Online Critique Assignment Due by end of class 10/25

Please take a good look at this story and critique all things: storytelling, editing, camera work, composition, transitions, pacing. Would you approach this story differently?

http://www.hulu.com/watch/276831/abc-2020-the-smoking-baby

Online Assignment Due by end of class 10/11

Here is the next online critique assignment. It is a profile piece from 60 Minutes, produced by a former colleague of mine, Henry Schuster.

http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=7381518n&tag=contentMain;contentBody

Henry has agreed to join us in a future class via Skype. So as part of this assignment, please critique the usual things: production techniques, editing techniques, storytelling...but also craft 3 good questions for the producer of this piece and include them in your critique post. We'll chat with Henry and pick his brain about how they come up with the stories and how they craft the storytelling.

Enjoy!

Project A

Project A is a compilation of your group's long form pieces from Project 2.

The teams are:
Matt, Olivia and Karen
Grace and Carrie
Janice and Candice

1. As a group you will need to come up with a show concept and a show title for your magazine program. You will need to make an animated open using Master Templates in Final Cut Pro (10/6 in class).

2. Each team member should write a short lead in to his or her piece (in class 10/6). We will record those in front of the blue screen on 10/20. You can choose one team member to read all the lead ins or you can each read your individual lead in.

3. As a group you will decide the order of the pieces and write a tease that will run before an (imaginary) commercial break (in class 10/6). You will record that on camera on 10/20

4. You will design a background for the on camera chroma key shot, using similar elements from the open.

5. Project 2 is due at the beginning of class on 10/27. 3:30 sharp!! No exceptions. Then you will work together to put all the pieces together for the magazine program.

This will be the drill with Project B as well.

Online Critique Assignment Due by end of class 10/4 Change from syllabus

This a change in the syllabus. Tuesday, Oct 4th is another ONLINE critique day. We'll look at the 2nd part of the Teen for Gospels 60 Minutes.

http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=7361570n

As in the first part, you'll need to comment on the storytelling, the structure, the production techniques, and what parts struck a resonant chord with you.

Great job on the first part. Keep up the good work.

Online Assignment #4 Due by end of class 9/27

Tell me a story. That is how Don Hewitt, producer of 60 Minutes, described the charge to his troops while at the helm as Executive Producer of the venerable show for decades. They succeeded for a reason, they excelled at telling good stories.

Check this one out:
http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=7361574n&tag=contentBody;storyMediaBox

Talk about all the stories.  There are many quests here. Vy, the organizer. And each student too.

Talk about the resonant chords for you. What struck you? What made it happen? The story? The visuals? The audio? or all of the above?

Be specific. We can learn from the best.

CHANGE FROM SYLLABUS...ONLINE DAY TUESDAY, 9/20 ASSIGNMENT

This is a change from the syllabus. Tuesday, Sept 20th will be an online assignment day. Do not report to class. You will need to post your critique of the following piece by the end of the class period.

http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=6929979

Please be specific about production techniques. Discuss:
depth of field
re-enactment scenes
interview shots
movement on stills
Did this piece strike a resonant chord with you?

Project 3

JOUR 4710  FALL 11 PROJECT 3

Raw Footage Due  11/17   3:30 pm

       Project Due 12/1  end of class

   Students will produce a 4 to 5-minute magazine package in the genre of their choice. 

Entertainment, sports, technology, medical, science etc. Students are encouraged to be 

very creative in this project. You should coordinate with your team members so you have 

a cohesive magazine program. No instructions for specific format will be given.

 However, I am expecting to see the various editing techniques that you learned throughout 

the semester. Your project will be evaluated using the following criteria:

--   Use of music 

---    Use of VO and natural sound

--    Use of text (simple text from FCP and/or graphic templates from Live Type). 

Your project should include a title, lower thirds to accompany sound bites, and rolling credits.

--    Proper use of B-roll. You will need lots!

--    Proper mix of various sound tracks’ levels. 

--    Use of video filters (the use of even one filter can satisfy requirement).

--    Use of audio and video transitions (no excessive use, use them properly to strengthen 

your project).

--    Stable and creative camera work (angles, framing, exposure, visual interest).

--    Editing Continuity (no cuts during a camera movement, no jump cuts, and no i

nconsistent audio) unless complexity editing is warranted.

--    Video leader that include bars, countdown, name, piece title, date, trt.

--    TRT should be between 4 to 5 minutes. Less than 4 min. or more than 5 min. is not acceptable. 

TRT starts from the first frame in your timeline (not from video leader).

--    If you have to use materials that are not filmed by you (e.g., from a video library), 

keep in mind that you can use no more than half of your total running time from previously recorded material.  

--    Is it a story worth telling and told well?

--    You will need to turn in a script.

--    Your project needs to be turned in on DVD

--    Did you meet all the benchmarks on the intermediary due dates? 

REMEMBER:

Get started early on shooting your story! Find that emotional spike! Have fun with it and get creative! Take advantage of the time you have in class to get my feedback.