General Catalog 2008-2009

Programs and Courses

Video Production Technology

• General Information
• Video Production Technology - Associate in Applied Science (AAS)
• Course Descriptions

General Information

For Information: Mario Esquer
Phone: 623.845.3221

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Video Production Technology
Associate in Applied Science (AAS) / 64 credits

During recent years corporations and various industries have realized the importance of television as a marketing tool and staff training medium. Increasingly, plants/corporations are establishing their own video production departments to facilitate in-house production of training and marketing media. Demand for video production personnel is expected to continue.

Video Production technicians are involved in a wide range of business and industrial applications of media production. Individuals may work from scripting and camera operation to writing specifications for purchasing video equipment and other management applications of video production operation. Individuals working in industrial television assist in the design and production of in-house television programs to meet the needs of the industry, cable, or broadcast television.

Program Description: This program is designed to provide students with marketable skills in video production. It provides a detailed understanding of video equipment, operation; an overall knowledge of video terminology; directing and production experience; and a basic knowledge of professional television studio operation and management.

Note: Students should consult with a department advisor in planning their academic schedule in order to complete degree requirements in an expedient manner. Required courses may not be available every semester or year. Due to limited course offerings, degree seeking students may find it necessary to extend completion time lines and attend both day and evening classes.

Required Courses: 28 credits

Students must earn a grade of “C” or better for each course listed in the Required Courses category.

BPC/CIS120 Microcomputer Graphics    VPT102 Video Technology    VPT104 Scriptwriting    VPT106 Graphics & Digital Effects for Video & Media    VPT108 Video Production    VPT110 Studio Production    VPT114 Audio for Video and Media + VPT204 Advanced Video Production + VPT206 Directing + VPT213 Advanced Electronic News Gathering                   (ENG, EFP) and Post Production

1 credit 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3

Restricted Electives: 11 credits

ART131 Photography I    TCM151 Broadcast Production    VPT130 Makeup Techniques    VPT208 Facility Management and Production    VPT210 Video System Design/Procurement + VPT214 Video Production Internship (1-3) or + VPT216 Multimedia Project Management (3)    VPT298 Special Projects (1-3)

3 credits 3 3 3 3 3 2-3

General Education Requirements: 25 credits

Core: 15 credits First-Year Composition: + ENG101 First-Year Composition (3) and + ENG102 First-Year Composition (3) Oral Communication:    COM100 Introduction to Human Communication (3) or    COM110 Interpersonal Communication (3) or + COM225 Public Speaking (3) or + COM230 Small Group Communication (4) Critical Reading: + CRE101 Critical and Evaluative Reading I (3) Mathematics:    MAT102 Mathematical Concepts/Applications (3) or + MAT122 Intermediate Algebra (3) or Equivalent Distribution: 10 credits Humanities and Fine Arts:    Any approved course, see here. Social and Behavioral Sciences:    PSY101 Introduction to Psychology (3) (recommended) Natural Sciences:    Any approved course, see here.

6 credits 3 3 3 3 3 4

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Course Descriptions

Course Availability: (F) Fall, (S) Spring, (D) Day, (E) Evening, (Su1) Summer 1, (Su2) Summer 2, (O) Occasionally

Video Production Technology: TCM, VPT

Telecommunications (TCM)

TCM100
Digital Multi Media / 3 credits 3 periods
Introduction to the major components of a multi media project. Prerequisites: None.

TCM101
Fundamentals of Radio and TV / 3 credits 3 periods
History of American radio and television, government regulations, self-regulation of broadcasting, the relationship of networks and stations, the social and political aspects of radio and television programming, the role of mass communications in America, the socioeconomic pressures on the medium, and the responsibilities and purposes of mass communications. Prerequisites: None.

TCM111
Screenwriting I / 3 credits 3 periods
Provides an introduction to screenwriting for feature films. Prerequisites: None.

TCM111AA
Screenwriting I: The Short Film / 3 credits 3 periods
Provides an overview of screenwriting for short documentaries, training films, advertising commercials and infomercials. Prerequisites: TCM111.

TCM112
Writing the Situation Comedy / 3 credits 3 periods
Workshop for writing a script for the situation comedy. Prerequisites: TCM111.

TCM116
Writing the Television Drama / 3 credits 3 periods
A workshop for writing a script for the television drama. Prerequisites: TCM111.

TCM120
Introduction to Sound Design for Film and Video / 3 credits 5 periods
Basic principles of recording and mixing sound for film and video. Includes voice over, automatic dialog replacement (ADR), foley, ambience, special effects and music. Emphasis on analog and digital recording techniques in the field as well as in a controlled environment. Prerequisites: (TCM100 and TCM136) or permission of instructor.

TCM131
Radio-Television Announcing / 4 credits 6 periods
Theory and practice in news reporting, commercial announcing, interviewing, studio anchoring, and of on-air technique in radio. Development of basic commercial announcing techniques including the study and practice of various dialects and characterization styles. Use of radio control room including radio equipment and specialized audio software programs for development of commercials. Prerequisites: None.

TCM131AA
Radio-Television Announcing / 4 credits 6 periods
Theory and practice in the delivery of news and sports programs, commercials, on-the-scene reporting, interviewing and studio anchoring. Use of radio control room, television camcorders, video editing suites and teleprompting devices. Prerequisites: None.

TCM134
Pre-Production for Motion Picture and Television / 2 credits 3 periods
Introduction to elements of pre-production for motion picture and television. Focuses on aesthetics, scriptwriting, budgeting, and selecting cast and crew. Features pre-production meetings to establish style, location, art design, shot sheet/story board, sound design, shooting schedule and film stock/video tapes. Pre-production of one film project and one video project required. Prerequisites: TCM100 or permission of department.

TCM135
Broadcast Production / 2 credits 3 periods
Introduction to multi-camera television production in studio and on location. Emphasizes teamwork and group production through a variety of program types. Prerequisites: None.

TCM136
Broadcast Production / 2 credits 3 periods
Introduction to multi-camera television production in studio and on location. Emphasizes teamwork and group production through a variety of program types. Prerequisites: None.

TCM140
Broadcast Production / 2 credits 3 periods
Introduction to multi-camera television production in studio and on location. Emphasizes teamwork and group production through a variety of program types. Prerequisites: None.

TCM145
Introduction to Motion Picture Production / 3 credits 3 periods
Introduction to the art and technology of filmmaking. Focus on film theory, film language, visual story telling, and basic camera and editing techniques. Hands-on application using experimental camera exercises on super 8mm film, editing on film, and post production sound on video. Prerequisites: None.

TCM151
Broadcast Production / 2 credits 3 periods
Introduction to multi-camera television production in studio and on location. Emphasizes teamwork and group production through a variety of program types. Prerequisites: None.

TCM180
Television Production Techniques / 4 credits 6 periods
Introduction to basic concepts of video production. Emphasis on operation of camcorders, microphones, lights, editing and post-production equipment. Prerequisites: TCM136, or permission of instructor.

TCM180AA
Television Production Techniques / 4 credits 6 periods
Introduction to basic concepts of video production. Emphasis on operation of camcorders, microphones, lights, editing and post-production equipment. Prerequisites: TCM136 or permission of instructor.

TCM211
Screenwriting II / 3 credits 3 periods
Workshop in screenwriting for feature films and television. Prerequisites: TCM111 or permission of instructor.

TCM212
Introduction to Television Technology / 4 credits 4 periods
Introduction to television technology and setup. Includes theoretical concepts, standards for television and video signals, practice in calibration and adjustment of signals, setup and control of field and studio cameras, setup of professional decks, character generation, video digitizing and compression, keying of titles and multi-layered video, and audio setup and troubleshooting. Prerequisites: TCM136 or permission of instructor.

TCM213
Motion Picture Workshop / 4 credits 4 periods
Practical work and classes in selected aspects of film production. Prerequisites: TCM136 or permission of instructor.

TCM214
Television Workshop / 3 credits 5 periods
Practical work and classes in televison production. Prerequisites: TCM136, or permission of instructor.

TCM215
Cinematography / 3 credits 3 periods
Intermediate workshop focusing on 16mm camera operation and lighting. Emphasis on the role of the cinematographer, camera operation and lens selection, interpreting the script, lighting, exposure meters, film stocks, and the aesthetics of editing. Shoot one short 16mm project and crew on two additional projects. Prerequisites: TCM136 or permission of instructor.

TCM216
Screenwriting III / 3 credits 5 periods
Advanced workshop in narrative screenwriting for film and television. Prerequisites: TCM211

TCM218
Screenwriting IV / 3 credits 5 periods
Advanced workshop for writing a screen/teleplay. Prerequisites: TCM216.

TCM220
Advanced Sound Design for Film and Video / 3 credits 5 periods
Explores techniques and advanced applications used in designing sound using original student footage on a non- linear editing system. Prerequisites: MTC/TCM120 or permission of instructor.

TCM230
Motion Picture Directing / 4 credits 4 periods
Theory and practice in directing the motion picture. Includes overview of the roles and responsibilities of the film director, examples of film directing, and practice sessions in analyzing a script, creating a scene, working with actors, conducting rehearsals, planning the camera movements and overseeing elements of a production. Prerequisites: TCM136 or permission of instructor.

TCM235
Producing the News / 3 credits 7 periods
Study of and practical application in broadcast news writing, field and studio production techniques. Students work as television news crew to produce newscasts. Prerequisites: TCM180 or TCM180AA or permission of instructor.

TCM240
Advanced Television Commercial Production / 3 credits 3 periods
Advanced workshop in television production. Emphasis on directing techniques, working with a crew, shooting and sound for advertising commercials. Uses small production teams to shoot for short pieces. Prerequisites: TCM180 or permission of instructor.

TCM241
Introduction to Non-Linear Editing / 4 credits 6 periods
Introduction to editing on a non-linear editing system. Prerequisites: TCM136 or permission of instructor.

TCM241AA
Introduction to Non-linear Editing: AVID / 4 credits 6 periods
Introduction to editing on a non-linear editing system. Prerequisites: TCM136 or permission of instructor.

TCM241AB
Introduction to Non-linear Editing: Final Cut Pro / 4 credits 6 periods
Introduction to editing on a non-linear editing system Prerequisites: TCM136 or permission of instructor.

TCM242
Portfolio Non-Linear Editing / 2 credits 2 periods
Explores techniques and applications used in editing an individual project on a non-linear editing system. Prerequisites: TCM241 or TCM241AA or TCM241AB and independent footage.

TCM243
Introduction to Video Compositing and Title Animation / 4 credits 6 periods
Introduction to computer-based video compositing and title animation. Prerequisites: ART177 and (TCM241 or TCM241AA or TCM241AB) or permission of instructor.

TCM245
Advanced Motion Picture Production / 3 credits 5 periods
Advanced workshop in the production of the short narrative. Uses small production teams to pre-produce and shoot narrative movies on either film or digital platforms. Emphasizes the aesthetics and technical elements of scriptwriting, directing actors, directing crew, pre- production, camera and sound equipment operation, lighting, cinematography, production sound and final production. Prerequisites: (TCM120 and TCM215) or permission of instructor.
Course Notes: TCM245 may be repeated for a total of twelve (12) credits.

TCM246
New Media Production / 3 credits 5 periods
Advanced workshop in "New Media" production. Explores media through field trips, film, video and digital production, and New Media Installation. Prerequisites: TCM134 and TCM135 and TCM136.

TCM251
Advanced Studio Production / 3 credits 5 periods
Advanced video production within a studio environment. Prerequisites: TCM151 and TCM212, or permission of instructor.

TCM260
Film/Video Producing and Financing / 4 credits 4 periods
Guides the independent film/video producer through basic business aspects of production. Examines methods of setting up a production company, strategies for financing and distribution, and approaches to "packaging" a film/video project. Includes development of a prospectus on a specific film/video project. Prerequisites: None.

TCM271
Advanced Non-Linear Effects and Compositing / 4 credits 6 periods
Advanced non-linear techniques for effects and compositing creation. Prerequisites: (TCM241AA and TCM242) or permission of instructor.

TCM280
The Art of Editing / 3 credits 5 periods
A lab intensive post-production course. Emphasizes the art of editing movie and television media and the development of editing skills. Editing products, including demo reels, from instructor provided or student provided quality raw footage. Prerequisites: TCM241, or TCM241AA, or TCM241AB.
Course Note: TCM280 may be repeated for a total of nine (9) credits.

TCM282
Advanced Non-Linear Editing Techniques / 4 credits 6 periods
Explores techniques and advanced applications used in creating and editing an advanced project on a non-linear editing system. Prerequisites: (TCM241AA and TCM242) or permission of instructor.

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Video Production Technology (VPT)

VPT102
Video Technology / 3 credits 3 periods
Designed for the person who is either just getting into video or who has been given a video responsibility. Covers color video equipment, evaluation, specifications, simple production procedures, lighting, and audio. Provides a basic knowledge of video equipment and applications. Prerequisites: None.

VPT104
Scriptwriting / 3 credits 3 periods
Script writing process, including developing objectives, writing research agendas, designing content outlines writing a treatment, writing a training script, marketing script, and dramatic training script. Dramatic motion picture screen play format, the dramatic curve, believable character creation and dialog and creation of the first ten pages of a screenplay. Prerequisites: None.

VPT106
Graphics & Digital Effects for Video & Media / 3 credits 5 periods
Basics of video-production including the use of colors, textures and shapes in the preparation of graphics for video production. Graphics design using the rules of good design and techniques for interaction with Producer/Directors. Story boarding and animation techniques, character generation. Video special effects creation and design, logo and photo import into video productions. Prerequisites: None.

VPT108
Video Production / 3 credits 5 periods
Video production technology including Electronic News Gathering (ENG) & Electronic Field Production (EFP) styles and equipment usage. Corporate, cable, and broadcast applications. Basic production techniques in scriptwriting; single camera film style shooting; lighting, audio recording; and editing; post-production techniques, production personnel and their roles, budgeting and copyright issues. Prerequisites: None.

VPT110
Studio Production / 3 credits 5 periods
Multiple camera studio production for corporate, cable, and broadcast applications. Basic multi-camera production techniques, talent and camera blocking, set design, scriptwriting; shooting; lighting, audio and video recording; production crew team member experience, pre-production planning and budgeting and decision-making. Prerequisites: None.

VPT114
Audio for Video and Media / 3 credits 5 periods
Audio in media production including Electronic News Gathering (ENG) & Electornic Field Production (EFP), studio and Sound Room for corporate, cable and broadcast applications. Microphones and audio recording equipment: audio production techniques using a Shot Gun Boom microphone while in the field; audio recording in the sound room; multi- track recording and layback; audio editing using a non-linear computer program: music libraries: sound effects: video tape editing in audio post-production. Prerequisites: None.

VPT115AA
Introduction to Non Linear Editing I / 1 credit 2 periods
Introduction to editing on a non-linear editing system. Requisites: VPT108, or permission of instructor.

VPT115AB
Introduction to Non Linear Editing II / 1 credit 2 periods
Introduction to editing on a non-linear editing system. Requisites: VPT115AA, or permission of instructor.

VPT115AC
Introduction to Non Linear Editing III / 1 credit 2 periods
Introduction to editing on a non-linear editing system. Requisites: VPT115AB, or permission of instructor.

VPT130
Makeup Techniques / 3 credits 3 periods
Use of makeup in video production. The gray scale “magic pass”; selection and application of color; use of products and tools; lighting techniques; management of facial and skin aberrations; eyebrows; effective makeup application. Prerequisites: None.

VPT204
Advanced Video Production / 3 credits 5 periods
Video signal manipulation, time base corrector set-up, waveform monitor and vector scope usage. Proper editing techniques using an A/B Roll linear and Non-Linear editor. Video field recording package set-up and usage, advanced continuity shooting, lighting. Techniques for replacing and sweetening audio on a video production. History, theory and design of a television commercial and marketing tape creation. Prerequisites: None.

VPT206
Directing / 3 credits 5 periods
Techniques for directing and blocking non-professional and professional talent. Techniques for working with location and studio crews. Field and studio multi-camera production equipment usage. Advanced single and multi-camera shooting styles for corporate, cable and broadcast productions. Advanced post-production techniques for audio, video special effects for editing. The role of the director/producer in pre-production planning for the shoot. Advanced scriptwriting, script breakdowns, production forms, budgeting, and developing positive client relationships. Prerequisites: VPT110.

VPT208
Facility Management and Production / 3 credits 3 periods
The coordination and supervision of the personnel involved in the production team; preparation of charge-back system; facility budgets in equipment, personnel and operation; interaction with senior management. Prerequisites: None.

VPT210
Video System Design/Procurement / 3 credits 3 periods
Designed for the advanced video user who has a complete knowledge of current state of the art equipment, its functions and capabilities. Covers system design, procurement and response evaluations. Prerequisites: None.

VPT213
Advanced Electronic News Gathering (ENG, EFP) and Post Production / 3 credits 5 periods
Advanced use of video equipment for shooting and post-production; including moving camera, dollies, booms and steady cams. Advanced techniques for location lighting, non-linear audio and video editing including advanced concepts in continuity, pacing and timing, character generation and special effects. History of the documentary films and mini-documentaries. Advanced techniques for scriptwriting, story telling, outlining, the dramatic curve and the use of advanced directing techniques. Prerequisites: VPT114 and VPT204, or permission of instructor.

VPT214AA Video Production Internship / 1 credit 1 period
VPT214AB Video Production Internship / 2 credits 2 periods
VPT214AC Video Production Internship / 3 credits 3 periods
Video production work experience in a business or industry. 80 hours of designated work per credit. Maximum of 6 credits allowed. Prerequisites: Permission of instructor.

VPT216 Multimedia Project Management / 3 credits 6 periods
Interactive video and multimedia project management including defining, analyzing, designing, and validating interactive/multimedia applications; building and managing development and production teams; planning, budgeting, and scheduling; interactive/multimedia authoring; project implementation; and writing RFP's (Request For Proposal). Prerequisites: CIS/MMT140, or permission of instructor.

VPT290 Production for the Web & CD/DVD Mastering / 3 credits 4 periods
Distribute video over a range of distribution mediums including the CD-ROM, DVD, intranets and the Internet. Capture video using a DV card. Select a streaming technology and integrate streaming files into Web pages. Prerequisites: None.

VPT298 Special Projects / 1-3 credits
Organized and tailored around the interests and needs of the individual student. Structured to provide an atmosphere of individualized research and study paralleled by professional expertise and guidance. Professional-type facilities and equipment available for student use. Allows the best aspects of independent study and individualized learning to be combined to maximize student development. Prerequisites: Permission of Program Director or instructor.

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