COGN 21 Methods of Media Production Prof. Brian Goldfarb Term: Winter 2003 Meetings: Tues./Thurs. 5:00 - 6:20   York 2622 Office hours: (winter quarter) Tuesdays 11-12, Thursdays 3-4 in MCC 205 email: bgoldfarb@ucsd.edu Course website: http://communication.ucsd.edu/goldfarb/cogn21w03/

Course description:

This course provides an introduction to the critical understanding of visual media through small group video production. Students will learn to analyze audio-visual media forms in terms of composition, framing, lighting, sound and editing and will apply this to the creation of short video productions. Screenings of examples of a range of media forms and genres will facilitate an exploration of the relationship between convention and experimentation in media production. Readings and lectures will consider social and cultural aspects of representational practices. Satisfactory completion of this course (a grade of 'C' or better) is required to obtain a "media card" (allowing future access to production facilities).

IMPORTANT COGN21 DISCLAIMER: Media Production is by nature demanding and  time-consuming. If you are not prepared to allocate the study and production time outside of class this quarter (including one required weekly meeting of your production group outside of section time for pre-production); are not prepared for the cost of tapes or expendables; or are not prepared to work in a collaborative/group environment, please plan to take this course in a subsequent quarter.

Objectives:

Students will learn:

• Visual analysis: This course will cover viewing methods, descriptive terminology and theoretical frameworks aimed at heightening sensitivity and critical insight into cinematographic forms that are essential to media production. Discussions of key examples from early cinema to the present will provide an overview of the development of film and electronic media forms including narrative, non-fiction and experimental approaches.
• Technique: This course will introduce fundamental technical skills including lighting, sound, camera techniques, basic editing languages, new media technology, and aesthetic standards effecting production decisions.
• Collaborative processes: We will cover principles of small group work, and the organizational skills involved in  pre-production, production and postproduction.

Teaching Assistants:

Ricardo Guthrie  raguthrie@ucsd.edu Monday Sections (A01, A02)

Cheri Ketchum  cketchum@weber.ucsd.edu )Tuesday Sections (A03, A04)

Jinna Lee   jinnalee@ucsd.edu Wednesday & Thursday sections (A05, A06

Yael Warshel      ywarshel@weber.ucsd.edu Friday Sections (A07, A08)

The office hours and locations of the TAs are posted at the Communication Department office in MCC 127. TA mailboxes are located in MCC 123.

The weekly TA sections will allow each student to apply the lecture topics, discussions, and readings in a practical setting focused on solving creative problems and producing effective video. During the smaller group sections, you will receive training in the use of cameras, lights, microphones, and editing equipment.

Texts:

• Com 21 Course Online Reader – all texts are available for download as PDF files via the UCSD Library e-reserves: http://reserves.ucsd.edu/  or http://reserves.ucsd.edu/coursepage.asp?cid=2372 . Note: If accessing ereserves from off-campus, you will need to use the proxy server. For info on how to use the UCSD Library proxy server go to: http://scilib.ucsd.edu/sio/guide/proxy.html
• Suggested Text: Video Basics 3, Herb Zettl, ISBN 0-534-52624-1  Wadsworth Publishing Company, 2001

Production Materials/Supplies:

• Hi-8 Tape
• Headphones and audio splitter
• Optional equipment: firewire drive

Project due dates (see guidelines):

Project 1—due week 5 in section (week of February 4)

Project 2—due week 10 in section (week of March 11)

Grading

1.  The midterm will cover all readings, lectures, and screenings from weeks #1-5. The final exam will concentrate on readings, lectures, and screenings covered in weeks #6-10, but will include some material from the midterm. Each exam is worth 20% of your grade. Questions will be true/ false, multiple choice and short answer.

2.  Effort and participation during lab are worth 20% of your grade. This grade will be based on the TAs assessment of how much work you have put into your projects and how energetically you participated in sections. Attendance at lectures and sections is mandatory and will be considered in this grade. Any unexcused absences from section will be counted against your final grade (half grade per absence).

3. The two projects and their paperwork are each worth 20%.

MIDTERM = 20%

FINAL = 20%

SECTION GRADE = 20%

PROJECT 1 = 20%

PROJECT 2 = 20%