COMM 366 Post Production – Fall 2018 Pre-Requisite – COMM 254 Thurs 2-4.40Pm Mcewen Hall, Room 103 (Sheldon Lab and Mcewen G9)
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COMM 366 Post Production – Fall 2018 Pre-requisite – COMM 254 Thurs 2-4.40pm McEwen Hall, Room 103 (Sheldon Lab and McEwen G9) Ros Smith [email protected] 314A McEwen Hall Office Hours: Phone 716 673 4874 Wed 8am-12pm Fax: 716 673-3414 Thurs 8am-12pm & by appt Cell: 843 224 1077 1. Course Description A balance between editing concepts such as continuity, pacing, dramatic focus, etc. and editing skills such as SMPTE code, signal monitoring, and digitized non-linear techniques. Students will learn the rules and methods by which an editor constructs fiction or a representation of actual events. Students examine the basics of post-production that are required for video projects, after the writing, directing, lighting, camera, and talent duties have been completed. Topics include use of special effects, music and graphics. Exercises demonstrate the merging of art and technology in the edit suite. Films, readings, lectures, and hands-on practical experience will be used to maximize the learning process. All video footage will be given to students since this mimics the workflow of professional editors. 2. Rationale It is imperative that students realize the power of editing to manipulate the audience. This course is designed to provide students with an understanding of the basic techniques of postproduction non-linear editing, and how the aesthetic choices made during the editing process affect the viewer’s interpretation. The best way to understand the editing creative process is to edit previously unseen footage and work with the material given. Students have to use footage creatively to make poor footage look good and good footage look great. This is how professional editors work since they rarely shoot their own material and try to avoid having their client reshoot. 3. Department of Communication Philosophy Communication does not exist outside of relationships. With this in mind, faculty of the SUNY Fredonia Department of Communication believe that all communicators, whether in the classroom, on the air, or within created works, have a responsibility to themselves and their audience. The faculty believes that it is our responsibility to provide perspective and structure as students make choices about their work, and consequently, about themselves and who they are as adults and scholars. We encourage students to make the effort to consider the consequences of their choices for themselves, for others, and for those relationships. The faculty encourages projects and behaviors that are undertaken with thoughtful respect and consideration for others. We support and encourage work that is both ethical and enriching to the students’ community and to personal and professional relationships. All students should review the Department of Communication Ethical and Professional Standards at http://www.fredonia.edu/department/communication/standards.asp 4. Department of Communication Ethical and Professional Standards The Department of Communication at SUNY Fredonia advocates the following standards of behavior for all students. *Students should adhere to individual instructors’ more specific policies. Additional information on the SUNY Fredonia policies regarding Student Rights and Responsibilities can be found at http://students.fredonia.edu/judicialaffairs/rights Plagiarism To plagiarize is “to steal and pass off as one’s own the ideas or words of another” (Webster’s Seventh New Collegiate Dictionary). Examples of plagiarism include presenting the ideas of another in one’s own words without crediting the source, copying sentences, paragraphs, or pages form a source without explicit reference to the pages from which the words were taken, and, of course, presenting another’s entire work as one’s own. If a student is not certain whether a particular practice may be considered plagiaristic, it is his/her responsibility to consult the instructor for whom he/she is writing the paper, exercise, or examination. SUNY Fredonia strongly condemns plagiarism and takes severe action against those who plagiarize. State University of New York at Fredonia College Catalog htttp://www.fredonia.edu/ed/documents/Academic_Integrity_Policy.pdf. COMPLIANCE WITH 504 REHABILITATION ACT/ADA Reasonable accommodations are available to students with documented disabilities at SUNY Fredonia. Students who may require such accommodations should contact the Office of Disability Support Services for Students, 4th Floor, Reed Library. Tel (716) 673-3270 [email protected] You will be given an accommodation letter which should be forwarded to me WITHIN THE FIRST WEEK OF COURSE. I will be able to discuss your needs in detail with you. FEDERAL EDUCATION RIGHTS AND PRIVACY ACT (FERPA) 1974 Registration and continued enrollment in this class constitutes permission for your work to be use during class for educational purposes. On course completion your work will either be rendered anonymous or if not then written permission obtained from originator. For detailed information visit http://www.fredonia.edu/orientation/pdf_summer/FERPAinfo.pdf 5. Textbooks: Required: Kauffmann, Sam. Avid Editing A Guide for Beginning and Intermediate Users. 6th Edition. Rutledge, Taylor & Frances. New York & London. 2017 Recommended: Bowen, J Christopher. Grammar of the Edit. 4th Edition. Focal Press, Routledge. 2018 ISBN 978-1-138-63219-6 Materials and Supplies: Mac computer (from SUNY cage/Sheldon lab). Students should have a TWO, 1TB EXTERNAL HARD DRIVES WITH USB3. FORMAT FOR MAC PRIOR TO FIRST DAY OF CLASS. If you do not have this you CANNOT participate in the class. Technology Needed: Adobe Editing software, PowerPoint (All SUNY equipment) 6. Course Goals and Objectives This course is designed to enable students to: 1. Understand the creative process involved in editing 2. Explain the principal terms, theories, and aesthetics of editing picture and sound. 3. Explore various styles of editing including narrative, documentary, and commercial cutting techniques 4. Identify key menus and interface controls used in non-linear editing. 5. Develop, name and manage project media files in a logical and systematic order. 6. Demonstrate the functions and controls of a nonlinear editing system, including logging and capturing, building elements, trimming, and manipulation of basic graphics, text, transitions and sound design 7. Use different styles of editing to create assemble edits, rough cuts and fine cuts 8. Use editing to create effective fiction and non-fiction video stories that have a beginning, middle and end from previously unseen footage 9. Successfully output video projects to different formats 7. Instructional Methods and Activities Lectures are used to introduce the concepts. Screenings of film clips, still images, sound recordings and web pages are used to illustrate the topics and act as a springboard for discussion. There will be a discussion during each lecture/screening or lab to foster students’ critical thinking skills. Students will be expected to compare and contrast the audio/visual material and to analyze in depth both the technical aspects and content/themes of the media. They will also be expected to incorporate concepts from the readings and to draw upon knowledge gained in other classes. It is essential for students to come to class having done the readings and prepared to participate in discussions. Activities include: Lecture/Discussion Close analysis of still images, video and audio clips Individual research seminars Critiquing other students’ work Individual post-production of creative work Small group discussions Examinations and quizzes 8. Evaluation and Grading Editing assignments x 3 Each student will edit from supplied footage 2 different projects using documentary and narrative techniques. Music, titles and effects will be incorporated into projects. Oral Presentation - Research Seminar Each week a different student will choose a professional editor and analyze his editing style from the editor’ s body of work. Allocation of what editor student will be researching will be arranged during week one. Oral Presentation – Client Communication Students will ensure that they liaise with ‘client’ (ie professor) with regard to status of project, assemble edits, rough cuts, fine cuts and delivery modes. Mid term and Final Exams The midterm and final exam will consist of essay and multiple choice/short answer questions and written, analytical paper. Pop Quizzes There are three pop quizzes to encourage students to read and retain the assigned readings and class information. Attendance Two non-medical unexcused absences are permitted per semester. More than two unexcused absences will lower the grade by three percentage points (e.g., 85% becomes 82%). Two tardies equal one absence. You are tardy if you arrive after I have called the roll. Grading If a student is unable to meet the deadline for an assignment, he or she must make arrangements with the instructor in advance. Otherwise late work will not be accepted. Editing Assignment 1 5% of final grade Editing Assignment 2 15% of final grade Editing Assignment 3 25% of final grade Oral Presentation – Research Seminar 10% of final grade Oral Presentation –‘client contact’ 5% of final grade Midterm exam 5% of final grade Final exam 5% of final grade Quizzes x 3 15% of final grade Participation/Professionalism 15% of final grade B+ 87-89 C+ 77-79 D+ 67-69 F below 60 A 94-100 B 84-86 C 74-76 D 64-66 A- 90-93 B- 80-83 C- 70-73 D- 60-63 Course schedule is subject to change according to class and professor needs 9.