Everything Edits: Potential Communication Department Hire Demonstrates Digital Media Class

Biddeford, ME – Last Friday afternoon, the University of New England’s Introduction to Journalism class participated in a teaching demonstration on Premiere video editing with candidate Dominic DiPaolo, Professor of Digital Media.

Students and faculty members of the School of Arts and Humanities await Jesse Miller, associate teaching professor of Writing and Communications, to provide a quick rundown of the teaching demonstration and an introduction to DiPaolo. Jumping right in, DiPaolo then takes the helm.

DiPaolo begins with a finalized hockey video edited with Adobe Premiere, showing what a post-production editing class might look like. Then, he runs through the essential elements of the site, such as source panels, project screens, effects, controls, timelines, and audio, ensuring the students are provided with context. No detail was left uncovered as DiPaolo seemed to anticipate students’ questions and swiftly address any complex aspect of the process.

Not only did DiPaolo explain the technical process of video editing with the transitions from a rough cut, refinement, and final cut, but he elaborated on the craft of the editor in giving shape and meaning to a video. He said, “You have control over what your viewers see. You have the narrative.”

In demonstrating his capabilities and classroom persona, seeing how he would react to the inevitable technical malfunctions was essential. However, DiPaolo confidently reassured the classroom that he is a patient and approachable resource when technical frustrations arise to find a solution.

Later, when asked if Premiere handled graphics and captions and editing rather than simply stating an answer, DiPaolo jumped to another screen and made the question a learning experience for everyone. Similarly, when Sophmore Communications major Kayleigh Duncan (she/her) asked whether “Premiere is better than DaVinci Resolve?” DiPaolo’s reply of Premiere was backed up by examples from lived experiences working in video editing and digital media.

While teaching demonstrations with their heightened stress levels are not exactly the same as a day-to-day classroom experience, DiPaolo covered a comprehensive lesson with a humble and relaxed demeanor that is sure to help in future decisions on his candidacy as a UNE professor.