RTVF 2210 Radio, Television and Film Production

RTVF 2210 Radio, Television and Film Production

Introduction

RTVF 2210 is a three (3) credit hour course designed for RTVF Pre-Majors. RTVF 2210 is a gateway course to acceptance as an RTVF Major and focuses on production theories and techniques in the areas of Audio/Radio, Television/Studio, and Motion Picture Film Styles Production. It includes production exercises, text readings, and tests. Lectures will be historical, theoretical, and methodological in content. All students will be expected to dedicate a wealth of time to the study and practice of RTVF production for the duration of this course. A grade of C and a GPA of 2.5 is required to receive Major Status and matriculation into upper level RTVF courses.

Structure

You will have a separate instructor for each section of this course. The instructor for each section will inform you of the specific goals, obligations, and assignments for the respective section. Within each section, students will commit nine class days of study in one of the areas listed below. You will rotate three times (every 9 class days) and at the end of the semester complete a final comprehensive examination for this course.

The class is taught in three sections:

AUDIOTELEVISIONFILM

Example: If the student begins the semester in the Audio section, he/she will proceed to the Studio section for four weeks and then on to the Film section. At the end of the semester, all students will be responsible for a Final Comprehensive Examination. The scores from the three areas will be combined along with the Final Examination score. This will result in the overall grade for this course. Because each section has particular demands, it is imperative that you do your best work during each rotation if you are to score well.

Included in this Worktext are all theassignments and templates necessary for projects and other assigned work. Each area instructor may hand out additional information, but remember to refer to this Worktext for the duration of the semester to keep up with the assignments.

The Worktext, like the sections, is divided into three sections: Audio (A-1, A-2, etc.), Television (T-27, T-28, etc.), and Film (F-48, F-49, etc.). Make sure you are reading from the appropriate section during any given rotation cycle.

2210 Sections Overview

The worktext is divided into three sections (Audio, Film, and Television) and each section contains information such as:

A. The organization of the particular section in terms of objectives, assignments, and grading

B. A description of the assignments.

C. The policies and procedures of the sections.

D. Materials required for the section.

E. Reference materials to aid in the instruction and the application of the course.

Grading

The grade for this class will be based on a 100% scale.

Audio Section25%Film Section25%

Television Section25%Final Examination25%

Attendance

Each unexcused absence will subtract 10 points from the section you are currently attending and will be figured into your final course grade.

RTVF 2210 Audio Section

OBJECTIVE:

This section is designed to familiarize the student with basic audio theory, the use of audio equipment, and production techniques for effective applications. Analog and digital techniques will be utilized. A major portion of class time will be devoted to “hands on” demonstration. Therefore, attendance is extremely important to enable you to complete class assignments.

Instructor Name: Brenda K. Jaskulske

Office Location: RTVF 229

Email address:

Office hours: Tuesdays 9-12p; 1-4p

If you are having difficulty with this portion of the course, at any point during the semester, please talk with me. My contact information is listed above, and is made available for you to use. Please do not hesitate to contact me, if you have questions. Should you need to reach me, my office hours are posted above and on my office door.

You are required to have your own over-the-ear headphones. They need not be expensive, but should be comfortable and without noise cancellation, bass-boost (i.e. “Beats”) or in-line volume adjustment. Ear buds are not acceptable for this course.

Although not required, it is strongly suggested that you have a small, portable hard drive (“thumb” or “jump drive”) to back up your work.

This section will be utilizing Adobe Audition software and is provided for you, as is the editing and studio facilities. There is nothing else you need to purchase.

AUDIO DAILY ACTIVITIES

(REFER TO DAILY GRID ON BLACKBOARD FOR SPECIFIC DATES)

DAY 1: (DATE) ______

General overview of studio, reservation procedures and project assignments. General description of the equipment and basic concepts relating to its use (single flow, mixing, etc.) Be prepared to review the chapter The Nature of Sound and Recording on pages A-9 through A-22.

DAY 2: (DATE) ______

Discussion of reasons for editing and editing techniques.

Audio Project #1 (digital editing assignment) is introduced.

DAY 3: (DATE) ______

Introduction to studio recording techniques. Digital and Analog editing is demonstrated and the editing assignment (Audio Project #1) is reviewed.

DAY 4: (DATE) ______

Discussion of studio recording, microphone use, and mixing techniques.

Audio project #2 (Spot Production) is introduced.

DAY 5: (DATE) ______

Lab Proficiency Test begins.

Audio Project #1 (digital editing) is due.

DAY 6: (DATE) ______

Lab Proficiency Tests conclude.

DAY 7: (DATE) ______

On-air radio applications, film sound, and audio for television.

DAY 8: (DATE) ______

Remaining discussion of film sound is completed.

Audio Project #2 (Spot Production) is due.

DAY 9: (DATE) ______

Audio Section Exam over basic audio procedures.

RTVF 2210 AUDIO SECTION OVERVIEW

Audio Section Grade Calculation Table

ELEMENTS / GRADE / X / % VALUE / Pts. Toward FINAL GRADE
Project 1 / X / 25%
Project 2 / X / 25%
Lab Test / X / 15%
Pop Quiz Ave / X / 10%
SECTION EXAM / X / 25%
TOTAL = SECTION FINAL GRADE

Attendance: Roll will be taken in class, and each unexcused absence will subtract 10 points from your audio section final grade.

COURSE CONTENT

1. Material assigned as reading from the worktext.

2. Material discussed and distributed in class.

This will include expansion on the text, but it will also include things not appearing in the text. Anything is fair game, from material contained in "hand-outs", to anecdotes, to topics brought up in class by class members, to explanations about activities in class, to projects reviewed in class, etc. Some test questions will be drawn from this area.

1. Tests.

There will be 1 test at the end of this section.

Additionally, audio material will be included in the

class final exam. Pop quizzes may also be administered

during this section.

NOTE: IF YOU MISS THE SECTION EXAM, YOU MUST CONTACT THE INSTRUCTOR THE DAY OF THE EXAM TO ARRANGE A MAKE-UP EXAM. A death in the family OR a bona fide documented acute medical situation is required. If you arrive late to the exam, you will only be permitted to take it if no one has finished the exam.

In regard to POP QUIZZES, if you are late for class and a pop quiz is in progress or has already been given,

your grade for that pop quiz will be zero. Also, there are no make-up provisions for pop quizzes. You must attend class to take a pop quiz.

1. Audio Projects. A large part of this course section will involve doing assigned projects. Projects will be graded on their individual merits, but before they can be accepted for grading, they must meet certain production format standards that will described in class. Projects not meeting production format standards will bereturned to you without a grade, and will receive a one-half letter grade deduction upon being resubmitted. If the resubmission is still not in the correct format, the grade for the project will be zero.

ALL PROJECTS ARE TO BE READY FOR GRADING ON THE DATE DUE AT THE START OF THE DESIGNATED CLASS PERIOD. IF A PROJECT IS NOT READY, THE GRADE FOR THAT PROJECT WILL BE ZERO. THERE WILL BE NO EXCEPTIONS. THERE ARE NO LATE PROJECTS!

If you receive less than a passing grade on the first project (lower than 70), you may make the changes suggested to you on your evaluation sheet and resubmit them for further evaluation. If you choose to take this option, you must resubmit a given project within one week of that project being returned to you.

The highest grade that will be awarded for a resubmitted project will be a numerical grade of 70. (Resubmission is not allowed for the second project.)

• All modules should be routed to Program 1.
• Program 1 should be selected for the control room monitor.
• The “A/B Select” button should be in the “A” position for all modules. That is, the buttons should not be illuminated.

Projects

Audio Project 1

Digital Editing

You are supplied with two sets of unedited material and are to edit the material as instructed for content. See project sheet for more details.

Audio Project #2.

Creative Commercial Production

Incorporate voices, sound effects, and music to produce one thirty second commercial, with a length no shorter than :28, nor longer than :32. The spot must have a music bed with a definite beginning and a definite ending and include at least one appropriate sound effect. Be totally original and create your own scenarios for the commercial.

ADA Statement

The University of North Texas makes reasonable academic accommodation for students with disabilities. Students seeking accommodation must first register with the Office of Disability Accommodation (ODA) to verify their eligibility. If a disability is verified, the ODA will provide you with an accommodation letter to be delivered to faculty to begin a private discussion regarding your specific needs in a course. You may request accommodations at any time, however, ODA notices of accommodation should be provided as early as possible in the semester to avoid any delay in implementation. Note that students must obtain a new letter of accommodation for every semester and must meet with each faculty member prior to implementation in each class. For additional information see the Office of Disability Accommodation website at You may also contact them by phone at 940.565.4323.

University of North Texas Department of Radio, Television and Film Copyright Policy for Student Work

1. Students Own Their Production

Department of Radio, Television and Film students own all media productions created as coursework while students at the University of North Texas. In all cases, students are responsible for ensuring they fall within the purview of the law regarding use of incorporation of non-original visual and audio materials.

2. Clearance of Copyrighted Material to be Incorporated into Student Work

The Department of Radio, Television and Film at the University of North Texas strongly encourages the incorporation of copyright-cleared and/or original materials (music, other audio, visual footage, photographs, quotes, internet images or text) in student productions. The student assumes all responsibility for full clearance of materials used in productions if films, videos, or other visual media are to be presented in commercial environments.

3. Fair Use Claims

If a project is ONLY to be presented for course requirements and not shown publicly, students may adhere to the Fair Use policy of U.S. Copyright Law*. This policy gives limited permission to use copyrighted material without receiving permission or paying a fee. If the criteria for Fair Use are met (amount, use, and spontaneity), students may incorporate a limited amount of uncleared copyrighted material for course presentation.

4. RTVF Music and Sound Effects Libraries

In addition, all RTVF students have access to the department’s large music and sound effects CD libraries. Rights for these include Synchronization Rights for productions produced in the educational environment. These rights cover class use, use on KNTU-FM and NTTV and their Internet platforms, but do not cover retail sale of a student production or any other use.

*In certain cases, industry precedent allows for the use of uncleared audio materials for use in demo films and audio and video. If these productions were created under the purview of the academic of the academic environment, students may claim limited fair use and/or incorporate audio from the department’s CD libraries.

ACADEMIC DISHONESTY

Includes, but is not limited to cheating and plagiarism. Please refer to the University of North Texas Undergraduate Catalog detailing matters of academic dishonesty. Students must do their own work. DO NOT ATTEMPT TO MANIPULATE OR ALTER SOMEONE ELSE’S AUDIO FILES OTHER THAN YOUR OWN! COPYING, PASTING, AND/OR CLAIMING SOMEONE ELSE’S WORK AS YOUR OWN WILL LEAD TO DISCIPLINARY ACTION AND POSSIBLE EXPULSION FROM THE DEPARTMENT.

Acceptable Student Behavior

Student behavior that interferes with an instructor’s ability to conduct a class or other students' opportunity to learn is unacceptable and disruptive and will not be tolerated in any instructional forum at UNT. Students engaging in unacceptable behavior will be directed to leave the classroom and the instructor may refer the student to the Dean of Students to consider whether the student's conduct violated the Code of Student Conduct. The university's expectations for student conduct apply to all instructional forums, including university and electronic classroom, labs, discussion groups, field trips, etc. The Code of Student Conduct can be found at

Access to Information – EAGLE CONNECT

Through the use of email, UNT is able to provide students with relevant and timely information, designed to facilitate student success. In particular, important information concerning registration, financial aid, payment of bills, and graduation may be sent to students through email. Check your email frequently.

Your access point for business and academic services at UNT occurs within the my.unt.edu site All official communication from the university will be delivered to your Eagle Connect account. For more information, please visit the website that explains Eagle Connect and how to forward your email:

Emergency Notification & Procedures

UNT uses a system called Eagle Alert to quickly notify you with critical information in the event of an emergency (i.e., severe weather, campus closing, and health and public safety emergencies like chemical spills, fires, or violence). The system sends voice messages (and text messages upon permission) to the phones of all active faculty staff, and students. Please make certain to update your phone numbers at Some helpful emergency preparedness actions include: 1) know the evacuation routes and severe weather shelter areas in the buildings where your classes are held, 2) determine how you will contact family and friends if phones are temporarily unavailable, and 3) identify where you will go if you need to evacuate the Denton area suddenly. In the event of a university closure, please refer to Blackboard for contingency plans for covering course materials.

Retention of Student Records

The instructor of record maintains student records pertaining to this course in a secure location. All records such as exams, answer sheets (with keys), and written papers submitted during the duration of the course are kept for at least one calendar year after course completion. Coursework completed via the Blackboard on-line system, including grading information and comments, is also stored in a safe electronic environment. You have a right to view your individual record; however, information about your records will not be divulged to other individuals without the proper written consent. You are encouraged to review the Public Information Policy and F.E.R.P.A. (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act) laws and the university’s policy in accordance with those mandates at the following link:

Student Evaluation of Teaching (SETE)

Student feedback is important and an essential part of participation of this course. The Student Evaluation of Teaching (SETE) is a requirement for all organized classes at UNT. This short survey will be made available through out the semester to provide you with an opportunity to evaluate how this course is taught.

Personal Mobile Device Use

The Department of RTVF prohibits the use of personal mobile devices during class, unless otherwise allowed by the individual Instructor. If no exceptions are contained in a course syllabus, then the department policy remains in effect until changed by the Instructor.

Personal mobile devices are defined as anything and everything from cell phones to smart phones to personal handheld computers.

All devices should be turned off before entering the classroom or laboratory area. Portable Laptop Computers may be used in the classroom if the student sits on the back rows.

Any student using a personal mobile device during class will have 5% deducted from their overall course grade for EACH occurrence.

Please note that notification is hereby made in this syllabus that this course may involve potentially hazardous activities, the nature of which include working with exposure to electronically powered equipment. Accordingly, the Department of Radio, Television & Film has slated this course within category 2 (courses in which students are exposed to some significant hazards but are not likely to suffer serious bodily harm).