Syllabus:

DTC – 338.02
Special Topics In Digital Technology and Culture:
Field Video
Mon/ Wed: 4:15pm to 5:30pm
Multi Media Classroom Building – Room 111
Instructor: Erik Fauske
Office Hours: by appointment
Contact: 503- 701-3084 (cell)
Email: erikfauske@hotmail.com
Website: www.erikfauske.com

Course Description:
This class will review the various storytelling approaches to the non-fiction video
production process. This class is a project-based class and you will be expected to
participate on 3 production assignments. We will review A-Roll B-Roll techniques,
Observational storytelling, and the Creative approach to the non-fiction video project.
Students will build skills in Interviewing and small unit Field production set-up,
including techniques in digital video camera operation, field audio recording, lighting
and editing.

Required Text: (available at bookstore)

“Single Camera Video Production” – 4th Edition ©2005
Author: Robert Musburger - Focal Press Publishing
ISBN-10: 0240807065

Recommended Text:
The Focal Easy Guide To Final Cut Pro 6 – 2007
Author: Rick Young - Focal Press Publishing
ISBN: 9780240810096

Recommended Text
Directing The Documentary – 4th Edition ©2004
Author: Michael Rabiger - Focal Press Publishing
ISBN: 0-24-080608-5

ON-Line Tutorials:
Lynda.com
Students who are unfamiliar with the Final Cut editing software will need to sign up
for the Lynda.com Tutorial. Go to the “Products” Link. Go to “Final Cut Express”.
Follow along with “Final Cut Express 4 – Essential Training”
Instructional Approach:
This is a studio course with an emphasized approach to ‘learn by doing’. Class will be
divided among 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:
- Explore ‘Non-fiction’ approaches to video storytelling including Corporate Video,
Direct Cinema and the Narrative Influence
- Build on Client Interview techniques
- Become familiar with DV Camera operation
- Become familiar with Field Audio Recording techniques
- Set up 3 point Lighting – Location Lighting
- Further develop skills in Non linear editing (Final Cut Pro)
- Begin to develop and use personal and universal vocabulary for critical discussion
- Develop Industry standard workflow.
- Explore and develop personal expression through video production storytelling

My Expectations:
When Assignments are distributed you will need to get started early. This class is all
about the ‘effort’, staying prepared, and meeting deadlines. Preproduction planning is
an important element to my class assignments. I expect preproduction materials for all
assignments.

Enjoy the process! Enjoy the inevitable struggles of the creative muse. There will be
moments of ‘Technical Difficulties’ and I will be happy to help you outside of class
time. Feel free to contact me anytime between the hours of 9am to 8pm.

Treat your fellow classmates with respect and professionalism. You will be working
together on a variety of projects. As a class, we will review Rough Cuts and you will
develop skills in critiquing each other’s work.

Grade Breakdown:
Production Assignments:
A-Roll B-Roll 25%
Observational/ Narrimentary 25%
Crew/ Volunteer/ Screening 10%

Comprehension Exam 15%

Attendance 10%
Research Paper 10%
Participation 5%

Audits must be determined by week 3.

The Work:

Production Assignments:
- A Roll B Roll: Students will produce a short profile of someone who works or
attends school at WSU. This project will build skills in the industry workflow of A –
Roll (Interview), B-Roll (Cutaways) filming. We will shoot segments of this project
during actual class time. Students will develop skills in Interviewing and recording
compelling cutaways.

- Observational: Students will have an opportunity to explore the ‘fly on the wall’
shooting style of the Cinema Verite movement. This assignment will tackle the
techniques of creating a project that explores the difficult process of capturing the
‘anticipated’ moment. Students will develop skills in exploring non-fiction storytelling
without the use of Interviews and traditional expository methods.

- Narrimentary: Students will have the opportunity to explore the ‘creative’ influence
of Narrative cinema within their non-fiction project. We will examine experimental
approaches mixed into non-fiction video, including the inclusion of cinematic camera
work, alternative editing structures, use of stock footage, as well as a variety of other
flourishes.

- Crew/ Volunteer/ Screening: Students must choose to produce either the

Observational or Narrimentary project for their final. However, students will be
required to crew on a separate project developed by another student team.
Opportunities to intern at a production facility, or attendance at a local screening can
be substituted as partial credit.

Research Paper: Students will dissect the visual elements of a non-fiction film of their
choice. Studying the visual components of a high quality production is an important
step for the up-and-coming filmmaker.

Comprehension Exam/ Textbook Readings/ Class Handouts: The class textbook is a

handy and quick review of the entire production process. Students are expected to
keep up with the reading and use the textbook as a guide in developing their
productions. Handouts will also be distributed on many of the production topics. The
exam will be from the textbook readings and handouts.

Preproduction Materials: Preproduction work is the most important stage of the

production process. Students will be expected to conduct location scouting, draft
Interview questions, obtain permission/access of facilities, construct a B Roll shot list,
organize crew, and determine a shooting schedule for their projects.

Attendance: Your fellow classmates and I will be relying upon you to show up for
classes and shoots on time. If you know you will be late or not attending, inform me as
soon as possible (via email or phone). Prior notification doesn’t automatically make
your absence okay, but simply allows others to plan accordingly. For any unexcused
absence you will lose 3 points off your cumulative grade for the first absence. For any
additional absences you will lose 5 points off your grade.

Participation: What we will be doing requires that you are physically and mentally
involved and engaged. You will be expected to be actively and vocally involved in this
class. You will be expected to assist on classroom production exercises as well as
student projects outside of class time. You will also be expected to provide feedback on
your classmates’ projects. Your involvement is expected to be both constructive and
professional.

*****************************************************************

Production Quality: We all have high standards and I expect you to strive for the
highest production standards. Remember, evaluations and critiques of your work will
be based on what we actually see and hear and not on what you meant for us to see
and hear. The more preparation and planning you take on, the more rewarding the
results.

Lab Hours: Open Lab is Mon- Fri 12:00 to 1:15PM. The Lab is available by
appointment with Dene Griger.

Technical Training: I will instruct you in all the equipment that we will be using and
will help you in troubleshooting problems. Learning this technology can be at least
initially frustrating and it is not possible to prepare you in advance for all possible
problem scenarios. Start each project as soon as possible to give yourself time to
prepare for the inevitable and always inconvenient problems. I am aware that
technology comes easily to some than others; so if you need assistance on the
equipment outside of class, please make an appointment to see me.

Feedback and Advice: Learning is a process and a key part of this process is getting
feedback from myself, and your colleagues. Part of our class time will be devoted to
work-shopping your projects, which will give you the opportunity to receive feedback.
I will also be available for individual discussion of your ideas and work.

Notes:
- Assignments will have multiple deadlines from Preproduction materials, Rough
Cuts, and Final Cuts. Meeting all of these deadlines is a crucial element toward
a successful grade. This is my number 1 criteria.
- Assigned readings are due by the Wednesday class session of the week’s topic
(see schedule)
- Participation includes assisting during class demos, critiquing Rough Cuts,
and adherence to Equipment room policies.
- Contact Jeanette Altman concerning equipment check out procedures. 360-546-
9491 – altman@vancouver.wsu.edu - Hours will be posted on the equipment
room door.
 - Students are highly encouraged to seek equipment certification through Fort
Vancouver TV. This will allow flexible access to high end equipment.
- Panasonic Brand DV Tape only in Field Cameras AY-DVM63PQ or
AYDVM63AMQ filmtools.com

ADA Statement:
The University seeks to provide appropriate academic adjustments for all individuals
with disabilities. This University will comply with all applicable federal, state, and
local laws, regulations, and guidelines, specifically Section 504 of the Rehabilitation
Act of 1973, and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), with respect to providing
appropriate academic adjustments to afford equal educational opportunity. It is the
responsibility of the student to register with and provide medical verification and
academic schedules to Student Services at the beginning of each semester and no later
than the second week of school unless otherwise determined by the coordinator. The
student also must contact the faculty member in a timely manner to arrange for
appropriate academic adjustments.

Honor Code:
Students are expected to uphold the academic honor code. The academic honor system
is based on the premise that each student has the responsibility to:
1- Uphold the highest standards of integrity in your work
2 – Refuse to tolerate violations of academic integrity in the university community
3 – Foster a high sense of integrity and social responsibility on the part of he university
community

Grade Scale:
100 -94 = A
93- 90 = A-
89 – 87 = B+
86 – 84 = B
83 – 80 = B-
79 – 77 = C+
73 – 70 = C
69 – 67 = D+
66 – 64 = D
63 – 60 = D-
59 – 0 = F