Description
In newsrooms, photo departments are now multimedia departments. The priority for newsrooms has shifted from print to online as print circulation has drastically declined. You must have multimedia skills to be marketable to any news organization. This class will focus on journalistic video for online news.
Objective
Prepare, shoot and edit compelling video stories for online publication.
Assignments
Thought Pieces, 5 @ 20 points ea. – 100 points
Video Story 1 – 200 points
Video Story 2 – 200 points
Video Story 3 – 200 points
Video Story 4 – 200 points
Online Portfolio – 100 points
Total: – 1000 points
Re-shoots
You may re-shoot one video if you have gotten a C or better for that video. Re-shoots are due at the final.
Textbook
Mandatory Textbook: How to Shoot Video that Doesn’t Suck
By Steve Stockman
Five Thought Pieces
A thought piece is a short paper in which I would like to write out your thoughts about how you will apply what you learned from the reading. Do not regurgitate the material. You will be required to write a page and a half, double spaced, Times 12 font and 1 inch margins. Post your thought pieces to your blog before class. If you want confidentiality, password protect the post and send me the password via email. Keep track of the due dates on the schedule. -20 points each
Rubric for Thought Pieces
Improper formatting? – 3 points.
Not a full page and a half? – 3 points
Not applying your experience to the reading? – 3 points
Clearly did not read material -10 points
Otherwise, if you fulfill the requirements, you will receive 20 points.
Due dates are on the schedule. All are due before class. Turn in Thought Pieces here.
Videos
Keep all videos on your hard drive ready to make updates, fixes and changes. After critique you will have until Friday at midnight to improve your video for a better grade. Always let me know if you make changes.
Critique
Your classmates are your first photojournalism community. You’ll need to be able to articulate why a photograph is worthy, or not, to be included in an edit wherever your photography takes you. Speak about something you see that is done well. If someone deserves praise, say so. Speak about something you think could be improved. When critiquing consider the presenter without prejudice and without arrogance. Treat all your fellow students how you would like to be treated. Do not get defensive when receiving critique. Critique is a crucial time to avoid excuses and brainstorm for solutions for the next time you make photographs. If you realize you are speaking too much, speak less. If you not speaking, speak up. Everybody has something to contribute. Let’s raise each other up. As your photojournalism community grows, you’ll need to be able to extend this skill to people you may not know so well. Practice makes perfect.
How to succeed in class
Nothing worthwhile is easy.
Required
DSLR or Mirrorless that has video capabilities and a microphone input. If you don’t have a microphone input, you will need to record your audio separately and sync it in post.
External hard drive (not a thumb drive or sd card)
Shotgun mic
Lavalier mic
Tripod
Excuses
In this class there will be no excuses. I would much rather hear about how you will overcome a problem or how you will face it differently in the future.
Late Assignments
Assignments are due at the beginning of class on the due date. It is your responsibility to turn in class assignments on time. Late video assignments will not be accepted. If you have an unavoidable issue please speak with me before the due date to discuss.
Thought pieces will be accepted within 24 hours of the due date with a 25% reduction in grade, and within one week with a 50% reduction in grade.
Attendance
Attendance is mandatory. Attend every class. If you are unable to attend class due to extreme unavoidable circumstances, you must email me before class.
Extra Credit
You can earn 10 points extra credit for each of the following: Get one of your videos published online at CM-Life, Grand Central Magazine or a newspaper; enter the NPPA College Photographer of the Year Contest this September; enter the Michigan Press Photographers Assoc. contest this Spring; attend the MPPA conference this Spring.
Other Rules
• No photographs, video or audio taken before the beginning of the semester will be accepted for your assignments. Photographs, video and audio may not be turned in for more than one class.
• In this class, you may not photograph friends or family members (roommates, housemates, significant others) unless you get my approval.
• You may switch due dates for different stories if there is something timely with that story.
• Do not use software to add or take away elements of the original camera file. The content of a photograph or video must not be altered by adding, rearranging, reversing, distorting or removing people and/or objects from within the frame. We will follow the rules of manipulation from the World Press Photo Contest.• No photographs, audio or video taken before the beginning of the semester will be accepted.
• Some assignments may be retained for future use as examples. If you do not wish for any particular assignment to be used, please let me know.
• When you come into the classroom, please put your phone in your pocket or in your purse and leave it there unless you are asked to use it.
Equipment Checkout
You may borrow equipment from the School of Communication, Journalism and Media. It is your responsibility to test equipment and make sure it works before leaving the equipment room. Equipment failure on assignment does not excuse you from the assignment requirements or due date. Please return equipment on time. Each checkout is for 24 hours. If you are late more than three times you will lose your borrowing privileges. Take good care of equipment. If something breaks, you must report it to me, the GA that intakes your equipment return and Mario, immediately. Your fellow students are counting on you to report it.
Classroom Civility
Each CMU student is encouraged to help foster an atmosphere that facilitates learning and which promotes dignity and mutual respect, regardless of background, culture or racial differences. Students who speak at inappropriate times, sleep in class, display hostility, engage in loud or distracting behaviors, use cell phones or any other communication device in class for purposes other than class, or who are otherwise disrespectful towards others may be asked to leave the class and may be subjected to disciplinary action under the Code of Student Rights, Responsibilities and Disciplinary Procedures. https://www.cmich.edu/offices-departments/office-of-student-conduct/university-policies
American Disabilities Act
Central Michigan University provides individuals with disabilities reasonable accommodations to participate in university activities. Individuals with disabilities requiring an accommodation should call the service director. Please refer to Student Disability Services for assistance.
Academic Integrity
Plagiarism and or using images that are not your original work are not acceptable. You may not fabricate any of your work. This conduct constitutes academic dishonesty and all who are found guilty of such acts will be referred to the Office of Student Life for discipline and will result in a failing grade for this course. Your work is expected to comply with the University’s Policy on Academic Integrity. Copies of this policy are available on the University’s web site at: http://ethics.cmich.edu/ACADEMIC_INTEGRITY_POLICY.pdf
Use of Artificial Intelligence
Generated Materials Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools and platforms (e.g., Generative Fill Adobe Photoshop, ChatGPT, Google AI, Boost.ai, Jasper, etc.) are new technological additions to the higher education landscape and are rapidly evolving. Submitting text and other products generated by AI tools and platforms as your own original work is prohibited and a violation of CMU’s Academic Integrity policy. Do not use it in your work for my class.
Diversity and Sexual Harassment
We are part of a diverse community. It is my goal to provide a comfortable learning environment for all the students in this class. If you experience any kind of racial prejudice or sexual harassment from another individual, please report it to me immediately.