CM297: Audio/Video Production II
Spring 2009 – Christopher Johnson – CC140, 344-7742, cjohnson@blc.edu
OBJECTIVES:
Upon completion of this course, the student should be able to:
Discuss
and perform the components of the media production field including
pre-production, production and post-production
Identify
with Communication theory and appropriate applications for media production
Demonstrate
proficiency in intermediate media production skills
Think
and plan creatively (outside the box)
Explain
and perform concepts including camera operation, shot framing and composition,
lighting aesthetics, digital production and basic editing
Create
a demo reel of the production work completed to include as part of your
professional resume
Specifically the student should be to:
Use
the effect-to-cause production model to generate a production idea
Operate
a video camera with effective framing, picture depth and object motion
Operate
an 8mm film camera and understand concepts of shooting on film
Light
a production set with proper use of shadows and additive and subtractive color
mixing
Properly
setup and record audio for various production environments
Prepare
talent and provide basic acting and performance instruction
Perform
basic editing techniques using Final Cut Pro and ProTools to rough cut video
and audio productions
Present
in a professional manner ideas and production work
Programs and equipment you will learn include:
Sony
studio and field production cameras with CCUs
8mm
film cameras
Dynamic,
condenser and shotgun microphones
A
video production switcher
The
Horizon DMX lighting system
Dollies,
jibs, steadicams, car camera mounts
Final
Cut Pro and ProTools editing and recording software
TEXTBOOK AND
MATERIALS:
Keeping up with readings is vital
to you success in this course.
Required Textbook:
Film Production Technique, by Bruce
Mamer - ISBN: 0-534-56477-1
Textbooks used in lectures and to produce handouts:
Creative Control: filmmaking and
cinematography – Michael Hofstein
Video Basics 4, by Herbert Zettl –
ISBN: 0-534-61246-6
The Television Production Handbook,
by Herbert Zettl - ISBN: 0-534-56379-1
Film Production Technique, by Bruce
Mamer - ISBN: 0-534-56477-1
Required materials (cost to
student $35):
Each student will be required to
provide their own media for recording. You will need at least one Sony miniDV
tape ($5), two 8mm film carts ($25) and several DVD-Rs ($2 each) to hand in
assignments. These items are available from local retailers including Best Buy,
Walmart and SEARS. The studio also sells these materials but might not always
have them immediately available, so please plan ahead.
IMPORTANT:
Due to compatibility issues ONLY SONY TAPES MAY BE USED IN STUDIO
EQUIPMENT. Mixing brands of miniDV video tapes can cause serious damage
to video cameras and tape recorders. When lubrication from different brands of
tapes mixes it creates abrasive grime that can ruin the recording heads of the
machine. Students found using other brands of tape may be required to pay a fee
to clean video decks they used and could be responsible for paying to repair
machines that were damaged. Assignments on non-Sony tapes will not be accepted
for any reason.
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
Audio/Video production is designed
to offer students an intermediate level of production experience. The course
will focus primarily on good camera, audio and lighting theory that will be
applied in various projects and examples. It will also help the student develop
good critical thinking skills as they tackle situations that require
collaboration and working under pressure. Listening skills will also be
enhanced as students complete projects to meet a client’s exact specifications.
The course will be taught using a
variety of methods. Through the use of lecture, readings, demonstrations,
facility tours and hands-on studio exercises the student will engage in the
process of audio and video production, with a lesser emphasis placed on specific
technical skills. The student will work as a camera operator, writer, lighting
designer, audio engineer and talent. Additionally, the student will work in the
roles of a producer and a director.
COURSE OUTLINE (subject to adjustments):
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January 13:
Introduction and Course
Orientation
Commercials /The
Effect-to-Cause Production model
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January 15: Read Mamer
Chapter 2 – The Shots
The Camera, shot types,
moves, and depth of field
Meet in Production Studio –
short reading quiz
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January 20: Read Mamer
Chapter 3 – The Scene
Directing the Scene
Structure – in studio
Previsualization and The
Line – in studio
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January 22: Read Mamer
Chapter 4& 5 – The Crew
The Producer’s Book and the
Crew – in CC105
Putting together a typical
scene – in studio
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January 27: Picasso
Assignment Shot
Final Cut Pro Editing
Exercise – Halloween 5.5
All About Editshare and
Project Sharing – in CC105
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January 29: Weekend
Short Begins After Class
Final Cut Pro Editing
Continues – Assembly/RC
Editing Resources - Digital
Juice/Music/SFX/Effects
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February 3: Weekend
Short Ends - 5pm 2/2/09
Showcase
Picasso Assignments
Exam Review
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February 5:
Exam #1 –
Cameras, Crew, Scenes, Planning
Work on
Commercial Assignment
|
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February 10: Commercial
assembly and rough-cut
Read Mamer
Chapter 6 & 7 – Film Cameras
The Film Camera – threading
and the lens
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February 12: Read Mamer
Chapter 9 – Composition
In studio composition and
shooting exercise
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February 17: Read Mamer
Chapter 10 – Procedures
The slate and running the
shoot
The single and the double
system
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February 19: Read Mamer
Chapter 11 Sound
Lighting concepts –
exposure and latitude
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February 24: Read Mamer
Chapter 12 – Lighting
Running the shoot
In studio scene shooting
exercise
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February 26:
Commercial showcase and
evaluation
DVD Studio Pro training day
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March 3: Read Mamer
Chapter 13 – Exposure
Commercial
DVD and Producers Book Due
Light, color and
composition
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March 5:
Midterm
exam study guide – cameras and film
Midterm Exam – 8mm films due 3/6/8 at 5pm
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March 10:
No Class
Spring break
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March 12:
No Class
Spring break
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March 17:
Midterm
Exam Returned
Lighting II – drama work
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March 19: Read Mamer Chapter 14 – Lighting II
Planning the lighting
In-Class lighting setup
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March 24: Read Mamer Chapter 15 – Lighting III
Review 8mm
films
Select screenplays for
final project
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March 26:
The Infomercial
Shooting Live Productions in the studio
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March 31:
In Studio
Exercises
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April 2:
Infomercial/Soap
Opera work
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April 7:
Infomercial/Soap
Opera A
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April 9:
No Class –
Easter Break
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April 14:
Infomercial/Soap
Opera B
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April 16:
Read
Advanced Editing
Advanced editing techniques
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April 21:
No Class
Final
project work
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April 23:
No Class
Final
project work
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April 28:
BEA
conference review
Final project work
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April 30:
Final
Project review
Final Project work
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May 5:
Final
projects due
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May 6:
Studio
Festival of Media Arts Showcase
Your demo reel due for finals
week
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COURSE CONTENT:
This course is survey course on
audio and video production. We will move through topics quickly during the
first half of the semester. Attendance is critical! Many class periods will
include demonstrations and hands-on exercises that a book cannot replace. You
must be in class everyday and be ready to learn.
THE WEEKEND SHORT
ASSIGNMENT:
In order to get you working right
away and to establish a good working relationship with the students from editing
class there will be a weekend short assignment on the weekend of January 29-February
2, 2009. The idea is to produce a short film in a limited amount of time alongside
students from the editing class. This should be an exciting time to get to know
each other and the skills each may bring to the table. It will also better
define what skills you will want to build throughout the semester. There will
be showcase on Tuesday, February 3, 2009 at 7pm in Meyer Hall’s Seminar Room.
Attendance at the showcase is required unless previously excused by the
professor.
THE NATIONAL
ASSOICATION OF BROADCASTERS AND BROADCAST EDUCATION ASSOICIATION CONFERNECE:
Each year over 100,000 media
professional gather in Las Vegas
for the world’s largest electronic media show. Here visitors get a glimpse of
the future of television and film production. Every two years the Bethany
Studio takes students along to gain the valuable knowledge this conference has
to offer. Only juniors and seniors studying Communication with an emphasis in
audio, video or film production are invited to attend. The cost of the trip,
which includes one week in Las Vegas
is to be covered by the students attending. This year’s conference runs from
April 19-25. There will no class during this week, however, it is expected
students are working on their final projects. Class time is made up earlier in
the semester during extended length training sessions.
THE STUDENT FILM
FESTIVAL:
On Wednesday, May 6, 2009 at 7:30pm
the annual student film festival will take place. Your attendance is required. Here
the best works of the school year will be showcased for the entire student body
to enjoy. Anyone may enter the student film festival. All works will be
screened and the best selected. Students will provide feedback and select the
2009 Best of Festival Winner.
ASSIGNMENTS:
The student will be assigned
readings, quizzes, tests and exercises to enhance the understanding of
communication topics covered and to develop skills in production, teamwork,
listening and performance. The instructor will present and explain the
processes and theories involved but it is the student’s responsibility to learn
the material and demonstrate proficiency in subject matter. Your success in this course will not be
measured by how well you can memorize materials presented but rather how you
use the information to further explore video production and solve problems. You
will be graded based upon your achievements relative to completing assignments
through process and professionalism. Your grade will be based on the following
factors:
ü Weekly quizzes/shooting assignments (20%): There
will be a short quiz on most days reading is assigned. The quiz will most often
cover readings assigned but may contain questions from lectures. Students who
read the assignments and pay attention in class should do well on these
quizzes. Shooting assignments are designed to get you to practice materials
discussed in class. Think of them as a video journal of your progress. At times
you will use these assignments to help students in performing for the camera
complete their assignments.
ü Exam 1/Midterm Exam (20%): Exam 1 will
take place on Thursday, February 5 and the midterm exam will take place on
March 5. These will be closed-book tests. A review sheet will be provided and
review time will be spent in class.
ü Attendance and active participation (5%):
Attendance is expected and vital to your success. There are no unexcused
absences. You must notify the instructor of any absence before the class you
will need to miss. Throughout the semester you will be granted (3) three
instructor approved absences. For each approved absence over (3) three or
single (1) non-approved absence your grade may be dropped 5%.
ü Professionalism (5%): The manner you
carry out production assignments will affect your grade as will the type of
projects you work on. This includes teamwork, willingness to help others and
engaging in discussions. Professional presentation of materials turned in is
also important.
ü Productions (50%): Production work will
be graded based on the roles filled, quality of the product related to its
difficulty and its presentation. Presentation includes how the production
appears including its promotion, packaging and delivery method. Additionally,
demonstration of the process will affect production grading. Showing good
production practice means including a treatment, storyboard, shot log, budget
worksheet, credit list, as well as production notes. You will be required to
turn in these materials with your productions. Even the finest production will
not get a good score if the process has not been carried out and documented.
PRODUCTIONS:
Each student will complete several
production assignments during the course. Some productions assignments will be
carried out individually others will be completed in production teams. For
assignments completed in teams, your grade will be calculated based on the
production roles you assume and the quality of work performed in those roles.
Group productions will be assigned a producer that will keep track of and
report production tasks that have been completed.
ü 60 second commercials: Each student
will produce several 60 second commercial spots. Students will work in groups
during production but may do their own assembly cut. Students from the editing
class will perform the fine cut of the commercials.
ü The 8mm film project: Each student will
write, plan, and shoot an 8mm film not to exceed 5 minutes in length. It will
be edited by the editing class. The cost for this project is $25 from each
student to cover film and processing.
ü The sitcom/infomercial/soap opera: The
students will be assigned a production crew to complete a live production. Each
group will be in charge of production and can assign anyone else in the class
to perform certain production duties. This is a timed exercise and must be done
in one take.
ü The final project: This will be either
a documentary, short film, or educational piece written by the scriptwriting
class. It will be edited by the editing class.
ü Demo reel: Your final demo reel.
The instructor expects the productions
to contain valuable content. Material that contains profanity, implied sexual
content, or other meaning that does not fit within the mission of Bethany
Lutheran College will not be accepted. The instructor reserves the right to
refuse production topics and programs for any reason.
ASSIGNMENT AND
PRODUCTION PROCEDURES:
Late Assignment Policy:
There are no late assignments in
this course. The six o’clock
news starts at six regardless of the situation. In the live television
there is no such thing as an extension. The show starts at 7pm no matter what happens. If someone is sick
or can’t help, the show goes on. If someone hasn’t completed their task, the show
goes on. Likewise, assignments will be turned in when due regardless of their
completed status. Your grade will be given based on the assignment at the time
it was handed in as if it was played to air at that time. If you are ill, it is
still your responsibility to get the assignment in on time. If you have an
excused absence, you still should turn your work in on time. The instructor
will take into consideration certain circumstances, but will never allow late
work to be turned in. Hand in what you have completed when it is due.
INSTRUCTOR AVAILIABILTY:
The only dumb question is the one
you don’t ask. While I can’t always provide instant assistance, I am here to
help you in anyway I can. If you have questions, please stop by my office or
send me an e-mail. You can reach me by e-mailing cjohnson@blc.edu or by phone in my office at
344-7742 or in the studio at 344-7743. During evening and weekend hours you may
call my cell phone (507) 327-4156. The student will never be penalized or
frowned upon because they called during off hours with a production/assignment
related question. There is also a message board outside my office or leave
messages with the communication division secretary. I hold office hours
Monday-Friday from 10:30am-noon and Tuesday and Thursday from 1:00-2:00pm unless I am away on a
production.
STUDIO HOURS:
Sunday: 1pm-midnight
Monday – Thursday: 9am-midnight
Friday: 9am-5pm
Saturday: 11am-5pm