MICA - Spring 2007
“Biodiesel University Documentary Programs”
Course Description
During the semester all enrolled students will participate in the production of a series of cinema-verite documentary programs about the alternative fuel source called BIODIESEL. These productions will look at the social, economic and political implications of this new energy source, on both a local and national level. From preproduction, treatment preparation and location scouting, to shooting and editing of video material, the class will experience the complete workflow of documentary production.
All students will be shooting on location with the recently acquired, state-of-the-art,
Panasonic AG HVX200 High Definition video camera, and editing in the HD format on
Final Cut Pro 5.1.2. The class will be working towards the completion of a 15 to 20 minute documentary program about the general subject of Biodiesel, along with several shorter, thematically specific Biodiesel documentary elements. All of these video components will be made available to a Maryland and national audience as an educational resource through the University of Maryland’s Biodiesel University.
In order to allow all members of the class to participate fully in the various stages of production, we will need to form several “TEAMS” (probably 5 teams of 3 or 4 people per team), which will remain together during the semester, working on specific subject matter related to the various media components of the Biodiesel University educational lab. Therefore, over the first few weeks of the class, it will be very important to exercise patience and cooperation, as we create a master plan for producing and shooting the key components of the Biodiesel story.
1

Moore – HD Documentary: Special Project
Rules of the Class
1) Attendance at all classes is mandatory. You also must be on time. Many details of the production will be determined through class discussion, so your active participation is essential to the success of the Biodiesel documentary programs. We will spend part of each Monday evaluating the progress of the production carried out by the various “teams”, and planning the shooting schedule for the weeks ahead. We will also take time each Monday to discuss the assigned reading of the week from the REQUIRED
TEXT: The Art of the Documentary by Megan Cunningham (available at the MICA bookstore).
2) As with any film or video production, keeping to a schedule is essential.
Production assignment deadlines must be met, subject to reductions in your grade. This is very simple – if you don’t show your work when scheduled, it will be graded down.
Please be aware that the bulk of this coursework will be shooting in the field, on a schedule that each “team” will determine for itself. Your ability to get on location and record quality HD video material will be a major component of your grade for this class.
3) ABSENCE AND LATENESS POLICY: a. Coming to class late twice is equivalent to one absence. b. Failure to complete the required reading is equivalent to one late assignment. c. You must stay for the whole class period to be considered present. d. All missed work must be made up. e. If you miss a class it is your responsibility to catch up on missed work and to find out the production status of your “team”. f. Two late production assignments will result in the final grade being lowered one third letter grade. g. Two absences (without explanation) will result in the final grade being lowered one letter grade. h. Three absences will result in the final grade being lowered two letter grades. i. Four absences will result in failure of the course.
4) GRADING:
Classroom Participation and LAB PRACTICAL CAMERA TEST count for 1/5 of your grade.
Production Assignments (Proposals, treatments, scouting reports, production schedules) count for 1/5 of your grade.
Participation during the shooting phase counts for 2/5 of your grade.
Participation during the editing phase counts for 1/5 of your grade.
GRADE SCALE:
A+= 100% - 98%, A= 97-93(superior), A-= 92-90,
B+= 89-87(excellent), B= 86-83, B-= 82-80(above average),
C+= 79-77, C= 76-73(average), D= 72-65(poor), F= below 65(failing)
A grade of incomplete will be given only for medical or excused emergencies.
2

Moore – HD Documentary: Special Project
Class Schedule - ( Note: This schedule is subject to change.)
(Week 1) 1/22 - INTRODUCTION to course, rules of the class, “Team” concept and plans for the production. Introduction to the Panasonic HVX200 camera system.
READ Art of Doc. Foreword, pp 2-11, pp 76-113.
(Week 2) 1/29 – HD WORKSHOP (Learning the camera, sound recording equipment).
“Team” production groups arranged, Biodiesel subject matter discussed with Dan
Goodman and Mike Weikert.
READ Art of Doc. pp 144-175.
(Week 3) 2/5 – TEST SHOOTING on HD, downloading of Firestore, HD editing demo.
Biodiesel subjects chosen, production schedule discussed.
READ Art of Doc. pp 46-74.
(Week 4) 2/12- LAB PRACTICAL CAMERA TEST.
(To demonstrate complete understanding of the Panasonic HVX200)
Location scouting this week.
READ Art of Doc. pp 204-235.
(Week 5) 2/19 – PRODUCTION BEGINS – Parents Weekend – family visitors to class.
Teams begin shooting on location this week.
READ Art of Doc. pp 298-339
(Week 6) 2/26 – SCREENING, logging and evaluation of HD material from past week.
READ Art of Doc. pp 12-45.
3/5 – SPRING BREAK
Each Monday of Week 7-13, screening and evaluation of HD material; shooting planned for the coming week
(Week 7) 3/12 – READ art of Doc. pp 176-203.
(Week 8) 3/19 - READ Art of Doc. pp 236-269.
(Week 9) 3/26 – READ Art of Doc. pp 270-297
(Week 10) 4/2 – READ Art of Doc. pp 114-142
Each Monday of Week 10-14, screening of edited HD short programs.
(Week 11) 4/9 – Shoot and Edit
(Week 12) 4/16 – Shoot and Edit
(Week 13) 4/23 – Shoot and Edit
(Week 14) 4/30 – Final Screenings and Evaluations
NOTE: This course will end during the final week of classes. There will be NO
MEETING during exam period.
3

Moore – HD Documentary: Special Project
Important Biodiesel University Contacts:
Dan Goodman
Executive Director – Biodiesel University
Robert H. Smith School of Business
University of Maryland
301-704-4459
888-604-0285 dean@biodieseluniversity.org
Mike Weikert
MICA
Co-Chair – Graphic Design
Office - 410-225-2583
Cell – 443-739-8153 weikerts@verizon.net
ADA Compliance Statement:
In order to provide the highest quality educational experience for every student, MICA is committed to compliance with the ADA and Section 504. Any student who has (or suspects he or she may have) a physical, cognitive, or psychological disability and who wants to request accommodations must immediately schedule an appointment to meet with the Director of the Learning Resource Center, Dr.
Kathryn Smith, by calling the LRC at (410) 225-2416. The LRC is MICA’s designated department for determining reasonable accommodations based on legal requirements and will provide the eligible student with an official Accommodation Verification letter to the instructor. Each semester the student must formally request accommodations from the LRC, and format of the Verification letters change each semester to ensure currency.
NOTE: Students with disabilities who want assistance during emergency evacuations must register with the LRC within the first week of each semester.
Health and Safety Compliance Statement:
MICA has developed policies and practices to ensure a healthful environment and safe approaches to the use of equipment, materials, and processes. It is the mutual responsibility of faculty and students to review health and safety standards relevant to each class at the beginning of each semester. Students should be aware of general fire, health, and safety regulations posted in each area and course specific policies, practices and cautions. Students who have concerns related to health and safety should contact the
Environmental Health and Safety Coordinator.
The Environmental Health and Safety Coordinator, Quentin Moseley, may be reached at (410)
225-7593 or by e-mail at qmoseley@mica.edu.
4

5