DC 120 Video Editing for Non-Majors
Summary
We will be working on developing technical and aesthetics abilities in order to use elements of digital video, whether images or sounds, to structure, and ultimately tell stories in audiovisual form. Though the title of the class includes the word "video" we will transcend this format and delve into cinema as well. The skills students will develop will help them find work in the film and television industries indistinctively. At the end of the term they will be able to assemble audiovisual stories in a coherent and compelling manner.
Texts
Required:
Dancyger, Ken (2011) THE TECHNIQUE OF FILM & VIDEO EDITING: : HISTORY, THEORY, AND PRACTICE; Focal Press; USA. ISBN-10: 0240813979; ISBN-13: 978-0240813974
Recommended:
Murch, Walter (2001) IN THE BLINK OF AN EYE; Silman-James Pr; USA. ISBN-10: 1879505622; ISBN-13: 978-1879505629
Rubin, Michael (2004) NONLINEAR - A FIELD GUIDE TO DIGITAL VIDEO AND FILM EDITING; Triad Pub Co; USA. ISBN-10: 0937404853; ISBN-13: 978-0937404850
Zettl, Herbert (2010) SIGHT, SOUND, MOTION: APPLIED MEDIA AESTHETICS; Wadsworth Pub; USA. ISBN-10: 0495802964; ISBN-13: 978-0495802969
You are also invited to examine "Variety" magazine to follow the newest developments in this thriving industry. These lectures will be supplemented with handouts from the instructor over the course of the semester.
Grading
Final grades will be based on participation, three editing exercises and a final assignment, class participation and attitude will be considered as basic required elements for the class and can deter grade advancement, although neither of them represent a set percentage of the grade in itself.
Because they have to present shows on time every hour of every day, the film & television industries are some of the most demanding in the world. This responsibility carries over to those who are preparing for them, which is why missed deadlines will result in assignment failure. Details on all assignments will be presented as the semester progresses.
Video Exercises - 20% each: The first (The Cut - 2 min. Music Video) and third (The Trailer - 1 min. Changing a Movie) editing exercises are done with previously recorded material and are designed to test the student's developing abilities with Final Cut Pro 7. Details on the specifics of the assignment will be presented as the class progresses.
Video Exercise - 30%: The second (The Scene - Flow of Action - The Vampire) assignment will be developed specifically for the class. Material will be provided for it, and it is designed to test specific editing strategies such as dialog and scene flow. Details on the specifics of the exercise will be presented as the class progresses.
Final Assignment - 30%: This assignment will consist on the editing of a Video Clip. This video project has to include at least three editing strategies and all editing processes viewed in class. It is designed to evaluate the overall understanding of the class and it's subjects. Details on the specifics of the Final Assignment will be given as the class progresses.
Prerequisites
NONE
Participation & Attendance
Participation: Some classes I'm going to be addressing personal questions based on the readings assigned the class before. There will be a systematic, yet random choice of students for these sessions. Since every question will take us into one of the subjects at hand we will continuously deviate from this procedure to explain specific points. We then will return to the Q&A.
Attendance: It does not constitute a specific part of your grade, but perfect attendance is required. Most of the information you need to complete your assignments will be discussed in-class; also there I will be giving examples of what you have to do. I have no plans to be repeating myself outside of the programmed sessions. This makes attendance critical, and thus not an issue to be negotiated. However if you have to miss a class or a deadline, make sure to plan ahead, and let me know in advance. Calling in advance does not automatically excuse an absence or a missed deadline, but it is the only way to present your case. If you fail to communicate before the next class period to explain an absence or a missed deadline, they will not be excused. Please note that work, non-emergency medical and dental appointments, hangovers, intramural games, visitors from out of town, fixing your roommate's computer, fraternity/sorority events, arguments with boyfriends or girlfriends and studying for other classes do not constitute excused absences or missed assignments.
If you have to miss class due to religious holiday, please see me as far in advance as possible.
In order to petition for an excused absence, students who miss class due to illness or significant personal circumstances should complete the Absence Notification process through the Dean of Students office. The form can be accessed at http://studentaffairs.depaul.edu/dos/forms.html. Students must submit supporting documentation alongside the form. The professor reserves the sole right whether to offer an excused absence and/or academic accommodations for an excused absence.
Tardiness: One true thing in all professional fields is the lack of tolerance for tardiness. Employers do not generally tolerate such behavior, and employees who offer weak, irritating excuses frequently find themselves unemployed and unemployable. We will be working under the same rules.
Remember it is your responsibility to make the arrangements when a deadline or a class has to be missed. I will treat you professionally, expecting of you a responsible attitude. This means that it is you who must be worried about solving the problem, not me.
Ethics
Although your grade does not contain an ethics component like some other courses, I require complete honesty in producing your work. Working as a team does not mean that the rest of the participants should do all the work for you. Non-Participation will be considered plagiarism. Plagiarism is useless to you anyway. By having someone else do the work for you, you are missing an opportunity to immerse yourself in the film and television fields. You are also waiving your right to learn. If your are willing to do that, then you have to evaluate if it's worth the aggravation and the time you invest in this course.
By accepting this syllabus, you are indicating that you understand the seriousness of academic dishonesty and realize I will impose the harshest sanctions possible if I can prove you have engaged in such behavior. You are also indicating that you understand what constitutes academic dishonesty; I will not tolerate an excuse that claims the student did not know he/she was engaging in academic dishonesty.
Plagiarism, cheating and/or fabrication will not be tolerated. They are serious offenses - both in course and in media careers. Thus I reserve the right to drop any student with an F if he/she engages in any form of academic dishonesty. I further reserve the right to recommend other sanctions as may be appropriate.
More information can be found at http://academicintegrity.depaul.edu/.
Introduction - NonLinear: A Historical Introduction to Editing
Intro to Editing Software - 1st Video Editing Exercise Assigned
Intro to Editing Software: The Windows
intro to Basic Editing
Editing Principles - Flow of the Action - Dialog; 2nd Video Editing Exercise Assigned - 1st Video Editing Exercise Due
Editing Principles - Flow of the Action - Continuity; Software Transitions
Software Filters; 3rd Video Editing Exercise Assigned
Editing Principles - Parallel Action; Software Basic Motion & Animation; 2nd Video Editing Exercise Due
Software Trimming; 3rd Video Editing Exercise Due; Final Assignment Assigned
Software Audio; Final Assignment Due
This syllabus is subject to change as necessary during the quarter. If a change occurs, it will be thoroughly addressed during class, posted under Announcements in D2L and sent via email.
Evaluations are a way for students to provide valuable feedback regarding their instructor and the course. Detailed feedback will enable the instructor to continuously tailor teaching methods and course
content to meet the learning goals of the course and the academic needs of the students. They are a requirement of the course and are key to continue to provide you with the highest quality of teaching. The
evaluations are anonymous; the instructor and administration do not track who entered what responses. A program is used to check if the student completed the evaluations, but the evaluation is completely
separate from the student’s identity. Since 100% participation is our goal, students are sent periodic reminders over three weeks. Students do not receive reminders once they complete the evaluation.
Students complete the evaluation online in CampusConnect.
This course will be subject to the university's academic integrity policy. More information can be found at http://academicintegrity.depaul.edu/ If you
have any questions be sure to consult with your professor.
All students are expected to abide by the University's Academic Integrity Policy which prohibits cheating and other misconduct in student coursework. Publicly sharing or posting online any prior or current materials from this course (including exam questions or answers), is considered to be providing unauthorized assistance prohibited by the policy. Both students who share/post and students who access or use such materials are considered to be cheating under the Policy and will be subject to sanctions for violations of Academic Integrity.
All students are required to manage their class schedules each term in accordance with the deadlines for enrolling and withdrawing as indicated in the University Academic Calendar. Information on enrollment, withdrawal, grading and incompletes can be found at http://www.cdm.depaul.edu/Current%20Students/Pages/PoliciesandProcedures.aspx.
Students who feel they may need an accommodation based on the impact of a disability should contact the instructor privately to discuss their specific needs. All discussions will remain confidential.
To ensure that you receive the most appropriate accommodation based on your needs, contact the instructor as early as possible in the quarter (preferably within the first week of class), and make sure that
you have contacted the Center for Students with Disabilities (CSD) at:
Lewis Center 1420, 25 East Jackson Blvd.
Phone number: (312)362-8002
Fax: (312)362-6544
TTY: (773)325.7296