COMMUNICATION 460

DOCUMENTARY AND CORPORATE VIDEO PRODUCTION

WINTER 2006

FROM “NANOOK OF THE NORTH” TO “MARCH OF THE PENGUINS”

Instructor: Ron Weekes

Office: 251 Spori (Daily 10-11)

Phone: 496‑2933

E‑mail: weekesr@byui.edu

Web: http://emp.byui.edu/weekesr

Prerequisite: Communication 365 or consent of the instructor

Materials Needed for this Class:

*Your external firewire hard drive that was purchased for Communication 265.

*Mini DV and VHS videotape stock.

General Class Outline:

This course is designed to provide you with the skills needed to create professional quality documentaries and corporate videos. To accomplish these tasks, we will utilize the following methods:

1. Read critical literature regarding noteworthy documentaries and corporate videos. All reading assignments will be announced in class. It is expected that students will complete the reading prior to coming to class the day the reading is discussed.
2. Watch and discuss noteworthy documentaries and corporate videos in class. This will be accomplished through two methods:
1. The instructor will present examples of various genres of documentaries in class. There will be required readings for each of these documentaries. Readings must be completed prior to our classroom discussion.
2. You will be required to present part or all of a notable documentary in class. In preparation for this presentation, you will write a 5 to 8 page critical analysis of the documentary you have selected.
3. Produce short documentaries. Each student is required to present a written abstract (one-page) of a mini-documentary they would like to see the class produce. These abstracts will be due at the beginning of our third class period. Each mini-doc needs to have a seven to ten minute running time.
4. Produce high quality corporate video productions. You will have one assignment this semester to produce a corporate video product for a real-world client.

Course Deadlines:

Deadlines for various stages of our projects will be announced in class. Most assignments will be due the next class period. All work MUST be turned in on time. Late work WILL NOT be accepted. This is a real-world class. You are expected to produce professional quality work. Anything less is not acceptable.

THE HONOR CODE:

I am a supporter of all aspects of the BYU‑Idaho Honor Code. Please review it regularly to make sure you are in compliance with the classroom integrity and appropriate dress aspects of our campus standards.

DISABILITY STATEMENT:

In compliance with applicable disability law, qualified students with a disability may be entitled to Areasonable accommodation.@ It is the student=s responsibility to disclose to the teacher any special need she/he may have before the end of the first week of class.

Tentative Class Schedule

1/9 Class Introduction

1/11 Peer Abstract/Project Examples

1/16 Martin Luther King, Jr. Day – No Classes

1/18 Discuss Corporate Video Projects/Present Documentary Project Abstracts

1/23 Nanook of The North

1/25 Project Day

1/30 Disney Documentaries

2/1 Project Day

2/6 Cinema Verite and D.A. Pennebaker

2/8 Project Day

2/13 Ken Burns

2/15 Project Day

2/20 Presidents’ Day – No Classes

2/22 Project Day

2/27 March of The Penguins

3/1 Project Day

3/6 Doc Day

3/8 Project Day

3/13 Doc Day

3/15 Project Day

3/20 Doc Day

3/22 Project Day

3/27 Doc Day

3/29 Project Day

4/3 Doc Day

4/5 Project Day

4/10 Doc Day

4/12 Project Day

4/17 Project Day

4/19 All Semester Projects Due

4/24 Evaluate Final Projects

NOTE: Instructor reserves the right to change the schedule at any time. Changes will be announced in class or via e-mail. It is the student’s responsibility to make sure they know about any schedule changes.