NMED 2030 Section B – Film and Video Production
Session:
Instructor:
Email:
Office:
Office Hours:
Phone:
Spring 2008
Dana Inkster
dana.inkster@uleth.ca
W862
Tuesdays 11:30am – 12:30pm
382-7145
University Hall Room B519
Mondays
Wednesdays
14:00-15:50
14:00-15:50
A) New Media 2030
This course is intended to cover basic techniques and approaches for the various
stages of video production. Exercises will be done by groups of students working
together.
Projects will be submitted on DVD or online. Discs and cases should be labelled
and slated with students' names, title of the assignment, and "NMED 2030."
Assignments submitted online must be submitted via email to
dana.inkster@uleth.ca. Email messages must include students' names, title of
the assignment, and "NMED 2030."
Marking is based on: fulfillment of the objectives of an assignment, ambition and
style in the work submitted, and technical accomplishment.
B) Introduction/Program Related Information
This course is a survey of artistic developments related to the video
production, the relationship of computer-facilitated arts to traditional genres and a
critical examination of selected contemporary works.
Your work will begin with a written proposal or plan stating the purpose of
the topic to be explored and a detailed outline of the production schedule for the
creation of the project. The proposal will demonstrate:
a) a knowledge of contemporary artistic practice
b) a historical contextualization of the work through an overview of similar art
products being produced today and
c) a knowledge of the vocabulary of artistic creation and analysis.
C) Objectives and Standards:
 To become familiar with the world of film and video composition in the
context of documentary cinema in contemporary culture.
 To demonstrate ability to author and generate original creative content.
 To engage in creative problem-solving.
 To demonstrate the ability for reflection, analysis and criticism.
 To experience the creative process.
Performance Criteria:
 Identification of known aspects of film and video composition.
 Effective use of languages and forms of languages.
 Correct use of appropriate information processing technology.
 Structured formulation of ideas, analysis and criticism.
 Demonstration of main aspects of the creative process.
Program Related Information:
NMED 2030 allows students to demonstrate their ability to integrate the
skills and knowledge acquired through the various competencies of the program.
This demonstration will take the form of a project that incorporates the objectives
of the competency, utilizes several areas of the student's studies and brings into
play each of the performance criteria outlined by the ministry.
D) Course Content
The course content promotes the artistic and critical application of skills in
service to three media projects.
E) Required Texts
Students are expected to discover and make use of reference materials
appropriate to their projects. The instructor will be available to guide and make
suggestions on supporting material. For those in need of support for critical
reading
and
writing
at
the
university
level,
please
consult
http://www.uleth.ca/ics/writingcentre/writingresources.htm
Required texts will be distributed by the instructor.
F) Departmental Attendance Policy
Attendance in class, lab and fieldwork is mandatory. It is the policy of this
department that more than 4 absences constitutes grounds for failure.
The classroom door will be locked 10 minutes after class begins. Arriving
more than 10 minutes late for class constitutes an absence.
G) Late Assignment Policy
Projects submitted late will receive a deduction of 5% per day, unless
arrangements prior to the due date have been negotiated. Late work will not be
accepted after one week
H) Ability Issues
If you have a chronic health or require accommodation due to a disability
please identify yourself to me privately and early on. The University has a
Disability Coordinator to assist with any accommodations needed.
I) Costs
Costs for the course will vary according to the nature of the media project.
They may include the cost of: video or audio tapes, external memory storage,
local travel for research, admission to museums, film rentals, colour photocopies
or other art materials.
J) Plagiarism
Plagiarism or academic dishonesty is considered a very serious offence (see
the U of L Calendar). The University of Lethbridge subscribes to a plagiarism
detection service called Turnitin.com. Your paper may be submitted to this
service to verify its originality. Information on plagiarism may be found at
<http:www.plagiarism.org/research_site/e_home.html>
Plagiarism occurs when a writer takes the words, ideas, expressions or
media content of another author and claims them explicitly or implicitly (though
failure to use proper credits) as his or her own. Plagiarism is not only cheating, it
is stealing and as such is a violation of copyright laws. Copyright laws insure that
an author's work remains the author's and prevents others from copying without
receiving permission.
Students can make use of published material if they credit the author
properly. To avoid plagiarism you must give proper credit to the authors from
whom you borrow material. You provide credit with footnotes and a bibliography.
You should credit direct quotes, specific ideas used by another writer, an opinion
of another and any displays such as tables, charts or diagrams that have been
used in other works.
Plagiarism can be from many sources including books, magazines,
electronic media or another student's paper or work. To credit information you
must identify the source. Quoted material must be footnoted or endnoted. Proof
of clearance for audio-visual material must be secured from the copyright owner.
K) Evaluation
Research Assignment
3%
Scene Analysis
7%
Participation
10%
One (2) Critical Reviews
10%
Critiques
15%
The Art of Adaptation: Three (3) Media Compositions
Audio
10%
Video
15%
Audio-Visual Adaptation 30%
55%
1. One criterion for grading the proposal will be the degree to which the media
projects address the objectives of the program.
2. Marks for participation will be based on:
a) attending classes and other meetings prepared and on time. Attendance is
mandatory.
b) positive involvement in course activities
c) consistent and critical engagement with instructor on topic related to film and
video composition
d) presentation of assignments on time.
COMPREHENSIVE ASSESSMENT:
a) articulate their understanding of the competencies embodied in the media
projects.
b) explain and justify the techniques of production of the project.
c) present a rationale for the organization and supporting illustrative materials
used in the project.
d) ability to understand and integrate the theory and critical analysis presented in
required texts into project proposals
e) attend conferences with their instructor to pose specific questions about
assignment; obtain feedback and evaluate course progress.
GRADING SYSTEM
Letter
A+
A
AB+
B
BC+
C
CD+
D
F
(%)
(94-100)
(90-93.9)
(86-89.9)
(82-85.9
(78-81.9)
(74-77.9)
(70-73.9)
(66-69.9)
(62-65.9)
(58-61.9)
(50-57.9)
(0-49.9)
GPA
4.3
4.0
3.7
3.3
3.0
2.7
2.3
2.0
1.7
1.3
1.0
0
L) Classroom Decorum
The classroom should be a place where the free exchange of ideas can
occur in an atmosphere of mutual trust and respect. Students are expected to
conduct themselves with courtesy, civility, purposefulness, and integrity.
Use the following examples as guides to behaviors that support learning.
Avoid those which disrupt the learning process.
Supportive Actions include:
 Coming to class prepared including reading all assignments.
 Being attentive and responsive in class.
 Respecting fellow students' opinions and ideas.
 Offering critiques and alternative ideas in a non-condescending manner.
 Supporting the rights of classmates to contribute, even when disagreeing with
content.
Examples of disruptive behaviors to avoid include:
 Sleeping in class.
 Eating and drinking in class.
 Talking in class or lab while the instructor is teaching.
 Using cell phone; beepers or any other PDA while in class.
 Walking out of class during instruction.
 Emailing, texting and passing notes to classmates while class is in session.
ASSIGNMENTS:
Research Assignment
3%
You must come to next week’s class with the title of your favourite film, produced
and released prior to the year 2000.
Scene Analysis
7%
Students must conduct a scene analysis denoting: Sound composition: dialogue,
sound-effects, wild sound and mise-en-scene composition: decor, lighting, space,
costume and acting; cinematography; and editing.
Critical Review
10%
As a method of successful completion of the course, each student will read and
review one (1) article in-class at to be determined dates in the term.
N.B.: Missed in-class assignments will be graded at zero (0). Students will not
be given the opportunity to submit at a later date, unless: 1. the Instructor is
given prior notice about an absence; or 2. students submit a valid doctor’s note
after an absence.
Three (3) Media Compositions
55%
The three major projects of this course aim to reflect each student’s ability to
employ New Media creatively and critically.
Critiques
15%
One-on-one with Instructor in-class. The critique will be based on your audiovisual rough cut. You will be asked to respond to a series of questions regarding
your composition. The feedback you received from this should be incorporated
to changes made to your rough cut.
N.B.: Missed in-class critiques will be graded at zero (0). Students will not be
given the opportunity to conduct a critique at a later date, unless 1. the Instructor
is given prior notice about an absence; or 2. Students submit a valid doctor’s
note after an absence
Participation
10%
See F) Departmental Attendance Policy and K) Evaluation L) Classroom
Decorum items for terms of evaluation