Free AdviceGrading CriteriaParticipationAcademic HonestySchedule |
JMC 325 - Digital Video
Professor Tim Guthrie 280-3348
Tuesday & Thursday: 9:00pm - 10:50pm
Office Hours: TBD
Read the "Video Techniques"section of this site before the first day of class . . . then maybe once each week until the end of the semester (I know it seems like I am kidding...)
Some basic camera tutorials
Watch "Moments" video
Required books
Apple Pro Training Series: Sound Editing in Final Cut Studio
Apple Pro Training Series: Final Cut Pro 7
Course Description
(directly from the Bulletin) "Students learn how to use a video camera to shoot and produce a narrative documentary using computer editing programs. Students produce their own five-minute documentary. "
Objectives and Goals
The objective of this course is to introduce and examine the fundamentals of storytelling with video, audio and motion graphics. Students will develop skills based on traditional storytelling techniques, but using current methods and technology. Students will use several different pieces of software but will mainly focus on Final Cut Pro. At the end of the semester, you will also have the opportunity to become and Apple Certified with Final Cut Pro (which will look great on your resume). Although the course will be heavy on software comprehension, the real goal is to develop effective storytelling skills.
Grading Criteria
Project grades will be determined by combination of factors tracked by a course grading sheet (available here). Points can be earned in 10 different categories - some design elements in a project can impact more than one grading category. There is a 10 point scale for each category to reflect the overall quality of student work.
The following explains the most important factors that determine grades in those ten categories: |
Design Video Storytelling (Camera and editing techniques) |
Strategy
& Technique (including software literacy) |
Production (Overall
presentation and professionalism) |
Timeliness Simply meeting the expectations of the course in completing assignments, quizzes, projects and the practical will result in a C grade. Doing the minimum amount of work to get by is not going to earn you a good grade. In order to earn grades higher than a C, I expect students to show substantial growth in critical skills, mastery of the technical elements of the course, and perfect execution of design concepts in major projects. I will be merciless when grading draft projects, since all projects can be revised for credit. |
A
-- Excellent work - basically, professional quality in all categories |
B+
-- Very good work - nearing professional quality in 1-2 categories |
B
-- Good work - nearing professional quality in 1 categories |
C+
-- Above average student quality work |
C
-- Average student quality work |
D
-- Below average student quality work |
F
-- Poor quality work |
Participation
Attendance and punctuality are mandatory. I expect you to behave as professionals over the course of the semester, and that includes showing up to class on time. I will not rehash lectures for students who miss class. You are responsible for gathering notes on missed classes. Tardiness will not be tolerated. Being late for a critique (including not having your assignment prepared when class begins) will result in a 10% penalty on that grade, and late assignments cannot be revised.
JMC Professionalism Policy
The Department of Journalism and Mass Communication offers pre-professional education to prepare students to succeed in communications careers. Professional attitudes and conduct are often almost as important as talent in our fields. Accordingly, students in all JMC classes are expected to conduct themselves as cited below; faculty and staff will enforce consequences:
- Students will attend all classes unless there is a valid reason
to be absent and to arrive on time just as they would at work. Students
who arrive after class has begun are considered late and subject to
grade penalties as imposed by each instructor.
- Valid reasons for absences include illness, participation in an official university function (debate, varsity athletic absences etc), family emergency etc. All excused absences require notification by email PRIOR to class.
- Absences of two classes in a row due to illness require a doctor’s note.
- Absences due to non-emergency medical / dental appointments are unexcused absences. The same goes for picking up a friend, taking a car to be repaired or other circumstances that can be avoided.
- More than one week’s worth (2) of unexcused absences per semester will result in course grade being lowered one grade level per additional absence up to D after which the student will receive an A/F.
- Use of electronic devices during class is prohibited.
- No food and drink are allowed in the labs. If caught, you will be expected to leave class and dispose of the items.
- Students are expected to participate in class. Inappropriate behavior such as reading non-course materials, checking email, instant or text messaging, studying for other classes or sleeping will result in dismissal from that day’s class and count as an unexcused absence.
- Students are accountable for turning in all work on time. Faculty will either penalize late assignments or refuse to accept them.
- Working in groups is part of all communications work. Students who fail to do their share of work on team projects or are unwilling to participate in group problem solving will be dismissed from the teams and lose credit for projects.
Professionalism
Professionalism also involves:
- Accepting criticism gracefully
- Resolving problems with professors, staff and colleagues in a mature fashion.
- Students are always welcome to seek more information about why they received a particular grade on a test or assignment, obtain guidance for how to improve work and ask for suggestions on solving problems. They are encouraged to go above and beyond the minimum work assigned and to demonstrate enthusiasm for work in their fields. In the JMC Department C work is minimal work. A and B work goes beyond the minimum.
Reality 101: Often employers hire people with great attitudes over those with more talent.
Assignments |
|
Collect Videos |
P/F % |
Moments rough cut |
5% |
Moments Full Version |
10% |
Document an Act / Sequence |
20% |
Formal Interview |
25% |
Final Project |
30% |
Quizzes |
10% |
Final Grade |
x/100% |
Grading scale |
|
91-100 |
A |
88-90 |
B+ |
81-87 |
B |
78-80 |
C+ |
71-77 |
C |
61-70 |
D |
0-60 |
F |
Academic Honesty
Creighton's Academic Honesty Policy is listed in detail in the current Bulletin. However, in this class I expect students to adhere to the following guidelines and ethics of design:
- All students will complete their own work. Getting "help" is ok, but I expect you to complete, and if necessary - reproduce class work on demand.
- All work should be original. Any "ripping" of fonts or concepts will result in a grade of ZERO for that assignment.
- Use of tutorial files from online sources is allowed for learning purposes, but any elements from those sources that remain in class projects could result in a grade of ZERO for that assignment.
Integrity Pledge (from "Learning in the Academy:
An Introduction to the Culture of Scholarship")
The students and faculty of the Creighton College of Arts and Sciences
comprise an academic community established within the framework of Jesuit
ideals and firmly rooted in the concept of integrity.
In an effort to instill integrity in those attending this College and to reaffirm its significance along each student’s academic journey, the College has set in place an Integrity Pledge. Your instructors will from time to time present the Pledge for your signature on tests and quizzes and ask you to include it with your signature on writing assignments you submit.
The Pledge promotes a shared culture of integrity amongst Creighton students, while also acknowledging in its language that each of us holds him- or herself accountable for any attenuation or neglect of the conventions that define academic integrity.
The intent of this Pledge is not to act heavy-handedly. The College's
students and faculty strongly believe that each student intends to present
his or her own original work. But the Pledge serves as a regular reminder
of Creighton University’s commitment to the very highest standards
of integrity—not only academic but also personal integrity.
Assignments - Brief Descriptions
Assignments will include all of the Final Cut Video tutorials and textbook projects. Because you will have the opportunity to become Certified in FCP, these assignments will be important and will be a significant part of the course, especially until mid-semester break. In addition to all of the required FCP projects, you will also include the following:
Assignment #0: Search the web (Vimeo, New York Times, etc) and come to class with two of your favorite online mini-documentaries or interviews. We are looking only for quality pieces. I will compile the best videos and put the links on a web site for review.
Assignment #1: Complete first cut of “Creighton Moments” video. Your first edit will include only your video. No audio is required for this first cut, but you will find that good and effective audio will make a great deal of difference, so I encourage you to collect good audio.
This video must be 30 - 60 seconds long.
Moments video
Assignment #2: Complete first cut of “Creighton Moments” video. Your second edit will include video from other students in the class. This time, and for every project from here on out, sound design will be an important portion of your grade.
One of your videos (Assignment 1 or 2) must be submitted to the Creightonian Online or Ink. I will have no say in which videos either decides to include.
This video must be 1-2 minutes long.
Assignment #3: Document an act. Create a video based on one simple act (Smoking, eating, shopping ... whatever), and explore it in detail. Review the “Everyone Forever Now” videos (Stoop Sitting, Shooting a Gun, Tanning) for good examples. Make it instructional and visually stunning.
Examples
More videos on AnyoneEverything.com
Assignment #4: Formal Interview...
Assignment #5:
Journalism and Mass Communication
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