Telecom 430 - Advanced Video Production

Morgan State University
Department of Communication Studies
ADVANCED VIDEO PRODUCTION – TELC 430 - Spring 2010
New Communications Center Room 356
Wednesday 7:30-10:15pm

Instructor: ERIC DODSON
Office Phone: 443-885-3659
Email: eric.dodson@morgan.edu
Office Location: New Communications Center Room 345
Office Hours: Tues: 9-10am & 3-5pm, Thurs: 2-5pm

Required Text and Materials:

Television Production Handbook Zettl H. Wadsworth 9th or 10th edition;
Belmont, Ca.: Wadsworth Publishing Co., 2006. Helpful, but not required, the workbook.

Please purchase MINI-DV tapes made by SONY (Premium ONLY) JVC, Fuji, or Panasonic.

Suggested Reading and Materials:

Weynard, Diana (2006). Final Cut Pro 5. Berkeley, CA: Peachpit Publishing.

Due to the length of the projects in this course, it is recommended that each student purchase their own external hard drive with at least 250GB of storage space.

Course Description:

This course is a continuation of Video Directing, concentrating on electronic news gathering and electronic field production. Students complete individual projects using advanced post-production editing techniques. Students write, produce, direct and edit broadcast and non-broadcast informational and educational long-form news stories and documentaries. Prerequisites: TELC 330 and 340

Attendance/Participation Policy:

Excessive absences may result in failing grade. It is the student's responsibility to confer with the course instructor concerning absences. Students must provide appropriate documentation for absences from classes resulting from illness or emergencies.

Lack of participation can cost you, so come to class and be prepared!
Students should see the instructor during the semester if they are having any problems with course materials/projects.



Class Activities:

Class sessions will consist of class discussions on important elements of television storytelling, which will provide you with the basis for writing and producing your long-form stories and documentaries. Documentaries, in-depth news pieces, and short video stories will be shown in class on a regular basis. Each student will work individually.


GETTING PROJECTS DONE ON TIME

In preparation for class assignments in this class the weakest excuse that can be made for the non-completion of the assignment on time is that there was no time to use the equipment. PLAN AHEAD!!! Do not wait until the last minute to do the work, as there may not be equipment available when you need it. There may be others using the equipment so plan ahead. This class is, among other things, an exercise in planning. Plan your work well in advance, and be prepared for problems! Build in extra time to solve problems that arise. LATE MATERIAL WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.

Evaluation:

Your grade will be based on the successful completion of the following projects:

Interview Project 100pts.
Cinema Verite’ Projec 100pts.
Your Doc 100pts.
Documentary Treatment & Presentation 100pts.
Documentar 300pts.


Final grades will be awarded based upon the following points:
Grade A = 700 - 641 points
Grade B = 640 - 586 points
Grade C = 585 - 431 points
Grade D = 430 - 331 points
Grade F = below 330 points