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Quick answers:
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They can bring home a DVD of their projects toward the end of the class.
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$15 lab fee, or provide your own miniDV tapes, SD card (8GB) and DVD.
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Excused absences can be made-up... but only if the student asks for the work.
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Tests and quizzes are not timed and can be re-taken unless missed due to truancy. Please schedule an appointment to re-take tests within one week.
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Equipment may be checked out overnight or for a weekend with parent permission.
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No student is required to be on-camera.
Other popular topics:
Who is Ms. Feist?
I have a BS from SDSU in Telecommunications & Film Production, an MA from CSUF in Communications. I have have managed a TV production department and spent many many years producing and directing both live television and a taped music interview/performance show as well as station promos, etc. My experience includes: NBC, Bunim-Murray Productions (MTV's "The Real World") and KRCB (a PBS affiliate). I am also a certified Level 2 curling instructor.
What will the beginning course cover?
Don't worry, this isn't one of those kick back for an A courses. There are many different areas to challenge students. There are quizzes, homework assignments, discussions, demos, lectures, hands-on work, and the scariest of all... the live project. For starters, we cover the history of TV, storytelling and the "Hero's Journey". Then we move on to how to plan a project including script, storyboards, shooting schedule, and budgets. Student dig in at that point and actually video tape and edit their first project. If all goes well, students will create 5 projects in the fall semester and 4 in the spring. (one less due to STAR testing)
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silent movie
- documentary that addresses a "social issue"
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live broadcast of an art critique
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the final project is flexible, but must include traditional storytelling themes
Students learn to work with others in assigned groups for the first 2 projects. The newscast project is a full-class effort with everyone taking on one role to work together to make it through a successful multi-camera live shoot. The last project is their choice. Students may 'hire' their own crew members and propose their own projects or choose from a list of projects where the script, content, or even footage is provided.
But that's not all! Oh no, we also cover how film editing works (A/B rolling) and how those concepts shape how we edit using non-linear systems today. Furthermore, students will study the Kuleshov effect and how editing can help manipulate the message an audience receives. Other topics covered in the class include markets, ratings and share, lighting, microphones, tape formats, transitioning to digital TV, video exhibition, DVD authoring, movie hooks, movie mistakes, festivals, copyright law, jobs found in tv and how it differs from film, and of course craft services. Think "teamwork" and "media literacy".
What will the advanced course cover?
While the advanced class is held at the same time as the beginning course, rest assured it has it's own curriculum. Advanced students dig deeper into the persuasive techniques found in advertising, and how to create videos for a specific demographic. Students in the advanced course will "create" their own production companies including choosing equipment for purchase using a given budget (we can't all be funded by George Lucas!), writing their company mission statement, creating a production bumper, and practice pitching their ideas to "investors".
In-class studies include looking at a variety of genres then re-creating one themselves. Creation of sound effects and replacing the audio in one of their one films. Creation of a demo reel / job portfolio and discussion of the emergence of electronic portfolios. Advanced students will also begin exploring other software options such as Color and After Effects, time and equipment permitting.
Students are encouraged to create projects that can be entered in festivals. (a wide variety of festival info is provided) Advanced students also are offered opportunities to participate in various ROP projects that are seen by hundreds as well as streamed on the internet.
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Can my student earn Service Learning hours?
Yes! Many opportunities pop up over the school year for which interested students can put their video skills to a practical test in creating videos in exchange for service learning hours. Here are some of the 'regular' opportunities:
What if my student doesn't get along with a group member?
This happens from time to time... groups are assigned and two people just rub each other the wrong way. Or it's the quintessential student who refuses to do any work. Either way, whatever the issue, I need to know about it. Video groups do a lot of work outside the classroom and often spread out pretty well within it (the room is in two sections without a window) so I can't witness each interaction. While not everyone gets along, that isn't changing my policy of assigning the first few video groups. When friends sit together in class it generally means exponentially more disruption from chatter, and besides, how many jobs have you had where you go to choose each and every co-worker?
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