COURSE DESCRIPTION
In this course we will focus on the process of producing effective, contemporary media with considerations for their personal, intellectual, technological, cultural, historical, and ethical components. Creative brainstorming, planning and preproduction, cinematography, editing, storytelling, and distribution are main themes that will be examined. In this practical course you will expand your media production knowledge and skills. Your work should meet professional standards and have an aesthetic development over the kind of work presented in Digital Video Production or Interactive Media Production. The professor will guide the critique of your work in order to improve and hone your skills over the course of the semester.
You will choose your projects and propose the structure for their execution (including: concept development, detailed description, learning goals, resources, research, schedule, and distribution.) You must provide evidence that you are spending at least 10 hours a week working on your projects. You will post weekly progress reports showing the work completed during the week. If the professor feels you have not fulfilled your contract (meeting 10 hours of required work on your project) then you will receive a grade reduction for each offense.
In addition to projects, you will present a class workshop. These sessions are intended for you to research your specific area of interest and share your expertise on the subject. Each workshop should include a technical presentation and hands on exercise. One hour will be dedicated to each workshop.
GRADING
PARTICIPATION/CRITIQUE INVOLVEMENT/COMMUNITY 10%
The ability to critique other’s work is an important aspect of this course, including: thoughtful input (verbal communication) and full engagement during critiques and class discussions, ability to give and receive critical feedback, preparedness, class contributions, attitude, and working well with classmates to create a flourishing class environment.
Active participation in all discussions and critiques is essential. Critiques are the fundamental exercise in developing your skills as a media creator. It is in this arena which interaction and collaboration with your peers determine the success of your work.
BLOG 10%
Maintain a research blog. Post weekly progress reports, research, and 500 word response essays. The links your blogs will be made available through the course website. Your grade will be dependent on the number and quality of posts.
WORKSHOP 20%
Present a one-hour report and workshop based on the area you would like to specialize. This must include research, assigning readings, a short lecture, screening, and analysis of a scene from a key contemporary or historical filmmaker. Workshop themes can include lighting, cinematography, directing actors, audio, or distribution. You will need to meet with the professor for guidance so that you can give a successful workshop. Workshop dates will be chosen on the first day class. The reading materials should be disseminated at least 1 week prior to the presentation.
PROJECTS 40%
Major Projects, including Proposals and Production Books
Projects are grade with the following criteria, listed in order of importance (the below are interdependent):
• Concept (including: research and well conceived ideas for critical content)
• Ambition level/pushing oneself
• Technical proficiency
• Progress
• Presentation consideration/craftsmanship/creative problem solving
• Personal work ethic/commitment
Examples of projects:
• One 15-20 minute documentary or fiction film (must be completed by Midterm
Critique--receive feedback for improvement--revise during the second half of
the term)
• Three 5-7 minute short documentary or fiction films
• Two advanced web projects with audio/video (one complete by Midterm Critique, one for
Final Critique)
MIDTERM CRITIQUE PRESENTATION 5%
A 20 minute, professional PowerPoint (or equivalent) presentation will be given with accompanying paper.
FINAL CRITIQUE PRESENTATION 5%
A 45 minute, professional PowerPoint (or equivalent) presentation will be given. Critique presentations are to be holistic views of your practice and work. From inception to completion, refer to the class proposal form and P.I.T.C.H. (personal, intellectual, technical, cultural, historical) to ensure a successful presentation of your project. Thorough comprehension of the material will be demonstrated through depth of research, organization, analysis and commitment.
FINAL PORTFOLIO 10%
At the end of the semester a professional portfolio consisting of all work from throughout the semester will be collected. The portfolio will consist of the completed work in their highest quality format (DVDs) and documentation of projects (300+ dpi, TIFF).
GRADING CRITERIA
A: exceptional performance in all areas, consistent and excellent progress in areas of concept development, technique and creativity close to a professional level. Reads the assigned readings and eager to share insights and ask questions. Exceptional critique performance, thorough understanding of course issues, completion of all work.
B: above average performance in all areas listed above - solutions are unique, noteworthy and beyond competent, but not consistently excellent. Reads the assigned readings and willing to share insights and ask questions.
C: average performance and acceptable progress in areas of concept development, technique, creativity and critique performance, understands basic course issues, completion of all work and acceptable attendance, does most of the readings and sometimes is willing to share insights and ask questions.
D: below average work and progress, does not attempt to further one’s level of technical abilities, poor development and research of project concepts, marginal creativity, very little critique interaction, poor understanding of course issues, not all assignments completed. You haven’t done the readings and you rarely participate in class.
F: failing performance and progress, fails to grasp course concepts, failure to complete assignments, poor attendance
Total is based on 100%
A 100-90 (Exceptional)
B 89-80 (Above Average)
C 79-70 (Average)
D 69-60 (Below Average)
F 59-50 (Failing)
**Your attendance will affect your final grade (refer to attendance portion of syllabus below). Based on your attendance, points will be deducted from your final percentage.
REQUIRED READINGS
Required readings will be referenced from a variety of texts and online sources. In addition, you will be provided with readings in the form of photocopies, emails and websites. Reading and other relevant materials to the course content and individual research and will be assigned throughout the semester.
RECOMMENDED TEXTS
Artis, Anthony. The Shut Up and Shoot Documentary Guide.
Curran Bernard, Sheila. Documentary Storytelling for Film and Videomakers.
Johnson, Claudia Hunter. Crafting Screenplays that Connect.
Katz, Steven. Film Directing: Shot by Shot: Visualizing from Concept to Screen.
Lovink, Geert. Zero Comments: Blogging and Critical Internet Culture.
Pepperman, Richard. The Eye is Quicker.
Richards, Andrea. Girl Director: A How-To Guide for the First-Time Flat-Broke Film and Video
Maker.
Roberts-Breslin, Jan. Making Media.
Stubbs, Liz. Documentary Filmmakers Speak.
Thurlow, Clifford. Making Short Films: The Complete Guide from Script to Screen.
Tirard, Laurent. Moviemakers' Master Class: Private Lessons from the World's Foremost Directors.
REQUIRED EQUIPMENT
External FireWire/USB2 drive to store your movie files for editing
Headphones that cup your ears for production and post-production (Office Depot or Walmart)—iPod headphones (earbuds) will NOT CUT IT! You need your ears covered. Remember, an audience will forgive a little bit of bad video, but they will never forgive bad sound.
You will also need miniDV tapes for recording, available at the book store, Office Depot, Walmart, or Radio Shack.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Equipment
The use of all school equipment, outside classroom exercises, will require a signed request and policy form. You are responsible for replacement and repair costs of all damaged or lost equipment.
Emails
Communication will occur through email. Be sure to check your email daily. You are responsible for emails sent by the professor.
Late Assignments
Plan ahead for this intensive class, there will be no late assignments accepted (unless I have given you permission beforehand).
Incompletes and withdrawals
Any request for an incomplete or withdrawal from the course needs to be substantiated by documentation of hardship: accident, illness, death.
Attendance
Attendance in this course is a mandatory requirement. You are expected to attend every class and stay for the entire duration. Tardiness, early departures, lack of being prepared, or lack of awareness or attention during class will count as absences--two incidents of any of previously stated will equal one absence and will accumulate and impact the final grade. A student may be absent from class two times during the semester without his or her final grade being affected. There are no excused absences beyond those two. Any further absences will result in a 10% deduction for every missed class-–upon the 5th absence the student will receive a failing grade.
Plagiarism
Plagiarism is the intended or unintended use of someone else's language and/or ideas without revealing the source of that material, leading the audience to believe that the work is original. So attribute all your sources. Minimum penalty for plagiarism is a zero on the assignment (and possible course failure); I will also follow College rules and report any instances of plagiarism to the administration.
Copyright
You must receive copyright permission for all non-public domain media used in your projects. Public domain material can be found at www.publicdomain.org and www.creativecommons.org. Documentaries (but not fiction) may follow the “Documentary Filmmakers’ Statement of Best Practices.”
Accommodations
If you need course adaptation or accommodation because of a disability (physical, learning, psychiatric, vision, hearing, etc.), please make an appointment with me as soon as possible. |