Video Story Telling

Course Description
This introduction to reporting for electronic media incorporates weekly lectures, analysis of broadcast reporting and documentary production, both current and past, and, through practical exercises in electronic news gathering, students will learn the basic concepts of journalism for air and screen. Because the course focuses on independent media production, students are advised to use their own video cameras, MacBooks or PCs when we move into the production and post-production phase -although cameras are available for those without one. Working in groups, we will produce a series of video exercises culminating in short newscast at the end of the semester, incorporating everything we've covered about finding, researching and reporting a story, gathering elements that may include documentation, archival material, interviews, sound and field footage. Technical considerations, such as lighting, composition, focus, audio, editing, and post production enhancements and formatting issues will also be covered, with guest speakers with experience in the field.

Course Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this course, students should be able to:

• Write a shooting script that incorporates visual story telling, sound that adds dimension and good reporting; be able to shoot and edit field footage into a form suitable for webcast at a minimum.
• Plan, report, record and edit a short news story for broadcast.
• Comprehend and have a clear understanding of independent news gathering for the media.
• Understand and analyze news broadcasts and non-fiction films for form, content, style and impact.