SYLLABUS

COM 4110   Performance for the Media

Spring 2013

Dr. Elliot Gaines, Office: 411 Millett

email: [email protected]

 

Meeting Mondays and Wednesdays, 11 a.m. – 12:20 p.m.

 

 

Required reading: The Constitution of the United States

 

COURSE DESCRIPTION: This is a skill-development course for people in the area of broadcast communication. The class will address performance, matters of style, content, professionalism and purpose.

 

COURSE GOALS are 1) to develop skills and a professional attitude about performance for the media, 2) to gain performance experiences in front of TV cameras and audiences, 3) experience studio production processes, and 4) to understand the technologies and general conditions of professional media communication.

 

COM 4110 Grading:

 

30 second recording  =   12 points

 

60 second recording  =   12 points

 

60 second (teleprompter) recording  =   12 points

 

90 second recording  =   12 points

 

News team recording =  12 points

 

Journals= 10 points.  After each performance, each student must write a journal describing the performance experience, how they prepared for the performance, and how they intend to modify rehearsal and preparation for the next performance.

 

News Report video production/DVD: proposal/ production = 10 points

 

Group Writing assignments (Must be turned in on time)= 10 points.   This assignment includes: Treatment and Production run-down, and Scripts must be submitted and approved before the first group recordings begin.

 

Attendance, quizzes, participation = 10 points

Unprofessional behaviors or disturbances may result in a student being dismissed from the class.

 

CELL PHONE, COMPUTERS, AND OTHER ELECTRONIC DEVICES CANNOT BE USED DURING CLASS UNLESS DR. GAINES HAS GIVEN PERMISSION.

 

Cell phone ringing, disturbances, or other unprofessional acts may also result in points deducted.

 

 

STUDENTS ARE REQUIRED TO ACCESS THEIR WRIGHT STATE UNIVERSITY EMAIL ACCOUNT AND COURSE STUDIO TO RECEIVE UPDATED INFORMATION FROM THE INSTRUCTOR.

 

 

THIS SYLABUS MAY BE MODIFIED AS THE TERM PROGRESSES.

 

 

** Attendance is required; a roll call will be conducted early during each class period and will not be updated for late arrivals.  Late arrivals will not be counted.

Attendance is required and accounts for points applied to the final grade.  During the first week of classes, the course syllabus, policies, procedures, grade and performance criteria will be covered in-depth.  These introductory sessions are essential, and will not be repeated.  Students not attending the first week of the course will be dropped.

Students in this course are subject to attendance requirements and restrictions.  Specifically, anyone not attending the first week of class will be dropped.

 

On scheduled performance dates, students who are late will not be admitted to the studio and will not be allowed to perform.

 

PERFORMANCES CANNOT BE MADE UP.  Journals require that the student has reviewed the taped performance. Points for journals include being in attendance to review the recordings.  If you miss a class, call a friend to ask what you missed, but do not expect to be excused.  If you miss a performance or a review, they cannot be made up.

 

Grades will only be discussed individually during office hours.  It is the student�s responsibility to initiate questions about grades.

 

Students in this course are subject to attendance requirements and restrictions.  Specifically, anyone not attending the first week of class will be dropped.

 

All students should be familiar with Wright State University�s policy on academic dishonesty. Cheating and plagiarism--submitting someone else�s work or ideas as your own--will not be tolerated.  Plagiarism will result in failure for an assignment and possibly failure in a final grade for the course.

 

Journal Assignments.  Describe your experiences preparing and performing.  Describe strategies for improving performances.  The journal must be printed, not hand written.  Each journal must include citations for your script source correctly written using either MLA or APA style.  In addition, if you include more than one page, please staple papers, but please do not use a paper clip.  Include your name, the date, and the number of the journal.

 

30,  60, and 90 second Script Assignments: write a script about a US Supreme Court decision to be performed in 30 seconds, 60 seconds, or 90 seconds, depending on the specific assignment. The script must include an introduction with the performer�s name, a brief story about a Supreme Court case, the names of all the justices, and a formal closing to the speech.  Because it takes approximately 15 seconds to say the names of the justices, the script needs to be worded clearly and precisely to describe the essential story about the news event.

 

In order to avoid plagiarism, include a source for information used to write the story.  Include a complete citation using correct APA style with the script.  The citation will not be performed, but must be included with the script.

 

In order to be accurate, effective script writing demands that the writer understand the context and nature of events behind a news story.  Thus, the role of the US Supreme Court, and its relationship to the US Constitution will be discussed in class.

 

 

 

THE CRITERIA FOR PERFORMANCE EVALUATION INCLUDE:

 

       Good, clear script, well-written (meeting the assignment criteria)

 

       Performance completed within the designated time

 

       Correct pronunciation of words and names

 

       Enunciation/diction

 

       Vocal projection

 

       Control of unnecessary body movements

 

       Fluid speaking performance (indicating thorough preparation)

 

       Making eye contact with the camera

 

*Other criteria may apply.

 

 

 GRADING CRITERIA

 

 

 

COM 4110 Schedule, SPRING  2013

 

 (Subject to change as the term progresses).

 

DATE                                   Activity

 

Wk #1 Monday, Jan. 7          Syllabus Introduction to the class

 

Wednesday, Jan. 9                         visit the studio; assignment given

 

Wk#2  Monday, Jan. 14    Basics: putting theory into practice: class exercises

 

Wednesday, Jan. 16      recording in TV studio; 30 second [ required/ non-graded]

                   Review recordings: assignment given

 

Wk#3  Monday, Jan. 21.   MARTIN LUTHER KING DAY

 

Wednesday, Jan. 23.   recording in TV studio; 30 second

 

Wk#4. Monday, Jan. 28.   review recording; assignment given (*out Tues 9/18)

 

Wednesday, Jan. 30.   recording in TV studio; 60 second

 

Wk#5. Monday, Feb. 4   review recording  

 

Wednesday, Feb.  6.  recording with teleprompter; 60 second

 

Wk# 6 Monday, Feb 11.      review recording

 

Wednesday, Feb. 13.      recording in TV studio; 90 second

 

Wk#7 Monday, Feb. 18.      review recording:  News teams; Final assignment given: scripts, treatments and production run-downs must be submitted and approved before the first group recordings begin.   [Tentative video News Reports assigned]

 

Wednesday, Feb. 20.     planning and pre-production

 

Wk #8 * SPRING BREAK:  FEBRUARY 25 - MARCH 1, 2013

 

 

Wk#9 Monday, March 4.    planning and pre-production

                         Treatment and Production Run-down DUE.  SCRIPTS DUE.

 

 

Wednesday, March 6.    planning and pre-production

 

 

Wk#10 Monday, March 11.     Video report DUE.  planning and pre-production

 

Wednesday, March 13.       planning and pre-production

Wk#11 Monday, March 18.       planning and pre-production

Wednesday, March 20.      planning and pre-production

Wk#12 Monday, March 25      group recording

Wednesday, March 27.     group recording

Wk#13 Monday, April 1.     group recording

Wednesday, April 3.            group recording

Week#14 Monday, April 8.       group recording

Wednesday, April 10.      group recording

Week#15. Monday, April 15.     Screening

Wednesday, April 17.   Screening

April 24.    Wednesday, FINAL  10:15 – 12:15 p.m.