BOROUGH OF MANHATTAN COMMUNITY COLLEGE
The City University of New York
Department of Media Arts and Technology
Title of Course:
Sound for Performance/Digital
Media I
VAT 165-101
(Wed 10:00-1:40 pm Rm. S533C)
Semester:
Class Hours:
2
Laboratory Hours per Week:
2
Fall 2012
Prof. Heather M Contant
Phone: 212-346-8525
Office# S622A
Email: Heather.M.Contant@gmail.com
Instructor Information (Phone#, Office#, email):
Credits:
3
Course Descriptions:
This course is an introduction to the use of audio technology in theatre, television,
motion pictures, and multimedia. Students will be introduced to the fundamental
principles of the acoustics and sound recording. Tools, such as various mixing
boards, microphones, and recorders, will be introduced in the context of theatrical
and radio production. Assignments will include practical exercises. Lab assignments
are required. This course is taught using computers.
Students will become familiar with Pro Tools digital sound editing software, as well
as studio and field recording, interviewing and voicing. We will spend class time
listening, recording, editing, fine-tuning our ears and learning to think like audio
producers.
Basic Skills:
Prerequisites:
Corequisites:
ENG 095 or ESL 095; ACR 095
VAT 152 (Introduction to Media Applications)
None
Course Student Learning Outcomes
(Students will be able to…)
1. Use ProTools at a professional level
Measurements (means of assessment for student
learning outcomes listed in first column
1. editing exercises
2. Make professional quality recording
3. Produce professional quality audio
4. Learn field recording and interview techniques
5. Critique audio creatively
6. Write an audio script for multimedia production
2.field and studio recording exercises
3. mixing exercises and projects
4. field recording exercises + interview exercises
5. written contributions to blog + class discussion
6. script writing and editing exercises
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Below are the college’s general education learning outcomes, the outcomes that checked in the left-hand column indicate goals that will be covered
and assessed in this course. (Check at least one.)
General Education Learning Outcomes
Measurements (means of assessment for student
learning outcomes listed in first column
Arts & Humanities- Students will be able to develop
knowledge and understanding of the arts and literature
through critiques of works of art, music, theatre and
literature.
Field recording. Composition in Audio Postcard.
Representation of place in Audio Postcard.
Representation of person in Interview Feature.
Mixing technique in projects. Representation of
reality in final documentary. Critiques of work.
Development of artistic practice.
Information & Technology Literacy- Students will
be able to collect, evaluate and interpret information
and effectively use information technologies.
Operation of field recorders, microphones, Pro
Tools, and studios in exercises and projects.
Understanding of audio editing processes gained
during projects. Discussions about digital
representation, editing, and ethics practices in
class. Written and non-written critiques of work.
Suggested Text:
Textbook:
Author:
Publisher:
ISBN-10:
Pro Tools 10 Power!: The Comprehensive Guide
Frank D. Cook
COURSE TECH PTR
1133732534
Textbook:
Author:
Publisher:
ISBN-10:
Pro Tools 10 Ignite!: The Visual Guide for New Users
Andrew Lee Hagerman
COURSE TECH PTR
1133703127
Textbook:
Reality Radio: Telling True Stories in Sound
(Documentary Arts and Culture)
John Biewen
The University of North Carolina Press
0807871028
Author:
Publisher:
ISBN-10:
Textbook:
Author:
Publisher:
ISBN-10:
Textbook:
Author:
Publisher:
ISBN-10:
Other Resources:
Sound Reporting: The NPR Guide to Audio Journalism
and Production
Jonathan Kern
University Of Chicago Press
0226431789
Representing Reality: Issues and Concepts in
Documentary
Bill Nichols
Indiana University Press
0253206812
Avid Knowledge Base
http://avid.force.com/pkb/articles/en_US/user_guide/en379111
www.airmedia.org, www.transom.org, http://freemusicarchive.org/,
Use of Technology (If
Applicable):
Pro Tools, Wordpress.com
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Evaluation and Requirements
of Students:
Students will be required to complete three projects during the semester:
an introductory project, a midterm project, and a final project. Students
will be expected to share their projects with the class as they progress.
Projects will be graded on a rubric.
Projects:
1. Audio Postcard 2. Interview Feature 3. Documentary Short
Additionally, there will be short exercises each week that will contribute
to the student’s successful and timely completion of projects. These are
written and production based. Be prepared to share these exercises at
the beginning of each class. Written exercises are expected to be
submitted via the class blog:
http://VAT165.wordpress.com
Grading Policy:
Your final grade will be based on:
Projects & Exercises
Improvement & Achieving Personal Goals:
Attendance
60%
20%
20%
Bring headphones that cover your ears completely and a hard drive to back
up your work.
You are responsible for backing up your own projects.
Tutorial Services-Learning Resource Center
For tutorial assistance, the Learning Resource Center (S500) is open: Monday-Thursday 9am-9pm; Fridays 9am-7pm;
Saturdays: 9am-5pm; Sundays: 11am-4pm
In addition, e-tutoring is available online at www.bmcc.cuny.edu/etutoring.
Academic Adjustments for Students with Disabilities
Students with disabilities who require reasonable accommodations or academic adjustments for this course must contact the Office of
Services for Students with Disabilities. BMCC is committed to providing equal access to all programs and curricula to all students.
BMCC Policy on Plagiarism and Academic Integrity Statement
Plagiarism is the presentation of someone else’s ideas, words or artistic, scientific, or technical work as one’s own creation. Using the
idea or work of another is permissible only when the original author is identified. Paraphrasing and summarizing, as well as direct
quotations, require citations to the original source. Plagiarism may be intentional or unintentional. Lack of dishonest intent does not
necessarily absolve a student of responsibility for plagiarism. Students who are unsure how and when to provide documentation are
advised to consult with their instructors. The library has guides designed to help students to appropriately identify a cited work. The
full policy can be found on BMCC’s website, www.bmcc.cuny.edu. For further information on integrity and behavior, please consult
the college bulletin (also available online).
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Outline of Schedule:
Jan. 30, 2013:
Feb. 6, 2013:
Feb. 13, 2013:
Feb. 20, 2013:
Feb. 27, 2013:
Mar. 6, 2013:
Mar. 13, 2013:
Mar. 20, 2013:
Mar. 27, 2013:
Apr. 3, 2013:
Apr. 10, 2013:
Apr. 17, 2013:
Apr. 24, 2013:
Introductions, What is sound? field recorders.
Exercise: Record 5 sounds using field recorders.
Due: 5 sounds recorded with field recorders.
Audio postcard listening. Discuss pitching. Set up session in Pro Tools & file management
Exercise: Write pitch for an audio postcard (Project 1), start recording sounds for audio postcard
Due: Pitch for audio postcard. (submitted to blog)
Voice over (V/O) listening and script writing. Clip & volume manipulation in Pro Tools. Bouncing.
Exercise: write an intro for your audio postcard. Continue working on postcards.
No Class (classes to follow Monday schedule)
Due: intro + V/O scripts for audio postcards (submitted to blog), rough mixes of postcards.
Discuss/review mixing/composition process. Intro to studio recording. Practice with intros + V/O
Exercise: Finish your audio postcards.
Due: Audio Postcard.
Interview technique. Practice interviews with field recorders.
Exercise: write a pitch for someone you would like to interview (Project 2).
Due: Pitch for Interview. (submitted to blog)
Interview packaging and ethics. Write questions for interview subject.
Exercise: conduct interview, Listen to and write about 2 audio interviews from radio/internet
Due: Reviews of 2 audio interviews (submitted to blog)
Interview music and/or visuals. Interview/Dialog editing. Set up studio for interview.
Exercise: edit interviews, write interview V/O scripts.
No Class (Spring Recess)
Due: Interview V/O scripts and intros (submitted to blog), rough interview mixes.
Mixing standards. Set up studio and Record V/O for interviews.
Exercise: finish interviews.
Due: Interview Features.
Discuss radio documentaries, storyline, and pitching.
Exercise: write 3 pitches for 3 different radio documentaries (Project 3)
Due: 3 pitches (submitted to blog)
Discuss documentary styles. Make a production plan.
Exercise: revise 1 pitch for radio documentary. Begin working on radio documentary.
Due: Revised radio documentary pitch and Production plan (submitted to blog).
Discuss radio dramas. Create grading rubric for final project. Peer editing process.
Exercise: work on final project, write scripts + VO
May 1, 2013:
Due: radio documentary scripts and VO (submitted to blog)
Discuss hybrid documentary. Edit scripts and VO.
Exercise: work on final project
May 8, 2013:
Discuss final exam. Work on final.
Exercise: Finish radio documentaries.
May 15, 2013:
Due: Radio Documentary.
Review for exam.
May 22, 2013:
Final exam
College Attendance Policy
At BMCC, the maximum number of absences is limited to one more class hour than the contact hours as indicated in the BMCC
college catalog. For example, you may be enrolled in a four-hour class that meets four times a week. You are allowed five hours of
absence, not five days. In the case of excessive absence, the instructor has the option to lower the grade or assign an F or WU grade.
Students, who miss more than four (4) hours of instruction during the semester, are excessively absent and may receive a lower grade,
an F, or a WU for the course. Note: three (3) late arrivals to class equal one absence. Attendance requirement will be monitored and
enforced.
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