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December 2013
COURSE OUTLINE
1. COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course introduces the principles and practices of digital video production using smartphone video cameras: screenwriting, videography, editing, and delivery. Course goals are broken down into skills acquired through project-based experience and background theory that promotes critical thinking about the form and function of videography, extending your creativity and professional expertise.
2. COURSE OBJECTIVES
Being an inquiry-based course, topics we can discover and questions we can explore within this subject include:
• How can we experiment with smartphone video technology over many cinematic styles; from expressionistic to storytelling to documentary?
• How can we use documentary to deliver a message that advocates a point of view? When does this form become publicity or public relations and how does persuasion affect art?
• How can we tell better stories by studying Hollywood story structure?
• How can we maximize our experience as videographers by integrating animation, text, and other graphic elements into our work?
• How can we become an integral part of the revolution in interactive and social media?
Thank you for taking this class and I look forward to working with you.
3. RESOURCES
• Course web site: http://lorishyba.pbworks.com
• High capacity USB2 Hard Drive.
• Mini SD Cards and adapters if using non-Apple equipment such as Android devices
• (Recommended) Zoom Mike and Smartphone Tripod.
• Headphones or earbuds.
• Final Cut Pro Online Help Files and YouTube FCP Help videos
• Apps and movie account – Tunes, Amazon, Google Play etc.
• (Recommended) Book: Paperback or Kindle Edition. Levelle, Tony. Digital Video Secrets: What the Pros Know. Michael Weise (Publisher), 2008.
• (Recommended) Book: Paperback or E-Edition. McKee, Robert. Story: Style, Structure, Substance, and the Principles of Screenwriting. Methuen. 2005 or Harper Collins ebook.
• Extra required material will be posted as links and pdf downloads, or supplied as handouts.
• You are encouraged to use your own smartphone but if you do not own one, iPad minis will be available through the IAML.
3. SCHEDULE Subject to change (Updated on October 9, 2013)
As a general rule, the first hour of class will be topics devoted to lectures and demos/case studies. The remainder of class will be tutorials and work sessions. There will be a ten-minute break. Student should be prepared to spend an additional three-hour minimum on self-directed tutorials and assignment completion, per week.
Week 1, September 13
Topic: Introduction to class and course outline. Styles and genres of cinema.
Tutorial: Familiarization with computers, software, and animation techniques | Review of Assg. 1, Abstract Animation Movie. Due October 4.
Homework for next week: Watch Rideshare (Donovan Cook, 2011). Choose music – instrumental. Experiment with animation apps. EG. Free apps, StickDraw (Google), Animation Express (Apple).
Week 2 — September 20
Topic: Topic: Mise-en-scène I. Tips and Composition. Basic shots; Camera angles; Conversation Shots.
Tutorial: Worksession: Animations, Offloading files, Collecting Images and FCPX Part I
Homework for next week: Shooting and collection of images for Assg. 1.
Week 3 — September 27 (Moved to Week 2)
Topic: Camera Operation and Internet Delivery. Examples of Assignment 1.
Tutorial: FCPX Part II including onscreen text and Worksession. | Review of Midterm Takehome: Due Oct. 18.
Homework for next week: TBA.
Week 4 — October 4
Topic: Story Structure and Planning Scenes. Mise-en-scène II. Camera Movement; Framing, Rule of Thirds.
Tutorial: FCPX Part III incl. transitions and filters. | Assignment 1 Due. | Review of Assignment 2. | Due Dates, October 18 and November 8, 2013
Homework for next week: Write story structure and plan scenes for Assignment II using McKee story plan.
Week 5 – October 11
Topic: Aesthetics – Lighting. Available light, special techniques. Presentation and critique of selected Assignment 1 projects | Midterm Takehome Due.
Tutorial: Story scrums in groups and shot-list development.
Homework for next week: Write shot list and character/cast list.
Week 6 – October 18
Topic: Editing techniques and review for exam.
Tutorial: Worksession, Editing. | Assg. 2, Part a) due, story pitches from each group.
Week 7 – October 25
Topic: Midterm in class exam.
Tutorial: Screenings and critique of selected Takehome Midterm projects.
Week 8 – November 1
Topic: Editing Techniques, and editing/printing storyboards.
Tutorial: Worksession | Preview of Assignment 3. Due on December 6.
Week 9 – November 8
Topic: TBA and Course midterm evaluations
Tutorial: Worksession | Assignment 3 groups and interviews
Week 10 – November 15
Topic: Presentations of Assg. 2 and adding interactivity | Assignment 2 Due at Beginning of Class
Tutorial: Screenings and Collage of Work | Scrum sessions for documentary story ideas and meetings with instructor.
Week 11 – November 22
Topic: Quicktime and compression for web and mobile delivery
Tutorial: Work Session
Week 12 – November 29
Topic: Industry Work Flow and Post-Production
Tutorial: Work Sessions
Week 13 – December 6
Lecture: Review of course practice and research goals
Assignment 3 Due | Screening of Documentaries and critiques
4. Assignments and Exam
There are three assignments, and a midterm exam. Please expect to spend at least as much extra time working on projects and assignments as your in-class time, ie three extra hours per week. This is in addition to your readings and screenings.
A unique feature of this class is that you will need to be thinking about/working on all three assignments at once.
Assg 1. Animation, Photography and Music. Due October 4, 2013. You will create a 60-second music video using original still images and animation, and instrumental music of your choice. Technical skills covered include Photoshop and Smartphone apps for animation and credits and Final Cut Pro X for editing and compiling.
Assg 2. Fiction Movie Storyboard. Increments due on October 18 and November 8, 2013.
You will work in teams to create a beat list storyboard and short movie for a short fictive tale of your own creation. This storyboard will be built on smartphone video and still images and incremental deliverables will include a) story pitches, b) a traditional printed “beat chart,” and c) a movie with voiceover. Technical skills include camera operation, audio recording and mixing, lighting, and group collaboration.
Assg 3. Two- to Three-Minute Documentary with a Local Focus. Due November 29. In this project you will create a two- to three-minute social-issue documentary about a dancer, musician, or dramatist in the School of Creative and Performing Arts. As a group we will then plan a mashup of these movies. Technical skills covered include fieldwork camera operation, on-site and studio lighting and audio capture and sound design, and more advanced editing software skills.
Midterm Exam. Takehome Due October 18. In-class Exam October 25. Covers class material to date.
5. Course Grading: Your final grade will be based on the following criteria:
Assignment One, Animated Movie = 10%
Midterm Exam = 20% (10% takehome, 10% in-class)
Assignment Three, Narrative Movie Storyboard = 25%
Assignment Four, Documentary Movie = 25%
(Final Exam cancelled in lieu of spending more time and effort on projects.
Attendance and participation = 20%
TOTAL……………………………………………………………….…….100%
The 20% participation mark will be based on classroom discussion and other factors as indicated below in class policies.
The Fine Print
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