DMA 328 DSLR Video Production (3 units) (Wed 2:30-5:15pm) LIB B118 TV Studio Mario Congreve LIB-108 Office: 310-243-2053 Cell: 310-704-7635 Office Hours: Wednesday 1 2 pm mcongreve@csudh.edu Course Description: This course is an introduction to the theory and practice of using DSLR photo cameras for video production. Students will learn fundamental techniques for proper exposure, camera movement, audio recording, and video editing. (Co-requisites: DMA 320 and DMA 323). Through hands-on demonstrations the course will guide students through the core techniques of DSLR video production (focus, zoom, aperture, shutter speed, ISO, exposure, white balance, framing, and camera movement). Students will learn how to apply the compositional skills of still photography to capturing professional video. Students will also learn how to navigate the video-capturing features of the DSLR, choose the right gear for various filmmaking needs, and incorporate the audio-capturing features of the camera. Textbooks: Due to the rising cost of photography textbooks that are outdated by the time of publication, there are no required textbooks for this course. Online links for the most recent version of the camera manuals used in the class will be provided for the students as reference material. Required Materials: (2) SDHC Cards Class 10 32GB (Source Footage for Project Filming and Mastering) (1) Hard Drive USB3 with at least 1TB for editing (1) Flash Drive (Storage of mp4 files for transferring to SDHC Cards) (1) Headphones with 1/8 Mini Plug (For monitoring audio on location) (1) Leather Work Gloves (For handling Lighting Equipment on location) (1) Card Reader (For Playback of SD Card projects on standard HDTV s USB input) The DMA Department will supply students with DSLR camera systems and tripods for projects. Student Learning Outcomes - by the end of the course, students will be able to: 1) Focus a stationary shot and follow focus on a moving subject shot. 2) Frame and compose a LS, MS, OS, or CU shot. 3) Expose an indoor or outdoor video scene without over or under exposure. 4) White balance an indoor or outdoor scene for accurate color rendition. 5) Pan, tilt, pan-tilt, and follow frame on a moving subject. 6) Capture audio at the proper level without distortion or noise. 7) Capture HD video in the proper file format for post production editing. 8) Edit captured video clips into a sequence using Adobe Premiere. 1
Instructional / Methods / Activities Assessments: This course will consist of a series of photographic and video assignments and exercises to help students in achieving the objectives of this course. Each class will consist of a combination of some or all of the following activities: Lectures by instructor on video, photography and painting that utilize discipline-specific methods and techniques for DSLR video application. Demonstrations by instructor on photographic and video techniques and the use of software for editing video and photographs. Studio time to work on individual and group assignments. Individual student and instructor meetings to discuss assignments and progress. Group Critique of course assignments. Discussion and presentation of readings about contemporary artists. As a participant in a DMA production art course, students should always come prepared to work on assignments. In addition to class time, students will be required to spend time outside of class and on weekends to complete class production assignments with the department s DSLR camera systems. Class Production Projects: 1) Still Life Portfolio requires each student to shoot a collection of still life subjects in existing light to demonstrate ability to use lighting as a tool to enhance shapes, color, texture, and contrast. This will be a combination of 7 photographs and 7 video clips. 2) Outdoor Portfolio requires each student to shoot a collection of exterior daylight and night scenes. Each student needs to pick at least 6 locations within LA that are landmarks and can tell a story. Each shot should include a pan, tilt, or pan-tilt camera movement. This will be a combination of a minimum of 10 shots per location for a minimum of 60 shots to be edited with a musical background. The focus of the project is on the visual grammar of the piece and storytelling through visuals. 3) Drama Scene Project requires teams of three students to shoot a 2-minute drama scene that includes master shot, wide OS, medium OS, CU, XCU, and POV. Each team will edit these shots into a scene with continuity. The instructor will assign each student to a team. Late Submission Policy: Any project submitted late will result in an automatic deduction of 10 points on the final grade for the project. Extra Credit Policy There will be no extra credit available in this course. 2
Academic Integrity Consult the University Catalog section titled Academic Integrity for campus policy on cheating and plagiarism. Cheating and plagiarism will result in automatic failure of the course and possible expulsion from the University. Disabled Student Services: Students with disabilities are encouraged to consult the University Catalog for information on the Student disability Resource Center dss@csudh.edu (310-243-3660). Students requiring assistance with exams or other course work can utilize these services. Computer/Information Literacy Expectations for Students in this Class 1. Use the university email system (Toromail). In order to receive course information, assignments, and announcements, you must have an e-mail account which you can access daily (Campus accounts can be arranged for free). 2. Use Blackboard 3. Use a word processing program for writing assignments (e.g., Microsoft Word). 4. Be able to access assigned websites through the internet 5. For additional information about computing on campus, including tutorials, students should go to: http://www.csudh.edu/infotech/labs http://www.csudh.edu/infotech/student_index.shtml Class Environment Students should minimize potential classroom disruptions by: NO ELECTRONIC DEVICES! Making sure all cell phones, laptops, and other personal electronic devices are turned off or in silent mode during class. NO FOOD or DRINKS! Consumption of food and beverages in our television studio and production labs is NOT allowed at any time. Food and beverages must be stored outside of class and labs. Any disruptive behavior will result in a deduction of 10 points from the student s Professional Image grade as well as the student being asked to leave for the duration of the class period. Professional Image and Attendance: Since class sessions emphasize hands-on demonstrations, near-perfect attendance is required. For this reason, each absence will result in a deduction of 10 points and each late arrival will result in a deduction of 5 points from the student s Professional Image grade. Professional Image is the characteristic attitude and demeanor you project to your professor, staff, and classmates during class and productions. It is the REPUTATION you earn based on your: punctuality; attitude; dependability; willingness to work and focus on the project at hand; ability to cooperate with classmates as a team player ; interpersonal skills which allow you to be in control of your emotions during stressful situations; and your resilience to bounce back after failures. It is the image people have about working with you in the future. Professional Image will be based on your professor s observations of your work during class, labs, and your production projects. 3
Grading Criteria the final grade will be based on the following weighted criteria: 25% - Still Life Portfolio 25% - Outdoor Portfolio 25% - Drama Scene Project 25% - Professional Image Grading Scale: A (4.0) = 99-92% A- (3.7) = 91-90% B+(3.3) = 89-88% B (3.0) = 87-82% B- (2.7) = 81-80% C+(2.3) = 79-78% C (2.0) = 77-72% C- (1.7) = 71-70% D+(1.3) = 69-68% D (1.0) = 67-60% F (0.0) = 59-0% Still Life Project Grading Criteria 1) Focus are all the shots in sharp focus, i.e., no soft shots? 2) Exposure are all the shots properly exposed, i.e., none too hot, none too dark? 3) White Balance do all shots have the proper color balance, i.e., no yellow cast or blue cast shots? 4) Framing are all shots framed and composed, i.e., Rule of Thirds, no unnatural cut off lines? 5) Art Direction is the scene aesthetically pleasing to look at, instead of too stark, empty, or ugly? 6) Lighting Quality is there natural positioning of one-source existing light? 7) Texture does the use of specular light accentuate the difference in texture of objects in the scene? Outdoor Portfolio Project Grading Criteria 1) Focus are all the shots in sharp focus, i.e., no soft shots? 2) Exposure are all the shots properly exposed, i.e., none too hot, none too dark? 3) White Balance do all shots have the proper color balance, i.e., no yellow cast or blue cast shots? 4) Framing are all shots framed and composed, i.e., Rule of Thirds, no unnatural cut off lines? 5) Location Lighting do the shots contextualize the location lighting at different times of the day? 4
Drama Project Grading Criteria 1) Focus are all the shots in sharp focus, i.e., no soft shots? 2) Exposure are all the shots properly exposed, i.e., none too hot, none too dark? 3) White Balance do all shots have the proper color balance, i.e., no yellow cast or blue cast shots? 4) Framing are all shots framed and composed, i.e., Rule of Thirds, no unnatural cut off lines? 5) Art Direction is the scene aesthetically pleasing to look at, instead of too stark, empty, or ugly? 6) Consistency do all the shots have the same quality, i.e., same color, texture, exposure, etc.? 7) Continuity does the sequence look like it was shot live with multiple cameras, i.e. no jump cuts? 8) Variety is there a good mixture of shots such as master shot, OS, CU s, low angle, high angle, etc.? 9) Audio Quality does it sound professional or is it too noisy, distorted, reverberant, etc.? 10) Audio Mix - is the balance good, or do any of the other tracks overpower the dialogue? Assigned Readings students can access these readings online as pdf s: Placing Shadows: Lighting Techniques for Video Production 3rd Edition by Chuck Gloman (Author), Tom LeTourneau (Author). Basics of Video Lighting 2nd Edition by Des Lyver (Author), Graham Swainson (Author). Sight, Sound, Motion: Applied Media Aesthetics Applied Media Aesthetics 8th edition by Herbert Zettl Cengage Learning Hardback 464 pages ISBN 1133307353. Television Field Production and Reporting (5th Edition) by Fred Shook (Author), John Larson (Author), John DeTarsio (Author). Cinematography for Directors: A Guide for Creative Collaboration by Jacqueline B Frost (Author) 5
COURSE OUTLINE Week 1 Week 2 Week 3 Week 4 Week 5 Week 6 Week 7 Week 8 Week 9 Week 10 Week 11 Week 12 Week 13 Week 14 Week 15 Week 16 Course Introduction; Differences between DSLR s and Camcorders for Video Production DUTCH MASTERS MUSEUM TRIP / STILL LIFE PORTFOLIO PROPOSALS INTRODUCTION TO THE USE OF THE NIKON 5200 DSLR CAMERA AND LENSES LIGHTING AND APPLICATIONS FOR DUTCH MASTERS AND GRAND MASTERS CINEMATOGRAPHY TECHNIQUES IN LIGHTING AND COMPOSITION STILL LIFE PORTFOLIOS DUE / CRITIQUE / Prepare for Outdoor Portfolio Assignment INTRODUCTION TO OUTDOOR PORTFOLIO ASSIGNMENT EDITING FILES FROM DSLR CAMERAS USING NONLINEAR EDITING SOFTWARE LOCATIONS AND LANDMARKS, VISUAL ASSOCIATIONS, AND STUDY OF A LOCATION UNDERSTANDING AND EXPERIMENTING WITH OUTDOOR LIGHTING OUTDOOR PORTFOLIOS DUE / CRITIQUE / Prepare for Drama Scene Project THE ART OF VISUAL GRAMMAR RECORDING AUDIO with DSLR S (DIALOGUE AND MICROPHONE PLACEMENT) SET DESIGN, COSTUMING, AND CASTING FILMING A DRAMA SCENE USING DSLR CAMERA TECHNIQUES AND EQUIPMENT DRAMA SCENE PROJECTS DUE / CRITIQUE THIS SYLLABUS IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE 6