Gen 260 01– Applied Journalism:

VIDEO PRODUCTION

Cincinnati Christian University

Syllabus

Instructor: Mitch Teemley, MFA, Adjunct ProfessorFall, 20112 Mondays 6:30-9:10

Phones: Cell - 8189191964Home - 513-591-1964

Email:3 Semester Credit Hours

Classroom: Music 279 + Music Lab

Recommended Reading (not required): The Filmmaker’s Handbook (8th Edition) by Ascher & Pincus

Description

A lab course introducing video production skills. The course provides experience in video camera operation and editing skills as well as script development and realization. Weekly projects will contribute to development of a larger production.

Rationale

The training and hands-on experience in this course will prepare students to create short film/video presentations for the church and para-church, journalism, business, education, and mission fields; and will serve as an introduction to anyone called to prepare further for work in the entertainment and mass communication fields. This course has a significant place in the overall CCU curriculum, especially within the purview of the Communication Arts Minor.

Course Objectives

1) An understanding of all of the fundamental aspects of film/video production

2) Ability to plan, shoot, and edit films of both a fictional and non-fictional nature

3) Growth as a Spiritled visual communicator and story teller

Course Requirements

  • Participation in class discussions and analysis of peers’ work
  • Completion of all assigned projects and related materials
  • Regular attendance in class and on set.

Attendance Policy

One missed class without legitimate excuse (see next page) will result in the reduction of 3 points from the Attendance portion of your grade.

Two missed classes: CCU policy stipulates that a student who misses two weeks of class without legitimate excuse (see below) must receive a failing grade in the course.

Late Arrivals and Early Departures: each Late Arrival or Early Departure will result in the loss of one 1 point.

Gen 260 – Applied Journalism:

VIDEO PRODUCTION

Cincinnati Christian University

Syllabus (2)

Legitimate Excuses

A missed class, late arrival, early departure, missed/late assignment or project may only be excused at the Instructor's discretion. Serious medical (or other) emergencies must beemailed inbefore the class beginsand documentation must be provided to validate the emergency. An ordinary cold or virus is not considered a legitimate excuse. Neither are vacations, weddings, work conflicts, baby sitter issues, bad traffic, etc.

Late Grading

With the exception of a documented emergency, as above, a Late Assignment or Project will be lowered two full grades (e.g. from a B+ to a D+) if not turned in by the due date, and will receive an F if not turned in by the next class session. AllAssignments must be delivered in hard copy form at the start of the class session when they are due.

Grade Breakdown (Percentage Points)

10 – Attendance (see previous page re. Attendance Policy)

10 – Two-Film Analysis Report

10 – Exam

5 – Screenplay (Project #3)

5 – Screenplay or Concept (Project #4)

10 – Project #1: Camera Test

10 – Project #2: Documentary

15 – Project #3: Action Film

15 – Project #4: Final Project

10 – Assignments (1 or 2 pts each)

  • Four Pitches (for Projects #2 and#3) (2 pts)
  • Documentary Concept (Project #2) (2 pts)
  • Storyboards (Project #3) (2 pts)
  • Shot List (Project #3) (1 pt)
  • Two Pitches (Project #4) (2 pts)
  • Production Schedule and Shot List (Project #4) (1 pt)

____

100Total Points Possible

Have questions, need help, or just wanna do lunch? Prof T is anxious to meet with you! To set a date, call or talk to him before or after class.

Gen 260 – Applied Journalism:

VIDEO PRODUCTION

Cincinnati Christian University

Syllabus (3)

Course Policies

  • If a student does not understand an assignment it is her/his responsibility to ask for clarification either during the class session or in private consultation with the professor.
  • Students must maintain scrupulous academic integrity. The CCU Student Handbook will be our guide on occasions of academic dishonesty.
  • The instructor reserves the right to amend these policies for individual circumstances. It is always the student’s responsibility to apprise the instructor of extenuating circumstances.
  • Students who require academic accommodations due to any documented physical, psychological, or learning disability should request assistance form the Academic Support Director within the first two weeks of class. The Academic Support Office is located in the lower level of the Worship and Ministry building (Room 153). You may also contact the office by phone at 244-8420.
  • Students are required to furnish their own mini-DV (or other format capture devices) for their projects.

Projects

  • Project #1: Camera Test – Each student Filmmaker will create a short, dialogue-free 24 minute film. Emphasis will be on successful execution of a series of shots (list to be handed out in class) within the context of a simple but effective story. In-camera edit.
  • Project #2: Documentary – Each student Filmmakerwill create a 2-4 minute documentary with interview and/or voice-over audio. Emphasis will be on creating a coherent narrative themed around a key Bible verse. Guidelines will be handed out in class.
  • Project #3: Action Film – Each student Filmmaker will create a 35 minute action film utilizing such techniques such as intercutting, time-compression, and parallel action. Each film will be developed from a thesis about one of the “seven deadly sins” (e.g., “Gluttony is a substitute for love”). Action Films may or may not include live production sound.
  • Project #4: Final Project – Each student Filmmaker will create a 47 minute narrative fiction or documentary film (your choice), featuring full use of techniques learned during the course: shooting styles, lighting, sound, editing, f/x, etc.

Note: CCU has just two HDV cameras. Sign-ups will be on a first-come-first-serve basis. Cameras, along with tripods and batteries, may be checked out from the main desk of the Library.

Gen 260 01 – Applied Journalism:

VIDEO PRODUCTION

Cincinnati Christian University

Class Schedule - Fall 2012

______

In Class Focus:Due:

Aug20Course Overview: How Movies are Made------

Demo: HDV Camera

27Pre-Production: Story (fiction), Thesis (non-fiction)4 Pitches (for Projects #2 and 3)2 pts.

Interactive: Pitches

Sep3NO CLASS - Labor Day------

10Pre-Production: Writing, Scheduling, Shot ListsPROJECT #1:Camera Test10 pts.

View/Discuss: Camera Tests

17Production: Lighting, SoundConcept(Project #2)2 pts.

Read/Discuss Concepts

24Production: Directing, Acting, CinematographyScreenplay (Project #3)5 pts.

Read/Discuss Screenplays; Demo: Editing

Oct1Production + Post-Production: EditingPROJECT #2: Documentary10 pts.

View/Discuss: Documentaries

8Post-Production: Editing (cont.)Storyboards (Project #3)2 pts.

View/Discuss: Storyboards

15Post-Production: Marketing, DistributionEXAM 10 pts.

22Review/Q&A: Pre through PostSchedule & Shot List (Project #3)1 pt.

Discuss Shot Lists

29Discussion: What is a “Christian Filmmaker?”PROJECT #3: Action Sequence15 pts.

View/Discuss: Project #3

Nov5Discuss Project #4 Pitches2 Pitches (Project #4)2 pts.

Lab: Shooting, editing

12Read/Discuss Screenplays/ConceptsScreenplay/Concept (Project #4)5 pts.

19NO CLASS - Thanksgiving Break------

26Discuss Project #4 Schedules & Shot ListsSchedule & Shot List (Project #4)1 pt.

Dec3Finish Shooting and Editing:Two-Film Analysis Report10 pts.

Project #4

10View/Discuss: Final ProjectsPROJECT #4: Final Project15 pts.