Introduction to Visual Communication-Fall 2006

C & J 269

W 6:00-8:30 p.m. DSH 144

Dr. Glenda Balas

Communication and Journalism Department

University of New Mexico, Main Campus

(Please Note: for this class, you must purchase a headset, two miniDV tapes, and a three-ring binder for the course handbook)

Dr. Glenda R. Balas

Assistant Professor of Communication and Journalism

Phone: 350-9040 (cell)

Email Address: gbalas@unm.edu

Office Hours: 5-6 p.m. W (DSH Commons Area); 3-5 p.m. 2138A Mesa Vista; and otherwise by appointment (Please let me know in advance if you would like to see me during these times. Since we are currently “homeless” due to our building renovation, my office is at home. I’ll be working there, unless students ask that I meet with them on campus.)

COURSE DESCRIPTION

C & J 269 is the department’s introductory course in visual communication, providing students opportunity to learn the foundations of digital video photography and editing, still photography, and audio production. Although many of our class sessions will involve hands-on production experiences in lab or the field, we will also seek to gain an understanding of visual theory and criticism. Course activities will introduce students to the following:

Digital camera operation (for moving image and stills)

Composition and film theory

Power Point basics

Digital editing and basic sound manipulation

Media writing and on-camera presence

Producing (video and audio projects)

Pre-production planning strategies and tools

Having completed this course, you should:

1. know and employ the language and terminology of video production and still photography
2. be able to view television, film, and other visual media with a critical eye
3. recognize the approaches, strategies, and language of film and video production
4. be prepared for more advanced courses in visual communication at the University of New Mexico, as well as entry-level internships at area media firms
5. understand and be able to effectively use Power Point, iMovie, and a digital camera
6. be able to work as part of a production team
7. better understand the behind-the-scenes operations and activities that work to produce media
8. be more creative, expressive, and analytical, especially about the role of media in our culture
9. know more about your own capabilities, natural gifts, and professional goals

COURSE POLICIES

Attendance: Attendance is expected and required. Media production is largely a team effort; everyone suffers when members of the team are not present in class. You are granted one excused absence for the course of the term. After that, every “bundle” of two absences results in the reduction of your grade by one-half letter grade. Proper documentation from your physician/clinic will be required for absences deemed excusable due to illness. All documentation for excused absences must be submitted to me no later than seven days after the illness. This conversation should occur in person, either during my office hours or after class. Emailed explanations of such absences will not be accepted.

Late work: I will accept late work for three days after the due date. Such work will be discounted by a full letter grade. It is to be delivered to my box in Mesa Vista, and you must send me an email letting me know that you are turning the work in late.

Final portfolio projects: Please do not ask me to mail your portfolio to you after the close of the term. You are responsible for picking up your final projects at the beginning of the following semester.

You are responsible for making sure that all materials for the final project are included in the portfolio. I will not accept components of the portfolio by email, except in cases of dire emergency negotiated on a case by case basis. Materials submitted to me in person after the deadline will be discounted as late. I reserve the right to not accept the materials.

Missing exams: If you must miss the exam, you must contact me prior to the test in order to qualify for make-up status. If you do not notify me, either by email or in person, of the absence before the examination, you will not be allowed to make it up.

COURSE TEXTS

C & J 269 has selected readings from two required texts. Both are posted on the UNM ereserve. The course password is “CJ269.”

Film: An Introduction by William H. Phillips

Video Production Disciplines and Techniques by Burrows, Gross, and Wood

Gross, and Wood)—posted on UNM E-reserves

PLEASE NOTE: IT IS IMPORTANT TO PURCHASE A 3-RING FOLDER OR BINDER FOR HAND OUTS AND OTHER COURSE MATERIALS

ASSIGNMENTS AND ACTIVITIES

All activities and assignments in this course have been designed to aid students in thinking creatively; acquiring and honing foundational skills in media production; and communicating ideas about media and society. Handouts with full descriptions of these assignments and class activities will be provided.

1. Shot Sheet—a team-based activity designed to introduce students to basic digital video shooting and editing (non-graded)

2. Music Video—a team-based assignment integrating existing music sound track and video shot by students. Extension of the “Shot Sheet” activity (graded)

3. Sound Trax—a team-based activity that requires students to shoot video to illustrate a sound track provided by the professor (graded)

4. Poster Session—oral presentations to groups of peers in the 269 class. Involves discussion of concept and storyboards for Portfolio Digital Video Project (graded)

5. Exam—covers assigned readings and material discussed in class (graded)

6. Thematics—a team-based photographic activity that allows students to focus on composition and theme and gain experience in producing the photo essay. Final project produced in Power Point (graded)

7. Final Portfolio—includes final projects (digital video, audio, and photography) and assigned reflection papers and planning materials for each (graded)

8. Take-Home Essay—part of the Final Portfolio. Series of questions that allows students to think and write creatively about visual communication. (graded)

9. Participation—active involvement in class discussions and activities (graded)

GRADING

Thematics 5%

Sound Trax 5%

Music Video 5%

Exam 15 %

Final Portfolio (includes concept papers) 45 %

Poster Session 5 %

Take-Home Essay 10 %

Participation 10 %

COURSEPLAN

C & J 269-Fall 2006

AUGUST

Session Goals Assignments

8-23-06 Introductions	Knowledge of course goals	Skills Inventory
8-30-06 Composition Visual Language Camera Shots Camera Conventions Complete equipment release forms	Basic knowledge of visual composition & language	Reading-Chapter 1/Film

SEPTEMBER

Session Goals Assignments

9-6-06 Demonstration: Digital Camera	Knowledge of camera operation Experience in shooting Experience in working in production teams	“Shot Sheet” Exercise Bring mini-DV tape to class
9-13-06 Discussion: Storyboarding Demonstration: iMovie Editing Software	Knowledge of iMovie & storyboarding Experience in video editing Bring “Shot Sheet” footage and music CD to class	Storyboard “Shot Sheet” footage Begin editing “Shot Sheet” music video
9-20-06 Complete editing of “Shot Sheet” video	Experience in video editing
9-27-06 Viewing: “Shot Sheet” video Begin work on “Sound Trax” project	Basic expertise in structuring video narrative Experience in pre-production planning

OCTOBER

Session Goals Assignments

10-4-06 Working Session: “Sound Trax”	Experience in shooting, manipulation of sound, video editing	Topic Paper Due: Independent Video Project (Final Portfolio)
10-11-06 Discussion: Chapters 2 & 3/Film Discussion: Photography Discussion: Poster Session Discussion: Music Video Project Viewing: Sample Music Videos	Enhanced understanding of editing strategies	Reading: Chapters 2 & 3/Film
10-18-06 Working Session: “Music Video”	Additional experiences in shooting and editing
10-25-06 Working Session: “Music Video” & “Sound Trax”	Complete “Sound Trax” and “Music Video” projects

NOVEMBER

Session Goals Assignments

11-1-06 Poster Session	Demonstrated ability to communicate narrative through photography	SoundTrax Project due
11-8-06 Introduction to “Podcasting”	Experience in gathering audio content and audio editing
11-15-06 Working Session: “Podcasting” (in the field-no formal class session)	Experience in gathering audio content and audio editing	Topic Paper Due (via email-gbalas@unm.edu): Podcasting project (Final Portfolio)
11-22-06 Working Session: Final Portfolio projects
11-29-06 Exam	Demonstration of knowledge about visual language and media production

DECEMBER

Session Goals Assignments

12-6-06

Working Session: Final

Portfolio projects

ICES-required attendance!

12-11-06

Delivery of Final Portfolio projects