UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA - USF



SYLLABUS

SPRING 2001

Electronic Field Production

(RTV 4320)

Class: CIS 1011 T-R 8-9:15am Instructor: Dr. Marie Curkan-Flanagan

Office Hours: M-T-W-Tr. 10-11a E-mail: mflanaga@chuma1.cas.usf.edu

Office: 3099 Home Page:

Office Phone: 974-6789

PREREQUISITE: Students enrolled must be in the Telecommunications Production Track. Completed RTV3301 and RTV3001 with a “C.”

REQUIRED TEXTBOOK: Whittaker, Ron. 1996. Television Production 2nd edition. Mayfield Publishing Company.

REQUIRED MATERIALS: At least two mini DV 30-minute field tapes for shooting, and editing and submission of your projects.

REQUIRED OUTSIDE WORK: At least 6 to 8 hours of work per week, outside the class, is necessary to meet the requirements of Electronic Field Production. This is in addition to study time for class and tests. Equipment and edit time must be “booked” in Lab 1018. Edit time is limited to 6 hours per project in 2-hour increments. Equipment check out is limited to 6 hours per week.

□ Loss or damage of equipment is the financial responsibility of the student. All students must sign liability forms before checkout or use of lab equipment is allowed.

COURSE OBJECTIVE:

Television is a system of collectives in which people MUST work together in order to achieve a specific purpose. RTV 4320 is a single camera production class

designed to teach the basic principles of field, and audio production. The material for this course is incorporated into lectures and labs. You will not only learn to use professional television equipment, language and skills, but you will also be responsible for producing your own projects. More specifically, you will be given the background and instruction you need to learn how to communicate using electronic field equipment. Additional emphasis will be given to the creative and managerial role of producers and directors of television programs. Projects are designed to develop basic skills as a field producer, director, and editor. Students will participate in all aspects of single camera production including the use of camera, VTR, microphones, lights, editors, CG, mixers, waveform monitors and vectorscopes.

UPON COMPLETION OF THIS COURSE

You will be able to:

1. Describe the electronic field production process, using correct terminology.

2. Understand the process and skills needed-- from initial concept to delivery of a completed production.

3. Demonstrate basic skills in operating a digital field camera.

4. Demonstrate basic skills in operating a Media100 nonlinear editor.

5. Demonstrate the basic skill in operating a telepromter.

6. Demonstrate the basic skills in field lighting.

7. Demonstrate the basic skills in working an audio control panel on the Media100.

8. Demonstrate the basic skills in using transition effects on the Media100.

9. Demonstrate basic competence in each crew position for a typical production.

10. Create basic elements required to produce a television program: treatment, script, lighting, plot and set design in the "production" phase of development.

11. Demonstrate the ability to work utilizing a team approach, cooperatively.

12. Participate as a team member in an actual production from start to finish.

13. Understand the concepts of team building, personnel supervision, creative control and execution of product.

14. Generate, from start to finish—preproduction, production, postproduction—an airable videotape.

15. The concepts of organizational skills, the power to persuade, the ability

to assess an audience or clients’ needs, and the necessity of teamwork are the foundation of every production. Student attitude and behavior regarding discipline, initiative, creativity, responsibility and respect for the work of others are key lessons to be learned.

STUDENT GUIDELINES:

You are now in training to be a professional. No one is going to hire you if you are late, look like you've been up all night, have a negative attitude, and aren't involved in the work you are being paid to perform. While the following do's and don'ts are lengthy, they are designed to help you become skilled in a very demanding and highly competitive industry. In my 25 year career these guidelines (in some form) have been part of my every day life.

A. You will be required to write scripts and generate television production ideas. The projects you create in this course should be airable on broadcast television. Creativity is important that is why it is important to read the text, and concentrate in lab tutorials. Ed Tillman and I will give you the technical assistance, and knowledge to put together a creative television production.

Technical questions will be directed to Mr. Tillman, all creative and content questions will directly come to me.

Mr. Tillman Office Phone: 813/ 974-5319

Email: etillman@luna.cas.usf.edu

B. The faculty of RTV4320-001 will not tolerate any subject matter that is of

B. questionable taste. Humor can be achieved creatively and conventionally without slurring gender, race or sexual preferences. ANY PROJECT THAT CONTAINS DISTASTEFUL SUBJECT MATTER OR COULD BE CONSIDRED DISCRIMINATORY WILL NOT BE GIVEN ACADEMIC CREDIT. If you need guidance please see me. When in doubt, ASK!!!!

C. The equipment for this class is brand new and is worth thousands of dollars.

Treat it with care! ABSOLUTELY NO FOOD OR DINK is allowed in the studio or editing suite. We will ALL follow this rule to the letter. You will be asked to leave the facility immediately if this is violated.

D. This is a hands-on course and you will be expected to operate equipment. As

a result, you will be handling cables, cameras, lights and support equipment. PLEASE DO NOT WEAR YOUR BEST clothing they could very easily be ruined. Furthermore, you'll be more effective if you're comfortable. Reserve your good clothing for days you will actually be taping for air.

E. Attitude is more important than aptitude. Your "EQ is more important than

your IQ" Stay focused and active toward learning the tasks at hand. Because not everyone can be using the equipment at the same time you may find yourself with time on your hands. Use that time to review your tutorials, text, or review and rehearse your project with team members. Reading the newspaper, talking on a cell-phone, or discussing last night's date is not acceptable, professional behavior. Please DO NOT embarrass yourself or your team by being asked to leave the class or the edit suite.

F. No assignments will be accepted if written in pencil. All outlines, scripts,

books, notes and formal papers must be typed (double-spaced) and

free from spelling and grammatical errors.

G. ELECTRONIC DEVICES: Non-essential electronic devices (phones,

beeping watches, beepers, etc.) may not be activated in class.

SALE OF NOTES / TAPING OF CLASS LECTURES:

Lectures given in this class are the property of Dr. Marie Curkan-Flanagan and notes may not be sold, nor taped, nor used for purposes other than the academic (non-commercial) needs of each registered student. Taping class lectures is allowed only by the individual permission of the instructor, and only if the student formally agrees to all the following conditions:

(1)Tapes are for the sole use of the individual student to whom permission is given in order to allow that student to enhance traditional note taking in class.

(2)Tapes may not be transcribed, nor may they be sold nor loaned to any other person or organization.

(3)Tapes may not be kept indefinitely ( use the same cassette and tape over each lecture with the next one)

Please see the professor outside of class time to secure formal permission for taping class lectures.

ATTENDANCE:

-Class attendance is mandatory in (RTV) 432000. No absences are excused.

-You are allowed two (2) acceptably documented excused absences for illness or transportation reasons, not for job or other class conflicts. A third cut will result in lowering your FINAL semester grade by one FULL letter grade. Hence, if you have earned a B+ for the term, you will receive a C+.

-Four cuts will result in automatically FAILING THE COURSE.

-You are allowed two tardy of not more than 15 minutes. Three tardies will be equivalent to an unexcused absence. Each two late entries into class 30 minutes late will be treated as an unexcused absence.

-Early departures from class will be prorated similar to tardies. That is, a departure at or before mid-class is considered an unexcused absence. Other departures before class is adjourned are treated under the tardiness policy of 15 minutes, with the exception that no early departures from class are allowed or excused.

-Students who anticipate the necessity of being absent from class due to the observation of a major religious observance must provide advance notice of the date to the instructor, in writing.

While this attendance policy may seem severe, understand that it absolutely mirrors current industry standards. If telecommunications is your career choice, NOW is the time to understand the parameters in which you will be working.

SCRIPTS AND PROJECT DEADLINES:

□ No exercises, scripts, projects or exams can be made-up.

Working in telecommunication means meeting deadlines.

□ Each assignment turned in past deadline will result in a grade point reduction of one percentage point for each additional weekday the product is late (weekends excluded).

□ All projects must be completed if you want to receive a grade at the end of the semester.

PLAGARISM:

In the communication industry anyone found to be stealing, fabricating or misusing information looses their job. Since this course lays the foundation for a potential career within the industry the rules will be the same. Any student found plagiarizing or misusing information will not only loose their job but they will…fail this course. Cheating on examinations will result in the same loss of class standing as reported above. Students, who don't do their own work, don't deserve a break. Please refer to the academic handbook, which clearly specifies how the university views this type of behavior.

PROJECTS:

Each student will create and edit a total of 5 video productions during the semester. All projects will be shot using mini DV field equipment. The first two group projects postproduction will be straight cuts using the Media 100 nonlinear editors found in CIS 1013.Groups will alternate.

Project 1 video/nat sound only- voice over. (Introduction to camera and editor.)

Project 2 interview with cutaway. (Introduction to use of sound and lighting.)

Project 3 A :60 second, music video using a variety of transitions

found in the editor. Simple project of music and pictures with effects transitions to create a mood(primarily an edit and transition exercise).

The fourth project will be an introduction to the techniques of for air production using all the skills developed in projects 1-3.

Project 4 You will research, shoot, edit and post a :30 public

service announcement.

Project 5 Your final project will be the development of an entire 30-minute,

for air product, using all the skills developed in Project 1-4.

The product will be part of the Spectrum series telecast on WUSF-TV, channel 16. Pre-production, production and postproduction for Spectrum will be developed through out the semester.

This project will take the form of a documentary.

Since the final project is for air, it must meet broadcast

technical standards as well as the creative mission.

EXAMS AND GRADING: Three "mini" exams will be given covering reading and lecture material. They will either be true / false, multiple choice or short answer. All projects are to be completed on the day assigned. Scripts, logs, equipment sign out sheets, research and production planning outlines are part of the project grade. No late work will be accepted. This will result in a grade of zero on the assigned project. Projects will be graded on a numeric basis.

GRADING SYSTEM

Grades are based on performance in several areas:

Project 1 50 points

Project 2 50 points

Project 3 75 points

Hands-on participation in the lab 50 points

Project 4 125 points

Project 5 150 points

Teamwork skills. 50 points

Project proposals/written only 100 points

Exam I 100 points

Mid-Term Exam (written) 100 points

Final Exam (written) 100 points

Participation 50 points

1000

GRADE SCALE:

A = 970- 1000 4.00

A-= 930 3.67

B+ = 890 3.33 D+ = 670 1.33

B = 850 3.00 D = 640 1.00

B- = 810 2.67 D- = 600 .66

C+ = 780 2.33 F = 550 0

C = 740 2.00 AN AUTOMATIC F ON A LATE ASSIGNMENT

C- = 700 1.66

Incomplete Grades:

An "I" grade cannot be used to make up for frequently missed project deadlines or to salvage failing grades for the course. Incomplete grades are awarded only when a small portion of a student's course work is incomplete and the student is earning a passing grade. An Incomplete (“I”) will only be considered if reasons beyond the student’s control make it impossible to complete the course on schedule.

According to University policy, a student may choose to withdraw from the course through March 9, 2001 with a “W” grade. After this date NO “W” grades will be granted.

▪ The USF School of Mass Communications complies with national accrediting

standards designed to help prepare students to understand and relate to issues of interest to women and minorities in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic, multi-racial and otherwise diverse society.

Electronic Field Production (RTV 4320-001)

Syllabus

(will vary as needed)

SPECTRUM Production Meetings will run throughout the semester

|Class of | |Assignment |

|Week 1 | |Read Chapter One. |

|1/9 T |Introduction, Syllabus, Projects |Book time for camera check-out. Book time for Edit Check – |

| |Camera Orientation / assign Project I |part 1 |

|1/11 TR | |Break into groups of 2. |

|Week 2 | | |

|1/16 T |Camera & Lens, Logging, Shooting Cont. |Chapter 4 & 5 |

| |Spectrum: Topic Selection |Shoot Project 1.Book time for Edit Check – part 2/outside |

|1/18 TR | |classwork. Assign project 2. |

|Week 3 | | |

|1/23 T |Edit intro, (set up, insert, assemble, |Chapter11 |

| |control track, Time code, waveform, |Meet with Mr. Tillman in Edit suite |

| |vectorscope ) ¾ |For overview. |

| | |Book time for Edit Check – part 3 |

| |Edit intro – Non Linear |Edit Project 1. |

|1/25 TR | |Assign Project 3. |

|Week 4 | | |

|1/30 T |Edit intro (cuts, motion) edit project one.|Chapter 12 |

| |(Teams finish editing outside of class) |Edit Check completed. Edit project 2. |

| |View project 1 – review simple script, |Assign Project Four.Break up into groups of 3. |

| | |SPECTRUM: TREATMENT DUE |

|2/1 TR | | |

|Week 5 | |Chapter 7, meet in studio w/Mr.Tillman lighting. Shoot and |

|2/6 T |Lighting |Edit Project 2 outside class. |

| | | |

|2/8 TR |Quiz 1 Ch. 1,4,5,11,12. | |

| |SPECTRUM: SCENEREO DUE | |

|Week 6 | |Chapter 8 Shoot and edit project 3. |

|2/13 T |Audio | |

|2/15 TR |Project 2 Screening |Review Mood for music video in project 3. |

| | | |

| | | |

| |RTV 4320-001 continued | |

|Week 7 2/20 T |Continuity/ News and Documentary |Chapter 10 |

| |Productions, What is News Worthy |OUTSIDE CLASS WORK Shoot and |

| |Script/project 4 due |Edit project 4. To be completed by |

| |View Project 3. |Next Tuesday 2/27. |

| | | |

|2/22 TR |Creative Process preproduction / scripting | |

| |/ storyboard Review |Chapter 2 |

| | | |

|Week 8 | |Chapter 6 |

|2/27 T |Exam 2, Chs 2,,7,8,10 |Complete PSA. |

|3/1 TR |Graphic composition |OUTSIDE CLASS WORK Spectrum working format due. |

| |Spectrum final review. | |

|Week 9 |View Project 4. |Packages for Spectrum begin shoot. |

|3/6 T |Production and Post Production On line, |Chapter 9 |

|3/8 TR |effects and graphics | |

|3/13 |Spring Break | |

|3/20 T |How video works |Chapter 3 |

| | |OUTSIDE CLASS WORK – Music Video / Mood piece for spectrum |

|3/22 TR |Spectrum scripts, Reviewed. |identified for closer. Shoot. |

|Week 11 |Multi Camera Remote |Chapter 13 |

|3/27 T |SPECTRUM: All shooting and scripts |OUTSIDE CLASS WORK, shoot. |

| |reviewed. | |

|3/29 TR |No Class…Rose seminar |Class is cancelled so that you can |

| | |Attend tomorrow's seminar. |

|Fri.3/30 |Les Rose seminar 9-3pm |You MUST attend |

|Week 12 |Legal/Ethical Guidelines |Chapter 14 |

|4/3 T |ID spectrum problems. |Outside class work shoot Spectrum. |

|4/5 TR | | |

| |Review format for continuity. | |

|4/10 T |Review for continuity and flow. |Begin editing all Spectrum packages, all tapes to be logged. |

|4/12 TR |E.P Meets with segment producers. Update on| |

| |Spectrum. | |

|Week 14 | |Teleprompter, graphics designed |

|4/17 T |Director and EP begin online process. |Everything to be ready for post. All editing to be completed|

|4/19 TR | |on packages. |

|Week15 |Spectrum Wrap-up. |Schedule airdate...TBA screening. |

|4/24, 26 |Production book due. | |

|Thurs.5/3 |Final Exam. |Exam is scheduled in this class at our normally scheduled |

|Week 16 |Self/Group evaluation Due |time. |

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