Syllabus
COMM 1000, Foundations in Video and Audio Production
4 Credit Hours, 4 Contact Hours
Prerequisites:  None
Course materials:  Secure Digital Media card 16GB or larger
Facilities Use: Computer Lab and Television Studio  

Instructor: 		Office hours: 	
Telephone:	 	Email:

Text Examples:  Video Production: Disciplines and Techniques, Gross and Foust, 2008;
Making Media, Foundations of Sound and Image Production, Jan Roberts-Breslin, Focal Press. 2008; Editing with Media Composer 5.Avid Technology, 2010. 
	
Course Description:
This introductory hands-on course is designed for students who have little or no experience in video/sound production.  They learn the basics of image and sound creation necessary for subsequent courses.  Topics include camera and microphone operation, video and audio capture, camera supports, editing, adding foley and sound tracks, titling, effects, and color correction.  Students will also learn how to compress and encode video so that it is optimized for current platforms.
 
Learning Outcomes:
As a result of this course, the student will be able to:
1.	Plan a production from start to finish
2.	Set up and operate a camcorder, both handheld and on a tripod
3.	Set up and safely use lighting equipment in different configurations
4.	Set up and operate shotgun and lavaliere microphones
5.	Edit video and sound using software
6.	Add titles and effect to video production
7.	Edit and level sound, add score
8.	Adjust and perform color correction on footage
9.	Compress, optimize, and output video

Weights Used to Derive the Final Total Points Out of One Hundred:
1. Attendance and participation (30%)
2. Completion of weekly projects. (30%)
3. Final project (40%)

From Point Grades to Letter Grades:

93-100	A	
90-92	A-	
87-89	B+	
83-86	B	
80-82	B-	
77-79	C+	
73-76	C	
70-72	C-	
67-69	D+	
60-66	D	
>60	F	

The instructor reserves the right to raise or lower final grades due to attendance, class participation, and other course requirements.

Academic integrity:
Violation of academic integrity will be subject to the college’s disciplinary code as stated in the Student Handbook.

Attendance:
Attendance is required at all class meetings. If you are unable to attend a class, you are responsible for finding out and completing the material and assignments you have missed. More than 2 absences will affect your grade negatively.

Accommodations:
The Disability Services Office (DDS) provides support services and coordinates reasonable academic accommodations for students with documented disabilities under the ADA and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. Students are responsible for identifying themselves to the DSS office and submitting appropriate documentation in advance of the requested accommodation. For more information, contact DSS: (401) 825-2164 in Warwick, (401) 333-7329 in Lincoln, (401) 455-6064 in Providence and (401) 851-1650 in Newport. 

Schedule
Week	Topic	Assignment	
1	Content and PreProduction. The Frame, Depth and Movement in the Frame.	Shoot still and moving images of various shots and setups.
Overview of 1-2 minute final project.	
2	Introduction to course. Camera operation and setup (handheld and tripod) including Steadycam.	Shoot five minutes of video with in camera edits and no sound. Shoot one minute with steadycam.	
2	Lighting/Light. How to setup lights in one, two and three light configurations.	Setup and breakdown lights in one, two and three light configurations.	
3	Audio/The Importance of Sound.
Introduction to various microphones (lavalier, shotgun, handheld) and their applications and setup. 	Shoot five minutes of video with audio.
Two ideas due for final project.	
4	Editing/ Sound and Image. Basic editing principles and non linear software introduction.	Create sequence with cut edits in Avid Media Composer.	
5	Editing/Time. More editing principles and techniques.	Add dissolves, wipes and dve moves to sequence.	
6	Structure: Linear and Nonlinear 	Storyboard a linear and a nonlinear story.	
7	Titles. How to create and edit titles and use them effectively.	Add titles to sequence.
Treatment/script due for final project.	
8	Music Library and moving backgrounds. Use and application of music in video production. 	Add titles (through the use of the music library and jump backs) to sequence.	
9	Audio, music and sound effects. Add sound elements to enhance story.	Level audio, add foley and music track to sequence. 	
10	Color Correction. Enhance and improve color balance between cuts and frames.	Color correct sequence.
	
11	After Effects. Introduction to keyframe animation.	Create 10 second animation for use in sequence.	
12	Special Effects. How to create special effects.
	Apply video stabilization, slo-mo and other video effects in sequence. Create matte painting.
Production plan due for final project.	
13	Chroma Key (blue/green screen). How to shoot and pull a green/blue screen.	Add blue/green screen effect to sequence.	
14	Compression. Optimize video for DVD and web. DVD Production.	Compress versions of sequence for DVD and web and test playback. Create a looping video and a menu driven DVD.	
15	Final Project Due	Final Project Due