SYLLABUS

MM 262 VIDEO PRODUCTION 3 – CRN: 27641

Monday – Wednesdays 10:00AM to 12:20PM
SPRING QUARTER 2009 – TCB 111

Instructor: Erik Fauske

E-Mail: erik.fauske@pcc.edu, erikfauske@hotmail.com
Website: erikfauske.com
Cell Phone: (503) 701-3084

Helpful Contact Info:

Chelsea Sprauer – Media Assist – (503) 951-9630 / chelsea.sprauer@pcc.edu
Beth Fitzgerald – Multimedia – (503) 978 – 5672 / efitzger@pcc.edu
Greg Walters – Multimedia – (503) 978 – 5398 / gregory.walters@pcc.edu

Michael Annus – Video Producer – (503) 977-4276 / mannus@pcc.edu

Mark Cole – Master Control Tech – (503) 977- 4950/ marc.cole@pcc.edu
Public Safety – 503 -977 – 4902/ publsafe@pcc.edu
Sylvania Facilities – 503 – 977 – 4543/ jbauman@pcc.edu

Course Description:
This class will review the various approaches to the non-fiction video production
process. This class is a project-based class and you will be expected to participate on 3
production assignments. We will review A-Roll B-Roll techniques, Observational
storytelling, and the Creative approach to the Documentary project (that I call the
Narrimentary). Students will build skills in Interviewing and small unit ‘field’
production set-up, including further development in digital video camera operation,
field audio recording, lighting and editing.

Recommended Textbook:
Directing The Documentary – 5th Edition ©2009
Author: Michael Rabiger Focal Press Publishing
ISBN: 0240810899

The Bare Bones Camera Course For Film And Video – Tom Schroeppel
Second Edition, Revised 2006 – ISBN: 0-9603718-1-8

Instructional Approach:
This is a studio course with an emphasized approach to ‘learn by doing’. Class will be
divided among lecture, screenings, demonstration and discussion. Segments of class
time will be allocated to production workshops. Demonstrations and discussion may
be inserted during studio work time at any point during the class. Critiques will occur
during Rough Cut and Final Cut stages.
Outcomes/ Objectives:
This course will give the students the opportunity to do the following:
- Explore ‘Documentary’ approaches to video storytelling including Client Video,
Direct Cinema and the Narrative Influence
- Develop Interviewing techniques and production
- Build on DV Camera operation
- Build on Field Audio Recording techniques
- Set up 3 point Lighting & Outdoor location Lighting
- Further develop skills in Non linear editing (Final Cut Pro)
- Investigate Production opportunities – Develop Bios and Resumes
- Begin to develop and use personal and universal vocabulary for critical discussion
- Develop Industry standard workflow.
- Explore and develop personal expression through video production storytelling

My Expectations:
When Assignments are distributed you will need to get started early. This class is all
about the ‘effort’, staying prepared, and meeting deadlines. Preproduction planning is
an important element to my class assignments. I expect preproduction materials for all
assignments.

Feel free to contact me anytime between the hours of 9am to 8pm, concerning
production questions.

Treat your fellow classmates with respect and professionalism. You will be working
together on a variety of projects. As a class, we will review Rough Cuts and you will
develop skills in critiquing each other’s work.

Grading:
Production Assignments Research Paper
50% 10%
Crewing Facility Report
20% 5%
Attendance/ Participation Bio/Resume
10% 5%

A= 90-100% - B= 80-89% - C= 70-79% - D= 60-69% - F= 0-59%

Audits must be determined by week 3.
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The Work:

Production Assignments:
- A Roll B Roll: Students will produce a short profile of someone in the PCC
community. This project will build skills in the industry workflow of A –Roll
(Interview), B-Roll (Cutaways) filming. We will shoot segments of this project during
actual class time. Students will develop skills in Interviewing and recording
compelling cutaways.
- Observational: Students will have an opportunity to explore the ‘fly on the wall’
shooting style of the Cinema Verite movement. This assignment will tackle the
techniques of creating a project that explores the difficult process of capturing the
‘anticipated’ moment. Students will develop skills in exploring Documentary
storytelling without the use of Interviews and traditional expository methods.

- Narrimentary: Students will have the opportunity to explore the ‘creative’ influence
of Narrative cinema within their Documentary project. We will examine experimental
approaches mixed into non-fiction video, including the inclusion of cinematic camera
work, alternative editing structures, use of stock footage, as well as a variety of other
flourishes.

Crewing : Students (student groups) must choose to produce either the Observational
or Narrimentary project for their final. However, students will be required to crew at
least one time on another production. If students are working in teams they can choose
to produce both the Observational and Narrimentary.

Research Paper: Students will dissect the visual elements of a non-fiction film of their
choice. Studying the visual components of a high quality production is an important
step for the up-and-coming filmmaker.

Facility Report/ Bios/ Resumes: Students are required to research a production

facility or a production professional. We will be looking into various production
opportunities and develop bios and resumes.

Preproduction Materials: Preproduction work is the most important stage of the

production process. Students will be expected to conduct location scouting, draft
Interview questions, obtain permission/access of facilities, construct a B Roll shot list,
organize crew, and determine a shooting schedule for their projects.

Attendance: Your fellow classmates and I will be relying upon you to show up for
classes and shoots on time. If you know you will be late or not attending, inform me as
soon as possible (via email or phone). Prior notification doesn’t automatically make
your absence okay, but simply allows others to plan accordingly. For any unexcused
absence you will lose 3 points off your cumulative grade for the first absence. For any
additional absences you will lose 5 points off your grade.

Participation: What we will be doing requires that you are physically and mentally
involved and engaged. You will be expected to be actively and vocally involved in this
class. You will be expected to assist on classroom production exercises as well as
student projects outside of class time. You will also be expected to provide feedback on
your classmates’ projects. Your involvement is expected to be both constructive and
professional.

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Production Quality: We all have high standards and I expect you to strive for the
highest production standards. Remember, evaluations and critiques of your work will
be based on what we actually see and hear and not on what you meant for us to see
and hear. The more preparation and planning you take on, the more rewarding the
results.

Technical Training: I will instruct you in all the equipment that we will be using and
will help you in troubleshooting problems. Learning this technology can be at least
initially frustrating and it is not possible to prepare you in advance for all possible
problem scenarios. Start each project as soon as possible to give yourself time to
prepare for the inevitable and always inconvenient problems. I am aware that
technology comes easily to some than others; so if you need assistance on the
equipment outside of class, please make an appointment to see me.

Feedback and Advice: Learning is a process and a key part of this process is getting
feedback from myself, and your colleagues. Part of our class time will be devoted to
work-shopping and critiquing your projects, which will give you the opportunity to
receive feedback. I will also be available for individual discussion of your ideas and
work.

Other:
MyPcc: All students are encouraged to set up their MyPcc account. Students can log
into the MM262 Course page under “My Courses” to access links and forms.

Registration: Students who need to override a prerequisite need to contact Greg Walters
with the Multimedia department. 503-978-5398 gregory.walters@pcc.edu

Students with Disabilities: Let me know if you have a disability that may require some
modification with testing, seating, or other class requirements.
Questions or guidance with a disability (learning or physical) can be addressed to The
Office of Disabilities: 503–977-4341

Complaints: Please talk to me about any concerns, complaints or problems regarding

the class.

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Access:

Certification: Students must be certified on equipment before any production gear can
be checked out. Students who showcase competence on equipment during class
exercises will be certified to check out gear. Attendance in class is crucial for
Certification.

Equipment: Cameras, lights, audio equipment and all supports and accessories will be
available to you through the Media Assistant. You need to reserve equipment and you
need to check out equipment during the times posted. See the Media Assistant about
reserving gear. Equipment that comes back damaged will result in a loss of reservation
privileges. Not showing up for a reservation or returning equipment late may result in
a loss of reservation privileges.

Checkout: Reservations will be with the Media Assistant. Check out is after class from
12:20 to 12:45PM. Check in will be before class from 9:45AM to 9:55AM. Mondays
and Wednesdays. Some equipment will have limited check out access.

Editing Labs:
The Cascade Campus Multimedia editing labs will be available for editing projects
outside of class. Check with Greg Walters to find out the open lab times.

Notes:
– Panasonic Brand only in Field Cameras
AY-DVM63PQ or AYDVM63AMQ - filmtools.com
- Students are encouraged to provide their own external Fire wire Drive

Video/Media Production Facilities Access Hours – Sylvania Campus:

M-F 6:45 am – 10:00 pm
SAT 7:00 am – 9:00 pm
SUN 7:00 am – 5:30 pm

The TCB building doors will be locked on weekends. You will need to contact Public
Safety to be let into the building. Evening closure time is very firm so you will need to
start wrapping up and shutting down the facility fifteen minutes before closing so that
you are out by the designated time.

Public Safety’s number is ext. 4902