Generic
Web Syllabus:
Communication
205 Introduction to Production
Goal: To provide an introduction to basic audio and video production.
Process: Emphasis will be placed on procedures, preparing for and carrying out a basic video or
audio production from conception to distribution. Students will act as equipment operators,
directors and editors and will prepare for productions by gathering the information needed to
understand the subject matter of the program. Students will prepare for the technicalities of the
production, execute the production and perform the editing process. They will maintain a
production book, present and defend their work, and distribute their pieces. They are required
to give a oral presentation on a book about production, complete a production résumé,
proficiency exams and present a portfolio of all their work upon completion of the class.
Concurrent registration in Studio is required. Please see the catalog description on page 85 of
the 200-2002 catalog.
Classroom: PE 201
Portfolio Due: Last week of class.
Exit Interview: Final Exam Date. Prior to final screenings.
Text: The Communications Cookbook: John Gallagher; Version 3.2; Looseleaf bound. Copies are
distributed in studio.
Television Production Handbook: 7th edition.Text and Workbook. Herbert Zettl; Wadsworth
Publishing Co.; CD supplied in class.
Availability: Books can be purchased in the MCCC Bookstore.
General Items: This is a portfolio class. The good news is that there are no scheduled tests or
quizzes. You do however have a series of general requirements. All individuals who sign up for
COM 205 are expected to be concurrently enrolled in Communication Studio (Com
280/285).You are required to:
1.complete the entire Zettl production CD and turn in your résumé
and individual (take
home) tests (on the CD) as part of your portfolio.
2. complete portions of your Zettl workbook and turn the workbook is as part of your
portfolio.
3. come, participate, take notes, keep a journal, make presentations, keep up with your
assignments and present a portfolio of all your work along with a grade application form
(essay) to me for grading one week prior to the last officially scheduled class. Failure to
do so is just that: Failure.
Grading Policy: Although I will be happy to discuss any grades with students individually, all
grades are final and will not be changed unless there was a mechanical error in recording.
A = 90 and above (Exceptional)
B = 80 to 89.4 (Obtained substantially all of the standards)
C = 70 to 79.4 (Meeting minimal acceptable standard)
D = 60 to 69.4 (Below minimal acceptable standards)
F = below 60 (Failure to meet acceptable standards)
I expect all reports and essays to be typed, grammatically correct, spell checked, and written
in a clear and concise fashion. I expect all research to be complete and cited. I expect an
honest and full attempt by the student to do their best. Plagiarism, (direct copying of the
work of others,) is unacceptable. Turning in the work of others as your own will result in a
grade of zero.
At times, individuals and groups may be given the opportunity to resubmit material. This
opportunity is given at the discretion of the professor, when the professor believes that|
substantial outside occurrences interfered with the student or group's ability to obtain their
best effort. This opportunity is always time limited and may not necessarily result in a grade
change.
Portfolio and Grade application form due date: The last week of class. All students are required to
schedule and appear for exit interviews during final exam week class time. In addition, all
students are required to show at least one finished pieces at the communication program
screening.
Special Considerations/Changes: Discussed in class or by appointment as need arises.
Consultations with the instructor are expected to occur prior to the submission of each
project due. These consultations are to be with the entire production team. Individual
consultations are recommended during productions.
Requirements:
1. Attendance is required. (10%) One (or by extremely compelling story, two) absences may
be accepted without impact on your grade. Any absences above this will result in a
lowering of your grade.
2. Participation in class discussion is required. (10%)
3. It is required to read your text: It is required that you prepare for class by reading at least
two chapters of the book (in order) for each class and finding three topics of discussion
by:
1. Asking a question about something that you have read or asking for help
understanding a question from the workbook.
2. Bringing in an outside source (quote) that relates to something that you have read.
3. Bringing in a personal communication observation about something that you have
read. This assignment may be used as the basis of your journal. It will be collected as
part of your portfolio.
4. You are required to keep a journal. (10%) The journal should be presented to me in a
readable form, preferable as a print-out of computer entries and should reflect your
observations of and the knowledge that you have gained from each production in which
you participated.
5. You are required to read a book about mass communication and make a presentation to the
class about points of interest. (10% ) The topics must deal with production and include
with it support from sources besides the book, along with references to items that may be
in the text. You are required to include your notes and copies of the outside source as
part of your portfolio. The notes and outside source material should be handed in on the
day of the presentation.
6. You are required to complete (organize, shoot and edit) one Vox Pop and one Vox Pop like
production. (15% each for a total of 30%) Vox Pop can be a topic is of your choosing but
must be approved by me. It is due week 5. It is to be shoot outside of class, as homework
and is not considered part of studio. As work progresses it shall be presented by you and
your crew to the class. You may be marked down if this assignment is not
completed on
time. The second Vox Pop like production should be completed by week 8. This
production must be approved within the studio and may be planned, produced, shot and
edited as part of studio. You will be required to show this production during the studio
presentation-pizza day scheduled during final exam week. You may be marked down if this
production is not completed on time.
Please note: The first Vox Pop is not a studio activity. Some, but not all work time
necessary to complete this activity will be allotted during the scheduled class. It is
required that you and your crew must establish times outside of class and studio to
complete this task.
7. You are required to play a key production role in (direct or edit) one short (no longer than 5
minutes) visual or audio story (piece) of your creation.
(30%). The content and the crew
for this piece must be approved through the studio by week 8. It must be completed and
presented to the class by week 14.
8. You are required to be enrolled in a one credit Applied Media studio/lab: Com 180, 181, 280,
285.
9. You are required to perform the roll of producer, director, camera person, and editor on at
least one project during the duration of the course and studio.
10. Exit interview: An exit interview is required. I will pass along a schedule/sign-up sheet for
exit interviews on the date and time of our final exam. The exit interview is expected to be
on week 14.
Class dates and Assignments:
Week 1: Introduction. Break into working 2 person Vox Pop teams/Approval.
Week 2: Review of production equipment. Camera. Vox Pop Shooting.
Week 3: Review of production equipment. Audio. Vox Pop Editing.
Week 4: Editing. 1st Vox Pop Due.
Week 5: Production roles and procedures. Producer, Director.
Week 6: Meet as a Class. Report. Production questions.
Week 7: Meet as a Class. Report. Production team questions. Studio assignment and
projects discussed. 2nd project due.
Week 8: Meet as a Class. Team meetings Groups of three. Development. Group Discussion.
Report.
Week 9-11: Meet as a class. Pre-production completed. Report. Group discussion. Break
into teams. Individual questions. Shooting begun.
Week 12-13 Final Project: Meet as a class. Report. Post production. Individual questions.
Book Presentations Due.
Week 14: Meet as a class. Post production ends. Final Project Due. Report. Book
Presentations Due. Portfolio last day for collection. Grade Applications due.
Week 15: Exit Interviews. Final Screening/Award Screening.