THE AMERICAN UNIVERSITY OF ROME

                                     S Y L L A B U S

Course Title:                  Media Technology

Course Number:            COM217

Period:                          Fall 2006

Credits:                         Three hours.

Professor:                     Kristen Palana

                                      e-mail: k.palana@aur.edu office phone. 06/58330919 ext. 323
                                      URL: http://www.kpalana.com

Time:                            Tue/Thu 5:00-6:25

Office hours:               By appointment.
                                     Room: The Writing Center, Building B. Fifth Floor.

Required text:             Video Production Handbook by Gerald Millerson Focal Press ISBN: 0240515978

                                    -Additional readings from handouts and online sources.

Recommended Reading:        
                          
                           Video Basics 4 by Herbert Zettl

                           Wadsworth/Thomson Learning. Belmont, CA.USA 2004.
                           ISBN: 0534612458

-This book is on reserve in the AUR library and also contains a CD-ROM.                         

Course Description:
A hands-on, practical course that teaches students how to use the equipment needed for visual media production including broadcast quality digital video cameras, lighting equipment, microphones and audio technologies, and non-linear editing software. The course will take students from the basic introduction to the equipment to gaining expertise in handling the equipment and learning how to get the most out of it.

Course Objective:
In this course students will:

* Become adept at using broadcast quality digital video cameras and bringing captured images and sound into a non-linear software environment for editing and final output.
* Become familiar with professional lighting equipment and audio equipment and understand why and when professionals use or don’t use certain equipment.
* Comprehend camera angles, basic cinematography, and points of view in video and film.

* Obtain a fundamental knowledge of cuts-only editing, transitions, compositing, and assembling still images and video with video editing software.

* Focus on Sound Design and its importance.

* Develop solid technical skills as well as develop aesthetically and conceptually in regards to video production.

Teaching Methods:

Classes generally go like this:

* Review and group discussion of previous homework assignment, reading, or project. Quizzes will be given occasionally at the beginning of class.

* Introduction of day’s topics, demonstration of new techniques. Students generally do in-class mini-assignments to learn new skills.

* Demonstrations; looking at professional/commercial materials.

* Presentation of homework or project for upcoming classes. Group and individual help.        

* Guest speaker(s) and/or field trips.

 
Means of Assessment: 
Periodic quizzes, technical production projects, storyboards, 1-page group assessment reports, and final project.

Project 1: Digital Camera Exercise. Students will work in pairs or groups in the city of Rome to get unusual and untraditional camera shots and perspectives. Results will be printed out and used as points of discussion regarding perspective, angles, framing, lighting, and imagery issues.

Project #2: Working With Video Cameras. Students will work in pairs or groups to shoot a moving video profile of a place or location, either indoors or outdoors in Rome. Shots will need to be edited in-camera and therefore shot in sequence. Students will need to demonstrate a combination of camera movements, angles, and points of view. Projects will be presented on video tape.

Project #3: This project will have two parts.

A. Lighting. Students will create a sequence of video shots that create a sense of mood and that utilize different types of lighting. For example, high key, low key, outdoor, and lighting for the moving camera should be addressed.

B. Sound and Editing. Using video footage from Project #3A, students will remix and edit their footage using Final Cut Pro. Emphasis will be on sound design and how well students convey their intended mood.

Final Project: The Chase Sequence. After creating storyboards, students will shoot a chase scene in groups. Proper lighting, exposure, technical proficiency and aesthetics will be further emphasized. Final footage will be used for postproduction non-linear video and sound editing on the computer. Final projects should not exceed 3 minutes.

Grading:      

Students will be graded according to the rubric grading system.             

Attendance and Class Participation:          10%

Quizzes                                                   10%                          

Production Projects:                                 40%

Final Project:                                           40%

Courtesy Policy:

Make sure your cell phone is turned off. If you have an emergency situation that requires your phone to be on, please speak with me first.

Ringing cell phones, late arrival, leaving early, and walking in and out of class while class is in session is disrespectful to your Professor and to your fellow classmates and will result in the lowering of your Class Participation Grade and Overall Grade.

Attendance Grading:     0-2 unexcused absences   A

                                        3        “              “            B

                                        4        “              “            C

                                        5        “              “            D

                                        6   and above                   F

An unexcused absence is one without a valid medical justification, or a written note from the Provost. No make-up exams or quizzes will be given without a documented medical excuse. Incomplete grades are not given.

Attendance is taken at the start of each class. Late arrival will be marked as such. Each 2 late arrivals count as an absence. Arriving more than 10 minutes late counts as an absence.

Grade Scale:

A    =   94 - 100                B    =   83 - 86                C    =   70 - 74

A-   =   90 - 93                 B-   =   80 - 82                D    =   60 - 69

B+   =   87 - 89                C+  =   75 - 79                F    =     0 – 59


Finances: Students should expect to spend money on their projects in this course for mini DV tapes, CD’s, DVD’s and other storage media.

COURSE   OUTLINE

*This outline is subject to change. Tentative: Guest speaker or field trip. TBD.

Schedule                

Week 1.
Days 1 and 2: Introduction. Screening of sample video works and explanation of media technologies used. Important technical considerations needed for video production. Aesthetic principles. Introduction to Project 1.

Read for Next Week: Video Production Handbook: Chapter 1. The Way Ahead.

Week 2.
Day 1: Shooting still images with digital or traditional cameras around Rome for Project 1.        
Day 2:Project #1 Images Due. Review of images captured. Perspectives and still images discussion.

Read for Next Week: Video Production Handbook: Chapter 2. Meet Your Camera

Week 3.
Days 1 and 2: Working with the video cameras. The basics. Tripods and other options. Shooting techniques. Camera angles, movements, and points of view. Introduction to Project 2.
Read for Next Week: Video Production Handbook: Chapter 3. Using Your Camera. Handouts.
 
Week 4.
Days 1 and 2: Working with the video cameras. Lens. Focus. White Balance. Color Balance. Continuation with camera angles, movements, and points of view. Framing the shot. Shot continuity. In class hands-on exercises.
Read for Next Week: Video Production Handbook: Chapter 4. pp.74-85. Practical Lighting

Week 5
Day 1:         Project #2 Due. Discussion and Critique. If time permits, Principles of Lighting and examination of sample works.
Day 2: Introduction to the two part Project #3. Project 3A will focus on lighting. Indoor Lighting. 3 Point Lighting. Lighting for the moving camera. Demo with equipment. Alternatives to 3 Point Lighting.
Read for Next Week: Video Production Handbook: Chapter 4. pp.86-95. Practical Lighting

Week 6. 
Days 1 and 2: Continuation with lighting principles and techniques. In class exercises. Examination of sample works. Technical and aesthetic issues.
Read for Next Week: Video Production Handbook: Chapter 5. Audio Techniques

Week 7.
Day 1:  Project #3A Due. Discussion and Critique.

Day 2: Introduction to audio and Project 3B. Introduction to sound resources. Sound principles and design. Working with microphones and audio equipment. Tips and tricks. Manipulation of sound on the computer.
Read for Next Week: Video Production Handbook: Chapter 8. Editing

Week 8.

Day 1: Continuation with audio. Introduction to non-linear editing. Types of editing. Examination of editing samples. Introduction to Final Cut Pro. Editing and putting footage into the computer. Jump cuts and transitions.

Day 2: Continuation with non-linear editing. Some advanced techniques.
Read for Next Week: Video Production Handbook: Chapter 9. People, Chapter 10. Organizing Your Production

Week 9.
Day 1:Project #3B Due. Presentation of Project #3B and discussion.
Day 2: Introduction to the final project. 4 groups will be assembled. Storyboarding and technical considerations. In class research and storyboarding.
Read for Next Week: Video Production Handbook: Chapter 6. Backgrounds.

Week 10.
Day 1: Equipment review and review of all topics covered so far.
Day 2:Final Project Storyboards Due. Discussion. Aesthetic and technical concerns.
Read for Next Week: Video Production Handbook: Chapter 11. Production Techniques.

Week 11.
Days 1 and 2. View and evaluate final project footage in progress. Video shooting must be completed and editing and sound design started. In-class troubleshooting.

Week 12.
Days 1 and 2. Rough cut due (imagery and sound). In progress critique.

Week 13.
Day 1 and 2. Fine cut due (imagery and sound). In progress critique.

 
Week 14.Final Exam Week:

Final Projects Due. Screening and critique.

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