FIELD ASSIGNMENT #1 - Visualization
Grading Objectives:
- Ability to depict apparent central point of interest
- Ability to employ proper and appropriate framing and composition principles
- Appropriate camera mechanics (e.g. exposure and focus)
- Ability to avoid common errors such as contrast problems, lens fare, etc.
- Ability to meet formatting requirements
- General creativity
The assignment is to be performed individually. You may have no assistance in the execution of this assignment whatsoever. Evidence of any assistance in photographing, staging, etc. will result in an automatic "0" score for this assignment. This is all about visualization and camera mechanics. As with all ensuing assignments, you are expected to exercise care and deliberation. All shots are exteriors--no interiors. Note that many of these don't seem very interesting or sexy; so it's up to you to make them appealing to the viewer (me). Therefore, appropriate creativity, as always, will be prized. However, creativity and appeal need to come from composition and framing rather than the staging of the objects themselves.
When finished shooting, you will submit to me one single shot for each assigned shot (below) in a folder in your personal media files on the EditShare server. Name this folder with your first name and last initial followed by Assign1. Thus the folder will name will look like this example:
jamesbAssign1
There will be no editing of any kind and no leader. The only manipulation you'll perform on your raw footage is to copy only those clips you want me to grade from the camera's SD card into the EditShare using the RTV computers in the RTV facility (NSC 160). For this assignment you are required to use the RTV Canon 70D or 80D cameras (you will not need a tripod). The following will apply to use of these cameras for this assignment:
- all shots must be horizontally (not vertically) framed
- there will be no in-camera manipulation of the image (such as vignetted effect or cropping)
- there will be no post-production manipulation of the images in the camera or in programs such as Photoshop
- all shots must be recorded in JPEG format (not RAW)
- you may use field photographic manipulations such as zooming to change focal length; altering f-stop, shutter or ISO, etc.
- Each of the 10 assigned subjects must be shot in separate locations; you may not shoot multiple objects in a single location.
- No footage from sources other than your own photographic effort may be used for this assignment.
Each student is required to visualize each of the following shots:
A full bottle of water or soda
A toy
A ball
A single piece or bunch of fruit
A semi-profile of someone in MCU (medium close-up) (this should look like a news interview)
A book
A wooden guard rail behind the Student Union
A close-up of a hand doing something actively (writing, turning the page of a book, removing the lid of a cup, etc.)
A stationary (parked) car tire
A bicycle part
Slate Instructions for all subsequent assignments:
Slate will always be in white lettering on black background in upper left hand corner for a full 15ss with the following information:
Story Slug
Reporter (you)
Assignment Number: (according to Assignment #'s we use in class to refer to these)
Story Type: (for everything except assignment #1, i.e. SOT, PKG, VO/SOT, etc.)
TRT: (beginning at 0:00 after countdown) (do not include frames in the TRT or pads, pre-rolls, leader, etc.)
ASSIGNMENT #2 - EDITING/CONTINUITY
Grading Objectives:
Ability to understand principal visual components of shooting for editing
Ability to understand concepts of pace and story sense
Ability to manage non-linear editing equipment
Ability to meet designated TRT
Ability to create engaging visual and acoustical news story
The assignment is to be performed individually. You may have no assistance in the execution of this assignment whatsoever. Evidence of any assistance in editing, logging content, etc. will result in an automatic "0" score for this assignment. No outside footage may be used for this assignment.
Your assignment is to edit together a coherent news story from the DC-3 raw footage located on the server.
Specific Assignment #2 Requirements:
- TRT for the edited piece must be 1-1:30 long (no shorter than 60ss and no longer than 1 minute, 30 seconds)
- Final Edited story must contain appropriate leader and front and back pad as we discussed in class and which can be viewed on the ENG Edit Formatting. (NOTE: Countdown will always follow slate after a :02 silent black break. BE ADVISED: I will begin timing your stories at exactly 2 seconds after the last frame of countdown drops out. Thus if you haven't timed out the required black pad between countdown and the actual beginning of your production t exactly 2 seconds, your TRT will be off.)
- The final edited piece must contain a minimum of one SOT from the DC-3 footage
- The final edited piece must use all words from all six narration tracks that are located on the RTV server in the prescribed order (1,2,3,4,5,6)
- The final edited piece must contain at least two nat sound breaks from that footage. Where you use the nat sound breaks is up to you; just ensure that they complement the story and don't come off as gratuitous attempts to meet the assignment requirements
- No standups are allowed in this story; this means do not include the standup from the DC-3 footage, and don't shoot/include a standup of your own.
When finished, you'll export the edited piece as an H.264 file into your DC3 Assignment folder in your personal media files on the EditShare server. The name of this H.264 file will be your first name and last initial followed by DC3. Thus the H.264 file name will look like this example:
jamesbDC3
Failure to follow these instructions will result in an automatic point deduction on the assignment.
General Grading Guidelines for this Assignment
A = seamless, precise edits with no problems (jump cuts, black holes, etc.); effective use of sound; good matching of narration and SOTs to visuals; clear storyline with a bona fide beginning, middle and end; effective technique(s) to tell the story in a seamless and intriguing fashion; appropriate formatting per assignment instructions
B = seamless, precise edits with no problems (jump cuts, black holes, etc.); effective use of sound; some matching of narration and SOTs to visuals; storyline generally depicts a bona fide beginning, middle and end; appropriate formatting per assignment instructions
C = contains one or more of the following problems: some problems with editing (seamlessness, timing of edit points, as well as jump cuts); poor editing of sound, including nat sound breaks; visuals and narration at times don't match appropriately; story fails to follow natural chronological timeline
D = contains one or more of the following problems: many edit problems with timing and seamlessness of the cut, black holes; jump cuts; inappropriate transitions or other FX; storyline contains problems that make it difficult to understand and follow; poor coordination between visuals and narration
FIELD ASSIGNMENT #3 - VOICE-OVER
Grading Objectives:
- Assignment #1 and #2 Objectives
-Plus-
- Ability to shoot for editing
- Ability to edit together a coherent story structure from raw field video
- Ability to precisely meet TRT requirements
- Ability to correctly format
- Ability to manage post-production sound in a meaningful and complementary manner
The assignment is to be performed individually. You may have no assistance in the execution of this assignment whatsoever. Evidence of any assistance in photographing, editing, etc. will result in an automatic "0" score for this assignment. This assignment deals exclusively with shooting for eventual editing, though you must never neglect proper visualization aesthetics and camera mechanics. As with all ensuing assignments, you are expected to exercise care and deliberation. The assignment is to shoot and edit a :30 VO. It needs to be something with current news value to our presumed audience (UCF faculty, staff, students). Specific requirements for this assignment are:
- For this assignment you are required to use the Panasonic UX90 video camera.
- The final product will contain exactly :30 of usable VO in the end.
- The actual VO will not include narration, but will require accompanying sound recorded in the field.
- No footage from sources other than your own photographic effort may be used for this assignment. The presence of footage not shot by you and not cleared with me before submission is considered cheating and will be dealt with according to course policy for unethical behavior listed on the Course Syllabus as well as a score of "0" for this assignment.
- All footage must be exterior shots--no interiors--unless cleared with me prior to shooting.
- Appropriate formatting is required ENG Edit Formatting, which includes appropriate leader and front/back pads.
- Set b-roll sound to peak at -42 on the Adobe Premiere Pro sequence VU meter.
- No script is required for this assignment.
In addition to the actual VO, you are required to submit to me via my UCF email account your story idea for this by the deadline listed for this assignment on our Course Schedule. I will respond to the email with my approval or suggestion for change. In the subject heading for this email write the following:
Newsphoto-2 VO
After you receive approval from me for your story idea, you will then shoot your field video and edit the final product. You'll export the edited piece as an H.264 file into your VO Assignment folder in your personal media files on the EditShare server. The name of this H.264 file will be your first name and last initial followed by VO. Thus the H.264 file name will look like this example:
jamesbVO
Failure to follow these instructions will result in an automatic point deduction on the assignment.
General Grading Guidelines for this Assignment
A = seamless, precise edits with no problems (jump cuts, black holes, etc.); accompanying b-roll sound at proper VU level; some imaginative field photography; images deliver a sense of the story setting and experience; appropriate formatting per assignment instructions; appropriate journalistic ethics
B = seamless, precise edits with no problems (jump cuts, black holes, etc.); accompanying b-roll sound at proper VU level; good photographic skills; appropriate formatting per assignment instructions; appropriate journalistic ethics
C = contains one or more of the following problems: some problems with the editing (mistimed edit points, poor pace, etc.); problems with edit sound levels; missing sound with b-roll shots; some problems with field photography (technical and aesthetic); problems with formatting per assignment instructions; appropriate journalistic ethics
D = pronounced problems with editing (jump cuts, black holes, sound levels, formatting problems per assignment instructions, etc.); missing sound with b-roll shots; unusable shots; problems with journalistic ethics
FIELD ASSIGNMENT #4 - INTERIOR SOT
Grading Objectives:
- Assignment #1, #2 and #3 Objectives
-Plus-
- Ability to light and int. interview
- Ability to record and edit good quality sound for air
The assignment is to be performed individually. You may have no assistance in the execution of this assignment whatsoever. Evidence of any assistance in photographing, lighting, editing, sound, etc. will result in an automatic "0" score for this assignment. For this assignment you are required to use the Panasonic UX90 video camera.
This assignment addresses shooting and editing an interior SOT, though you must never neglect proper visualization aesthetics and camera mechanics. As with all ensuing assignments, you are expected to exercise care and deliberation. The assignment requirements are as follows:
- Shoot an interior interview with someone who can speak on something of current news value to our presumed audience (UCF faculty, staff, students).
- Shoot at least one interviewee over-the-shoulder reversal shot to be used in editing.
- Edit together a coherent SOT with appropriate leader and front/back pad using two separate (non-consecutive) responses from your interview and bridge the edit between those responses with a reverse shot.
- You must ask at least three solid questions to your subject from which you will select two responses that occur at different locations, that is, not concurrently within the interview.
- You will then use one of your reversals to bridge the edit between the two responses so there is no jump cut.
- The only sound to be heard is the interviewee's sound - no reporter questions.
- SOT is required to be interior and with appropriate lighting - no exteriors.
- No SOTs may be conducted in the RTV facility.
- No footage from sources other than your own photographic effort may be used for this assignment unless you have secured prior approval from me. The presence of footage not shot by you and not cleared with me before submission is considered cheating and will be dealt with according to course policy for unethical behavior listed on the Course Syllabus as well as a score of "0" for this assignment.
You must obtain TWO SEPARATE APPROVALS for this story before you can start shooting and editing. FIRST, you are required to submit to me via my UCF email account your story idea for this by the deadline listed for this assignment on our Course Schedule. I will respond to the email with my approval or suggestion for change. (NOTE: For multiple story idea submissions for the same story, approval will be granted on a first come; first served basis. Once a story is approved, no one else for either this class or my other newsphotography class may do that story idea.) In the subject heading for this email write the following:
Newsphoto-2 SOT
SECOND, you must obtain written approval from the Knightly New Assignment Editor or show Producer for your SOT. This is to ensure there is no duplication of news stories with Knightly News. In all cases, Knightly News will have first option on all news stories. Written clearance will be obtained via the Story Approval Form and will be submitted to the Knightly News Assignment Editor or Producer, which you will then subsequently submit to me as a completed form at the time of your assigned evaluation time for this assignment as indicated on the Course Schedule. In cases where no Story Approval Form is available for this assignment, you will receive a significant grade deduction in your final grade for this assignment.
Appropriate formatting is required (see News Formating Slide), which includes required leader and front/back pads. No script is required for this assignment. No outside footage may be used for this assignment. The presence of outside footage not shot by you and not cleared with me before submission is considered cheating and will be dealt with according to course policy for unethical behavior listed on the Course Syllabus as well as a score of "0" for this assignment.
When finished, you'll export the edited piece as an H.264 file into your SOT Assignment folder in your personal media files on the EditShare server. The name of this H.264 file will be your first name and last initial followed by SOT. Thus the H.264 file name will look like this example:
jamesbSOT
Failure to follow these instructions will result in an automatic point deduction on the assignment.
General Grading Guidelines for this Assignment
A = Good photography on both the interview subject and the reverse shot; good editing of the reverse shot; effective lighting on both subject and reverse shot; good management of sound in field and in editing; appropriate formatting per assignment instructions; appropriate journalistic ethics
B = Photography on interview subject and reverse shot are generally good with some opportunity for improvement; appropriate editing of the reverse shot; good effort in lighting both subject and reverse shot; effective sound management in field and in editing; appropriate formatting per assignment instructions; appropriate journalistic ethics
C = contains one or more of the following problems: some problems with the photography (not enough lead or head room, framing that is not an MCU, difficult things in BG or surrounding subject and reverse shot, hot spots or distracting items in the frame, etc.); problems with sound; problems with the editing of the reverse shot; problems with formatting per assignment instructions; appropriate journalistic ethics
D = contains one or more of the following: unusable shots; inadequate sound; poor editing of the reverse shot; formatting issues per assignment instructions; inappropriate journalistic ethics
FIELD ASSIGNMENT #5 - STANDUPS
Grading Objectives:
- Assignment #1, #2, #3, #4 Objectives
-Plus-
- Ability to shoot and edit together multiple random interviews at exterior locations
This assignment addresses shooting and editing ENG standups for news packages, though you must never neglect proper visualization aesthetics and camera mechanics. As with all ensuing assignments, you are expected to exercise care and deliberation. Requirements for this assignment are as follows:
- For this assignment you are required to use the Panasonic UX90 video camera.
- The assignment is to be performed individually. You may have no assistance in the execution of this assignment whatsoever. Evidence of any assistance in photographing, lighting, editing, sound, etc. will result in an automatic "0" score for this assignment.
- You are required to shoot two standups that could be used in two separate news packages with two separate topics, each of current news value to our presumed audience (UCF faculty, staff and students).
- Standups may be either exteriors or interiors
- Standups must be shot in two separate locations. Importantly, don't assume that shooting one SU in the front of a building and the other at the back of the building equals 2 separate locations. You need to move yourself to a different point on campus for the second location.
- You may not use the NSC building, its interiors or surrounding areas for either of your standup locations.
- The final product you submit to me will include both standups together in the same file. Appropriate leader is required. Format the flash drive according to the representation on this PPT Slide. Calculate TRT for slate as the exact duration of both standup TRT's added together. TRT will not include any of the pads or other portions of leader.
- No script is required for this assignment.
- No story idea submission is required for this assignment.
- No footage from sources other than your own photographic effort may be used for this assignment. The presence of footage not shot by you and not cleared with me before submission is considered cheating and will be dealt with according to course policy for unethical behavior listed on the Course Syllabus as well as a score of "0" for this assignment.
When finished, you'll export the edited piece as an H.264 file into your Standup Assignment folder in your personal media files on the EditShare server. The name of this H.264 file will be your first name and last initial followed by SU. Thus the H.264 file name will look like this example:
jamesbSU
Failure to follow these instructions will result in an automatic point deduction on the assignment.
General Grading Guidelines for this Assignment
A = Good photography; good sound; if necessary, effective lighting; clever and/or imaginative standup location, framing, action, etc.; appropriate formatting per assignment instructions; appropriate journalistic ethics
B = Good photography; good sound; if necessary, effective lighting; appropriate formatting per assignment instructions; appropriate journalistic ethics
C = contains one or more of the following problems: problems with photography; problems with sound quality and/or levels; ineffective lighting, if used; problems with appropriate formatting per assignment instructions; will include appropriate journalistic ethics
D = contains one or more of the following: unusable shots; inadequate sound; formatting issues per assignment instructions; inappropriate journalistic ethics
PRODUCTION #7 - NEWS PACKAGE
Grading Objectives:
- Previous Assignment Objectives
-Plus-
- Understanding of news photography and editing style in a package format
- Adherence to ethical standards like second sourcing, avoiding staging, etc.
- Ability to compose appropriate news script
Additional things I'll look for when grading:
- appropriately formatted script per instructions delivered in class and available on the CBS news script template. (Scripts must be stapled in upper-left corner with printing only on one side.)
- microphone held by talent (unless in a standup)
- uneven or poorly mixed sound levels
- logical story flow (logical beginning, middle, end)
- standup that doesn't integrate visually or acoustically with the existing footage
- close or open SOT's or standups
- mystery hand on mic for SOT
- excessive and/or unecessary handheld
- sloppy photography with things such as contrast
- good open/close shots/sequences
- sequencing when possible
- accurate and helpful story information
- appropriate shot selection
- creative editing practice (overlapping sound bites with trailing or susequent B-roll sound)
- best use of sound bites (length, information as it relates to story and surrounding B-roll, etc.)
- proper use of, and mix between, narration, SOT and B-roll sound
- coherent, logical storyline
- newsworthiness of story
- appropriate narration track voiced by you
This assignment addresses ENG production. You will edit a 1:00-1:30 package of your own origin that poses news value to our presumed audience (UCF facutly, staff, students). Requirements for this package include the following:
- you are required to use the Panasonic UX90 video camera
- at least one appropriate and apparent nat sound break
- at least one SOT
- an appropriate standup
- suitable narration tracks
- GFX may be constructed and inserted only after consultation with me
- Appropriate formatting is required (see ENG Edit Formatting), which includes appropriate leader and front/back pads. The assignment must be edited on the RTV Adobe Premiere Pro non-linear edit system
- You will turn in a copy of your final edited story and a finished hardcopy of your news script according to the format I give you in class. The script will be composed in Microsoft WORD according to the CBS example I gave you in class.
The following are components you may not have in the final edited package:
- the story may not be of an event or event coverage
- no supers in the final edited story, though these will be listed in the script
- no RTV major may be used for SOT's in this ENG story or be the focus of this story, nor may you use the Communication Building or its exterior locations as B-roll, unless the School of Communication happens to be the subject for the story. If you feel you absolutely must use the COMM BLDG. or an RTV student for the story, you must first consult with me prior to our consultation appointment.
- No footage from sources other than your own photographic effort may be used for this assignment unless you have secured prior approval from me. The presence of footage not shot by you and not cleared with me before submission is considered cheating and will be dealt with according to course policy for unethical behavior listed on the Course Syllabus as well as a score of "0" for this assignment.
Potential stories may come from any one of the following categories:
- Hard news
- Spot news
- Feature
- Sports
- Weather news
Prior to shooting the raw footage for this package, you must first submit to me via my UCF email account by the deadline posted in the Course Schedule your story ideas. All story ideas require approval from me before-hand. For the main story idea which is the one you most wish to do, you must use the Story Idea Form for all information and attach this to the required email. In the subject heading for this email write only the following:
Newsphoto-2 Story Idea
YOU MUST OBTAIN WRITTEN APPROVAL from the Knightly New Assignment Editor or show Producer for your SOT. This is to ensure there is no duplication of news stories with Knightly News. In all cases, Knightly News will have first option on all news stories. Written clearance will be obtained via the Story Approval Form and will be submitted to the Knightly News Assignment Editor or Producer, which you will then subsequently submit to me as a completed form at the time of your assigned evaluation time for this assignment as indicated on the Course Schedule. In cases where no Story Approval Form is available for this assignment, you will receive a significant grade deduction in your final grade for this assignment.
When finished, you'll export the edited piece as an H.264 file into your Package Assignment folder in your personal media files on the EditShare server. The name of this H.264 file will be your first name and last initial followed by PKG. Thus the H.264 file name will look like this example:
jamesbPKG
On the day this assignment is due you will submit the flash drive with the edited news package, the story approval form from Knightly news, and your script.
Failure to follow these instructions will result in an automatic point deduction on the assignment.
General Grading Guidelines for this Assignment
A = solid photographic practice; imaginative photography; seamless, precise edits with no problems (jump cuts, black holes, etc.); imagintaive editing practice (e.g. overlapping edits); effective use of sound; good matching of narration and SOTs to visuals; clear storyline with a bona fide beginning, middle and end; effective technique(s) to tell the story in a seamless and intriguing fashion; appropriate formatting per assignment instructions; appropriate journalistic ethics
B = solid photographic practice; seamless, precise edits with no problems (jump cuts, black holes, etc.); effective use of sound; good matching of narration and SOTs to visuals; clear storyline with a bona fide beginning, middle and end; effective technique(s) to tell the story in a seamless and intriguing fashion; appropriate formatting per assignment instructions; appropriate journalistic ethics
C = contains one or more of the following problems: some photographic problems; some problems with editing (seamlessness, timing of edit points, as well as jump cuts); poor management of sound, including nat sound breaks; missing required components of story per assignment instructions; visuals and narration at times don't match appropriately; story fails to follow natural chronological timeline when necessary; problems with formatting per assignment instructions; will include appropriate journalistic ethics
D = contains one or more of the following problems: photography; editing; sound; missing required components of story per assignment instructions; visuals and narration at times don't match appropriately; story fails to follow natural chronological timeline when necessary; problems with formatting per assignment instructions; will include appropriate journalistic ethics