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Stevenson/MEJO 221.011/Spring 2017
MEJO 221.011
Audio-Video Information Gathering
Tuesday/Thursday 6:00-7:15
CA 132
Instructor: Heather Stevenson
Email:
Office: CA 132
Office Hours: T/R 7:15PM-8:15PM RM 132
Required Supplies:
· Memory Card for Camera – SDHC card Speed Class 10 16GB or larger
(must be able to store HD video)
· Headphones (earbuds are not the best for production)
Suggested Supplies:
· External hard drive with 1TB storage
Required Supplemental Material: As a student, you have a free subscription to Lynda.com tutorials. Throughout this course, we will be viewing some of these videos during class and I will ask you to watch some outside of class as well. To login in, you go to https://software.sites.unc.edu/lynda/ and use your onyen username and password.
Course Sakai Page: This is where you will post your class assignments and video assignments. I will also put updates and use this site along with email to communicate with you throughout the semester. Please make it a priority to check this site often.
Course Description:
This course introduces you to the tools and skills needed to engage in quality storytelling with audio and video in broadcast and multimedia environments. Emphasis is on mastering technical and aesthetic aspects of audio and video information gathering. As this course is also intended to give students insight into what they might expect as entry-level employees in “the real world,” attention to detail is key, as is timeliness, thoroughness and active participation in the course activities.
Course Goals:
The Accrediting Council of Education in Journalism and Mass Communication (ACEJMC) has put forth the following basic competencies students should have achieved once they have completed their degree program:
· Understand and apply the principles and laws of freedom of speech and press for the country in which the institution that invites ACEJMC is located, as well as receive instruction in and understand the range of systems of freedom of expression around the world, including the right to dissent, to monitor and criticize power, and to assemble and petition for redress of grievances;
· Demonstrate an understanding of gender, race ethnicity, sexual orientation and, as appropriate, other forms of diversity in domestic society in relation to mass communications;
· Demonstrate an understanding of the diversity of peoples and cultures and of the significance and impact of mass communications in a global society;
· Understand concepts and apply theories in the use and presentation of images and information;
· Demonstrate an understanding of professional ethical principles and work ethically in pursuit of truth, accuracy, fairness and diversity;
· Think critically, creatively and independently;
· Conduct research and evaluate information by methods appropriate to the communications professions in which they work;
· Write correctly and clearly in forms and styles appropriate for the communications professions, audiences and purposes they serve;
· Critically evaluate their own work and that of others for accuracy and fairness, clarity, appropriate style and grammatical correctness;
· Apply basic numerical and statistical concepts;
· Apply tools and technologies appropriate for the communications professions in which they work.
In this particular course, we will specifically concentrate on the fifth and last competencies listed:
· You will learn to recognize, use and know the functions and limitations of the equipment introduced in class
· You will be able to critique others’ work according to the quality of preproduction and production
· You will be able to plan and execute short, clean, logically-flowing productions
Equipment Policy
You will be paired into teams of two for using equipment. You must fill out the school’s equipment form (on Sakai) each time you check out gear. The general checkout period is 72 hours but you will be allowed to renew gear based on availability.
Late Assignments:
Assignments and projects are considered late if they are not turned in at the start of class on the due date or posted prior to the start of class. Uploading projects in class on the day they are due are considered LATE. Time stamp in Dropbox will determine time of upload completion. The penalty for late submissions is 10 points (a full letter grade) the first day and 10 points for each day after that. The cap for late assignments is 40 points.
Attendance Policy:
Attendance and participation in class are critical for success as a student. You are expected to be here on time and prepared. Attendance is required. You are allowed one free absence. After that, I will deduct 2 points from your final grade for each subsequent absence. Projects are due on dates posted regardless of your class attendance.
Grading:
You are graded according to the highest professional standards. The breakdown in percentage is listed below.
A / = / 93-100%A- / = / 90-92%
B+ / = / 87-89%
B / = / 83-86%
B- / = / 80-82%
C+ / = / 77-79%
C / = / 73-76%
C- / = / 70-72%
D+ / = / 67-69%
D / = / 60-66%
F / = / 59% or below
I will follow the University’s grading standards, as adopted by the Faculty Council:
A: Mastery of course content at the highest level that can be reasonably expected of students at a given state of development. The “A” grade states clearly that the student has shown such outstanding promise in the aspect of the discipline under study that he/she may be strongly encouraged to continue.
B: Strong performance demonstrating a high level of attainment for a student at a given stage of development. The “B” grade states that the student has shown solid promise in the aspect of the discipline under study.
C: A totally acceptable performance demonstrating an adequate level of attainment for a student at a given stage of development. The “C” grade states that, while not yet showing any unusual promise, the student may continue to study in the discipline with reasonable hope of intellectual development.
D: A marginal performance in the required exercises demonstrating a minimal passing level of attainment for a student at a given stage of development. The “D” grade states that the student has given no evidence of prospective growth in the discipline; an accumulation of D grades should be taken to mean that the student would be well advised not to continue in the academic field.
F: For whatever reason, this is an unacceptable performance. The “F” grade indicates that the student’s performance in the required exercises has revealed almost no understanding of the course content.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS
Project 1 – Sequence Story (20%) – This project is a one-minute “story” without words, featuring footage of a single event captured from different angles. (ex. Cooking a meal, doing laundry, etc.) This exercise is designed to get you thinking about shot variety and sequential action. You can pick an action, activity or process to showcase. This exercise also gives you an opportunity to practice the art of ‘movement’ using stationary shots, action follow-through and use of compelling imagery to tell a story without the use of text or primary audio.
Project 2 – Audio Story (20%) – This project is a one-minute audio story with an interview and ambient sound. This exercise is designed to get you thinking about how to bring a story to life without the use of video. This exercise is also designed to get you thinking about editing choices, in terms of choosing which portions of an interview make the most compelling, yet comprehensible story. Interview one person about their job or responsibility.
Project 3 – Documentary/News Story (35%) – This project is a short, 2-minute documentary-style or news-style production wherein at least 2 interviews must be intercut with supporting video and ambient sound. Music may be used, but only if it fits the production. This exercise is intended to solidify your skills in field production, using both audio and video gathering skills, as well as good preplanning and editing.
Final Exam – (10%) -- There is one final exam with no make-up opportunity. Missed exams will get 0 points. This final will cover all class material and in-class experience with the equipment. Emphasis will be on the lectures and supplemental materials.
Class Participation (15%)– There will be a number of in-class and take-home assignments throughout the semester. These assignments cannot be made-up in case of absence.
Sample GRADING RUBRIC
You will receive a rubric prior to each project so you are aware of what is expected. Unless otherwise noted (e.g., audio-only projects cannot be graded on video quality or video composition), projects will be scored on a combination of the following:
1. Picture Quality ...... 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
(within a shot: attention to focus, lighting, clarity)
2. Visual composition ...... 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
(within a shot: attention to framing, foreground/background)
3. Audio quality ...... 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
(within a clip: attention to volume, balance , clarity, noise)
4. Audio composition ...... 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
(across clips: layering, quality use of background sound/music)
5. Technical editing ...... 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
(across shots: shot variety, pacing, “invisibility” of cuts, overall length)
6. Continuity editing ...... 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
( across shots and clips: matching action/sounds, story flow/plot holes)
Plagiarism and Honesty:
As a journalist, your integrity is of the utmost importance. If you are serious about a career in this field, you must practice the honesty and integrity this University demands. You are expected to produce your own work in this class. You need to know and follow UNC’s policies regarding academic honesty (http://honor.unc.edu). I will enforce all of these rules.
Seeking Help:
If you need individual assistance, it is your responsibility to meet with me. If you are serious about wanting to improve your performance in the course, the time to seek help is as soon as you are aware of the problem – whether the problem is difficulty with course material, a disability, or an illness.
Special Accommodations
If you require special accommodations to attend or participate in this course, please let me know as soon as possible. If you need information about disabilities, please visit the Department of Disability Services website at http://disabilityservices.unc.edu
Diversity
The University’s policy on Prohibiting Harassment and Discrimination is outlined in the Undergraduate Bulletin (http://www.unc.edu/Ugradbulletin/.) UNC is committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for all member of our community and does not discriminate in offering access to its educational programs and activities on the basis of age, gender, race, color, national origin, religion, creed, disability, veteran’s status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression.
Class Conduct
It is my expectation that you will not receive, place calls, or text during class time. Your participation is vital to your success in this class. If you are not paying attention because you are doing something else, your participation grade will reflect that. If you anticipate an emergency during class time, it’s your responsibility to notify me in advance and make arrangements accordingly.
COURSE SCHEDULE (Tentative and subject to change)
* Indicates days you need to come to class with the camera (you and your partner must decide who will be checking out the equipment to have in class that day – Must be done BEFORE class)
Week 1
Thursday 1/12: Introduction to course/Syllabus/Pre-production Planning
HOMEWORK: Read through the following websites
· Composition and Graphics—Composition–Setting the Scene (http://www.cybercollege.com/tvp022.htm)
· Composition and Graphics—Elements of Composition I (http://www.cybercollege.com/tvp023.htm)
· Composition and Graphics—Elements of Composition II (http://www.cybercollege.com/tvp024.htm)
Week 2
Tuesday 1/17: Introduction to video composition
Begin thinking about Projects 1, 2 and 3
Thursday: 1/19: Sequencing
HOMEWORK: Read Through before next class
· Video Editing—Continuity Editing (http://www.cybercollege.com/tvp050.htm)
· Video Editing—Solving Continuity Problems (http://www.cybercollege.com/tvp052.htm)
· Video Editing—Technical Continuity (http://www.cybercollege.com/tvp053.htm)
Week 3
*Tuesday 1/24: Camera Orientation (Manual Focus, Exposure, White Balance)
HOMEWORK: Video and Light Exercise Due Tuesday 1/31
*Thursday 1/26: Camera Orientation Continued/Video Scavenger Hunt Assignment
Week 4
* Tuesday 1/31: View Video/Light Exercises Video Scavenger Hunt
DUE: Informal written proposal for Project 1
* Thursday 2/2: Paper Airplane Sequence Shoot
HOMEWORK: Watch Videos 1-3 of Adobe Tutorials
Week 5
*Tuesday 2/7: Introduction to Adobe Premiere
Thursday 2/9: Editing Continuity (cutting, building story sequence, transitions)
Week 6
Tuesday 2/14: Video editing techniques (color correction, titles, exporting)
Thursday 2/16: Critique Paper Airplane Pieces
Week 7
Tuesday 2/21: Editing Day
Thursday 2/23: Editing Day
Week 8
*Tuesday 2/28: Project One Sequence Story Due/ Critique in class
*Thursday 3/2: Microphones and Interviewing/Audio Scavenger Hunt
Week 9
*Tuesday 3/7: Review Audio Scavenger Hunt/How to interview
*Thursday 3/9: Finding the Light
Project Two Informal Write up DUE
Week 10 SPRING BREAK
Tuesday 3/14: NO Class
Thursday 3/16: NO Class
Week 11
*Tuesday 3/21: MOS Assignment/Natural Sound
*Thursday 3/23: Audio Editing (transitions, adjustments, unlinking clips)
Week 12
Tuesday 3/28: Editing Day
Thursday 3/30: Editing Day
Week 13
Tuesday 4/4: Project Two Audio Story Due Beginning of Class/Critique in Class
Thursday 4/6: Advanced Storytelling/Putting it all together
Informal Written Proposal for Project Three Due
Week 14
Tuesday 4/11: VO/SOT Critiques
Thursday 4/13: Editing Tweaking
Week 15
Tuesday 4/18: Class time to work on Project 3
Thursday 4/20: Class time to work on Project 3
Week 16
Tuesday 4/25: Project 3 Documentary/News Package due/Critique and review
Thursday 4/27: Finish Project 3 Critiques/Review
Final exam Friday May 5, 2017 7PM
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I acknowledge that I have read and received the class syllabus for MEJO 221.011 for the Spring Semester 2017.
My class meets on ______(days) at ______(times).
I have read the class syllabus and understand the classroom policies, instructor’s expectations, and rules (technology, grading policy, attendance requirements, honor code, assignments etc.) as stated in the syllabus for this class.