Film & Television Studies: Production Foundations

An introduction to techniques and theories of video production. Credit not awarded for both FTS 2655 and FTS 2650. Prerequisite: FTS 1400, FTS 1420, or FTS 1430.

Prereqs enforced by the system: FTS 1400 or FTS 1420 or FTS 1430; PACE students by permission and override

https://vimeo.com/user/75590533/folder/21926651

Video Production has many forms and technical approaches. This course is about learning about these forms technically and producing video with intent. Whether fiction or nonfiction, group work or individual projects, the class asks the question, what does it mean to create media that unfolds over time? It answers that question by producing videos. Through exploring formal options and putting these methods into practice, students will learn the tools of production, including the camera, sound, lighting and editing equipment. The class is designed for FTS majors who want to develop a deeper understanding of film and video through hands-on work shooting, editing, screening, making mistakes and revising. The course is about turning in rough work, workshopping ideas, and learning from each other by doing. Emphasis is on the development of a personal vision. Note: this course counts toward the FTS major and is a pre-requisite for upper-level production courses, including Studio Art video production classes.

To express oneself through engagement in production exercises that scaffold into assignments. Students will learn the four phases of production; Pre-Production, Production, Post-Production, and Distribution. Skills gleaned will be from treatment to storyboard, planning shoots and executing to editing, revising edits to screenings. Throughout this practice, students will conceptualize, create and revise projects during the semester, working alone and in groups. Students will consider the question, what does it mean to make media that unfolds over time, and address this with intentional approaches to filmmaking by making conscious decisions about how they use (or challenge) conventions, by experimenting, and developing their own voice. Students will develop an understanding of form by evaluating assigned screenings. Through viewing a range of traditional and experimental short and long form film and video from diverse creators and content, and by critiquing both classmates’ work and their own work in class discussion and written reflections, students will gain a deep vocabulary to put into practice. Through this practice students will develop technical skills such as, operate basic video and editing equipment. Specific concepts will include (but not be limited to) an understanding of the lens (exposure, shutter speed, focus), recording formats, sound and audio recording, editing software tools, compositional techniques (including lighting) both in camera and in post-production, editing and distribution. Skills will be developed through a combination of hands-on experience, lecture and viewing films and videos. Students will be responsible for seeking out tutorials to address their specific needs that will amend the tutorials provided by the teacher. Learning objectives below; Understanding the scope of Video Production and how to express oneself and find voice through cinematic vision. Proficiency in operation of the tools to create moving images (camera, sound, lighting, editing, distribution). Produce meaning from moving images with intention. Understanding the ethics involved with Video Production in cross-cultural filmmaking, representation, diversity in the workforce and models of distribution including an understanding of diversity, equity and inclusion in storytelling. Engaging with the four phases of production; Pre-Production Production Post-Production Distribution To analyze and appraise work - students will develop evaluation skills and vocabulary through screenings and by critiquing both classmates’ work and their own work in class discussion and written responses. To watch and learn from online tutorials, both provided by the instructor and tutorials that address their needs. Learning goals can be achieved through active participation in class sessions, activities, reading and assignments. Each assignment will have specific learning goals that you can track in your spreadsheet (see below). Outcomes for the FTS major and minor can be viewed here: https://www.uvm.edu/cas/filmtv/fts-program-outcomes Awareness of these programmatic outcomes will help you understand how this course fits into a bigger picture that makes up your liberal arts education.

Weekly exercises and production notes, screenings, class participation - including dynamic involvement in peer-response to work viewed and created in the class, three completed video projects (four exercises from treatment/storyboard, production, editing, revising, result in a completed project), which results in a demonstration of competence with basic technical aspects of video production and post-production. Class presence and participation is a must. Each week, the professor will assign EXERCISES that will scaffold into ASSIGNMENTS. On the fifth week, the EXERCISES will scaffold into an ASSIGNMENT. This will happen every five weeks in three sections. Students will also be responsible for four reflections and tracking their hours in a spreadsheet provided by the instructor. By doing this, students will also learn how to bill their time as a media professional and will be responsible for creating mock INVOICES due with every ASSIGNMENT. Students will be working to learn Adobe Suite Applications and will be asked to use the media lab in Cohen, check out gear from the Equipment Room in Cohen, and learn the ins and outs of producing shoots. Students will be evaluated on a points system that includes, attendance, participation, exercises, reflections, assignments and invoices, work/hours outside of class, and their contribution to the distribution of the work, including a screening at the end of the semester. They will be evaluated on their individual goals. At the beginning of the semester, students will lay out their own expectations for the course and create their individual spreadsheet for the Instructor. Students will co-create an individual experience.