Syllabus

MEDA – 320 Studio Video

Tues/ Thurs: 1:00pm to 2:15pm (2:35pm)
Walter B4A – Studio – Edit Lab

Instructor: Erik Fauske

Office Hours: by appointment
Contact: 503- 701-3084 (cell)
Campus Email: erikfauske@pacificu.edu
Email: erikfauske@hotmail.com
Websites: www.erikfauske.com

Course Description:
This class will focus on advancing foundation video production techniques, with the
end goal of completing a Narrative Independent project. Students will build their skills
in directing, camera work, lighting, audio recording, production design, and editing, as
it pertains to the creation of scene-work. Students will further develop visual
aesthetics and effective storytelling skills.

Required Text:
“Single Camera Video Production” – 4th Edition ©2005
Author: Robert Musburger
Focal Press Publishing
ISBN-10: 0240807065 (available at Pacific bookstore)

Recommended Texts:
“On Film-making: An Introduction to the Craft of the Director”
Author: Alexander Mackendrick
Faber & Faber - 1st Ed 2005
ISBN-10: 0571211258 (available at Pacific bookstore and Library)

“The Focal Easy Guide To Final Cut Pro 6” – (2007)

Author: Rick Young Focal Press Publishing
ISBN: 0240810096 (available at Amazon.com)

Instructional Approach:
This is a studio course with an emphasized approach to ‘learn by doing’. Class will be
divided between lecture, screenings, demonstration and discussion. Segments of class
time will be allocated to production and editing workshops. Demonstrations and
discussion may be inserted during studio work time at any point during the class.
Critiques will occur during Rough Cut and Final Cut stages.
Outcomes/ Objectives:
This course will give the students the opportunity to do the following:
- The Art of Directing: translating script to production, working with actors, leading a
crew
- Set etiquette and professional production techniques
- Production coordinating
- Develop skills in preproduction planning: shot listing, location scouting, scheduling
- Cinematography
- Field audio recording, dialog recording
- Location lighting, dramatic lighting
- Shooting coverage
- Editing for a Narrative
- Exploring Compositing – Chroma Keying
- Crafting a production for film festival submission.

Grade Breakdown:
Narrative Production – 30%
Shooting Assignment (Production Design/ Cinematography) – 15%
Special FX Assignment – 10%

Crewing – 10%
Attendance – 10%
Class Exercises/ Participation – 10%
Exam – 15%

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The Work:
Narrative Production Assignment:
The bulk of your grade will derive from the planning, shoot execution and editing of
your Final project, enabling students to build skills in all phases of the production
process. This assignment will focus on short story preparation, preproduction
planning, directing, working with talent and assembling a crew. Students will work
within a specific genre.

Preproduction Materials:
Students will be required to prepare and turn in preproduction materials. Treatments,
scripts, location photos, location contacts, shot lists, storyboards, shooting schedules,
equipment, crew lists, and talent lists will be expected.

Shooting Assignment:
Students will shoot and edit short vignettes that will build skills in Production Design
and Cinematography. This project will be completed early in the term and will allow
students to brush up on planning, shooting, and editing skills.
In Class FX Assignment:
Students will experiment with a special effect of their choosing. We will look at
Chroma Key, editing tricks, and adding graphic layers to video. This will be filmed and
edited within class.

In Class Scene Work:

Students will work on short production exercises to build skills in shooting, lighting,
audio recording, and editing for scene work.

Exam:
Students will complete a mid point exam covering all the production techniques
reviewed throughout term.

Crewing:
Students will be required to crew on a Final production, other than their own,
throughout the final production weeks. Students will earn grade points as a support
crewmember (i.e. Audio Mixer, Gaffer, Grip, Art Director, etc). “Crewing” also refers
to your responsibility to return and check out equipment efficiently, such as proper
storage of equipment and returning gear at posted times.

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Attendance:
Attendance is extremely important. For the first unexcused absence you will lose 3
points from your total grade. For any additional absences you will lose 5 points off
your total grade per absence. Call or email ahead of time if you anticipate an absence.

Participation:
I expect students to be vocally and mentally engaged in class. As a group we will
review and critique projects. I expect thoughtful and professional feedback from
students.

Rough Cuts/ Deadlines:

Projects will consist of various due dates such as Treatments, Preproduction materials,
and Rough cuts. Meeting these deadlines is a big part of the class and heavily factor
into the grading of those assignments. These specific dates will be announced
throughout the term.

Collaboration:
You will be expected to work in groups. Teamwork is an essential attribute in
video/film production. Be careful of ‘too many cooks in the kitchen’ as well as the
dictator director. Working together in the preproduction planning stage, then
separating roles in the production phase is the key.
Shooting Schedule:
For the Final, each student group will have 1 full week of ‘all access’ to equipment. A
shooting schedule will be determined early in the term. Plan all principal photography
within that time span. Pick up shots and smaller scenes may be filmed outside of this
schedule, but equipment will not be guaranteed. This system will allow for full on
access to equipment and emulates the discipline of working within a timed schedule of
an Independent production.

The Producer:
Look to me as the Producer of your projects. Production teams will meet with me
concerning difficulties or strategies for production. If there are significant changes in
stories or key crewmembers, always consult the Producer.

Respect the Lab:

Students will have access to editing stations and the Media lab. Please respect the
learning environment of the Media lab. Students from various disciplines share the lab.
Food and drink are to be consumed in the break room. Internet surfing is fine for
project research, not for goofing around.

CPS:
Students will be on Campus Public Safety’s access list. Contact Public Safety if you
need to access Editing labs or the Production studio after hours.

Pacific Content Statement:

We foster a creative environment and we expect that student work will reflect respect
and wonder for the human condition; and we discourage gratuitous violence and
discrimination.

Notes:
- Use Panasonic DV Tape stock. (Filmtools.com) $8 from the Equipment Room.
- Students are encouraged to purchase an External Firewire drive for class
projects. Limited use of school Firewire drives are available through the media
assistant.
- Check with Media assistant about hours and policies concerning equipment
check out and editing lab reservations.
- Anyone with a disability who requires some modification of seating or testing
should contact me outside of class for appropriate accommodations.
Academic Misconduct Statement:
Pacific University has no tolerance for academic misconduct. It is university policy
that all acts of misconduct be reported to the Dean’s Office. Sanctions that may be
imposed for such misconduct range from an “F” for the assignment, an “F” for the
course, and suspension or dismissal from the university. Forms of academic
misconduct include, but are not limited to, plagiarism, fabrication, cheating, tampering
with grades, forging signatures, and using electronic information resources in violation
of acceptable use policies.

Statement of Disability:
Students with disabilities are encouraged to contact Edna K. Gehring, Director of
Learning Support Services for Students with Disabilities, at ext. 2107 or
gehringe@pacificu.edu. She will meet with such students, review the documentation
of their disabilities, and discuss the services Pacific offers and any required ADA
accommodations for specific courses.