U of Maryland - Philip Merrill College of Journalism
JOUR504 Sections 0201, JOUR203 Section 0201
Multimedia Storytelling
Fall 2019
Friday 12-2:45 pm
Room 2017, Knight Hall
IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER
No Class-BIG10 football game
September 27
Final Project Proposals Due
October 12
Thanksgiving Break
Nov 27 to Dec 1
Final Projects Due
TBD-when finals sched is released
Instructor
Tim Jacobsen
tmjphoto@verizon.net
301-471-5887-cell
Mr. Jacobsen is a freelance multi-media journalist based in Frederick, Maryland. He has worked consistently for The Associated Press, The Washington Post, American Stylemagazine, Philadelphia Enquirer, Frederick Keys Baseball, Garrett County Chamber of Commerce, Nichemagazine, the City of Frederick and other regional publications. He has over 30 years of experience as a still photographer and video journalist, and has taught photojournalism, multi-media journalism and photography for over 15 years at Hood College, the University of Maryland and Frederick Community College.
Office Hours:I am generally available immediately before class and after class. For students who want to schedule a more extensive appointment, I will work with your schedule and mine. Virtual options include talking on the phone or Skype.
About the Course:
This course is designed to give journalism students a basic understanding of the multimedia skills necessary to survive in an evolving newsroom. The push towards digital formats -- the Web, tablets, smartphones, blogging, social media -- and the tightening of newsroom budgets means print journalists must be able to do more than just write and report. This hands-on study of storytelling in several media platforms is divided into three main sections, or “slices”: photo, audio and video. Throughout the course, students will produce short, podcast style audio pieces, complete “real life” photo assignments, produce audio slideshows, and video packages.
The course will serve as an introduction to still photography, audio, and video, including the fundamentals of capturing interviews and natural sound. Creating a compelling arc will be key to success. Each section will include instruction in proper field techniques, documenting, capturing and editing, and, finally, posting assignments online. Students will also learn the ethical standards that multi-media journalists must adhere to and discuss the latest trends in each medium. A variety of editing software platforms for each medium will be introduced, giving students a taste of what they might experience during an internship or first-time job.
A final project will serve as the final exam for the course. The project will incorporate all three sections into a short, newsworthy multi-media package. Students will come up with proposals and storyboards for their final projects, which must be approved by the professor. Proposals may be revised throughout the course and students are encouraged to think through potential assignments and consult with their professor often. For the final project, it is recommended that students choose a topic that can be revisited during the semester instead of focusing on a one-time event. Students will be expected to use their knowledge of the strengths and weaknesses of audio, photo, and video to make judicious decisions about the medium that best serves their story. The professor will consider such decisions, in addition to the reporting, technical execution, content and overall substance of the final projects.
A class blog will be the central hub of the class. All assignments will be turned in on the blog. Students will be invited as blog authors on the first day of class. A free Google account is required, but a Gmail address is not necessary to participate -- any e-mail address will suffice.
There will be a few assigned readings, but in many weeks, homework will include watching multimedia productions from around the Web. Students should come to class prepared to discuss the assigned readings and viewings. Most homework assignments will center around getting the student comfortable and familiar with visual and audio story telling techniques and concepts.
Learning Outcomes
At the end of this course, students will be able to demonstrate:
* Understanding of the techniques and fundamentals of photojournalism, video journalism and audio storytelling.
* Awareness of the ethical boundaries of multimedia journalism, including what the requirements of truth and accuracy mean in the preparation and distribution of photojournalism, video journalism and audio news reporting.
* Ability to think visually and understand the layered elements (sound, text, images, video) that go into multimedia news stories.
* Ability to critique current multimedia journalism practices in the news industry.
* Ability to collect, edit and produce audio, photos and videos for telling news stories.
* Ability to construct interviews for visual, sound and text storytelling platforms.
* Ability to use appropriate hardware (video camera, audio recorder, still camera and tripod) for collecting digital media for use in multimedia journalism.
* Demonstrate ability to use professional editing software (Adobe Audition, Adobe Premiere Pro, Adobe Bridge, Lightroom and Photoshop) for multimedia news reporting and production.
* Ability to use various social media and mobile editing platforms in a professional and ethical manner for the dissemination of breaking news and updating news stories.
Assessment:
This course is assessed as part of the college’s learning outcomes assessment program, which helps us identify areas in the curriculum that need updates or improvements. Assessment is required by the university and by the national accreditation body, The Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communications. Students enrolled in this course will be required to upload a link to their final project to the college's J-Assessment site, https://jassessment.umd.edu/main.asp. The project you upload will be rated using a five-point system, or rubric, that considers how well students understand and apply, in a create way, basic multi-media storytelling techniques. The assessment scores do not affect any student’s grade on an assignment; however, students must submit the required assignment to receive a final grade for this class.
Photojournalism Slice
This section will introduce students to the techniques and fundamentals of still photography -- a powerful tool in documenting the world around us. Students will be encouraged to think visually and discover ways to approach newsworthy events and situations, creating provocative, storytelling images, learn to work within ethical boundaries, and grasp the all-important concept of "compose with your feet, not your camera”. The question of "What makes a good image?" will also be discussed at length. Students will be required to caption their photographs in this slice and be willing to defend its journalistic value.
Students are STRONGLY encouraged to bring their cameras with them during their time on/off campus and document situations they determine to have journalistic value. Document the political rally you went to, or the ski trip, the wedding last weekend, but not the night at the bar with your friends. Document the snowball fight or the press conference, but not the four hours you spent playing Playstation with your roommates. Document the lunch lady who has been on the job for 40 years, but not the dinner out with your parents. Get the picture. All editing of images and posting to the blog will be done in class.
Audio Slice:
This section will introduce students to the power of sound in storytelling and provide exposure to the skills necessary to collect and prepare audio for multiple platform distribution. There will be particular emphasis on developing your journalism skills for broadcast or online streaming/podcasting. At the end of this section, you should have an understanding of the unique qualities of broadcast news production. Each class will have a lecture/discussion component and a lab component. You will conduct multiple recorded interviews, either in class or for homework, which will be incorporated into radio packages.
Videojournalism Slice
This section is designed to help journalists think visually and to understand the layered elements that go into news video on the Web. We will incorporate hands-on shooting assignments and editing sessions to help students overcome inexperience or technology-related concerns. Students will build on material covered during the previous slices, learning to combine audio, still images and video in ways that convey information and logic, while leveraging the power of this visual medium. By the end of the video journalism section, students will have a new appreciation for video from familiar and unfamiliar sources. They will learn the fundamentals of storytelling, framing, lighting, composition, and sequencing, along with good ethical reporting, shooting, and editing practices. They will be able to approach stories in different ways and be familiar with technology and storytelling techniques that will allow them to do so. Students will also be introduced to several editing software platforms that they may encounter in the working world.
Our main editing program will be Adobe Premiere Pro CC: Due to the time constrains of the class, students will be encouraged, strongly, to learn the inner workings of Premiere Pro outside the classroom. Several homework assignments will center on learning Premiere Pro through a series of video tutorials. These tutorials can be found at: ADOBE TV
Equipment:
You mustprovide:
A digital camera**, preferably one with the ability to control settings manually, that has the ability to capture still photos and video clips.
External microphone for collecting audio
A tripod or tripod adaptor for attaching camera to a tripod
SD memory card for recording devices checked out from the school. 32GB minimum.
A hard drive or other external/portable data storage device
Headphones or ear buds
Appropriate cords for attaching recording devices to lab computers
Optional equipment. Strongly recommended.
Flash drive or thumb drive. 32GB minimum
Memory card reader
** iPhones, iPads and smartphones can be used for collecting audio, still photos and videos. Special considerations must be made if this is the path you are going to choose.
Loaner Equipment is available from the Check Out Room on the first floor.
Grading:
Total Course Points Available 1150
Photography Section 250
Audio Section 250
Video Section 250
FINAL PROJECT 400
Grading Rubric
Adherence to assignment specifics 25%
Understanding of assignment techniques 30%
Grasp of the creative process 30%
Attention to details 15%
Grading Scale:
98-100=A+
93-97=A
90-92=A-
etc
Deadlines:Assignments are due at the end of each class/lab period unless otherwise noted by the instructor. Posting to the class blog will constitute handing in an assignment. Points will be deducted for late work from the Class Attendance Grade.
Photographs, videos, and interviews should portray people, scenes, and actions as they are in real life. With the exception of basic editing and color correction, no photographs, videos, scenes or interviews may be staged, directed, falsified, coerced, or otherwise manipulated.
Whenever possible, students will not focus on friends, roommates or family members for interviews or shooting assignments, including the final project, unless they get permission from the professor beforehand.
Students will identify the subjects in their stories for assignments and for the final projects. No anonymous sources without prior permission from the professor.
Students will not include music tracks in audio and video assignments unless music is an integral part of the story, and, unless the use of music has been approved by the instructor.
Students will receive point deductions if they do not come to class with the necessary equipment when requested.
Videos shot in the vertical format when using an iphone or other smartphone will not be accepted for grading. No acceptions.
All homework will be turned in on the class blog.
Ethical Considerations:
All students enrolled in this class are expected to adhere to a set of strict visual standards. We will follow the ethical standards set forth by the National Press Photographers Association. Assignments handed in are required to be your own. It is also understood that students are not allowed to stage, set up or direct situations/subjects that they are documenting. Failure to follow these guidelines will result in a Merrill “F” for the assignment.
Attendance:
If you have a legitimate excuse let the instructor know PRIOR to the class period to be missed. This is the only situation where makeup work is allowed. All students start with 100 class participation points. If a student misses class or hands in an assignment late, without the prior approval of the instructor, points will be deducted from that total.
Participation:
Class participation/attendance is a part of the final grade.
Academic Integrity:
Academic dishonesty, including cheating, fabrication, facilitating academic dishonesty and plagiarism, will not be tolerated. The college has adopted a “zero tolerance” policy on academic dishonesty. Any abridgment of the university’s academic integrity standards in a College of Journalism course will be referred directly to the dean. The dean will send all confirmed cases to the university's Office of Judicial Affairs with a recommendation of expulsion from the University. Please seeCode of Academic IntegrityandStudent Honor Councilfor details.
Policies and Student Rights Links
http://www.ugst.umd.edu/courserelatedpolicies.html
Religious holidays:
There will be no tests or major assignments scheduled on religious holidays identified by the university. If you expect to miss a class due to a religious holiday, please notify the instructor in writing before the start of the second class.
Students with Disabilities:
Students with a specific disability (permanent or temporary, physical or learning) needing special accommodation during the semester should make an appointment to discuss their situation.
SCHEDULE
Note: This schedule is subject to change. The instructor reserves the right to modify the schedule at anytime to best fit the needs of the class. Check the class blog for the latest version and information about upcoming homework. The instructor will do his best to inform students about schedule changes. Updates to the blog and group e-mails will be the most used forms of communication.
Photo Week 1 (August 30 )
-Introduction to class dynamic and student expectations. Construct class blog and sign in all students.
-Discussion on the types/styles of multi-media projects you will encounter during the semester.
-Examples of good Multi-Media projects.
Final Project Criteria: Start thinking about a final project topic, idea now. A written proposal will be due on Oct 11.
-What makes a good photo? Why do I want to look at this image? Discussion on techniques and compositional skills used by photojournalists. Entry points, visual stop signs, the Rule-Of-Thirds, Color v. B&W and Angle-Of-Attack are all discussed.
-Writing proper AP style captions
-Where photojournalists find story ideas, how they get to the breaking news first, what tools they need to be prepared for the job, how a visual journalist’s job is changing with the impact of web based content and digital recording devices.
HOMEWORK:
Photo Assignment #1 (50 points): Attend a campus/local event and document it visually. The event can be a sporting event, political event, social event or other “happening.” Stay away from house parties, bars and other events where you are a participant or that are inappropriate for class. Look for visually interesting angles. Editing and posting will be done in class. A minimum of four distinctly different images will be posted to the blog. You will need to bring in allyour unedited images to class.
Photo Week 2 ( Sept 6 )
-Introduction to PhotoShop, Bridge and Lightroom.
-Blog posting requirements for all assignments.
Title: Last name, assignment #
Cutline: Simple two sentence AP style
Labels, last name, assignment #, class section
-Editing Basics -- cropping, resolution, color correction options. Ethical Does and don’ts.
-Creating a logical Work Flow
-Multi-Media Project of the Week
In-class exercise:Edit and post Assignment #1 images to the class blog.
-Discussion on different styles of portrait photography.-Posed, semi-posed, environmental portrait, high key and low key lighting, backgrounds, framing. Ethical considerations.
HOMEWORK:
Photo Assignment #2 (50 points):"Portraits" Find an acquaintance, faculty member, athlete, co-worker or coach, and create three distinctly different portraits that say something about the subject’s life, profession, major, personality, background, etc. You may use a friend or family member for this assignment. A total of three distinctly different images will be needed for posting to the blog. Students should be thinking about lighting, environment, background and composition.
Photo Week 3 ( Sept 13 )
-Final Project idea drafts due. Ideas should be e-mailed to instructor by end of day.
-Open question forum on final projects
-Edit and post assignment #2
Ethics:Discussion on visual ethics while shooting and while working in PhotoShop.
-Photo story: Telling a story visually. Number of images vs. type of placement/publication. The three types of images photographers look for when covering an assignment. How and why each type is important to a balanced photo story. Lots of examples.
In-class exercise: Edit a “shoot” from a real life event. Choose a minimum of one overall, two mediums and one detail image. Be ready to backup your choices. These images will be blended into one file and posted to the blog with a “gang” caption attached.
HOMEWORK:
Photo Assignment #3 (50 points):"Three Is A Magic Number”: Cover a campus or local event or location or situation visually, using the three types of images discussed in class. You will need a minimum of two overalls, two medium and two detail images for posting to the blog.
-Work on writing the final draft for your Final Project.
Photo Week 4 ( Sept 20 )
-Edit and post photos from assignment #3.
In-class exercise: Discuss and edit a real life assignment. -Class discussion on covering news events like political rallies and election campaigns.
-Shooting and editing on a digital device. Pros, cons and limitations of covering news with an iPhone or iPad.
-Discussion on app options for cameras, editing and video. Posting via the Blogger app.
-Discuss Final Project proposals
HOMEWORK:
Photo Assignment #4(75 points): "Feature Fiesta": Features, or stand-alone photos, are the staple of any good photojournalists repertoire. Being able to tell a story or relate the emotional vibe of a situation with just a few photos is what still photographers strive for. Photographers use many visual tools to accomplish this task. They rely on leading lines, repetitive shapes, unique angles and color, or the absence of color to set the stage. For this assignment you will need a minimum of three distinctly different photos. Photos may be taken from the same situation or from different situations. You would be wise to use this assignment to get a head start on your final project. Images due before class on Oct 4.
Sept 27th
NO CLASS-Big Ten football game
Audio Week 1 ( Oct 4 )
**Final Project Proposals due by midnight**
-Discuss the unique qualities of radio and the power of sound in storytelling
-Listen to award-winning examples
-Discuss capturing sound, conducting and interview and using the right microphone for the right situation.
-Demonstrate proper microphone use
-Introduction to Adobe Audition and SoundCloud
-Equipment check-out
-Discuss interview techniques
In-class assignment:Dining With Death: Interview a classmate about a person living or dead they’d like to have dinner with.
-Post unedited interviews to SoundCloud
HOMEWORK:
Audio Assignment #1 (25 points):Record a short intro and outro for the interview that you conducted in class. This could be a Podcast style intro, a news radio intro or a simple radio segment into. You my include background music. The intro and outro must include your name, name of your podcast or news station and segment title. Due at the start of class on Oct 11.
Audio Week 2 ( Oct 11 )
-Discuss assigned listening
-Introduction to audio editing
-Introduction to audio editing software including Adobe Audition, Audacity, GarageBand, and others.
In-class assignment:Edit the interview you recorded in class last week. Combine interview(s) and your intro/outro into a multi-track session in Adobe Audition.
-Shoot for a length of 1:30 to 2 minutes.
-Export to SoundCloud.
-Post to blog.
HOMEWORK:
Final Project ProposalDue Next Week(10 points): Write a pitch for your final project, following the format described on the blog. E-mail to instructor. Proposals due by 2:50 pm on the Oct 11th. This proposal is not set in stone. If you need to change your subject or focus, do so, just submit a different proposal.
Required Reading:Sound Reporting - "Reporting" pp. 48-72
Audio Assignment #2(50 points):Man-on-the-street piece. Interview a minimum of four people about a current topic, situation or event. Subjects cannot be friends or family members, unless your question relates to them in some way. Write an intro and outro segment for your piece. Remember to include your name, name of your podcast/news segment in your intro and outro. You may use music during the intro and outro, but not during the body of the piece.
Audio Week 3 (Oct 18 )
-Edit and post MOTS interviews to blog via SoundCloud
-Listen to and discuss Audio Assignment #1
-Discuss assigned reading
-Discuss producing a short 40 to 60 second radio piece such as the ones heard on all-news radio stations or NPR’s top-of-the-hour newscasts. Listen to examples.
-Discuss techniques for writing a script for radio broadcast.
-Discuss story structure, styles of broadcast pieces. (ie. sports announcer, traffic update, morning announcements, etc)
In-class assignment:Multi-track editing: Assemble a news spot that contains interview clips. (Audio will be provided.)
HOMEWORK:
Required Reading: Sound Reporting, "Chapter 3: Writing for Broadcast" pp. 25-38.
Audio Assignment #3(50 points):Produce a short audio piece (40 to 90 seconds). Use one of the five provided video pieces as your framework for a broadcast piece. The story should include your narration in a predetermined broadcast “style”. Use the “Fairytale” format when writing your script if needed.
Audio Week 4 ( Oct 25 )
-Edit Audio Assignment #3
-Listen to and discuss Audio Assignment #3
-Discuss assigned reading
-Discuss audio ethics
-Discuss capturing natural sound
-Discuss vocal delivery – sounding like yourself
In-class assignment:Multi-track editing: Assemble a news story that contains interview clips and ambient sound. (Audio will be provided.)
HOMEWORK:
Audio Assignment #4: (100 points) - Produce a two to three minute audio piece about a person (no friends or relatives), place or event. It should include an intro and outro, ambient/natural sound and at least 2 interview clips. Think NPR style here or Metro Connection or All Things Considered. Produce and post to blog by start of next class.Assignment due before the start of class on Nov1 .
On-Going Adobe Premiere Pro Prep:
Importing Files and Folders 11 Minutes
Ethics and Laws Discussion (Nov 1)
LECTURE: When to shoot. Laws related to video, audio and still photography. The different ethical conventions for editing photographs, radio spots and video packages. Knowing your rights as a photojournalist. Dealing with officials and law enforcement authorities. Class discussion on ethical and moral considerations while gathering material.
In-class assignment:Introduction to 360Video capture cameras and techniques. If possible, do some shooting in-class and around Knight Hall.
HOMEWORK:
Pre-Video Assignment: (25 points) Find and post to the blog beforenext week’s class an example of a good/bad video multi-media project. Be ready to defend your choose and point out key aspects of the piece that make it good/bad.
Performing a Three-Point Edit7:30 Min
Video Week 1 ( Nov 8 )
Review multimedia picks from students. Discuss several.
Introduction to video journalism (when video works best)
Shooting basics. Lighting, framing, tripods, Breaking the plan, unique angles. Do simple/sample MOTS interviews and edit in class.
Getting video files into Adobe Premiere Pro.
In-class:Shooting Exercise. Interview a fellow student about a current event.
HOMEWORK:
Video Assignment #1: MOTS (50 points) interview a number of students or faculty member (5 Minimum), or even strangers, about a current event. Think about proper framing, ambient sound, walking over your interviewee and how you will creatively edit your interviews together.
Video Week 2 ( Nov 15)
-Introduction to video editing software options.
-Intermediate video editing techniques in Premiere Pro
In-class:edit MOTS assignment and post to blog
-Meetings to discuss final project proposals
-Introduction to Sequencing techniques.
HOMEWORK:
Video Assignment #2: Sequence Shoot. (50 points). Find a situation or event that you can practice shooting a sequence with. This is just practice, so you can direct a little. You will need a minimum of seven different clips for your sequence. Remember the Strive For Five mentality. And don’t break the plane.
Get Editing Quickly 10 Minutes
Video Week 3 (Nov 22)
-Open discussion and brainstorming about Final Projects. -Class participation required.
-Taking your videos to the next level: more video storytelling tips.
In-class:Edit and post sequencing assignment.
-Advanced editing techniques in Premiere Pro. Including transitions, slates, title screens, name tags and cutaways. Edit and produce a video piece using provided video clips. (in teams?)
HOMEWORK:
Video Assignment #3: (50 points) Final project shoot. Work on shooting, fine tuning and editing your final project, even if you are planning on doing a “slide show” or audio style piece. Bring clips to class next week for editing. Points will be given on variety of clips and quality of clips, not quantity. Clips can be taken over the course of the semester, but cannot be from before the semester started.
Clips due at the start of class on Dec 6.
Understanding Audio Editing5:30 minutes
Nov 29 (Thanksgiving Break-No Class )
Video Week 4 ( Dec 6 )
In-class:Edit and post to the blog a “tailer/teaser” for your Final project
Video Assignment #4 Final Project Trailer/Teaser (50 points) Create a short 30-45 second trailer for your final project. The key here is to give the viewer a “taste” of what your project is about, but to not give away the storyline. Think short clips, interesting visuals, mood setting music.
Open Editing Hours (Dec 13)
Time will be set aside during the day for students to edit and fine tune their final projects. You can also use this time to re-submit any assignment from during the semester. This would be your one allowed “rewrite/reshoot”.
Final Editing Day. Open Lab.
Posting of Final Projects ( Scheduled Dec 20 )
Final projects need to be posted to the class blog before the end of your scheduled final time. You do not need to come to class, but I will be in the Knight Hall during finals week to help with final editing and posting, if needed. Late projects will be downgraded.
FINAL PROJECT (400 points)
University Academic Integrity Link
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