Com S 27B – Film/Video Production Lab Syllabus

Final Exam Times
Final Exam: 12/7 and 12/9
Optional Cumulative Exam: 12/14 8-9am (no make-ups)
Final Critique (Tuesday's Class) 8am Thurs 12/16
Final Critique (Thursday's Class) 10am Thurs 12/16

Office Hours Finals Week:
4-5 Monday 12/13
10-11 Tuesday 12/14

Instructor: Jenny Stark 278-6285
jenstark@csus.edu
Fall 10 Office Hours
3:30-4:30 M
12:30-1:30 T-R


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Course Description and Objectives:

This course provides practical, hands-on experience in video
production. Students will be expected to become proficient in all
production roles: camera operation, audio control, basic directing,
lighting, and editing. Students will also be expected to learn the
terminology of video production/post-production and use this
terminology competently. Students enrolled in Com S 27B must be
concurrently enrolled in Com S 27A. There are no exceptions to
this requirement.

Final Cut Pro Tutorials Lynda.com

Course Requirements:
Camera Test 5
Camera Angles and moves 10
Final Cut Pro Competency Exam 5 (Study Guide)
From Storyboard to Screen 15
1 Minute Movie 15

Total Possible 100 points (27a and b)

93-100 = A
89-93 = A-
86-89 = B+
82-85= B
80-81= B-
77-79 = C+
75-76 = C
70-74 = C-
Below 70 D
Below 60 F

Com S 27B is basically a performance class, not unlike a music or
drama class. The time you spend in production and post-production
will show directly by the quality of your work.

Required Supplies (Choose one of the following)

Camera Package 1:
Kodak ZI8
Lavalier Mic
Tripod
SD Card: You may purchase one online (the suggested one)
They are extremely cheap at Walmart (See Eric if you need a printout of a shopping list)
If you are unable to buy one right away you are welcome to check one out in the equipment room

Camera Package 2:
Canon Vixia
Lavalier Mic
Tripod

Camera Package 3:
Panasonic HMC 40
Lavalier Mic
Tripod

Specialty Package (Digital SLR)
Nikon D90
Tripod

Tripod Alternatives:
Provista
Manfrotto 1
Manfrotto 2

Other Cameras I like in a higher price range:
(They all record on mini dv) The XHA1 and the V1U have XLR inputs, so they will require a professional mic

Canon XHA1
Sony V1U
Sony HDR-FX7

If you bring in any other hard drive video camera not listed here, I may be unable to help you convert your files to work with in Final Cut Pro. Therefore, if you purchase any other HDD Camera, you are on your own in terms of troubleshooting. We do not have the latest version of FCP and Imovie, so some files do not work. Be careful! FYI: Sony Hard Drive Cameras are really good, but cause a lot of problems in this arena. They also don't have separate mic inputs.

If you have access to any camera that records onto a DV tape, you are welcome to use that. Keep in mind that sometimes lower quality cameras can make it difficult to get a sense of your ability as a videographer. You will be responsible for figuring out all of the various functions of the camera. I will help you with capturing as long as you bring your firewire.

We also have five camera packages available to Film Studies students who are unable to buy their own cameras. If you are in any of the production fields: Digital Media Minor, Digital Video, Digital/Film Video Production, you need to purchase one of the above camera packages.

Firewire cables are needed if you will be capturing from DV tapes

Firewire Cable 4 to 9 pin

Recommended Equipment
These are my recommended brands for a Firewire Drive. You may buy a smaller size or use a different brand as long as the the drive runs at 7200 rpm's and has a Firewire port.
Lacie Quadra
Lacie (Neil Poulton)
Western Digital


Classroom/Lab Etiquette:

Cell phones should be turned off in classrooms or in the labs. If a cell phone is
mistakenly left on, please turn it off as soon as possible. Under no
circumstances should the student pick up the cell phone and speak
while that student is a classroom or lab. If a student continues to use their
cell phone during class for any purpose (even texting) they will be dropped
from the class. This includes open lab times until the student exits the classroom
completely. If I ask you to get off the phone do not run out of the class talking--
get off of the phone immediately and leave the classroom to the side. This is non-negotiable.

Students are not permitted to use the Internet during lectures or
student presentations. Any work on computers in class should
relate directly to classroom activities. Internet messaging, games,
etc are not permitted during class. Unfortunately this eliminates
the possibility of students looking up subjects that arise in the lecture.
This is only permitted if I invite the class to do so.

All of the above activities are extremely distracting to the instructor as well as the other students.
If you want to surf the internet or talk on the phone you should just stay at home and waste your tuition there.

There should be no talking during lectures and student
presentations.

1. Reserve equipment in advance if you expect to have it for your shoot. (if applicable)

2. Equipment is to be checked out for 24 hours on weekdays and through the weekend if
checked out on Friday

3. You may only reserve equipment designated for ComS 27a in advance and not equipment
designated for other classes.
If there is equipment designated for another class that has not been checked out by
students, you may (if approved by Dave Felipe) check that equipment out. This rule doesn't
apply to cameras specifically designated for another class.

4. Willard, under all circumstances, has the last word when it comes to checking out
equipment.

If he says no, he means no. He will not check out equipment to you that you are not
authorized to use.

5. As soon as you sign a checkout slip and leave with the equipment it becomes your
responsibility financially and otherwise.

6. Do not reserve and take out more equipment than you need. You, your fellow students,
and your crew members will all be happy if you keep your shoots as simple as possible.

7. If you are going to be late picking up equipment call Dave Felipe at 278-6328 and tell
him.

If you are more than 10 minutes late (without calling) he will check the equipment out to
someone else.

CLASS SCHEDULE
8/31-9/2
Students Log On
Introduction to Lab
Introduction to Equipment Packages
Assignemnts and Class Rules Explained

9/7-9/9
Camera Test Assignment Given
Final Cut Pro (Beginning)

9/14-9/16
Camera Introduction and Test (Bring Cameras, Tripods and manuals)
We will break up into groups and look over your cameras together
I will speak with each individual group to go over your cameras with you
I will also go over your assignments (one on one)
Intro to Final Cut Pro

9/21-9/23
Final Cut Pro Continued
Editing of Camera Test

9/28-9/30
Camera Angles/Camera Moves Assignment Given
Camera Test Due
Will be viewed second hour

10/5-10/7
Final Cut Pro Demo (Titles)
Wireframes
Continued Viewing of Camera Test
Open Lab Time for Camera Angles

10/12-10/14
3 Point Lighting Demo
Camera Angles Edit Due at the Beginning of Class
Critique of Camera Angles
Storyboard to Screen Assignment Given
Select groups and work on storyboards

10/19-10/21
Critique Continued

10/26-10/28
Recording Proper Sound Levels with Your Microphones
Open Lab to edit Storyboard to Screen

11/2-11/4
Final Assignment Given
Storyboard to Screen Due (Critique)

11/9
Continued Critique on Storyboard to Screen (if needed)

11/16-11/18 Final Cut Pro Editing Competency Exam
Camera Moves on Dolly

11/23 Open Lab (Thanksgiving Day on 11/25)

11/30-12/2
Audio Recording and Mixing in Final Cut Pro
Open Lab

12/7-12/9
Basic LiveType and Motion Demo

Final Projects Due (Finals Week)