Multimedia Production Skills

COMM 305-001

American University, School of Communication

Spring 2012

Tues/Friday 8:55-10:10 a.m., Mary Graydon Room 332

Contact info

Instructor: Alex Newman
Office: None
Office Hours:
Before and after class on Tuesday and Friday, or by appointment.
Phone:
Office: 202.216.8968 (between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m.) My cell phone is on the printed copy of the syllabus.

Email:
newman@american.edu
newman@homefront.tv

AIM: anewmanusat or Gchat: alex.j.newman

GOALS AND OUTCOMES OF COURSE:

This is an OVERVIEW COURSE. The aim of this course is not to make you an "expert" in any of these highly technical areas, each of which is a specialty all its own. Instead, we want you to see and practice the basic skills in each area. You will need to devote extensive time outside class practicing and drilling with the tools before you can begin to get really comfortable using them.

AUDIO/VIDEO SECTION DESCRIPTION:

This section of the course focuses on using audio and video effectively to tell a journalistic story. For audio, this includes getting people to talk on tape, finding and recording the right ambient sound, and tying these elements together to tell an audio story. The video portion of this course is an overview of the fundamentals of video production, shooting and non-linear editing. Students will be introduced to the basics of audio/video journalistic storytelling, shooting high definition digital video and the professional non-linear editing program Final Cut Pro. Students will learn how audio and video can be used to tell a compelling story. The focus will be both on the editorial and technical skills involved in video storytelling. This class is not designed to be an exhaustive examination of Final Cut Pro but and introduction to get you started on non-linear editing.

ROOM 313 & 312 EDITING LABS:

SOC Labs are open Mondays-Thursdays from 9 a.m.- 11p.m., Fridays from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., Saturdays 9 a.m.- 5p.m. You can use the labs for work on your editing projects anytime during the above hours when there is not a class in session. To reserve a computer drop by the SUB HUB down the hall and make a reservation. If you need help when you are editing, find someone from the SUB-HUB who can usually help. Also the "New Media Lab" in Hurst Hall Room 212 is open Mondays- Thursdays from 9:30 a.m. -11 p.m., Fridays from 9:30 a.m. -5:30 p.m., and Sundays from noon -11 p.m. There are people who work there who can help you. You are also free to reach out to me at any time for help editing. During the workday, I will try my best to get back to you in a timely manner. You should also never be afraid to try to find help or ideas on the Internet — almost every problem you encounter in FCP will be written up on a blog somewhere, I promise.

SECTION STRUCTURE:

This class will be a combination of lecture, class discussion, and in-class exercises and practice. There will be in-class and out-of-class assignments designed to get you working "hands on" with an audio recorder, Final Cut Pro and a video camera. There will be one final project due the last day of class. Students are expected to come to class with their assignments, assigned audio recorders w/ mic, video cameras, and external hard drives. Course schedule is subject to change, depending on how we are progressing throughout the classes.

You need to check your gear when it is issued to you. It is your responsibility to make sure are issued all the right equipment. Additionally, the instructor cannot offer support if you chose to use your personal equipment or computer or other versions of editing software.

SAVE YOUR WORK:

It is important that students SAVE ALL GRADED work, in case there is a problem with grade book, or a grade accidentally does not get recorded. It is the responsibility of all students to save all graded work, including quizzes and papers. You are given a hard drive for this course. Make sure you are properly mapping your files. You will be shown during class and are responsible for knowing how to do this. I cannot undelete files for you.

TUTORIALS:

You can use Lynda.com for learning Final Cut Pro video editing.

Other free online resources:

EXPECTATIONS & OBJECTIVES:

Students will be able to operate a digital recorder to record and manage audio files
Students will be able to make audio an integral part of a journalistic story
Students will understand different types of sound and the storytelling uses of each
Students will be able to import audio into Audacity and edit a completed story
Students will understand how video can be used to tell compelling journalistic stories
Students will be able to capture and edit basic video on Final Cut Pro
Students will be able to shoot basic video on an HD Digital Video Camera
Students will be able to organize media files

GRADES:

Grades will be based on the following point system (subject to change):

Audio Storytelling Analysis Assignment: 50 pts
Audio Story (1-2 minutes): 100 pts
Video Storytelling Analysis Assignment: 50 pts
Capture/Shooting Video Assignment: 50 pts
Final Project Progress (:30 seconds rough cut): 50 pts
Final Video Project (1-2 minute video): 200 pts
Participation/Attendance: 100 pts
Homework Assignments and Quizzes: 10-20 pts each

95-100= A

90-94= A-

86-89= B+

83-85= B

80-82= B-

75-79= C+

72-74= C

70-71= C-

65-69= D

64 or less= F

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY:

Standards of academic conduct are set forth in the University’s Academic Integrity Code. By registering you have acknowledged your awareness of the Academic Integrity Code and you are obliged to become familiar with your rights and responsibilities as defined by the Code. Violations of the Academic Integrity Code will not be treated lightly and disciplinary actions will be taken should such violations occur. Please see me if you have any questions about the Academic violations described in the Code, in general or as they relate to particular requirements for this course. The professor will recommend a minimum of a failing grade for any proved violation of the Academic Integrity Code.

SPECIAL NEEDS:

If you experience difficulty in this course for any reason, please don’t hesitate to consult with me. In addition to the resources of the department, a wide range of services is available to support you in your efforts to meet the course requirements.

Academic Support Center (x3360, MGC 243) offers study skills workshops, individual instruction, tutor referrals, and services for students with learning disabilities. Writing support is available in the ASC Writing Lab or in the Writing Center, Battelle 228.

Counseling Center (x3500, MGC 214) offers counseling and consultations regarding personal concerns, self-help information, and connections to off-campus mental health resources.

Disability Support Services (x3315, MGC 206) offers technical and practical support and assistance with Accommodations for students with physical, medical, or psychological disabilities:If you qualify for accommodations because of a disability, please notify me in a timely manner with a letter from the Academic Support Center or Disability Support Services so that we can make arrangements to address your needs.

EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS FOR DISRUPTION OF CLASSES:

In the event of an emergency, American University will implement a plan for meeting the needs of all members of the university community. Should the university be required to close for a period of time, we are committed to ensuring that all aspects of our educational programs will be delivered to our students. These may include altering and extending the duration of the traditional term schedule to complete essential instruction in the traditional format and/or use of distance instructional methods. Specific strategies will vary from class to class, depending on the format of the course and the timing of the emergency. Faculty will communicate class-specific information to students via AU e-mail and Course, while students must inform their faculty immediately of any absence. Students are responsible for checking their AU e-mail regularly and keeping themselves informed of emergencies. In the event of an emergency, students should refer to the AU Student Portal, the AU website and the AU information line at (202) 885-1100 for general university-wide information, as well as contact their faculty and/or respective dean’s office for course and school/ college-specific information.

MAJOR ASSIGNMENTS:

Audio Storytelling Analysis Assignment:

Write a 3-page, double-spaced analysis of an audio story that includes voice, sounds and music. The story you choose should be between 2 and 8 minutes in length (typically, these are about 5 minutes long).
NPR (http://www.npr.org/) is probably the best place to look for great audio stories. NPR’s Morning Edition and All Things Considered produce some of the finest examples of great storytelling using audio. At the NPR website, you can search by topic for stories or by individual programs. If you are concerned about your choice, please e-mail me a link and I can let you know if your story choice is acceptable.

You may also use an audio slideshow to critique as these often have more natural sound in them. Look at the New York Times and Washington Post for these examples. Make sure you don’t choose a video.

Brief synopsis of the audio story (include a link)
Describe your reaction to the story. What moved you? Did it have an impact on you or not?
Explain how each of the following contributed to the overall story:
Subject; People/other characters/sources; narration, natural sounds (people laughing, crying, clapping); ambient sound
music (if any)

.

Include the website for the story in your written paper. Evaluation will be based on how completely and clearly the analysis examines the elements above as they contribute to the overall effect of the story on the student. The paper should be 3 pages double-spaced, 12pt type, and 1 inch margins.

Audio Story Assignment:You will pitch two different stories that can be told as audio stories. These stories will include natural sound, ambient sound and interview segments that you will edit into a 1-2 minute audio story. You may or may not choose to use narration and/or music. Speech and sounds should be clear and free from distortion or extraneous or distracting audio. Natural sounds and music should be used to add meaning and impact. Edits should be smooth and fairly invisible.

Video Storytelling Analysis Assignment:Students will choose and watch one video news video story (minimum of 1 min in length) and critique it. The analysis should include:

How effective is the overall storytelling/ was the story conveyed in an understandable way?
How credible is the source?
How does the video and audio work together to tell the story?
What is the subject of the story, and who is in the story?
Is there narration/voice over in the story, and if so, is it effective? If not, does it work without narration?
Is the story newsworthy? Would it be newsworthy in another medium-such as print/radio/web/text only?
What could be done to improve this story?
What are the strengths of this story?
How does this story compare to other video news stories?
What is the role of graphics or text in the story?

The story should include audio and video, but need not include narration. Students will not be allowed to choose entertainment or sports stories. The story should be chosen from traditional network of local news, but needs to be documentary-style storytelling.

Capture/Shooting video assignment:

Students will shoot 5 minutes of video. Video needs to show five different types of shot and an interview frame. Students will then capture the 5-minute media file to a portable hard drive, create a Final Cut Pro Project file, and create a reference within that Final Cut Pro Project file to the media file on the portable hard drive. Your grade will be based not only on the shooting and capturing, but on the organization of your media in the media file on your portable hard drive.

Final Project Progress (30-second rough cut):

Students will prepare a 30-second rough cut rough cut of their final edited video project for the professor for critique.

Final Video Project: The Final Project will be a 1-2 minute edited story. Students will pitch two ideas for natural sound-style documentary stories. Things to think about:
1). Potential interviews. Is there one main person you will interview? You probably need to plan for at least two voices.
2). B-roll. What kinds of shots will help illustrate your story.
3). Natural sound. What can you shoot video of that makes noise and moves that can draw the viewer in?
4). What opportunities do you have to tell this story. Is it evergreen? Or a one-time event? Be careful choosing a one-time event, because you will be unable to go back and re-interview people if you make a mistake.

ATTENDANCE:

Attendance is vital. Students are required to attend each class, and participate in class discussion. Punctual attendance is expected. Showing up late without a legitimate excuse will be counted as an absence, as attendance will be taken at the beginning of every class. Attendance and participation in class discussion will affect your grade. Leaving class early will also be counted as an absence, as will coming to class without your materials on in-class editing days.

Make-up assignments will be accepted only in situations involving personal illness with a doctor’s written excuse or unavoidable personal problems (such as a family death). Assignments will not be accepted late. If you miss a quiz because of tardiness you will not be allowed to make it up. Even if you have an excused absence, assignments are still due on the day of class. For every unexcused missed class – students will lose 10 points from your participation grade.

LATE WORK:

I will accept late work, however, your paper or project will lose 10% of its value (basically a letter grade) for each day it is late. Papers turned in after I collect them in class will be docked 10%.

Syllabus