Palos Verdes PeninsulaHigh School

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Advanced Video Production (2-4) / Broadcast Journalism (1-4) (Period 1) Assignments

Instructor
Seth Cohen
Term
Fall 2019
Department
Career Technical Education (CTE)
Description

VIDEO PRODUCTION 2-4 (ADVANCED VIDEO)  & BROADCAST JOURNALISM 1-2-3-4 (UC, CSU)             

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This is a year-long, advanced video production course, which meets daily.  This course provides a meaningful experience allowing students to apply their depth of knowledge in the creation of an art form.  Appropriate critical, theoretical, historical and cultural content is emphasized.  Students in this course are responsible for producing the school’s video bulletin.

 The class is intended to enhance the understanding and ability to use multimedia communication arts to transfer a message to an audience.  Students’ abilities are developed through a variety of coursework that creates an intersection between design theory, learning theory, and delivery platforms.

 Students will study a variety of techniques applied to both commercial and educational fields.  Lectures and student productions are interwoven to produce comprehensive understanding of the medium. In addition to production skills and etiquette, students will also work on journalistic newsgathering, video work for businesses, organize film festivals, operate the TV news studio, and other branches of school related events.  This course meets the five content standards for visual and performing arts courses:  artistic perception, creative expression, historical and cultural context, aesthetic valuing, and connections, relationships and applications. 

Video 4 focuses on the analysis and practice of newsgathering, production and presentation from a variety of theoretical, philosophical, and historical perspectives.

Students will gain a richer understanding of the ideals, limitations, rituals, and routines of the American news media, all while gaining practical experience as television journalists. 

This course will require students to create a comprehensive video portfolio, yearbook and/or other school related projects. An emphasis will be placed on development of a DVD, from conception to presentation.  This course meets the five content standards for visual and performing arts.

 Broadcast Journalism focuses on the analysis and practice of newsgathering, production and presentation from a variety of theoretical, philosophical, artistic and historical perspectives.

Students will gain a richer understanding of the ideals, limitations, rituals, and routines of the American news media, all while gaining practical experience as television journalists. They will use this form of production to make personal works of art that include the seven principles of design.

This course will also focus on the elements of design (color, lines, shapes, tones, textures, and volume). This course meets the five content standards for visual and performing arts.

 

 

Helpful links:

New German Cinema

Elements of Cinema

Syncing Multi-Cam Shots in Premiere

Exporting Using Media Encoder

Conflict in Literature and Storytelling

Camera Movement Types

 

MUSIC FOR PROJECTS

Purple Planet

Monstercat

 

ADDITIONAL OPPORTUNITIES / FESTIVALS
SCREEN Student Film Festival, 2020

Files


Assignment Calendar

Upcoming Assignments RSS Feed

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Past Assignments

Due:

Assignment

SEMESTER 1 FINAL

 Each student will receive a prompt on Monday, January 13 at the end of class.
Each student will be responsible for shooting and editing their script.

 

The final project must include the following:

  • Music
  • Voice-Over
  • At least 3 different tracking shots (see Tracking Project for examples)
  • One item or character who appears in at least 50% of the final film that is blurred using the Blur effect we learned in class.
  • A flashback moment utilizing Vignette effect.

 

Final Projects will be graded on the following:

Cinematography (75)

Varying shot composition.
Do images help tell the story?
Honoring the rule of thirds

Editing (75)

Tight heads and tails
Good balance of audio tracks
Title Credit at the start
Complete credits at the end, including Student Filmmaker, Actors and Music attribution

Sound (75)

All recording of audio is appropriate levels
Music choices support the tone of the story.


Following the Requirements of the Assignment (75)

Including music and Voice-Over
Tracking Shots
Blur Effect
Vignette Effect
Run-time, excluding credits, between :30 and 3:00
Correct filename format. (LastName_FallFinal_Title, “Cohen_FallFinal_TheBird)
On-Time Submission (-10% for every portion of 10 minutes late)

 
Final projects are due to the Network Drive on Wednesday, January 15 at 9:20 am

 

Total Points: 300 points

Due:

Assignment

B-ROLL ASSIGNMENT

 

Each student is expected to record B-Roll for different events and activities around campus.

 

What: These can be sporting events/competitions, art shows and performances, school special events or in-class activities.

 

Where: Most of the events will be taking place on campus.

 

Expectations: Clean and varied footage of the event. An interesting and clear view of the action or the event taking place.

 

How: Sign up on the shared Doc.

Upload your footage to the shared drive in the appropriate folder. LABEL each file with what is in the shot, when you shot its (Mo-Day-Yr) and your last name.

(i.e. Soloist_10-22-19_Khaleeli; Touchdown and Celebration_10-4-19_Bowma, etc)

You MUST alert Mr Cohen when you have uploaded footage so he may evaluate it.

 

Grade: Each group/event that you record is worth 50 points. This grade is based upon

  • The usability of your footage (15)
  • The timeliness of uploading your footage (expected within 3 school days MAX) (15)
  • Properly organizing … (10)
  • … and labelling your footage (10)

 

Due Dates:

November B-Roll (shot between October 22 and November 22) – due, 11/22 – 100 points

December B-Roll (shot between November 15 and December 20) – due, 12/20 – 150 points

 

 

Note:

Attending multiple games/events/practices for an individual sport or group may count as 1 visit. (multiple soccer games, for example)

 

Different Events from the same group, however, can count as separate turn-ins.

 

There is some overlap between months, so you can start getting your December B-Roll in November.

Due:

Assignment

PITCH IN ON A PROJECT

Fall 2019

This Assignment will be turned in via the network drive from computers.  Please use your last name and the assignment to name the file (e.g. “Smith_Mary Poppins_Script”).

General Advocacy- A film that promotes advocacy, of any form. This can be a social issue, arts education, or anything else of interest to you.

Open Short Film- A film about any topic.

 

Running Time: Minimum: 2:00 (excluding credits)            

   Maximum: 6:30 (including credits)

 

Title and Credits are required

 

Genre/Style: Film may be in any presentation format (i.e. documentary, animation, original, fiction, music video, etc.)

 

Music: All music must be original or music in public domain.

 

DUE DATES:

Option Choice – You will need to let me know what you are doing in advance, and who you plan to work with.
Due October 1 (20 points)
           
Pitch – You will be pitching your project to the class. This is a 3-6 minute presentation discussing the general storyline you will be producing, genre, style and any other important information. Treat this like a real pitch meeting. The class and teacher will have an opportunity to ask questions about your project, and you need to be prepared to answer those questions.
Presentations will begin October 7 in class (30 points)

Script (Dialogue or Shooting/Editing Script or Storyboard) – No matter what project you are doing, there must be a script in place:
Due October 15 (50 points)

Rough Cut – I will be sitting with each group and watching your rough cuts and providing direct feedback. Principal shooting should be completed before a rough cut is edited.
Due November 19 (50 points)

Final Project – Final projects turned into the Network drive.
Due December 10 (150 points)

All assignments will be turned in via the network drive from computers, or via hard copy to Mr Cohen.  Please use your last name and the assignment to name the file:
(e.g. “Smith_MaryPoppins_Script”)

Due:

Assignment

B-ROLL ASSIGNMENT

 

Each student is expected to record B-Roll for different events and activities around campus.

 

What: These can be sporting events/competitions, art shows and performances, school special events or in-class activities.

 

Where: Most of the events will be taking place on campus.

 

Expectations: Clean and varied footage of the event. An interesting and clear view of the action or the event taking place.

 

How: Sign up on the shared Doc.

Upload your footage to the shared drive in the appropriate folder. LABEL each file with what is in the shot, when you shot its (Mo-Day-Yr) and your last name.

(i.e. Soloist_10-22-19_Khaleeli; Touchdown and Celebration_10-4-19_Bowma, etc)

You MUST alert Mr Cohen when you have uploaded footage so he may evaluate it.

 

Grade: Each group/event that you record is worth 50 points. This grade is based upon

  • The usability of your footage (15)
  • The timeliness of uploading your footage (expected within 3 school days MAX) (15)
  • Properly organizing … (10)
  • … and labelling your footage (10)

 

Due Dates:

November B-Roll (shot between October 22 and November 22) – due, 11/22 – 100 points

December B-Roll (shot between November 15 and December 20) – due, 12/20 – 150 points

 

 

Note:

Attending multiple games/events/practices for an individual sport or group may count as 1 visit. (multiple soccer games, for example)

 

Different Events from the same group, however, can count as separate turn-ins.

 

There is some overlap between months, so you can start getting your December B-Roll in November.

Due:

Assignment

TRACKING PROJECT

In groups of 1 or 2, take us on a journey. Using the different types of tracking shots (and some static) follow an object from one place to another. Though you may have a main character, the focus of the story should be the object being transported.

Length: 45-90 seconds

Due Date: November 7 - Due at the start of the period to the Network Drive

Use AT LEAST five of the following shots in telling your story:
- Pan
- Tilt
-  Truck
- Dolly
- Zoom
- Pedestal
- Rack

(see: https://blog.storyblocks.com/video-tutorials/7-basic-camera-movements/ for reminders of camera movement)

Concepts that will challenge you here: 180 Degree Rule, 30 Degree Rule, Match on Action, Continuity

Credits/Titles: At least 2 seconds of black on the front and back end of the project. Your project's title needs to be at the beginning before the story begins. Names/attribution credits go at the end.

Sound: Music and/or dialogue is required. May be diegetic on non-diegetic.
           
*As always, music must be used only with permission unless it is in the public domain.

Total: 100 points

You will be graded on the following criteria:

  • Adhering to the assignment – Are you utilizing at least five of the above shots appropriately? (50)
  • Cinematography – Are the images clear and help tell the story of your day? Are your shots varied? (CU/MS/LS, etc) (15)
  • Editing – Are the cuts clean and well-designed with no wasted frames? Are you following the “rules” (180/30)? Use of titles? (15) 
  • Story – Are you telling a clear story? (10)
  • Audio – Music is appropriate and public domain/with permission? Dialogue/effects are clear and appropriate? (5)
  • Did you label your file correctly? [LastName_TrackingProject_Final]
As always, PLEASE keep it school appropriate. Keep yourself safe and don’t do anything illegal. Don’t do a documentary about smuggling narcotics or human trafficking.

Due:

Assignment

5x10 Narrative

You will be producing a short visual narrative piece. This is going to be similar to your 24-second day projects, but with a little bit more flexibility. For this project, you will have to tell your story with 10 shots that are exactly five seconds each – or – 5 shots that are 10 seconds each. Have you ever been given so much creative flexibility?

Group Size: 1-2 people

Length: 50 seconds +6  Each shot must be exactly five seconds long and there must be exactly 10 shots, unless you mix things up and create five shots that are 10 seconds each. Either way, my 3rd grade teacher tells me that your project will be exactly 50 seconds.

     Credits: At the top, include 2 seconds of black - then a 2-second title card that                          includes your name and the title of the project. At the end, another 2-seconds of                      black

Due Date: September 24 Due at the start of the period to the Network Drive

For this assignment, you are not allowed to use any dialogue to help tell your story. Diegetic sound and sound effects are more than welcome, as well as appropriate instrumental music. Don’t use song lyrics as a loophole! Focus on effective visual storytelling.

Total: 75 points

 

You will be graded on the following criteria:

  • Adhering to the assignment – Did you tell a story using the required 5x10 (or 10x5) format?
  • Story – Do you tell a clear story through the images on the screen?
  • Cinematography – Clever and motivated images that move the story forward are key to this medium. Does each shot help to move the story forward or provide a clearer understanding of what the protagonist is experiencing?
  • Sound Design – Is sound clear? Do the effects or ambient sounds help tell the story? Does the music choice support the mood of the story?
  • Editing – 5-10 second shots or 10-5 second shots. 50 seconds. No more. No less.

Due:

Assignment

NEWSWORTHINESS
 
Find 10 News Stories (BJ2-4/VP3-4 only need to find 5).
 
Provide a title, source, newsworthiness category and link to the article.
Also, please write a 2-5 sentence summary of the news story.
 
Due Tuesday, September 10
 
 
Notes about Newsworthiness are on your class page. 

Due:

Assignment

SHORTS CHALLENGE #1: 24 Second Day

Throughout your day, capture a series of 1-second video clips. I encourage you to use your cell phones. These 24 seconds should give a glimpse of what your day was all about.

Group Size: Individual Project

Length: 24 seconds - Each shot must be exactly one second long and there must be exactly 24 shots.

Due Date: September 4 - Due at the start of the period to the Network Drive

You may choose to use 1 piece of appropriate music to underscore your idea or use only diegetic/natural sound. There should be no additional effects added, audio or visual. I am looking for a tightly cut assemble edit.

Total: 50 points

 

You will be graded on the following criteria:

  • Adhering to the assignment – 24 – one-second shots telling the story of your day… YOUR DAY.
  • Cinematography – Do the images help tell the story of your day? Is there a clear, deliberate composition?
  • Editing – 24 shots. All one second long. Max 24 seconds. Minimum 24 seconds.

As always, PLEASE keep it school appropriate. Keep yourself safe and don’t do anything illegal. No crazy parkour videos or videos of you breaking into someone’s house, that isn’t a school project, that’s evidence.

Due:

Assignment

Syllabus - Signed Student Contract

Due:

Assignment

Email Mr Cohen ([email protected]) the following information:
NAME / GRADE / COURSE / EMAIL ADDRESS