University of North Alabama

College of Arts and Sciences
Department of Communication and Theatre


Course Syllabus

Communication 430: Credit Hours: Course Description: Placement: Class Schedule: Faculty: Textbook: Objectives: Teaching Methods: Student Grades: Productions: Important Dates: Testing Dates: Reading Assignments: Project Comments:

Advanced RTF Production 3 semester hours (COM 430) Theories and practice of the production of programs and films in the telecommunications industry. A final product suitable to the focus of the course will be required. Prerequisites: COM 240, 316. (COM 460) A continuation of Radio-Television-Film 430. Prerequisite: COM 430. Fall, 2007 Tuesday and Thursday, 11:00 am to 12:15 pm A. Edward Foote, Ph.D. Associate Professor Room 108 Office: (256) 765-4489 E-mail: aefoote@una.edu FAX: (256) 765-4839 Office Hours: MWF 11 am to 12 noon, MWF 12 noon to 1 pm, Tu 12:15 to 1:15 pm and Th 12:15 to 3:15 pm. Or by appointment. C. Melinda Levin and Fred P. Watkins, Post, Pearson Education, 2003. It is also recommended that you keep your text from Com 242: Herbert Zettl, Television Production Handbook 8th edition, Wadsworth, 2003. The student is expected to complete the following objectives: 1. To learn the differences and similarities between news package, field, and studio production. 2. To perfect techniques of single camera shooting using the cinematography approach for post-production editing and multi camera shooting for live productions in television, video and digital film. 3. To become proficient with basic industry digital editing equipment. 4. To refine understanding of production and editing processes. 5. To demonstrate as part of a production team expertise in all aspects of audio and video editing for either news, documentary, corporate, instructional, or entertainment television or digital film applications. Assigned readings, lectures, media learning packages produced by software distributors, laboratory practice, individual and group practice outside class, guest speakers, and assigned projects under the management of the instructor. The following are methods by which the course objectives will be evaluated: In 430, grading will assign 50% to four class exams and 50% to four regular projects. When this professor teaches 460, 100% of grade comes from projects with final project being given the most grading consideration. A=90-100, B=80-89, C=70-79, D=60-69, F=<60 Grading Considerations: Professional success in broadcasting, cable and digital film depends upon knowledge, skill (gained through practice) and attitude. Projects and grades are intended to evaluate student's achievements in all three areas. Individual expectations may vary according to the student's rank, courses, and opportunity for professional experience. Late projects are reduced one letter grade for each 24 hour submission delay. Attendance: Required by University policy. After four weeks of absences your grade will be become an "F" as announced in University literature. Grade may be lowered for excessive absences over three. Because of the importance of being on-time and meeting deadlines, tardiness will be noted on the roll and will affect the grade. PROJECT 1. In-camera edit. "Nature" or environmental slant with nat sound. No narration. Shoot the final tape in a 2 hour shoot during pre-arranged camera checkout. Turn in the Mini DV tape immediately on completion by having Sue put it in Dr. Foote's outbox. Due 9/27; PROJECT 2. Field news package in paper-edit form. Use campus news that does not require interviews with top administrators. The paper-edit form requirements include that it be in 12 point face from a computer printer. This required paper-edit is a combination script/EDL in the shot-by-shot script format with video on left and audio on right. Time code edit points will be included in the appropriate column. Turn in Mini DV tape with all material for the edit and the combination script/EDL paper at time of the test. Due 10/18; PROJECT 3. Action video edit. All original video will be provided by Dr. Foote. You must supply the soundtrack for the edit. It may be pre-recorded music bed that is commercially available or you may use some other kind of soundtrack. Turn in a DVD copy of project at the time of test. Due 11/15; PROJECT 4. Mini project such as news/documentary; short drama, music video, corporate/public service video, instructional unit or entertainment program. Due Last day of regular classes in DVD format; September 3 --- Labor Day Holiday September 19 --- Convocation, with Dr. Randy Cross October 11 --- Middle of Term (no test is scheduled) October 12 --- Fall Break November 21 to 25 --- Thanksgiving Holiday November 26 --- Last Day to Drop a Class with WP/WF December 6 --- Study Day December 7 to 12 --- Semester Exams Exam 1 -- September 27; Exam 2 -- October 18; Exam 3 -- November 15; Exam 4 -- Final Exam Period Unit One -- Read Chapters 1,2,3 and Complete Project 1 by Unit Exam date Unit Two -- Read Chapters 4,5,6 and Complete Project 2 by Unit Exam date Unit Three -- Read Chapters 7,8,9,10 and Complete Project 3 by Unit Exam date Unit Four -- Read Chapter 11,12,13 and Complete Project 4 before finals week begins Projects will be approved by the professor if others outside the class are involved in any way in the planning, performance or production. Students are expected (after consulting with the Professor) to spend time outside of class working on project assignments. In 430, weekends and week nights are not usually available, except in emergency circumstances and near the end of the semester. NEW RULE FOR COM 430 FIRST APPLIED IN FALL 2006, AND THE RULE CONTINUES IN 2007: UNIVERSITY EQUIPMENT MAY NOT BE TAKEN BEYOND THE IMMEDIATE CONTIGUOUS CAMPUS BORDER OF UNA. THEREFORE, ADDITIONAL CAMPUS PROPERTY THAT DOES NOT TOUCH THE MAIN CAMPUS AREA, SUCH AS THE STADIUM, NEW POWELL SCHOOL COMPLEX OR THE WET LANDS AREA ON CLOVERDALE ROAD, ARE OFF-LIMITS FOR EQUIPMENT USE. VIOLATION OF THIS COM 430 COURSE RULE WILL RESULT IN AN "F" FOR THE STUDENT OR STUDENTS INVOLVED.

University of North Alabama Policy regarding student disabilities is on separate web page.