ADVANCED MULTIMEDIA STORYTELLING INSIDE JACKSONVILLE JOU 4348/81504 Fall 2016 Tuesday and Thursday 3:05-4:20 p.m. Robinson Center 14D/1011; Studio Dr. David Deeley Robinson Center 14D/2010 Email: d.deeley@unf.edu Office hours: T/TR Noon 1:30 p.m., by appointment or drop-in The newest computer can merely compound, at speed, the oldest problem in the relations between human beings, and in the end the communicator will be confronted with the old problem of what to say and how to say it. Edward R. Murrow, CBS News Advanced Multimedia Storytelling is the capstone course of the Multimedia Journalism division of the Multimedia Journalism and Production track. To succeed in this class, you must already be proficient in print and broadcast writing, reporting, videography and non-linear video editing. This class does not always meet in the classroom or the studio. Most of your work will be off campus and outside of class. To succeed in this class, you must make a significant time commitment outside of class, over and above regular class hours. The purpose of this course is to help you prepare for a career, whether in the communication industry or another field such as law, marketing, education, sales or any other profession. The successful student will work cooperatively as a member of a team, develop project management skills, enhance interpersonal relations, perform successfully under deadline pressure, exercise critical thinking skills, address ethical challenges, be able to present a logical argument, all while expressing appropriate levels of professionalism and responsibility valued by employers in all businesses and industries. Students in this course will produce multimedia journalism material written stories, photos, video stories and audio material for UNFTV.com, and also a reflective blog. The best video stories will air on Inside Jacksonville, a monthly, 30-minute news magazine program that airs on WCWJ-Channel 17 on the last weekend of each month. It is a cooperative venture between UNF and CW-17 that serves the community through enterprise reporting on topics of community concern. Each edition of Inside Jacksonville will explore a single issue important to the First Coast community.
Learning Outcomes The Department of Communication has adopted learning outcomes, the North Florida Nine, that reflect its commitment to excellence in mass communication education. The outcomes specifically addressed in this course are: Communicate effectively Communicate clearly and accurately through written, oral, and mediated forms appropriate to the study of communication and professional practice. Think critically Conduct reasoned evaluation of information to assess its relevance, accuracy, purpose, and meaning. Conduct valid research Apply research methods appropriate to the communication professions to address relevant communication problems. Such methods include quantitative and qualitative research applied in primary and secondary research. Value Freedom of Expression: Students will understand and apply the principles and laws of freedom of speech and press embodied in the First Amendment and describe their importance in a democracy. Utilize appropriate technologies Apply the tools and technologies of the communication professions in the creation and dissemination of messages appropriate for professional practice. Embrace diversity Demonstrate an understanding of the diversity of both domestic society and the peoples and cultures of global society and of the significance and impact of mass communication in society. Practice ethically Demonstrate an understanding of professional ethical principles and the relationship between ethics and law; apply ethical principles to communication professional practice. The complete list is at http://www.unf.edu/coas/communication/about_us.aspx Course Objectives The multimedia products you will produce in this course are vehicles for practicing and refining digital, technological and multimedia competencies such as writing, reporting, interviewing, producing, working under deadline pressure and other related skills. As such, students who successfully complete Advanced Multimedia Storytelling will: Apply the research and reporting skills learned in JOU 3109 Multimedia Reporting and JOU 3342 Multimedia Storytelling and to create relevant and audience engaging video projects for distribution over print, broadcast and web platforms. (Communicate Effectively, Think Critically, Conduct Valid Research, Value Freedom of Expression, Practice Ethically) 2
Engage the external UNF (greater Jacksonville area) campus community in the role of storyteller/reporter and develop an understanding of the expectations, impacts and misconceptions of the storytelling/reporting process. (Communicate Effectively, Think Critically, Value Freedom of Expression, Utilize Appropriate Technologies, Embrace Diversity, Practice Ethically) Demonstrate understanding and basic competence in writing for pictures using traditional broadcast writing techniques. (Communicate Effectively, Think Critically) Complete class projects under deadline pressure and gain experience in the story creation, writing and production process. (Communicate Effectively, Think Critically) Understand and apply intermediate HD video camera skills and Adobe Premiere/Final Cut Pro editing competence to successfully communicate story content across multimedia platforms. (Utilize Appropriate Technologies) Students in Advanced Multimedia Storytelling will meet requirements on varied scales based on a reasonable workload for each job function. For example, producers will not necessarily be required to produce reports. Reporters will be required to produce four in-depth video packages throughout the course of the semester. A major practical objective of this class is to prepare you for entry-level positions in the communication industries upon graduation. This preparation includes producing media materials on various digital platforms. Each multimedia product will be graded individually. These products include: Long-form video packages 50% Production Responsibilities 20% Print-style story with photos or freeze-frames (WordPress) 10% Social Media and/or other online elements 10% Reflective blog 15% Community-Based Transformational Learning Advanced Multimedia Storytelling is a CBTL course and is designed to encourage you to think more openly and critically about your individual lives as well as your professional roles and your connections and responsibilities to the community. By successfully completing three multimedia storytelling projects, you have the opportunity to become immersed in real-world situations that can enhance your personal growth and increase your civic engagement and awareness while benefiting the citizens and the community. Therefore, story creation, critique and reflection assignments are an integral part of this class and are designed to enhance critical thinking, to challenge assumptions, to instill a sense of professional responsibility, and to encourage civic awareness. 3
CBTL Assessment The University of North Florida is committed to providing quality education and to assuring that students gain the knowledge and skills necessary to be successful after they graduate. Assessment of student learning provides information needed to make improvements in UNF programs, course content, and teaching. During this course your instructor will collect and submit samples of your work to determine program effectiveness. You should know that: You may choose not to have samples of your work submitted by notifying your instructor anytime during your course via email No identifying information such as your name or N-number will be included on the samples sent for program assessment Your course grade will not be affected by participating in this program assessment process Information about the summative results of this assessment is reported to UNF stakeholders, including the Board of Governors of the Florida State University System; the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges; and professional accreditors. 4
Deadlines The most critical element in determining your success is meeting all deadlines. Experience has proven that students cannot succeed by missing deadlines. Missed deadlines are unacceptable in a professional setting. All job functions in the production of a program are interconnected. A missed deadline by one member of the team creates a domino effect, impacting many other members of the team and, ultimately, the entire program itself. Therefore, any egregiously late notice that a story will not meet deadline as scheduled will result in a grade of F for the assignment. In addition, the following grade penalties will be enforced for missed deadlines: Two-grade Penalty Uploading all video (interviews and B-roll) Missing a program rehearsal or recording without sufficient advance notice Full-grade Penalty Submitting Story Idea Submitting Story Plan Submitting initial video script Submitting final video script Entering final video script in Rundown Creator Uploading final anchor scripts (producer/anchors) Submitting final draft of AP-style print story Uploading web interview or podcast uploaded Entering blog entry Half-grade Penalty Uploading rundown (producer) Uploading initial anchor scripts (producer/anchors) Submitting first draft of AP-style print story It is common for interviews to fall through and for other complications to arise. When this happens, you must immediately contact the executive producers to discuss how to maintain the original focus of your story, or develop an alternative focus. You will be penalized ONLY if you fail to immediately notify the executive producer. 5
Grading Criteria In the current competitive media climate, there is no credit for trying. Trying and failing is still failing; a product that is simply good enough is probably not. In most industries, these conditions tend to lead to termination. In this course, they will lead to poor grades. Your grade is your paycheck in this course. Each multimedia element will be graded according to the rubric posted on the class Blackboard site. These grades will be averaged into an overall grade for each production cycle. You will have the opportunity to critically evaluate your own work and that of others during critiques (post mortems) following each program. These sessions are valuable teaching tools designed to identify examples of superior work and, more importantly, areas of improvement. The purpose of this criticism is your improvement, growth, and development. As in professional settings, post mortems are not designed to be a source of embarrassment but are instead a valuable teaching tool. No piece is perfect there is always room for improvement. As such, it is advisable to develop a thick skin. Equipment and Materials All video equipment belongs to UNF. Students must comply with checkout rules and regulations for use. Failure to adhere to these policies will result in a loss of access to the equipment. Students may be held personally responsible for any loss of or damage. Each student is also responsible for purchasing a 16GB digital high-capacity flash card for recording, storing and retaining video necessary for reporting stories. Assignment Repurposing Student work produced outside this class may not be submitted for class assignments. No assignment for this class may be submitted to any program outside the Department of Communication without authorization of the professor. Violations of this policy will result in a zero for that assignment. Disclaimer The professor reserves the right to change, alter or otherwise modify the syllabus as dictated by the best interests of the broadcast without penalty to the student. 6
Fall 2016 Production Schedule and Deadlines Program #1 Thursday, August 25, 3:05 p.m. Program #1 Story Idea due Tuesday, August 30, 12:00 p.m. Story Plan due email (include one sentence summary/pitch) Tuesday, September 6, 3:05 p.m. Anchor auditions Initial program rundown complete in Rundown Creator Wednesday, September 7, 12:00 p.m. All shooting (interviews and B Roll) complete and uploaded to editing computer Friday, September 9, 12:00 p.m. Initial video script to Dr. D Monday, September 12, 12:00 p.m. Final video script to Dr. D Thursday, September 15, 3:05 p.m. Video edited and submitted Final video script entered in Rundown Creator Initial anchor scripts to Dr. D First draft of AP-style print story submitted to producers Friday, September 16, 12:00 p.m. Final video edited, run time and all supers and submitted Show teases submitted Final anchor scripts entered in Rundown Creator Monday, September 19, 12:00 p.m. Final AP-style print story with photos uploaded Script run-through (Time TBA-anchors, producer, director) Tuesday, September 20, 3:05 p.m. Program #2 Story Idea due 7
Rehearse Program #1 Thursday, September 23, 3:05 p.m. Record Program #1 Friday, September 23, 12:00 p.m. Blog entry due Program #2 Friday, September 23, 12:00 p.m. Story Plan due by email (include one sentence summary/pitch) Tuesday, October 4, 3:05 p.m. Initial program rundown complete in Rundown Creator Wednesday, October 5, 12:00 p.m. All shooting (interviews and B Roll) complete and uploaded to computer Friday, October 7, 12:00 p.m. Initial video script to Dr. D Monday, October 10, 12:00 p.m. Final video script to Dr. D Thursday, October 13, 3:05 p.m. Video edited and submitted Final video script entered in Rundown Creator Initial anchor scripts to Dr. D First draft of AP-style print story submitted to producer Friday, October 14, 12:00 p.m. Final video edited, run time and all supers and submitted Show teases submitted Final anchor scripts entered in Rundown Creator Monday, October 17, 12:00 p.m. Final AP-style print story with photos uploaded Script run-through (Time TBA-anchors, producer, director) Tuesday, October 18, 3:05 p.m. Program #3 Story Idea due 8
Rehearse Program #2 Thursday, October 20, 3:05 p.m. Record Program #2 Friday, October 21, 12:00 p.m. Blog entry due Program #3 Friday, October 23, 12:00 p.m. Story Plan due by email (include one sentence summary/pitch) Tuesday, November 3, 3:05 p.m. Initial program rundown complete in Rundown Creator Wednesday, November 4, 12:00 p.m. All shooting (interviews and B Roll) complete and uploaded to computer Friday, November 6, 12:00 p.m. Initial video script to Dr. D Monday, November 9, 12:00 p.m. Final video script to Dr. D Thursday, November 12, 3:05 p.m. Video edited and submitted Final video script entered in Rundown Creator Initial anchor scripts to Dr. D First draft of AP-style print story submitted Friday, November 13, 12:00 p.m. Final video edited, run time and all supers and submitted Show tease submitted Final anchor scripts entered in Rundown Creator Monday, November 16, 12:00 p.m. Final AP-style print story with photos uploaded Script run-through (Time TBA-anchors, producer, director) Tuesday, November 17, 3:05 p.m. Rehearse Program #3 9
Thursday, November 19, 3:05 p.m. Blog entry due Record Program #3 Program #4 Thursday, November 10, 12:00 p.m. Spring and Fall 2015 packages selected Monday, November 23, 12:00 p.m. Program rundown complete Monday, November 30, 12:00 p.m. Anchor scripts to Dr. D Tuesday, December 1, 3:05 p.m. Blog entry due Rehearse and record Program #4 Thursday, December 3, 3:05 p.m. Semester post-mortem 10