COMM 435 Fall 1997
ADVANCED TELEVISION PRODUCTION AND DIRECTION
Tuesday 6:00-9:00 p.m.
Instructor: Prof. Benjamin Detenber Office: 239 Pearson Hall
Email: detenber@strauss Phone: 831-8778
Office hours: Wed. and Thurs. 10:30am-12noon and by appointment
Course description and objectives:
This course is designed as a practicum in television production and direction. The course requires each student to complete several short video productions and related assignments that are designed to help develop the skills needed to produce high quality video productions. The emphasis of the course is on field production and editing. Students are expected to devote a considerable amount of time and effort outside of class to ensure the successful execution of the video assignments.
The objectives of this course are:
1) To expand upon and advance the basic technical skills that were acquired in COMM 325 (Camera operation, lighting, audio, etc.).
2) To teach the basics of field production (as opposed to studio production) and video editing.
3) To gain experience in all facets of program production including: preproduction (scripting and planning), production (location shooting), and post production (off-line and on-line editing).
4) To produce a television spot of sufficient quality and interest that it is suitable for resume tapes.
Required texts:
Zettl, H. (1995). Video Basics. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth Publishing.
Zettl, H. (1995). Video Basics Workbook. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth Publishing.
Course activities:
Enrolling in this course requires you to complete several assignments and to participate in a number of activities. The bulk of the work for the course will be video production assignments and production related work. However, there will also be more traditional assignments in the form of papers and take-home quizzes.
Quizzes and readings.
Each student is required to do the reading assignments and complete the take-home quizzes listed in the course schedule. The quizzes will consist of objective questions (i.e., multiple choice, fill-in-the-blank, matching, etc.), and their purpose is to demonstrate your mastery of the reading material and information from lecture. Specific pages from the workbook will make up each quiz. Students are to complete these exercises on their own, without the help of others, and turn in the appropriate pages at the beginning of class on the dates listed below.
Program critique.
Students will write a comparative critique of different types of programs during the semester. The purpose of the assignment is to help you hone your critical faculties and to give you practice articulating what you see and hear in video programs. Each critique will be 3-4 pages long. Programs should be analyzed for strengths and weaknesses on each of the following criteria:
a. Production values
b. Information value (content)
c. Entertainment value
d. Structure (overall organization)
e. Style
f. Appropriateness of form to message content
The programs to be critiqued will be recorded on a VHS videotape and available from the instructor. The critique is due Nov. 11.
Video production assignments:
The course requires you to complete several video production assignments. Each will be described more fully later in the semester, but briefly, these assignments include:
1. A one minute process video entitled "A meets B," edited in the camera.
2. An editing exercise, using existing footage.
3. A two minute news package on a subject of interest to you.
4. A 30 or 60 second public service announcement (PSA), suitable for broadcast.
5. Several written assignments that will be instrumental to the development and execution of the following video assignments. The assignments include scripts, storyboards, program rundowns, and treatments.
Other important factors:
In addition to the requirements and activities described above, there are a number of other issues of which you need to be aware.
A. Participation/dedication
Each student will be assessed in terms of the quality of their participation. This grade is based on the following criteria:
1. Quality of participation
2. Quality of group interactions and teamwork
3. Adherence to deadlines
4. Responsible behavior (respect for the equipment is paramount!!!!!)
5. Dedication to the projects
B. Deadlines
There are numerous deadlines for assignments in this class. These deadlines are strict. SEVERE PENALTIES will automatically be assessed for missing deadlines. Scheduling conflicts are NOT an excuse.
C. Equipment
Students will be held responsible when they check out equipment. Make sure that all the equipment is there before you check it out. Make sure that all the equipment is there when you check it back in. You will be responsible for any missing or damaged equipment.
Anyone who abuses or is careless with equipment is subject to severe penalty. For severe or repeated offenses, this may include FAILURE for the course.
Report equipment problems immediately!!!
D. Broadcast of programs
Members of the class will review and nominate the best programs for possible broadcast. All nominations are subject to approval by the instructor and the Dept. of Communication. Broadcasting constraints and the nomination and review processes will be discussed in class.
Grading:
Grades will be based on students' performance on the assignments and activities described above. For group assignments, all members of the group will receive the same grade. Final grades will be based on the standard distribution (i.e., A = 91-100%, B = 81-90%, etc.). At the discretion of the instructor, these percentage breaks may be altered to make grade assignment more generous, but they will not be altered to make grade assignment more difficult. The value of individual assignments is listed below.
Points
Traditional assignments:
Take-home quizzes (13 chapters) 300
Program critique 40
Written assignments:
Program ideas assignment 10
Storyboard 20
News package rundown and research report 30
PSA script and preproduction plan 50
Video production assignments:
A meets B video 60
Editing exercise 90
News package 120
PSA 180
Participation:
Dedication/service/responsibility 100
TOTAL 1,000
COMM 435 Fall 1997 COURSE SCHEDULE
Date
9/9 Introduction to the course
-course overview
-brief discussion of assignments
-phases of production
-generating ideas
-production roles
9/16 The camera I
-camera features and operation
-shot composition
-visual aesthetics
-constructing visual narratives
-Quiz 1 (Ch. 1 & 2, workbook pp. 3-6, 9-13)
-Due: News package ideas assignment
9/23 The camera II
-camera movement and lighting
-audio and video recording
-evaluation A meets B storyboards
-Quiz 2 (Ch. 3 & 4, workbook pp. 17-22; 25-35)
-Due: A meets B storyboard
9/30 Cuts-only Editing
-videotape dubbing
-basics of off-line (cuts-only) editing
-principles of continuity
-evaluation A meets B videos
-Quiz 3 (Ch. 5, workbook pp. 39-45)
-Due: A meets B video
10/7 Cuts-only Editing and Field Production
-scouting locations
-constructing news packages
-evaluation of The Hold Up edits
-Quiz 4 (Ch. 10, workbook pp. 93-99)
-Due: The Hold Up edit
10/14 News package production meeting I
-review of audio and video recording
-discuss plans for remote shoots
-create production teams
-Due: News Package rundown and research report
10/21 News package production meeting II
-shooting video on location
-lighting for video in the field
-evaluate news package rushes
-Quiz 5 (Ch. 8 & 9, workbook pp. 73-80, 85-90)
-Due: News Package rushes
COMM 435 Fall 1997 COURSE SCHEDULE (cont.)
10/28 Script writing and PSA design
-evaluate rough cuts of news packages
-basics of script writing and message design
-Quiz 6 (Ch. 6 & 14, workbook pp. 51-58; 141-142; 145-146; 148)
-Due: Rough cuts of news package
10/31 -Due: Final edit of news package
11/4 PSA pre-production meeting
-review scripts and plans
-evaluate final edits of news packages
-basics of on-camera performance: working with talent
-Due: PSA scripts and production plans
11/11 PSA production meeting I
-review updated message designs and shooting schedules
-video graphics and special effects
-Quiz 7 (Ch. 12, workbook pp. 113-119; 126)
-Due: Program critique
11/18 PSA production meeting II
-review PSA program rushes/rough cuts
-Quiz 8 (Ch. 7, workbook pp. 65-70)
-Due: PSA rushes/rough cuts
11/25 Post production
-basics of on-line videotape editing
-review final PSA off-line edits
-Due: final PSA off-line edits
12/2 Final edit preparation
-review on-line editing
-Quiz 9 (Ch. 11, workbook pp. 101-108)
-Due: PSA EDLs
12/9 Final meeting
-evaluation of PSA fine cuts
-wrap party
-Due: Final edit of program
12/16 Final Exam/Contingency Date ** Keep this date free!
NOTE: The information contained in this syllabus is subject to revision by the instructor. Students are responsible for any changes made to the syllabus during the semester.