RTV 3531: Multimedia Production I

 

 

 

Description

Outcomes

Standards

Requirements

Grades

Links

 

Spring 2019
T-TH 8:30 a.m. – 10:20 p.m.
Academic 2- 303

Instructor: Mercedes Vigón, Ph.D.
vigonm@fiu.edu or 305-919-5628
Office: ACII 317

Office hours:
By appointment
T/Th: 10:20 am - 11:50 am

NAHJ Chapter Meeting: Mo: 4:30 pm- 5:30 pm

This syllabus is your contract with the instructor for the course:
Please read it carefully and ask questions if anything is unclear to you
Course participation signifies your acceptance of this contract

COURSE PREREQUISITES: Passed MMC3104 and have full admittance to the SJMC.

Course Description:

RTV 3531: Multimedia Production I is designed to introduce students to storytelling using the elements of multimedia production: audio recording and editing, basic photography, video production and editing, interactive infographics, and the basic functions of a web platform in order to combine these elements into a comprehensive multimedia website (in this course, we will be using Wordpress and or Wix).

During the first two weeks of the semester, we will be discussing the many facets and opportunities presented by multimedia storytelling; at the end of these two weeks, each student will be responsible for turning in a one-page proposal for their website, which will focus on a theme, issue, topic or ongoing event/story that they will follow throughout the course of the semester.

Students will then spend the remainder of the semester populating these sites with content produced using the various multimedia storytelling techniques that we will be learning throughout the semester.
This course is guided by the philosophy of “learning by doing.”

Thus, as your professor, I will spend very little time in class teaching “button pushing,” or providing step-by-step instructions on how to use particular hardware or software; we simply do not have time, and there are plenty of resources out there to help you on your way (see “Helpful links” below). Instead, we will spend our class-time talking about the particular strengths and weaknesses of different multimedia techniques; how to make your stories and websites as strong and compelling as possible; troubleshooting particularly tough problems; looking at and critiquing each other’s work; and become fully immersed in what it means to tell stories in an online environment.

Outcomes:

By the end of the semeter, the student will:

  • Have an understanding of the many facets and opportunities presented by multimedia storytelling;
  • Be able to design a proposal for a website, which will focus on a theme, issue, topic or ongoing event/story that they will follow throughout the course of the semester.
  • Develop a site with content produced using the multimedia storytelling techniques learned throughout the semester.
  • Develop an understanding of professional ethical principles and work ethically in pursuit of truth, accuracy, fairness and diversity.
  • Think critically, creatively and independently
  • Critically evaluate their work and the work of others 

Professional Values and Competencies:

The Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communications requires that, irrespective of their particular specialization, all graduates should be aware of certain core values and competencies and be able to:

  • Understand and apply the principles and laws of freedom of speech and press for the country in which the institution that invites ACEJMC is located, as well as receive instruction in and understand the range of systems of freedom of expression around the world, including the right to dissent, to monitor and criticize power, and to assemble and petition for redress of grievances;
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the history and role of professionals and institutions in shaping communications;
  • Demonstrate an understanding of gender, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation and, as appropriate, other forms of diversity in domestic society in relation to mass communications;
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the diversity of peoples and cultures and of the significance and impact of mass communications in a global society;
  • Understand concepts and apply theories in the use and presentation of images and information;
  • Demonstrate an understanding of professional ethical principles and work ethically in pursuit of truth, accuracy, fairness and diversity;
  • Think critically, creatively and independently;
  • Conduct research and evaluate information by methods appropriate to the communications professions in which they work;
  • Write correctly and clearly in forms and styles appropriate for the communications professions, audiences and purposes they serve;
  • Critically evaluate their own work and that of others for accuracy and fairness, clarity, appropriate style and grammatical correctness;
  • Apply basic numerical and statistical concepts;
  • Apply current tools and technologies appropriate for the communications professions in which they work, and to understand the digital world

Standards:

  • The School of Journalism and Mass Communication (SJMC) fosters an environment of inclusivity and respect fordiversity and multiculturalism. The SJMC educates students to embrace diversity and understand the root causes of discrimination, as well as social, ethnic, sexual, disability and gender-based exclusion. 
  • Class attendance, preparation, quizzes and participation is 30 % of your grade. There will be penalties for any unexcused absence. They will result in a deduction of points from your final grade. Do not arrive late. Arriving late more than twice will result in your grade being reduced by one letter.
  • Extenuating Circumstances
    Rarely, the unexpected happens and emergency situations may arise causing you to miss graded work in class. Please contact me within 24 hours from the start time of the missed class if you encounter such a situation. It is your responsibility to communicate promptly and directly. If you can prove the legitimacy of your absence or tardiness with documentation, you MAY be able to make up work.
  • All Excuses Are Not Created Equal:
    The university recognizes documented illness and the death of immediate family as examples of circumstances that call for excused absence. In the case of illness, you need a doctor’s note that says you COULD NOT ATTEND class, not a note saying you went to a doctor. In the case of a death, you need to provide a funeral program or obituary documenting the death and your relationship to the deceased. The university does not recognize as excused absences such things as scheduling a routine doctor’s appointment during class time, scheduling a grammar exam during class time (see later note on this), taking dad to the airport, a business trip, an assignment in another class, a student organization meeting or a traffic jam. Miami traffic problems are no secret; plan ahead.
  • Plagiarism/Academic Dishonesty:
    Obviously, University policies regarding academic honesty apply in all cases, and it is the responsibility of the student to familiarize themselves with these policies. Go to http://www.fiu.edu/~oabp/misconductweb/2codeofacainteg.htm for the complete code. Also, plagiarism is grounds for dismissal from the class and the university. If I see it elsewhere, you will be reprimanded with a failing grade. Don’t steal. You are here to learn, not copy others’ works.
  • Use of cell phones, PDAs or MP3 players during class is prohibited. That includes texting. Every time you violate this rule, your will lost an 10 % of your grade on one of the main assignments.Class or personal computers may be used only with instructor permission and if you sit across the back wall. Lectures may be recorded with prior approval.
  • On top of the first page, or in the tittle of any assignment write your last name, first name, title and number of the assignment, course name and date.
  • Always keep a printed copy of your assignments and save them in a USB and in your e-mail account.

Required Text/Materials:

NO BOOK is required for this class. However, ALL STUDENTS are required to have, by the second week of class (DEADLINE /16) an external hard-drive of at least 1 TB.

This drive will be essential component of your participation in this class, as you will NOT be allowed to save any of your work on the computers in the classroom. Make sure that the drive you buy (the cost should be between $49 and $89; try BestBuy, Target, or COSTCO).  Make sure is compatible for MAC/PC. Amazon prices.

Other equipment that you will use in this class but do not need to buy (although doing so will make your life a lot easier):

  • Digital audio recorder “Point and click” digital camera that shoots both stills and video (preferably HD)
  • Clip-on and/or handheld microphone with a mini jack
  • All of this equipment can be checked out through the equipment room, once you have signed a “Release and assumption of risk” form (we will do this in class)

Grades:

a- Class Work 30%
b- Attendance 5%
  • Story segment 1: Podcast with photo
15%
  • Story segment 2: Practice photo essay/gallery
5%
  • Story segment 2: Final Stills + audio
15%
  • Story segment 3- Video Project
10%
3.1.Meeting deadline: shooting/showing video sequences
5%

3.2.Meeting deadline: shooting/showing interviews

5%

3.2.Meeting deadline: submitting compleated video script

5%
c- Final Site with with customized story tittles, intros, clean theme & about 5%

 

Class Work Detailed:

30%

A.1- Audio Editing

5%

A.2- Photoshop exercises

5%

A.3- Editing a sequence exercise

5%

A.4- Editing a package exercise

5%

A.5- In Design exercise (designing a magazine)

5%

A.6- Datawrapper -visualization exercises

5%

The assignment instructions, grading criteria and resources is posted in Dropbox.

A = 92 - 100% (your work is exemplary according to the grading criteria)
A- = 90 - 91% (your work is mostly exemplary according to the grading criteria)
B+= 87 - 89% (one or two projects are exemplary; the rest are proficient)
B = 82 - 86% (one project is exemplary; the rest are proficient)
C+= 77 - 79% (your work is proficient)
C = 72 - 76% (your work does not fulfill the minimal professional requirements)
D = 62 - 66% (your work lacks quality)
F = 0 - 59%

Helpful Links: