DEPARTMENT OF CINEMA AND COMPARATIVE LITERATURE
UNIVERSITY OF IOWA
FILM/VIDEO PRODUCTION: ALTERNATIVE FORMS
Videoblogging and Podcasting
048:064 TTh 11:30-1:20 W232 AJB
Instructor: Jennifer Proctor
Course Design: Jennifer Proctor
With assistance from Jen Simmons
Course Description/Goals: In this course, we will explore the groundbreaking new form of video production: videoblogging. With the current explosion of this new form taking hold across the wired (and wireless) world, the impact on the way we watch—and make—movies is changing. With easy access to these new technologies, everyday people around the world are now documenting their lives, their thoughts, and their communities on video and offering their creations to an international public. Taking these developments in hand, this course will explore the production of short, personal videos for a computer-based viewing situation, which includes PCs and laptops as well as portable devices such as cell phones, iPods, and PDAs. We will examine various approaches to creating short video work and, as a class, seek to develop a working definition for what video, especially personal nonfiction video, means in the digital age. In particular, this class will invite students to develop a unique voice and aesthetic, ask you to explore your own interests and concerns, and connect you to an instant, international community of viewers and fellow videobloggers through Internet broadcast.
The course will offer technical skills for creating videoblogs (vlogs), but it will also emphasize discussion and thinking about how this new means of viewing videos is changing the ways we might approach making moving images and sound. We will also focus on ways that user-created content is changing the media landscape. Assignments will include readings, short presentations, discussions, and several short video projects posted to a blog of your creation. This class will be fast-paced and dynamic as we push into new approaches to creative expression.
The equipment for the course will include basic mini-DV cameras, a variety of microphones, and the Final Cut Pro non-linear editing system. You are also encouraged to experiment with your own video production equipment, including cell phones and consumer digital still cameras. As part of the course, you will create your own blog using Blogger, upload videos to Blip.tv, develop a working knowledge of Quicktime Pro, XHTML, RSS, and video compression, and continue to hone your skills with Final Cut Pro 5.0, in addition to developing skills with other web applications and video aggregators.
Required Texts:
• Hands-On Guide to Video Blogging and Podcasting by Lionel Felix and Damien Stolarz (Focal Press, 2006)
• Publishing a Blog with Blogger by Elizabeth Castro (Peachpit Press, 2005)
• Selected readings posted to ICON Course site
Other Required Materials:
• Mini-DV tapes (probably 3 or 4)
• Storage media (Portable hard drive, flash drive, iPod, and/or DVDs, for transporting video files)
Expectations:
• Show up prepared and on time
• Turn in assignments on time
• Participate consistently and actively in class discussions and in commenting on others’ videoblogs
• Respect your peers when working in groups and when critiquing one another’s work
• Create challenging, thoughtful, meaningful work
Attendance:
Preparation and participation are essential to success in this course – active participation in discussions will contribute heavily to your participation grade. You do not earn points merely by attending class, but you will lose them by missing it. You will lose 2 points for every unexcused absence. If you miss a class, you are expected to contact me within 48 hours in order to have it excused. Work turned in late due to unexcused absences will be penalized. Excused absences include documented illness, family emergencies, and recognized University holidays; they do not include taking friends to the airport, oversleeping, or working on projects for other classes.
Grades: Grades will be assigned on the standard A+ through F scale, including plus and minus grades, according to rubrics I will hand out in class. There is no curve in this course, but high marks will depend on your hard work, commitment to the course, and active and respectful participation. I am happy to discuss your grade at any point during the course, but my policy is that you must wait 24 hours after receiving a grade before you may contact me about it. Also be advised that unless I have made an error in calculation, I will not change your grade. I take great care in assessing grades, and I remain firm in those assessments.
Help!: One final note—I am here to help. I realize that video production and computer technology can be challenging and sometimes frustrating tools, and I’m here to assist in transforming it into a rewarding, inspiring, and even fun experience. Feel free to email me or come by office hours should you encounter questions or difficulties on assignments or any part of the production process. I do ask, however, that you make thorough attempts to solve your problem before coming to me. Like you, my time is limited. Your classmates are valuable resources, so draw upon them, along with manuals and course materials—and if you’re still stuck, then feel free to contact me and we’ll work through it. My phone number is also on this syllabus (10am-10pm only, please).
Assignments:
Videoblog posts will be turned in on your videoblog. Work will be done individually, although collaboration is also possible. All video posts must be UNDER 4 MINUTES IN LENGTH.
Videoblog 65%
First draft 10 points
1st post (direct address) 10 points
Finished design 20 points
2nd post (portrait) 10 points
3rd post (place) 10 points
4th post 10 points
5th post 10 points
6th post 10 points
7th post 10 points
8th post 10 points
9th post 10 points
10th post 10 points
Vlog case study 15%
Three-page description 15 points
Presentation 15 points
Participation in discussions/vlog comments 40 points 20%
Total possible points 200 points