|
|
JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY
COURSE CODE: "COM 230-1"
COURSE NAME: "Foundations of Digital Video Production"
SEMESTER & YEAR:
Fall 2017
|
SYLLABUS
INSTRUCTOR:
Marco Ferrari
EMAIL: [email protected]
HOURS:
T 12:30-3:15 PM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS:
45
CREDITS:
3
PREREQUISITES:
OFFICE HOURS:
M/T 3:30-4:30 PM or by appointment
|
|
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course introduces students to the technical, conceptual, and aesthetic skills involved in video production through the single camera mode of production. Still the most dominant mode of film and video production, the single camera mode places an emphasis on using the camera to fullest capacity of artistic expression. In addition to the multiple skills and concepts involved with the camera, the course also introduces students to the principles and technologies of lighting, audio recording and mixing, and non-linear digital video editing. Special focus is given to producing content for successful web distribution.
|
SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:
This course will answer some of the most pressing questions repeatedly asked by first-time and amateur filmmakers:
How do you effectively and efficiently transform an idea first into a story, then into a screenplay, next into a production schedule, and finally into moving images and sound that emotionally transport an audience? How do you operate a camera, record clean audio, and generally make your actors look like they’re in a Hollywood film? What can I do with Final Cut Studio that I can’t do with iMovie?
This course will provide you with an intensive overview of the entire filmmaking process, from soup to nuts, as you work with a production unit to produce a short narrative or documentary film for web distribution.
|
LEARNING OUTCOMES:
By the end of this class, you will understand how a film is made from conception through distribution, and you will know how to develop a story for maximum audio-visual impact. You will gain hands-on experience of all stages of film production and all the skills necessary to begin producing professional-level work for the media industry as well as a polished piece of work for your demo reel.
|
TEXTBOOK:
|
REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
|
GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
Assignment | Guidelines | Weight |
Quizzes | There will be brief quizzes at the beginning of some classes. | 10 |
Participation | Participation is not simply a question of attendance and raising your hand in class. In order to receive your fifteen points, you must attend class and ask questions AND you must contribute significantly to group members' productions. To get credit, the director/producer of the project must turn in a call sheet with your signature. | 15 |
Preproduction and production package | This will be the collection of the in class exercises during the weeks of preproduction and production. | 15 |
Non-narrative project (documentary) | Students will be required to work in small groups to produce a 5-10 minute non-narrative film of a topic of their choosing. | 20 |
Narrative project (fiction) | Students will be required to work in small groups to produce a 5-10 minute narrative film based on their own scripts. | 30 |
Final Screenings/Peer Critiques | Written critiques during the final screening of works, attendance will be mandatory. | 10 |
-ASSESSMENT CRITERIA:
AWork of this quality directly addresses the question or problem raised and provides a coherent argument displaying an extensive knowledge of relevant information or content. This type of work demonstrates the ability to critically evaluate concepts and theory and has an element of novelty and originality. There is clear evidence of a significant amount of reading beyond that required for the cou BThis is highly competent level of performance and directly addresses the question or problem raised.There is a demonstration of some ability to critically evaluatetheory and concepts and relate them to practice. Discussions reflect the student’s own arguments and are not simply a repetition of standard lecture andreference material. The work does not suffer from any major errors or omissions and provides evidence of reading beyond the required assignments. CThis is an acceptable level of performance and provides answers that are clear but limited, reflecting the information offered in the lectures and reference readings. DThis level of performances demonstrates that the student lacks a coherent grasp of the material.Important information is omitted and irrelevant points included.In effect, the student has barely done enough to persuade the instructor that s/he should not fail. FThis work fails to show any knowledge or understanding of the issues raised in the question. Most of the material in the answer is irrelevant.
-ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS:
ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS AND EXAMINATION POLICY
This course requires an extraordinary amount of work to be completed outside of class hours. Students who expect to travel frequently during weekends are strongly advised against registering for this course.
You cannot make-up a major exam (midterm or final) without the permission of the Dean’s Office. The Dean’s Office will grant such permission only when the absence was caused by a serious impediment, such as a documented illness, hospitalization or death in the immediate family (in which you must attend the funeral) or other situations of similar gravity. Absences due to other meaningful conflicts, such as job interviews, family celebrations, travel difficulties, student misunderstandings or personal convenience, will not be excused. Students who will be absent from a major exam must notify the Dean’s Office prior to that exam. Absences from class due to the observance of a religious holiday will normally be excused. Individual students who will have to miss class to observe a religious holiday should notify the instructor by the end of the Add/Drop period to make prior arrangements for making up any work that will be missed.
|
|
ACADEMIC HONESTY
As stated in the university catalog, any student who commits an act of academic
dishonesty will receive a failing grade on the work in which the dishonesty occurred.
In addition, acts of academic dishonesty, irrespective of the weight of the assignment,
may result in the student receiving a failing grade in the course. Instances of
academic dishonesty will be reported to the Dean of Academic Affairs. A student
who is reported twice for academic dishonesty is subject to summary dismissal from
the University. In such a case, the Academic Council will then make a recommendation
to the President, who will make the final decision.
|
STUDENTS WITH LEARNING OR OTHER DISABILITIES
John Cabot University does not discriminate on the basis of disability or handicap.
Students with approved accommodations must inform their professors at the beginning
of the term. Please see the website for the complete policy.
|
|
SCHEDULE
|
|
Non-Narrative–Documentary Film Project
Week 01: Introduction to Non-Narrative Film Forms
Week 02: Pre-Production and Treatment
Week 03: Shooting and Framing
Week 04: Lighting and Sound
Week 05: Editing
Week 06: Editing and Color Correction (rough edit due)
Week 07: Final Non-Narrative Film Screenings & Introduction to Narrative Film Forms
Narrative––Fiction Film Project
Week 08: Field Trip––Cinecittà Studios and Centro Sperimentale di Cinematografia
Week 09: Creative Writing
Week 10: Script Development
Week 11: Composition and Lighting
Week 12: Directing and Mise-en-scène
Week 13: Editing and Sound Design
Week 14: Editing and Graphics/Effects (rough edit due)
Week 15: Final Narrative Film Screenings
|
|