COM 267 Schedule

Date	Topics	Expectations
August
19	* Introduction to Media Writing & Theory * Podcast Editing with Audacity	Assignments: Read Chapters 1 and 2 from Hilliard LibriVox recording (podcast editing) Personal statement (250-300 words) of what you hope to gain from the course. What are your interests? What sort of podcast, video, and website <-- (I kid, I kid) do you hope to create? How will what you do in this class help you after the conclusion of the class?
24	Production Day -- no class Please spend today working on your LibriVox recording.	Last day to add without permission of instructor.
26	* Audio Editing Impressions * Why am I here?	Due: 1. LibriVox recording, on CD 2. Personal statement, printed Assignments: 1. Bring a list of your 5 blog "competitors" to the next class.
31	* Creating a Simple HTML Page * SEO & Blog Template Tweaking * Setting up an RSS Reader	Due: 1. List of 5 blog competitors. Readings: 1. Megnut on blogging (note date it was written) 2. Linkbaiting Assignments: 1. Play around with Blogger. Add a widget to your blog we didn't use in class. 2. Create your first blog post. You may create a "what this blog will be about" post if you'd like, or go straight into content. 3. Make sure your post has at least one link to another site!
September
2	* Reviewing Widgets * Linkbaiting * BMW's (example) * Crafting your Pitch	In-class Assignment: Draft your pitch. Assignment: Read over your blog assignment. Be ready for your first Best Media Writing of the Week (BMW) for Thursday of next week!
7	* Review BMW's (and read example BMW) * Utilizing Social Networks -- Facebook -- Twitter	Assignments: Watch the Roving Reporter Video at ABC Read through the submission requirements Due: 1. Template based website 2. Your blog pitch -- Please bring printed out on paper.
9	* BMWs * Production day during class -- Your "second" blog post	Assignments: Reading on scripting and storyboarding (here commercials, but it's generally helpful) Make sure you've watched the ABC News Roving Reporter video from last class' assignments. Due: 1. BMW #1 (Be ready to talk for 45-60 seconds about your BMW!)
14	* "Roving Reporter"/Video Documentary Project Intro (assignment prompt here)	Assignments: In-class scripting assignment. Email your instructor three possible ideas (one or two sentences each) for possible "Roving Reporter" projects. Note: Please bring headphones for the balance of our classes.
16	How to plan a shoot and how to shoot for editing (with Seth Mulliken in Winston 201J)	Due: 1. BMW #2
21	* BMW #2 presentations * The Toulmin Model * Watch an example ABC On Campus Video * Discuss Topic Selection * Discuss the Story Pitch	Assignment: Review your audiovisual assignment. Select your topic and begin writing your pitch. Read a bit more on the On Campus program. Check out the ABC On Campus Facebook page
23	* Storyboard Introduction * Video on Storyboarding * In-class activity	Due: 1. BMW #3 2. Early Video Pitches (Extra Credit) Assignment: Begin drafting your script as soon as your pitch is approved!
28	* Writing scripts II	Due: 1. Video Pitch (before class!) Assignment: Check out a camera and begin creating footage this weekend. You will want to bring footage to class on the 5th. Understand what a B-Roll is
30	* Movie Maker Introduction (download 2.6 here for your own Vista computer) * Tutorials we'll use	Due: 1. BMW #4 Assignment: Check out a camera and begin creating footage this weekend. You will want to bring footage to class on the 5th. Bring five dollars for a microphone please.
October
5	* Editing video I * Importing video * Review sample news videos (1, 2) (Select students will attend class in 201J with Mr. Mulliken)	Due: 1. Video Script (before class) Assignment: Continue creating footage.
7	Fall Break	No BMW this week. Optional: Turn in a BMW to take the place of BMW #5. Note: You'll still need to turn in a BMW for the 14th.
12	Writing for Time and Editing for Narrative Day 1	Assignment: Finish capturing raw footage.
14	Evaluating best media writing practices	Due: 1. BMW #5 2. Read Chapters 7 and 8 on voice overs Assignment: Finish editing your video.
19	MEET IN THE DIGITAL MEDIA LAB IN D.H. HILL Directions: Enter D. H. Hill Library from the brickyard. Go through the turnstile and turn right. On your left are stairs and elevators; take one to the 1st floor. Once on the 1st floor, turn to your left and follow the aisle to the left, keeping the book shelving on your right. At the end of the aisle, continue to the left, through the double doors, into the East Wing. Turn right at the first aisle. Follow the corridor and directional signs to the Digital Media Lab.	Assignment:
21	Writing for Time and Editing for Narrative Day 2	Due: 1. BMW #6 Write your "wrap-up" paper.
26	* Interview question exercise	Due: * Read pages 108-117 of Musburger (click red link to download) * Please deliver your final four BMWs on your own schedule. * At least one BMW must be on a movie screenplay. More detaiiled instructions here.
28	* BMWs -- Researching your BMW artifact: "LeBron Rise" * Radio script-writing exercise. * Radio commercial script template (from App State) * Real Men of Genius radio spots * Free Credit Report.com commercials	Assignments: Read this on using Audacity Begin considering ideas for your audio assignment (be ready to present to your group on Tuesday) Due: 1. Audiovisual assignment on DVD or CD.
November
2	* Intro to audio assignment * Split into groups. * Create pitch (due Thursday!)	(audio project timeline originally created by Nancy Burnett at SUNY Oneonta) * Read this section on creating sales letters -- we'll use many of the ideas for our radio spot. * Write out a list of story ideas, interviewees, questions for interviewees, ideas for music, natural sound, SFX. * Contact interviewees, set up interviews, sign out equipment, record interviews.
4	* Finish pitches * Audio Exercise: Mix a soundtrack with your voice.	* Complete interviews, select music and sound effects. Begin editing interviews. * Pitch Due
9	* Commercial Review * Pitch Review and Podcast Planning	* Edit interviews and write script.
11	* Commercial Requirement Review * Commercial Scriptwriting * Commercial Recording	* Record narration. * Make the final selection of interview cuts, natural sound, and music in the order you want them.
16	A/V Conferences
18	A/V Conferences
23	Creating your online portfolio	Due: Audio Project
25	Thanksgiving! Enjoy your break.	Assignment: Eat!
30	A few comments on analysis In-class activity: "Puffery, Hyperbole, and Weasel Words!"	Assignments: Digital Portfolio BMWs (until you have 10)
Dec
2	Last day of class Email me your blog's URL. Example of weasel words from ESPN Radio's Mike & Mike show this morning. Embedding an mp3 in your blog.
Tuesday, Dec 14th	Exam Period, 8-11am	Due: Digital Portfolio BMWs (All 10) Any outstanding work If you need to drop by to complete your BMWs, do it!

Date

Topics

Expectations

August

* Introduction to Media Writing & Theory
* Podcast Editing with Audacity

Assignments:

Read Chapters 1 and 2 from Hilliard
LibriVox recording (podcast editing)
Personal statement (250-300 words) of what you hope to gain from the course. What are your interests? What sort of podcast, video, and website <-- (I kid, I kid) do you hope to create? How will what you do in this class help you after the conclusion of the class?

Production Day
-- no class

Please spend today working on your LibriVox recording.

Last day to add without permission of instructor.

* Audio Editing Impressions
* Why am I here?

Due:

1. LibriVox recording, on CD
2. Personal statement, printed

Assignments:

1. Bring a list of your 5 blog "competitors" to the next class.

* Creating a Simple HTML Page
* SEO & Blog Template Tweaking
* Setting up an RSS Reader

Due:

1. List of 5 blog competitors.

Readings:

1. Megnut on blogging (note date it was written)
2. Linkbaiting

Assignments:

1. Play around with Blogger. Add a widget to your blog we didn't use in class.
2. Create your first blog post. You may create a "what this blog will be about" post if you'd like, or go straight into content.
3. Make sure your post has at least one link to another site!

September

* Reviewing Widgets
* Linkbaiting
* BMW's (example)
* Crafting your Pitch

In-class Assignment:

Draft your pitch.

Assignment:

Read over your blog assignment.
Be ready for your first Best Media Writing of the Week (BMW) for Thursday of next week!

* Review BMW's

(and read example BMW)

* Utilizing Social Networks
-- Facebook
-- Twitter

Assignments:

Watch the Roving Reporter Video at ABC
Read through the submission requirements

Due:

1. Template based website
2. Your blog pitch -- Please bring printed out on paper.

* BMWs
* Production day during class -- Your "second" blog post

Assignments:

Reading on scripting and storyboarding (here commercials, but it's generally helpful)
Make sure you've watched the ABC News Roving Reporter video from last class' assignments.

Due:

1. BMW #1
(Be ready to talk for 45-60 seconds about your BMW!)

* "Roving Reporter"/Video Documentary Project Intro
(assignment prompt here)

Assignments:

In-class scripting assignment.
Email your instructor three possible ideas (one or two sentences each) for possible "Roving Reporter" projects.
Note: Please bring headphones for the balance of our classes.

How to plan a shoot and how to shoot for editing (with Seth Mulliken in Winston 201J)

Due:

1. BMW #2

* BMW #2 presentations
* The Toulmin Model
* Watch an example ABC On Campus Video
* Discuss Topic Selection
* Discuss the Story Pitch

Assignment:

Review your audiovisual assignment.
Select your topic and begin writing your pitch.
Read a bit more on the On Campus program.
Check out the ABC On Campus Facebook page

* Storyboard Introduction
* Video on Storyboarding
* In-class activity

Due:

1. BMW #3
2. Early Video Pitches (Extra Credit)

Assignment:

Begin drafting your script as soon as your pitch is approved!

* Writing scripts II

Due:

1. Video Pitch (before class!)

Assignment:

Check out a camera and begin creating footage this weekend.
You will want to bring footage to class on the 5th.
Understand what a B-Roll is

* Movie Maker Introduction
(download 2.6 here for your own Vista computer)
* Tutorials we'll use

Due:

1. BMW #4

Assignment:

Check out a camera and begin creating footage this weekend.
You will want to bring footage to class on the 5th.
Bring five dollars for a microphone please.

October

* Editing video I
* Importing video
* Review sample news videos (1, 2)

(Select students will attend class in 201J with Mr. Mulliken)

Due:

1. Video Script (before class)

Assignment:

Continue creating footage.

Fall Break

No BMW this week.
Optional: Turn in a BMW to take the place of BMW #5.

Note: You'll still need to turn in a BMW for the 14th.

Writing for Time and Editing for Narrative Day 1

Assignment:

Finish capturing raw footage.

Evaluating best media writing practices

Due:

1. BMW #5
2. Read Chapters 7 and 8 on voice overs

Assignment:

Finish editing your video.

MEET IN THE DIGITAL MEDIA LAB IN D.H. HILL

Directions:

Enter D. H. Hill Library from the brickyard. Go through the turnstile and turn right. On your left are stairs and elevators; take one to the 1st floor. Once on the 1st floor, turn to your left and follow the aisle to the left, keeping the book shelving on your right. At the end of the aisle, continue to the left, through the double doors, into the East Wing. Turn right at the first aisle. Follow the corridor and directional signs to the Digital Media Lab.

Assignment:

Writing for Time and Editing for Narrative Day 2

Due:

1. BMW #6

Write your "wrap-up" paper.

* Interview question exercise

Due:

* Read pages 108-117 of Musburger (click red link to download)
* Please deliver your final four BMWs on your own schedule.
* At least one BMW must be on a movie screenplay.
More detaiiled instructions here.

* BMWs -- Researching your BMW artifact: "LeBron Rise"
* Radio script-writing exercise.

* Radio commercial script template (from App State)
* Real Men of Genius radio spots
* Free Credit Report.com commercials

Assignments:

Read this on using Audacity
Begin considering ideas for your audio assignment (be ready to present to your group on Tuesday)

Due:

1. Audiovisual assignment on DVD or CD.

November

* Intro to audio assignment
* Split into groups.
* Create pitch (due Thursday!)

(audio project timeline originally created by Nancy Burnett at SUNY Oneonta)

* Read this section on creating sales letters -- we'll use many of the ideas for our radio spot.
* Write out a list of story ideas, interviewees, questions for interviewees, ideas for music, natural sound, SFX.
* Contact interviewees, set up interviews, sign out equipment, record interviews.

* Finish pitches
* Audio Exercise: Mix a soundtrack with your voice.

* Complete interviews, select music and sound effects. Begin editing interviews.
* Pitch Due

* Commercial Review
* Pitch Review and Podcast Planning

* Edit interviews and write script.

* Commercial Requirement Review
* Commercial Scriptwriting
* Commercial Recording

* Record narration.
* Make the final selection of interview cuts, natural sound, and music in the order you want them.

A/V Conferences

Creating your online portfolio

Due:

Audio Project

Thanksgiving! Enjoy your break.

Assignment:

Eat!

A few comments on analysis
In-class activity: "Puffery, Hyperbole, and Weasel Words!"

Assignments:

Digital Portfolio
BMWs (until you have 10)

Dec

Last day of class
Email me your blog's URL.
Example of weasel words from ESPN Radio's Mike & Mike show this morning.

Embedding an mp3 in your blog.

Tuesday, Dec 14th

Exam Period, 8-11am

Due:

Digital Portfolio
BMWs (All 10)
Any outstanding work
If you need to drop by to complete your BMWs, do it!