Audio and Video Information Gathering

AUDIO AND VIDEO INFORMATION GATHERING

Summer 2016

Instructor: Lu Wu
Office: Carroll 368
E-mail:
Office Hours: Tuesday/Thursday 15:00-16:00, or by appointment
Class Hours: Monday-Friday13:15-14:45 pm
Classroom: Carroll 132

Course Description

In this class, you will learn the skills to tell compelling stories using audio that is clear, balanced and video that is well focused, properly lighted and well framed. This is a skill-focused course that requires a lot of practice outside the classroom. In addition to gathering the information using real equipment, you will also learn editing skills that will bring together pictures and sound so they flow well and get the story across.

Course Objective

By the end of this semester, students should:

• Become familiar with the basic operation of various audio and video gathering equipment (focusing, zooming, white-balance, etc.)
• Understand certain visual conventions (example, “the rule of thirds,” wide/medium/tight shots, etc.)
• Become familiar with the basic operation of Adobe Premier Pro editing software.
• Understand the conventions of audio/video editing (montage, sequencing, etc.)
• Understand the basics of lighting for video production.
• Understand how to tell a story using audio and video.
• Learn to recognize, use, and know the functions and limitations of the equipment introduced in class.
• Be able to critique and appreciate the work of classmates and professionals.
• Have an understanding of the careers that involve video/audio production and how to best prepare yourself for such a career.

Required Supplies

Memory card for camera - SDHC card 8GB or larger (should be able to store HD video).

Headphones.

Suggested Supplies: flash (thumb) drive with 2 GB minimum, external hard drive with 1 TB.

Reading Materials

There is no required textbook for this class. Readings for each session will be posted on Sakai or sent via emails before hand.

Lynda.com is also a great resource to check out especially for video editing purposes.

Attendance Policy:

Attending class is essential for students. This class requires a lot hands-on training during the course period. However, I understand that things may happen beyond control. Each student is allottedone absence this semester without excuses needed. After that, each additional absence will result in a 5-point deduction from the final grade.

Students are expected fully participate in classroom. Class participation will be counted towards final grade as well.

Late Work

This class is operating under strict deadline just like the real newsroom. Assignments turned after the due dates will be deducted 20 points for the each day late.

Honor Code

It is expected that each student in this class will conduct himself or herself within the guidelines of the University honor system ( All academic work should be done with the high levels of honesty and integrity that this University demands. You are expected to produce your own work in this class. For details, you can go to:

Nondiscrimination Policy

The University’s policy on Equal Employment Opportunity and Nondiscrimination is available at

In summary, UNC 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, or disabilities

Harassment

UNC does not tolerate harassment based on gender, race, religion, sexual orientation, culture, disability, or for any other reason. It is also a violation of the Honor Code and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act (1964) and Title IX of the Educational Amendments. If you need assistance with a harassment issue or problem, bring it to my attention or The Office of the Dean of Students, or 919.966.4042.

Special Accommodations

If you require special accommodations to attend or participate in this course, please let the instructor know as soon as possible. If you need information about disabilities visit the Accessibility Services website at

Accreditation

The School of Media and Journalism accrediting body outlines a number of values you should be aware of and competencies you should be able to demonstrate by the time you graduate from our program. Learn more about them here:

No single course could possibly give you all of these values and competencies; but collectively, our classes are designed to build your abilities in each of these areas. In this class, we will address a number of the values and competencies, with special emphasis on the first, the sixth, the seventh, the ninth and the tenth bullet dot under "Professional values and competencies" in the link above.

Equipment Rental

This course follows the Equipment Policy that can be found on the Sakai site. Please read through this document carefully. See this document for return policies, consequences for late returns or lost/damaged equipment, and times for rental. You are allowed to keep your equipment for the entire semester.

Equipment available for JOMC 221: - Canon Vixia HF R500 (includes camera, tripod, stick microphone and cable) - Wired lavaliere microphone (used for interviews later in the semester) - Lowell Tota light kits and reflectors (used later in the semester)

Grading

You are graded according to professional standards.

Final grades will be assigned according to the scale below.

A93 or higherC73-76.9

A-90-92.9C-70-72.9

B+87-89.9D+67-69.9

B83-86.9D63-66.9

B-80-82.9D-60-62.9

C+77-79.9FBelow 60

Projects will be scored on a combination of the following, unless otherwise noted (i.e., audio-only projects will not be graded on picture quality or video composition):

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)

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/sound, story flow/plot holes)

Class Requirements

Project 1(10%) - Audio interview w/ natural sound

In this project, students will record a 1-minute audio interview with natural sound. As with all other interview conducted for this class, this CANNOT be someone you already know. This assignment is designed to get you thinking about editing choices, in terms of choosing which portions of an interview make the most compelling, yet comprehensible story. Your questions should not be included in the final project.

Project 2 (20%) – B-roll gathering

The second project is a short 30-second ‘story’ without words: a collection of footage of a single event captured from different angles. This exercise is designed to get you thinking about shot variety in relation to editing. The 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 audio.

Project 3 (30%) - Video interview w/ b-roll

This project is similar to project 1, with video elements in addition to the audio. It is a short documentary-style or news-style production where at least two interviews must be intercut with other supporting video and natural sound. Music may be used, but only if it fits the production. This project is for you to demonstrate the mastery of skills and techniques that you have learned in this class.

Critiques (10%)

Each student will be responsible for critiquing and grading the work of another student (blind-review). They should use the evaluation sheet found on the course Sakai site. Students should be courteous and professional in their critiques and keep all criticism constructive.

Final Exam (20%)

In addition to the project, students will take a written exam at the end of the semester that covers concepts and ideas discussed in class. There is no make-up opportunity for the exam.

Course Assignments (10%)

There will be a number of in-class or take-home assignments (homework) throughout the semester. Grades for these are based on completion (as in 100%, 100% minus a late deduction, or 0% for incomplete). The average of these assignments will account for 10% of your total grade.

Projects’ due dates are specified in the syllabus and I will remind you through the semester.

Notes: Students are more than welcomed to talk to me about projects ideas that can be used for purposes outside this class.

Tentative Course Schedule (subject to change)

Date / Class Activities/Assignments / Due
6/20 / Overview of class and go over syllabus
Check out equipment
6/21 / Introduction to storytelling
Audio composition and aesthetics
Examples
6/22 / Conduct interviews
Camera/Microphone operation / Assign Project 1 – Audio Interview w/ natural sound
6/23 / Gathering audio - Audio Scavenger Hunt (In-class activity)
6/24 / Intro to Adobe Premiere
Audio editing and practice.
6/27 / Lab Day / Project 1 due
6/28 / Project 1 Critique
Basic Video Composition - Frames, rule of thirds - Screen Vectors and more. / Project 1 critique due
6/29 / Basic Video Composition Cont.-Camera Operation and Video Sequence
Get familiar with the camera / Assign Project 2
6/30 / Pitch for Project 2
Examples
Video Scavenger Hunt (In-class activity) / Video Scavenger Hunt due the end of class
7/1 / Using Premier with Video Editing 1-Tools, cards and continuity.
7/4 / No Class
7/5 / Using Premiere with Video Editing 2-Transitions and effects and image stabilization
7/6 / Lighting for interviews
On-Camera Interviews
In-class mock interview practice
7/7 / Using Premiere with Video Editing 3-Advanced Editing Techniques/Creating graphics/color correction
7/8 / In-class lab day / Project 2 due
7/11 / Review Project 2
Project 3 examples
Video packages / Project 2critique due
Assign Project 3- Video Interview w/ b-roll
7/12 / One-on-one Meeting
7/13 / Pitch for Project 3
Produce for multiple platforms
7/14 / Using Premiere with Video Editing 4 -Edit to soundbites
7/15 / Shoot to edit---Intense training day
Creating subtitles / Need equipment
7/18 / TBA
7/19 / Exam review
Lab Day
7/20 / Lab Day / Project 3 due the end of class
7/21 / Project 3 critique
Exam review /Lab Day / Project 3 critique due
Last Day of Class
Equipment due
7/25 / Final Exam