in the effect record.

## Module 6: Turn over, reconform, and archive the film edit

**Student workload:** 3 hours plus capstone work

**Before class or release:** Verify the module diagram, application version, required source media, storage path, and checkpoint folder. Reproduce the guided build on a clean lab account.

**Suggested pacing:** 20 minutes retrieval and orientation; 30 minutes principle instruction; 30 minutes annotated demonstration; 90-120 minutes guided build; 45-60 minutes independent challenge; 15 minutes checkpoint packaging and reflection.

**Outcomes:**
- Clean and duplicate the approved sequence for each turnover.
- Export traceable picture and sound interchange packages.
- Test relink/reconform evidence and create a usable archive.

**Checkpoint:** The capstone package is the checkpoint: project, approved scene, turnovers, conform test, reports, archive, and walkthrough.

**Common diagnostic prompts:**
- AAF opens with missing or shifted audio: Check sequence rate, start timecode, sample rate, source media, handles, embedded/linked choice, rendered effects, and export warnings.
- Original relink selects the wrong clip: Inspect source file/reel metadata, timecode overlaps, duplicate names, frame rate, source path, and relink matching criteria.
- Offline and online framing disagree: Compare source raster, proxy framing, FrameFlex/reformat settings, source transform, stabilization, and effect order.

## Assessment calibration

Before marking, score two sample portfolios independently. Discuss any criterion differing by more than five points, revise the local examples, and retain the common rubric language. Do not reward expensive equipment, preset choice, or speed where the stated outcome is judgment, organization, delivery, or evidence.

## Completion gate

A portfolio is not complete until the native project opens on a second lab system, required outputs meet the specification, the final master has been inspected outside the timeline, known limitations are documented, and the student can explain the workflow in five minutes.