JOUR-UG XXXXX
Spring 2016
VICE SYLLABUS
TITLE: VICE VIDEO JOURNALISM
Adjunct Professor: B.J. Levin
Room xxx / 20 Cooper Square
Wednesdays 6:00 pm - 9:00pm
Contact Info
B.J. Levin Email:
Carina Wong (BJ’s Assistant): 201.953.4270
Office Hours: by appointment only
For 24/7 production support – contact Adrian Mihai () or Michael Shade () or B.J. Levin’s assistant, Carina Wong ()
Course Description
Welcome to VICE Video Journalism! VICE on HBO is an Emmy Award-winning news magazine series exploring news, culture, and current events from all around the world, highlighting the absurdity of the human condition. The dynamic documentary-style news magazine series, with an often unorthodox and original perspective, is about to launch its fourth season.
The aim of this advanced video journalism elective is to sharpen your individual reporting, shooting and editing skills, in the mission of producing immersive team-based assignments that reflect VICE’s distinctive approach to storytelling.
Throughout the semester, there will be 3 two-minute field assignments and 2 longer pieces that you are expected to complete with a rotating team of students assigned to the roles of producer/director, on-air correspondent, production coordinator, camera, and editor.
The course will require students to produce video journalism that is original, visual compelling and informative.
Every class, distinguished video journalists from VICE will visit to discuss their work and production techniques. The aim of these in-class guests will not be to lecture, but to have a conversation.
Course Requirements
- Participate in class discussions and critiques.
- Accept constructive criticism.
- File on deadline. If your assignment is not completed by the established deadline, your grade on that assignment will drop a letter.
- Show up to class. Two unexcused absences will result in a grade point deduction. Students with three unexcused absences will fail the course.
- During the semester there will be video pieces you will be assigned to watch outside of class. All will be available to watch online.
Grades
- Class Participation: 25%
- Field assignments (three total): 30%
- Midterm project: 20%
- Final project: 25%
Bottom line: Your final grade will reflect your ability to pitch good stories, research topics effectively, skillfully write, shoot and edit compelling segments. Equally important is participation in class discussions and critiques. Being present and actively contributing in class mandatory.
Course Outline (Subject to Change):
1) Jan. 28: Intro/Story Development
1) Class introduction
2) Run-through story ideas.
3) Divide into teams of five and assign roles: camera, on-air, editor, producer/director, associate producer/coordinator.
4) Get final story idea for piece #1 greenlit.
Guest Speaker - David Schankula, Head of Development at VICE on HBO. Discussion to follow.
In Class Viewing: TBD
Assignment: Hit the ground running on your first piece. Rough cuts for piece #1 to be screened next class for feedback. Should be 2 minutes long.
2) Feb.4: Research
Screen rough cuts for piece #1
Guest Speaker - Beth Morrissey, Head of Research at VICE on HBO. Discussion to follow.
In Class Viewing: TBD
Assignment: Continue shooting and editing. Final cuts for piece #1 screened next week. Be prepared to pitch ideas for piece #2 next class.
3) Feb. 11: The Art of the Pitch
Screen final cuts for piece #1
1) Pitch story ideas for piece #2
2) Discuss the art of the pitch
3) Re-work pitches in class
4) Re-pitch to BJ
5) Re-assign roles for piece #2
Assignment: Begin filming piece #2. Rough cut to be screened next class.
4) Feb. 18: On-Air Talent
Screen rough cuts for piece #2.
Guest Speaker - Gianna Toboni, Correspondent at VICE on HBO. Discussion to follow.
In Class Viewing: TBD
Assignment: Final cut for piece #2 to be screened next class. Bring in pitches for midterm.
5) Feb. 25: Field Work Part I – Producer/AP
Screen final cuts for piece #2
1) Pitch story ideas for midterm
2) Re-work pitches in class
3) Re-pitch to BJ
4) Re-assign roles for midterm
Guest Speaker – Jeff Newton, Senior Producer & Isabel Castro, Associate Producer at VICE on HBO. Discussion to follow.
Assignment: Begin filming piece midterm piece (4 minutes). Rough cut to be screened next class.
6) March 4: Field Work Part II: Production Management
Screen rough cuts for midterm
Guest Speaker – Dan Rafeld, Supervisor of Production & Kristy Carreño, Production Manager at VICE on HBO. Discussion to follow.
Assignment: Final cut for midterm to be screened next class. Bring in pitches for midterm (4 minutes).
7) March 11: MIDTERM DUE
Screen final cut for midterm
Assignment: Bring in pitches for piece #3 (2 minutes).
{{{MARCH 18 – Spring Break}}}
8) March 25: Field Work Part III – Camera & Sound
1) Pitch story ideas for piece #3
2) Re-work pitches in class
3) Re-pitch to BJ
4) Re-assign roles for piece #3
Guest Speaker – Jerry Riciotti, Director of Photography at VICE on HBO and Claire Ward, Shooter/Producer at VICE NEWS.
In Class Viewing: TBD
Assignment: Begin filming piece #3. Rough cut to be screened next class.
9) April 1: The Business Behind Production
Screen rough cuts for piece #3.
Guest Speaker – Marina Stadler, Line Producer and Alyse Walsh, Coordinating Producer at VICE on HBO. Discussion to follow.
Assignment: Final cut for piece #3 to be screened next class.
10) April 8: Post Production Part I
Screen final cuts for piece #3.
Guest Speaker – Lauren Evangelista, Post Production Supervisor & Andrew Rowley, Post Production Manager at VICE on HBO. Discussion to follow
Assignment: Book a timeslot with Carina for one-on-one meetings with BJ.
11) April 15: CHECK-IN/WORKING DAY
Assignment: Bring story pitches for final project in next class.
12) April 22: Post Production Part II
1) Pitch story ideas for final
2) Re-work pitches in class
3) Re-pitch to BJ
4) Re-assign roles for final
Guest Speaker – Tim Clancy, Supervising Producer at VICE on HBO. Discussion to follow.
Assignment: Begin filming final (5-7 minutes). Rough cut to be screened next class.
13) April 29: Post Production Part III
Screen rough cuts for final projects.
Guest Speaker – Rich Lowe, Editor at VICE on HBO. Discussion to follow.
Assignment: Final cut screenings next class.
14) May 6: FINAL SCREENINGS
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