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):

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