Radio-Television 151

Radio-Television 151

Beginning Video

Autumn Semester 2010

Class meets TBD in DAH TBD

Instructor

John Twiggs

Adjunct, UM Radio-TV Department, School of Journalism

Corbin Hall 153

Office hours: By appointment

243-4565-office

728-8837-home

Learning Outcomes

RTV 151Beginning Videowill give you the following:

A basic understanding of visual literacy and the aesthetic quality of the power of moving images
A basic knowledge of a variety of video and audio software
A basic 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
The ability to think critically and creatively
How to use appropriate tools and technology

Scope and Expectations

This course is broken into three sections:

Video Editing—The fundamentals of editing video footage including transitions, pacing and storytelling will be covered. Basic functions of the non-linear computer editing program Final Cut Pro 4 will be learned. Issues of computer and file management will be included as well as additional video editing techniques. There will be two projects during this section. One quiz covering the editing basics and the machines we use will be given
Video Photography & Storytelling—The basics of field photography, operation of digital video cameras and the power of moving images in storytelling will be covered. Basic principles in sequencing, lighting and audio will also be covered. An understanding of how this process connects with editing is expected. There will be two field video photography assignments. There will be one quiz covering photography, sequencing, lighting and audio.
Final Project & Exam—The final project will be a story that will incorporate everything learned about field video photography, video editing, sequencing and storytelling. There is also a written final exam that will cover computer editing, video photography, lighting, audio, sequencing and visual storytelling.

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

Attendance Policy

You are allowed two unexcused absences from this class for the semester. Each absence after that will result in a reduction of one letter grade from the student’s final semester grade.

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.

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.

Required Materials

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
Mini-DV videotapes (Pack of four or five can cost $15-$25)
A hard drive to backup footage and to use for archiving your work

Text Book

There is no required textbook for this course.

Grading & Critique

Video Projects

Video Project #1100
Video Project #2100
Video Project #3100
Video Project #4200

Quizzes

Quiz #1100
Quiz #2100

Final Project/Exam

Final Project/Exam200

Attendance100

Total1000

FINAL GRADES (Plus/Minus grading)

A = 100-95%

A- = 94-90%

B+ = 88-89%

B = 83-87%

B- = 82-80%

C+ = 79-78%

C = 77-73%

C- = 72-70%

D = 69-60%

F – Below 60%

Semester Schedule (Subject to Change)

Week 1

Introduction to Video Editing

Why edit?

Week 2

What is a video sequence? Why we use them for storytelling

Learning Final Cut Pro non-linear digital editing system

Week 3

First editing assignment