SCHOOL OF FILM & ACTING

As producers, students will have to identify a story, do the leg work to logistically set up the shoot, coordinate with their subjects, prepare equipment, do editorial preparation and make final technical checks. Student producers will be required to edit and deliver their projects for viewing and critiques. Some of the projects to be completed include the following:

Each student produces a number of packages, stories shot in the field. In crews of two, each student researches, produces, writes, shoots, and edits a short field report that is 1 to 2 minutes in length. Some of these field reports will be feature news, some hard news.

Each student produces and edits a single camera interview of one to two minutes. Through research, students choose a newsworthy interview subjects. They are taught to ask open-ended questions and employ various conventions of the news interview. Students must concentrate on lighting for this project. The interview subject will tell the complete story through the interview.

Students will produce and write a VOSOT. This is the use of video, the natural sound associated with that video and a short sound bite to tell a story. The video rolls over the anchorman or reporter speaking and then opens up full for the sound on tape. Students will shoot their own video, do their own interviews, write and edit the VOSOTS. Completed projects will run approximately 30 seconds.

Each student produces a multi-camera shoot live to tape. Projects include interviews and pre-prepared packages. Working in crews, the students will produce a weekly broadcast in the second semester.

During the second semester, students will produce an in depth investigative report. Extensive investigative research (both on computer and on foot), fact-checking, and interview is necessary. Students may use archival footage, if desired.

Students will upload their projects to a class website as they are completed. Each student will create a short opinion piece to post, and maintain a vlog throughout the year.

This course is the spine of the program and encompasses the basic principles of journalism, news-gathering and digital production. All student projects are introduced in the class and it is the venue where they are viewed and critiqued. Topics include: Story ideas and development, producing and directing single and multiple camera shoots, live and remote production, research, broadcast standards, news distribution. Classes are geared toward preparing students for their own productions throughout the year.

Functions, operation, and use of the HD digital video camera and associated equipment. Training for shooting in the field and in the studio. Students will learn to operate a range of professional cameras and production equipment enabling them to technically execute single and multi-camera productions and understand the necessities of a variety of shooting environments and conditions.

Students will learn to record in a multitude of situations. Students will also learn mixing and communications. Training will encompass wireless, interview, and boom microphone techniques.

In these teacher-supervised labs, the process of producing, interviewing, writing, shooting, and sound recording for digital news projects is put into practice. Each workshop is an opportunity for students to implement and examine in a controlled environment the techniques they are learning in class.

Non-linear editing training with Final Cut Pro. Students will master fundamental editing tools and techniques using this software. Students edit their own digital projects, and can supplement classes with individual consultations at the editing station. Students will be taught the fundamental concepts of editing non-fiction material, both practical and aesthetic. Topics will include editing terminology/vocabulary, time code, cutting styles, organizational tools and rules for editing, building the story in post.

This class details the fundamental process of sound editing and design. It provides concepts, technical and hands-on demonstration. The class challenges the students to use natural sound as an additional tool to storytelling, and takes them through the complete post-production process. Students learn how to build multiple tracks on Final Cut Pro (Pro Tools will be introduced in the second semester).

Prior to each project story, students will be required to write a "story pitch" for the Journalism Instructor. This will include the focus of the story, the visual and audio elements, the people who will be interviewed, and a shooting schedule.

In the second semester, each week starts with a production meeting where story ideas are discussed and assigned. Half of the class will produce packages, the other half will be the production team that produces the broadcast. Students switch positions weekly.

This class addresses subjects of specific relevance to the outside projects. Topics include research, story ideas and development, story structure, writing skills, news standards, rights, ethics & law and broadcast studies.