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Radio-Television 350

Intermediate Video Photography and Storytelling

Autumn Semester 2010

Class meets TBD in DAH TBD

Instructor

Associate Professor Ray Ekness

UM Radio-TV Department, School of Journalism

Don Anderson Hall 425

Office hours M & W 8-9:30am(or by appointment)

243-4088-office

542-0251-home

Learning Outcomes

This intermediate video photography and storytelling classwill give you the following:

  • A basic understanding of the aesthetic quality of the power of moving images
  • A beginning and expanding knowledge of a variety of video and audio software
  • An expanded knowledge of variety of video and audio hardware
  • An understanding of how to produce, write, photograph, edit and organize creative, informative and entertaining video stories
  • An understanding of how to become a team leader and team member

Scope and Expectations

This course will incorporate remote video projects to teach you intermediate video photography and storytelling techniques. Students will be expected to master the areas of video photography, post-production editing, copywriting and auxiliary production areas to pass this course. I expect you to show up to class prepared for whatever I have for you on that day. You will have to learn to work with others to be successful. Learn to get along with each other. Your cooperation and willingness to work together and get along during productions will be noticed and recorded. There will be quizzes throughout the semester. You are expected to pay attention and take notes during each class.

Attendance Policy

Attendance is mandatory. Each unexcused absence will cost you 10% off your final grade. If you miss a lab session, your final grade will drop one full grade. A second missed lab will mean an automatic “F.” Excused absences must be documented by the instructor. If you are late for class or for a lab, you will be considered absent. If you are not in the studio when the quizzes are handed out, you will receive a zero. Attendance and punctuality are expected.

Deadlines

As is the case with all broadcast programs, deadlines are critical. All assignments must be handed in on time. One full grade (10%) will subtracted for each day the assignment is late.

Academic Honesty

All students must practice academic honesty. Academic misconduct is subject to an academic penalty by the course instructor and/or a disciplinary sanction by the University. All students need to be familiar with the Student Conduct Code. The Code is available for review online at

Same Work for Multiple Classes in J-School

You may not submit for this course any assignment that has previously or will be concurrently submitted for another class unless you receive prior approval from the professor for this course. To do so without permission will result in an “F” for the assignment and could result in an “F” for the course.

Accommodations for Students with Disabilities

This course is accessible to and usable by otherwise qualified students with disabilities. To request reasonable program modifications, please consult with the instructor. Disability Services for Students will assist the instructor and student in the accommodation process. For more information, visit the Disability Services website at

Diversity Initiative

The School of Journalism has undertaken an initiative to create opportunities for students to tell stories of more varied and diverse groups of people. You will need to integrate one of these groups into one of semester assignments. We will discuss the groups of people and some possible story ideas during the preparation of the assignments.

Checkout

  • Remote equipment kits with Sony EX-1digital cameras, tripods, lights, batteries and microphones are available for use through Student Checkout in DAH 105. You can check out the kits for a maximum of 24-hours. Make sure you pick-up and return your equipment on-time or you will lose your checkout privileges. Do not expect to always get the equipment at the exact time you need it. Always have a secondary plan.
  • Be careful with all equipment you use either in the studio or in the field. Don't leave any equipment in your car or anyplace it could be stolen. Do not lose your temper and take it out on the equipment. Problems will happen, whether you're at the network level or in college. Everything breaks down eventually. Batteries quit and computers don’t always work. Be patient and learn to solve problems on your own. You are financially responsible for any lost, stolen or damaged equipment.
  • Failure to follow proper checkout procedures will result in a loss of points for this class, affect your final grade and may lead to losing your check out privileges.

Access

For after hours access to Don Anderson Hall, you will be able to enter the building using the Griz Card swipe near the southeast door. You will also be given a key code for the doors to DAH 114 and the radio studios in DAH 307-311. You will not have 24/7 access to other RTV areas of Don Anderson Hall.

Studio and Labs

All areasmust be cleaned up and everything put away or thrown away at the end of each classor editing session. Anything you bring, you take with you. No food or drink is allowed in any editing bays. Please clean-up your areas. Turn off computers, monitors and VTRs when you are finished working.

Equipment

You will need the following items for this class:

  • A good set of headphones with both 1/4" phone and 1/8" mini plug connectors
  • A hard drive to backup footage and to use for archiving your work

Text Book

There is no required text but if you'd like a resource book from time to time, checkout the following book from your instructor:

  • Television Production Handbook, 10th Edition, Zettl.

Grading & Critique

You will receive a personal critique, class-wide critique and a critique sheet following every remote or studio lab assignment. This is a building block class. We expect to see you to continue growing throughout the semester.

ENG/EFP Assignments

  • Commercial Editing #1100
  • Commercial100
  • Public Service Announcement100
  • Promotional Announcement100
  • News Personality Profile100
  • News Story100
  • Final Story300

Other Assignments

  • Graphics Exercise100
  • Studio Graphics Exercise100
  • Quiz #1100
  • Quiz #2100
  • Quiz #3100

Crew Positions/Attendance/Attitude/Checkout100

Total1500

FINAL GRADES (Plus/Minus grading)

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1395-1500=A

1350-1394=A-

1320-1350=B+

1245-1319=B

1200-1244=B-

1170-1199=C+

1095-1169=C

1050-1094=C-

1020-1049=D+

945-1019=D

900-944=D-

Below 900=F

(You need a C- or better in all RTV and JOUR practice classes to continue in the professional program.)

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Semester Schedule (Subject to Change)

Week 1

Introduction to high definition video cameras

Week 2

Introduction to Avid digital non-linear editing

Week 3

Commercial Production-Writing and Producing

Week 4

Commercial Production Assignment

Week 5

Review Commercial Production Assignment

Public Service Announcement Production

Week 6

Public Service Announcement Assignment

Week 7

Review Public Service Announcement Assignment

Promotion Production

Week 8

Promotion Production Assignment

Week 9

Review Promotion Production Assignment

Shooting News-Storytelling with no narration

Week 10

Personality Profile Assignment with no narration

Week 11

Review Personality Profile Assignment

Shooting News-Working as One-Person-Band

Week 12

News Package Assignment

Week 13

Review News Package Assignment

Prep for Final Story

Week 14

Introduction to Studio Production

Prep for Studio Labs

Week 15

Studio-based Labs

Finals Week

Review Final Story