Avid Media Composer user certification

Program Overview

Avid Media Composer User Certification

Course Overview

Gain Avid Media Composer certification in this 2-week intensive course delivered by our Avid-certified instructors at the School of Film and Television.

Key Details

• Location: Penryn Campus
• Course Duration: 10 days
• Price: £1,100

Course Outline

Week 1: Avid Media Composer MC101 Fundamentals I

• Launch Media Composer
• Identify and understand the function of the primary Media Composer tools and windows
• Create/Open a project using standard SD and HD formats
• Import/Link to media
• Create project bins, as needed
• Organize clips by moving them from one bin to another
• Create a sequence, and add or remove tracks as needed
• Add clips to the sequence using Splice and Overwrite, or equivalent SmartTool functions
• Remove sequence material using Lift and Extract, or equivalent SmartTool functions
• Use Trim mode and SmartTool trim tools to change the length of sequence clips
• Adjust the audio level (clip gain) of clips in the sequence
• Add basic effects to sequence clips
• Add transition effects to the sequence
• Create and add static titles
• Use automatic color correction to improve the appearance of video clips
• Export the finished sequence as a high-quality video file, or for uploading to the web
• Adjust basic settings relating to the media creation and user preferences
• Locate Media Composer project and media files
• Delete unwanted media files, and all media at the completion of the edit process

Week 2: Avid Media Composer MC110 Fundamentals II

• Create custom project sizes, including larger than HD (2K, 4K, etc)
• Understand the operational implications of working in larger-than-HD projects
• Link to media files and copy, consolidate or transcode the media, as needed
• Synchronize video and audio from separate sources
• Organize project bins using common industry conventions
• Quickly assemble a scene using storyboard editing, plus Top, Tail and Extend
• Use various search tools to locate a desired clip
• Create multiple versions of a sequence to track the creative process
• Utilize Media Composer’s best-in-class trim tools to dynamically adjust the pacing of a scene
• Adjust Clip Gain, and utilize Pan and Volume automation to create an integrated audio mix
• Create pan-and-zoom style “camera” moves over still images or video
• Solve common image problems with effects to stabilize the image, blur faces and logos, and erase unwanted jump cuts
• Create freeze-frames, slow-motion and TimeWarp effects
• Use multilayer effects to create split-screens, superimposed images, and more
• Composite video elements using the SpectraMatte effect to create a chroma-key
• Intelligently render effects sequences to improve playback performance
• Selectively delete unwanted render files to keep the media drives clutter-free
• Understand how to correctly backup project files and associated media files
• Restore lost work using Avid’s autosave feature
• Relink media files
• Resolve common technical issues, including “Media Offline”
• Identify and adjust common Settings to increase efficiency and avoid complications
• Output the finished program according to common broadcast delivery standards
• Be ready to sit the associated certification exam

How You'll Learn

You’ll learn via hands-on exercises each day, giving you the opportunity to work on real-world film and video examples. This course is taught in person in our professional-standard facilities at the School of Film and Television by our Avid-certified educators and supported by our technical staff, so there’s always someone to help you with individual queries.

Who is This Course For?

This course is designed for anyone looking to gain Avid Media Composer certification – whether that’s prior to further study, going into industry, career progression, or just for interest. We do ask that you’re familiar with a Mac and have an interest in editing, production, or post-production.

Course Team

• Grant Aerts: Grant Aerts is a seasoned post-production specialist with 33 years of experience in editing, VFX artistry, and colour grading. Having worked across a wide range of projects, he has developed a deep understanding of the technical and creative aspects of filmmaking. In the past three years, Grant has transitioned into higher education, sharing industry knowledge with the next generation of filmmakers. Passionate about both storytelling and mentorship, he combines real-world expertise with academic insight to guide students in mastering the craft.
• Carl Lamb: After graduating from the MA Film & TV course at Falmouth 2023 I began working for the university as a technician specialising in camera, light and editing. Before moving to Cornwall, I was a manager at Granada Television in Manchester for 15 years. I am an Avid Media Composer Certified User, and this will be my second time supporting Grant in delivering the course.

What to Expect

An intensive 2-weeks studying a module per week, from 9am – 5pm Monday to Friday on both weeks, with exams to gain Avid Media Composer certification at the end of the course.

What to Bring

Please ensure that you bring a laptop or tablet which can run Adobe Digital Editions so that you can open the Avid course e-book alongside your iMac in our facilities, as the workflow windows we’ll be using on this course will utilise the two screens available on each iMac.

You’ll also need to set up your personal Avid account prior to the course (we provide full instructions) and you need to ensure that you have accessed and tested the course e-books before the course begins to avoid a delay being able to follow along with the exercises.

Please remember to bring a packed lunch with you, or visit one of our on-campus café’s. Tea and coffee will be provided each day. You may wish to bring a reusable water bottle with you.

What We'll Provide

• Individual workstations in our Post-Production Hub with 2 screens (needed for the workflows we’ll be using)
• Official Avid course e-book for each module (please note this is in electronic format, not printed)
• MC101 and MC110 exams and certification at the end of the course
• Tea/coffee each day

Location

This course is taught in our professional-standard facilities on our Penryn campus.

There is plenty of parking available on our Penryn campus and you can also reach us via a range of public transport options. You can find out more, here.

For campus maps and information on visiting us, please visit our How to find us page.

Certificates and Digital Badges

This course includes exams at the end of the course, with 1 retake included if required. Students who pass the exam will gain Avid Certified User for Media Composer certification.

Eligibility and Prerequisites

You need to be familiar with a Mac and have an interest in editing, production, or post-production. You do not need any prior Avid experience.

Accommodation

Accommodation is not included in this course cost, but is available to book separately on our Penryn campus. If you would like to book accommodation, please see our accommodation for short course students page for a range of options.

How to Apply

Tuition fees per individual | £1,100

To apply for this course, make your selection from the available dates below, this will take you to an event page where you will be able to book yourself onto the course via the Book now link.

Upcoming Short Courses

Mon 16 Jun 2025

10-day course | Mon-Fri | 9am-5pm | £1100

Avid Media Composer user certification (MC101 & 110 course bundle)

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