Fall 2009 / September 2 – December 14
Mondays & Wednesdays / 1:00pm – 2:50pm / Mitchell Hall B-56
Instructor: Alex Torinus Office Hours: Mon. 12pm-1pm &
Email: atorinus@uwm.edu Wed. 11am-12pm
Film Dept. Office: B-70 Office: B-55B, Phone: 229-3907
Film Dept. phone: 229-6015 Mailbox: B-70
Course Goals: To introduce you to the basic concepts and techniques of digital camera and audio work, shooting and lighting for video, and the essential steps of editing with Final Cut Pro 6. You will participate in all aspects of video production, including proposing, planning, and shooting a video project, learning creative problem solving by viewing and critiquing your own footage and editing as well as that of other students, and negotiating the most imaginative path toward the completion of a final video project.
Course Blog: http://basicvideolab803.blogspot.com/
Required Supplies / Cost:
- 5 Sony Premium Mini DV tapes / $3.98 each (at Riverwest Film and Video), about $5.00 each (at Target)
- Other brands (Panasonic and Maxell especially) not recommended
You can get them at: Riverwest Film and Video
824 E. Center St. (next to Fuel Cafe)
414-265-8433
Hours: 3 -11:00pm, seven days a week.
Strongly Recommended: Final Cut Pro 6: Visual QuickPro Guide by Lisa Brenneis
$26.39 for a new copy of FCP 6 at amazon.com, from $23.21 used, from $5.99 for a used copy of FCP 5 at amazon.com
Requirements: - Minimum of 10 hours of production time outside of class each week.
- Regular and prompt attendance - more than 4 absences will
result in a drop in grade by one full letter, 1/2 letter grade drop
for each additional class missed. Significant tardiness will result in ½ absence per late arrival. This is a generous policy, so it’s strictly enforced.
- Notes taken during all technical lectures. You’re responsible for all the
material covered in these lectures. If you miss class, you’re responsible
for for studying lecture information in D2L handouts.
- No lap top computer use for anything other than note-taking or in-class video production work when lab time permits.
- No late assignments accepted.
Notes & Media: Please note that this course does not require the use of the internet during class, and the use of cell phones, and other electronic devices is prohibited.
Equipment Room Hours: Monday – Friday: 8:30am – 4:00pm
Room B-54
229-4643
UWMEquipmentRoom@gmail.com
Equipment: JVC camcorders, Panasonic GS400 camcorders, Microphones: RE-10, SP lav, PZM, Rode, Tube Kits, Gitzo tripods, Zoom Handy H4 recorders
Mitchell Hall Hours: Monday – Saturday: 7:00am – 10:30pm
Sunday: 11:00am – 10:00pm
Campus Security: 229-4627 / Use this number to gain access to Mitchell Hall after
(non-emergency) regular Film Dept. operating hours with a work permit + a student ID.
You must call 15 minutes prior to odd hours only (9pm, 11pm, 1am,
3am, 5am, etc.). For instance, if you want to want to gain access at
11pm, you would call security at 10:45pm.
To get 24/7 hand scan access to Mitchell Hall, visit the PSOA Box Office in the basement of the Zelazo Center Monday through Thursday,10 AM - 4 PM. The door with the hand scan unit in
Mitchell Hall is the basement entrance near the loading dock.
Assignments:
Scavenger Hunting Project: 20% / October 12
Based upon your creation of a short project (no longer than 3 minutes) born from the scavenger hunting exercises. Your grade will be based on the use of sound that provides sufficient detail to define the place, event, object or person and images that are unpredictable, fresh, and personal…as well as in focus, well lit, well composed and properly white-balanced. Your grade will also be based on the quantity and quality of
your audio recordings.
Rough Cut Fundamentals: 15%
Based upon the quality of shot compositions, lighting, and audio recordings selected to create a rough cut for your final project.
Class Participation: 15%
Based on the following:
- meeting deadlines for questionnaire, final project proposal, raw footage due date, rough cut due date, and fine cut due date
- the effort and imagination given to video work in progress and the final project proposal and questionnaire
- the feedback you give your fellow students to help them realize successful projects and creatively solve problems
- acting on the feedback and critique you receive
- bringing footage to class ready to view
- work on in-class exercises and assignments
- general classroom conduct (including attending both final screenings in support of your classmates’ work)
Final Project: 50% / December 9
Based on the imaginative conclusion of the shooting, sound, and editing used to express the idea put forth in your project proposal. A title and at least three sound tracks are required. This project can be no longer than 5 minutes.
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No video project will be accepted unless it is contained within a plastic Mini DV case, and it has a label with your full name on the spine of the tape itself, along with a label on the tape case insert with the following information:
- Your full name
- The assignment (Scavenger Hunting Project, Final Project)
- The date (day, month, year)
Course Schedule:
MONDAYS WEDNESDAYS
Sept. 2 - Introduction to the course Happiness / Sadness
Exercise
Sept. 9 - Introduction to cameras In-Class Scavenger Hunt +
Shoot
(Bring tapes to class)
Sept. 14 - Introduction to audio & Sept. 16 - In-Class Audio Expedition microphones + Scavenger Hunt
Sept. 21 - Introduction to Lighting Sept. 23 - Final Cut Pro Capturing Demonstration
Sept. 28 - Capturing Lab Sept. 30 - Final Cut Pro Editing (Scavenger Hunting footage due) Demonstration
______________________________________________________________________________________
Oct.. 5 - Final Cut Pro Audio Oct. 7 - Final Cut Pro Text &
Editing Demonstration Effects Demonstration
Editing Discussion
Oct. 12 - Individual Appointments Oct. 14 - Individual Appointments
Questionnaires due Questionnaires due
Oct. 19 - Scavenger Hunting Proj. due Oct. 21 - Scavenger Hunting Proj.
Screening and Discussion Screening and Discussion
Oct. 26 - Final Project Discussion Oct. 28 - Final Project Discussion
Final Project Proposals due Raw Footage Due
Raw Footage Due
______________________________________________________________________________________
Nov. 2 - Raw Footage Due Nov. 4 - Introduction to DVD
Authoring & the Transfer
System
Nov. 9 - Rough Cuts due & viewed Nov. 11 - Rough Cuts due &
viewed
Nov. 16 - Rough Cuts due & viewed Nov. 18 - In Class Workshop /
Critique
Nov. 23 - Fine Cuts due & viewed Nov. 25 - No Class
Thanksgiving Recess
Nov. 30 - Fine Cuts due & viewed
______________________________________________________________________________________
Dec. 2 - Fine Cuts due & viewed
Dec. 7 - In Class Workshop / Critique Dec. 9 - Final Projects due & viewed
Dec. 14 - Final Project Screening continued
______________________________________________________________________________________
* Tuesday, Dec. 15: By 4PM, portfolio review material is due in the Film dept. office, B70.
* Student Film & Video Festival: Dec. 18
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Facility Access and Work Permits:
Students using the department facilities must have an updated Work Permit, which will be distributed in class. The Film Department facilities are normally open from 9:00am-4:30pm, Monday-Friday. Some of the studios have card-swipe access. Keys for other editing rooms and studios may be signed out in the Equipment Room or B-70 Film Dept. Office. When the Film Office is closed, access to rooms is available from department staff or campus police, following posted guidelines. After hours, access to Mitchell Hall is available for all students enrolled in the “hand reader” lock system, via the northwest entrance (below the loading dock). Students register at the PSOA Box Office on the 1st floor of the Zelazo Center.
Equipment Room Eligibility:
1. You must be a UWM student, enrolled in a production class.
2. You must have received training from your instructor on individual pieces of equipment. When you have demonstrated competency in using the equipment, your instructor will forward a note to the Equipment Room informing them about your eligibility.
3. Eligibility from previous semesters will be carried over to the present.
4. You are only eligible to check out equipment for which you have received training.
5. You are fully responsible for damage or loss of any and all equipment checked out to you.
Special Needs and Questions:
If you will need accommodations in order to meet any of the requirements of this course, please contact me as soon as possible. Feel free to visit me at my office during office hours to discuss assignments or any questions or requests you have. The Department of Film follows UWM academic policies which are posted on the departmental bulletin board, or available online at:
http://www.uwm.edu/Dept/SecU/SyllabusLinks.pdf
Drops: No drops are permitted after the 5th week of the semester.
Use of Copyrighted Material: Use of copyrighted material is strictly prohibited unless the images, sounds, texts, etc. are being significantly altered and it is clear in the opinion of the instructor that the original material is being studied, analyzed, and commented upon by the student. Grades for work failing to satisfy this requirement for copyrighted materials will be significantly lowered. The instructor reserves the right to determine what constitutes fair use of copyrighted material. A helpful resource concerning copyright and fair use is available at
H1N1 Influenza: In the event of disruption of normal classroom activities due to an H1N1 swine flu outbreak, the format for this course may be modified to enable completion of the course. In that event, you will be provided an addendum to this syllabus that will supersede this version.
Project Storage: Projects from prior semesters not retrieved from the Film Dept. Office, Mitchell Hall rm. B-70, by the 4th week of classes in the Spring will be disposed of. The Film Dept. is not responsible for completed projects that have not been retrieved.
Final Video Projects
Excellent or “A” video projects usually have most of these qualities: They are smart---they engage their subject matter with innovative or stimulating ways of thinking. They demonstrate considerable development of the original curiosities, experiences, and concepts through engaging the world with shots and sound. Excellent projects often have striking imagery and soundtracks with good spatial “imagery”, clarity, and variation. Good or “B” final projects have some of these qualities. Average or “C” projects are often predictable with little development of ideas or form.
Qualities of an Excellent or “A” Project:
- Successfully posing a question, perception, or situation to explore, learn about, or account for.
- Images that are unique, unpredictable, detailed, personal.
- A sufficient number/variety of video images and audio recordings with which to fully complete the final project.
- Development of a point of view and/or personal visual style.
- Sound and Image relationships that are imaginative, unpredictable, and unique.
- High quality microphone recording, track building, and mixing techniques for soundtracks.
- Pacing that establishes and develops rhythms.
- Attention to structure, focus, and balance of the original idea
Portfolio Review Projects:
All of the above especially applies to work being considered for Portfolio Review. Suggested running time for final projects is 2.5 - 5 minutes. Creative accomplishment is given much greater weight than technical execution. Here are some qualities that the faculty look for in Portfolio Review:
- Curiosity: Evidence of passion for exploration, increasing one’s experience and knowledge as evident in the conceptual planning for the video or film.
- Perceptual Skills: The ability to find qualities of interest in things, persons, and events immediately around oneself as evident in the video or film and sound materials generated.
- Process and Discovery: Evidence of conceptual and aesthetic development in the video or film and sound materials generated over the period of principle photography. The ability to recognize the inherent strengths of the materials you have generated.
- Creative Voice: The ability to draft an editing plan that combines inherent strengths of the material with goals of personal expression.
- Technical Competency: Self-sufficiency in using the basic tools of video and cinema production.
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