J349T Syllabus
J349T
Video Journalism for the Web
Spring, 2008
INSTRUCTOR: Jorge Sanhueza-Lyon
OFFICE LOCATION:
CMA, A4.415
OFFICE HOURS:
By appointment and after class meetings
OFFICE PHONE:
512-736-8432
E-MAIL ADDRESS:
jsanhuezalyon@mac.com
INSTRUCTOR WEB PAGE:
www.statesman.com
COURSE WEB PAGE:
http://videojournalismforweb.blogspot.com/
http://www.youtube.com/j349t
CLASS HOURS:
Monday, 6:00pm-9:00pm
COURSE DESCRIPTION
This introductory course is designed to teach students the basic
principles of shooting, editing, and producing short documentary videos for the Internet. The course will begin with a brief overview of video journalism produced for the web and how it differs from traditional broadcast news. Students will develop research, shooting, editing, interviewing, and storytelling skills with hands-on instruction and by producing multiple video stories of their own. They will work individually and in teams to produce both short and long form videos that will be posted to the Internet. The course will address all phases of video production from pre-production to post-production.
COURSE OBJECTIVES
1 Proficiency with professional camera and audio equipment
2 Understand basic video editing software
3 Proficiency in interviewing techniques
4 Understand storytelling through visual narratives
5 Produce compelling short documentary videos
6 Encourage students to think of innovative ways to tell sound, journalistic stories
7 Identify how to apply learned skills to a multimedia team within a converging newsroom
REQUIRED TOOLS OR SUPPLIES
1 Firewire Hard Drive (7200RPM)
2 Final Cut Pro Manual
3 Headphones (no earbuds)
ASSIGNMENTS AND EVALUATION OF STUDENT WORK
Grades will be based on the completion of the following assignments.
Weekly Critique of Documentary 15%
Students will watch a documentary film and/or newspaper video of their choosing and write a 500-word critique about that film. Papers should be e-mailed to me before the start of the following class. No papers will be accepted late. Sorry, no exceptions.
Classmate Interview 10%
This is your first assignment with the video camera. You will team up with a classmate and do on-camera interviews. It is an exercise in getting to know your camera and how to conduct a simple interview. Pay close attention to lighting, composition, and most importantly, sound. Video should include a moderate amount of B-Roll. We will use this footage to learn the basics of Final Cut Pro.
B-Roll Sequence 10%
Build a 90 second video of a scene using only B-Roll and nat sound. Video should demonstrate the ability to shoot a variety of B-Roll clips and assemble them into a sequence that accurately depicts a scene, sets a tone, and illustrates a story.
Character Profile 20%
Produce a short video profile of an interesting individual to whom
you have good access. Access is important because you will have
to go back repeatedly. This video will be longer than your
class-mate interview and will also require that you shoot b-roll and
pay very close attention to sound. Grades will be based on
demonstrated ability to weave a good narrative thread with audio
and video.
Rough Cut of Final Video 10%
This is a rough cut of your final project. Due two weeks before the final video is due. The rough cut of your video should have a developed story with strong interviews and good sequences of B-Roll.
Final Documentary 25%
Your final assignment will be to produce a longer newsworthy video of significant journalistic value. Videos cannot be of one- time events such as protests, concerts, sporting events, etc. Good access and engaging characters can make this final assignment much more rewarding for both you and the class. Try to stay away form issues that are too big. Think of smaller human interest stories that are all around us. I will provide you with countless videos and websites for ideas and inspiration. The archive of documentary critiques complied by the class may serve as inspiration as well. (http://videojournalismforweb.blogspot.com/).
Grading for final project will be based on your demonstrated ability to build a compelling narrative with ambient sound, good interviews, and strong visual sequences.
Class Participation and Attendance 10%
This class meets only once a week so attendance must be mandatory. Participation is also mandatory.
Extra Credit 10%
Students will have to opportunity to produce one multimedia project for extra credit. You must commit to this assignment before spring break and it is due the week before your final assignment. I will go over the specific details of this opportunity for extra credit in class.
ASSIGNMENTS CAN NOT BE TURNED IN LATE
If you have any comments or concerns with this class please contact me as soon as possible. 512-736-8432---
