Radio and Television News
Editing CJ335 (3cr.)
Fall
2009 Mr. Jack
Kapfer
2:00-3:50pm M & F HHH
105G, 106A, 107
Web
page: www.uwec.edu/kapferja Email:kapferja@uwec.edu
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Office: HHH 105A Phone: 836-2300
Office Hours: M, W 11-11:50am/T, W 1-1:50pm & By Appt.
Web page: www.uwec.edu/kapferja Email:kapferja@uwec.edu
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CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION:
“Preparation
of newscasts presented on Eau Claire cable TV…. Includes reporting, writing and
editing local news and preparing video for use on the newscasts.”
This course relates in a number of ways to the goals adopted
by the faculty for the UW-Eau Claire baccalaureate degree. Specifically, here is how this course relates
to the following degree goals (and should help you demonstrate your mastery of
them):
Knowledge of
Human Culture and the Natural World
* UW-Eau Claire students will demonstrate a breadth of knowledge about human culture and about the natural world.
News is about covering the world around us and the people and institutions therein. Through their weekly assignments students will be exposed to the proclivities and nuances of how the world works.
Creative and
Critical Thinking
*UW Eau Claire students will develop creative and critical thinking skills that can be applied to a range of contexts.
Students will have the opportunity to use and develop their creative talents through weekly news gathering assignments as well as critically evaluate their work and that of others. They also learn practical technical skills throughout the semester by using standard broadcast industry equipment.
Effective
Communication
* UW Eau Claire students will write, read, speak, and listen effectively in various contexts including applications to civic and discipline specific contexts.
This is perhaps the most prominent goal in that each week students will have the opportunity to create both verbal and visual messages for the purpose of disseminating news and information to an audience.
Individual
and Social Responsibility
*UW Eau Claire students will develop skills and values for ethical reasoning and life-long learning.
Students will learn broadcasting and its technology and how their decisions related to it can influence both positively and negatively the society and culture within which we live.
Respect for
Diversity among People
* UW-Eau Claire students will develop skills and knowledge for living in a culturally pluralistic and globally interdependent world.
The news assignments in the second half of the semester will particularly relate to this goal as students develop, write
and construct news stories about some aspect of their community and the variety of people within it.
UNIVERSITY PORTFOLIO PROJECT
Communication And Journalism Program
Goals
Additionally, your work in this course
relates to department’s goals. Communication and Journalism are crucial to a democratic society. Both require citizens to share and challenge
their information. To prepare students
for responsible roles in a democratic society, the department’s goals are
designed to foster development in the following areas:
OBJECTIVES
OF THE CLASS:
1)To expose you to the process and techniques behind quality electronic
news gathering (ENG) reporting, writing
and presentation production.
2) To give you practical experience in the mechanics and use of ENG
production equipment and software.
3) In the process to expose you to, analyze and appreciate the
different ideas, values and cultures that exist in the modern world.
4) To help you develop immediate problem solving skills and techniques
in ENG production.
5) To provide for you video/audio production skills that can be used in
other classes.
6) To help you accumulate resume/portfolio examples of your video/audio
knowledge and skills that can be used in your pursuit of a position in the
professional market.
CLASS DAYS
This is a time consuming course
both within and outside of the designated class periods. So it is in your best interest to keep a
lighter class load for the semester if possible.
The course consists of two class periods: from 2-3:50pm on Mondays and Fridays. For the first several weeks, both time periods will be devoted to (re)acquainting you with the fundamentals of journalism, broadcast news writing style, the old ENG equipment and the new TV studio and control room. These classes will meet primarily in HHH 107 but also in HHH 106A (the newsroom), HHH 105G (control room and studio). After that, each class periods (both Mondays and Fridays) AND THE HOURS BEFORE THEM will be HHH 106A devoted to producing a newscast for that day.
Because of the limited number of weeks in the semester and in order for everyone to have an opportunity to perform all the required newscast tasks, the class will be divided into two groups. One group will do a newscast on Monday and the other group will do one on Friday.
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*** VERY IMPORTANT***
NEWSCAST GROUPS: Because the newscast production takes a considerable amount of work, it is expected EVERYONE within each newscast team will be available the entire day of that newscast to help out. While the producers will begin the day organizing the newscasts, everyone else will contribute by writing readers or VOs, editing and dubbing video, entering graphics, proofreading, etc. That means, on the day of your newscast, unless you have class, you should be in HHH 106A contributing to the newscast effort.
Consequently you should arrange any outside work schedule or other appointments around your obligation to the newscast. YOU WILL BE GRADED ON PARTICIPATION. AND HOW MUCH YOU CONTRIBUTE TO YOUR ASSIGNED NEWSCAST WILL BE A SIGNIFICANT FACTOR IN THAT EVALUATION.
*** VERY IMPORTANT***
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PRODUCTION CREW: The group not working on the newscast will do two things. First it will meet with me at the regular class time (2pm) to review their previous week’s newscast. Second, it will serve as the production crew for that day’s newscast running camera, audio, switcher, etc.
NEWSCASTS: The newscasts will consist of news packages (self-contained video stories) put together by reporters and photographers during the week. Also included will be voiceovers, VO/SOTS and readers compiled either during the week or on the day of the newscast. We will have practice newscasts on Monday October 5th and Friday October 9th with the first LIVE newscast running the following Monday October 12th. After that all the newscasts will be LIVE from our TV studio on Mondays and Fridays (and possibly re-air via recorded replay again some time during the remainder of the week). Specific time of the newscast is yet to be determined.
None. However on the W drive there will be
instructional materials that will help you accomplish the different tasks you
will be assigned. You should print out these materials as they become
available, read them and keep them handy. They will be particularly important
when you are producing.
PACKAGES: During the rest of the
semester you will go out into the community to interview sources and shoot
B-Roll for TV news packages that will run during the newscasts. These will be
evaluated on numerous criteria including (among other things) writing,
organization, audio and video quality, etc. Each is worth 60pts.
NEWS PHOTOGRAPHERS: These people are the eyes within the news gathering process. The job of the photographer is to tell the story with pictures. They are responsible for shooting and editing the piece. They will also assist the reporter in writing (if needed).
** REPORTERS AND
PHOTOGRAPHERS WILL BE GRADED TOGETHER ON THEIR STORIES. Both
will get the same grade no matter how much each contributes to the final story.
Consequently, it is in your best interest to make sure you play a role in
putting together your story. If you are down graded on the writing or video of
the story but your partner did all the work, you have nothing to complain
about. Be involved as much as you possibly can in everything.
“ONE-PERSON-BAND
(OPB): This year one reporter in each group will be designated the “OPB” each
week. Basically this is a situation where the reporter is both reporter and
photographer/editor. This is becoming a more common occurrence in the real
world so getting experience at it will be valuable to you. While this can be a
lot of work, it can also mean fewer scheduling difficulties. (SUBJECT TO CHANGE
DEPENDING ON FINAL CLASS SIZE)
RESUME TAPE: The final assignment of the
semester is putting together a resume tape of some of your best work of the
semester. The main goal is that you will have a tape ready to send to potential
employers should a position become available. This will be due on final exam
day. (30pts)
Each lecture/class
meeting is worth five (5) points until the newscasts start. Then your
attendance and participation in your group’s newscast is worth ten (10) points.
As stated above, your attendance and participation point total will be mostly
determined by how involved you are in the story gathering and newscast
production process. Cooperation, enthusiasm and a positive attitude are
essential. Many people are involved in
the production of newscasts, from the on-air anchors to the teleprompter
operator. Each has a vital role to play in putting on a quality newscast. And
the HIGHEST quality is our goal. We
accomplish this by working as a TEAM.
Consequently, attendance and participation ARE
MANDATORY!!
If you think you
have a legitimate excused absence (e.g. college sanctioned activity), you must
advise me of it at least one (1) week ahead of time so the appropriate
arrangements can be made. “Illness” absences will be dealt with on an
individual basis as they come up.
ASSIGNMENTS AND GRADING:
|
Writing
Exercises (3@10pts, 10pts, 20pts) |
6% of Total Pts |
40 |
|
Resume
Tape |
4% |
30 |
|
Writing/Reporting/Photography
assignments: 7 @ 60pts each |
61% |
420 |
|
Producing: 1 @
60pts each |
9% |
60 |
|
Attendance/participation First
four weeks: 55 pts (11@5 pts per class meeting) Last
nine weeks: 80 pts (8@10 pts per newscast day) |
20% |
135 |
|
TOTAL
POINTS |
|
685 pts |
ACCUMULATED POINTS
|
PCT. |
GRADE
|
|
685-651 |
95%+ |
A |
|
650-617 |
95-90% |
A- |
|
616-596 |
89-87% |
B+ |
|
595-569 |
86-83% |
B |
|
568-548 |
82-80% |
B- |
|
547-527 |
79-77% |
C+ |
|
526-500 |
76-73% |
C |
|
499-480 |
72-70% |
C- |
|
479-459 |
69-67% |
D+ |
|
458-432 |
66-63% |
D |
|
431-411 |
62-60% |
D- |
|
410 and below |
Less than 60% |
F |
Per university
policy, final exams may not be taken outside of the designated time and day
without permission of the instructor, the CJ Department, and the dean of
A&S.
Any
students with documented disabilities or needs for special accommodations for
their attendance and participation in the class should contact me by the end of
the second week of classes. They should also contact
the Services for Students with Disabilities Office in Old Library 2136 at the
beginning of the semester.
DEADLINES: Deadlines and time are the heartbeat of the media,
especially broadcasting. If it isn’t here on time, it’s either dead air or
yesterday’s news. EVERYTHING MUST BE DONE ON TIME!!! Ahead of time is better.
ALL NEWS PACKAGES MUST BE EDITED, FINAL PACKAGE
SCRIPTS WRITTEN AND TURNED IN AND LEAD-INS IN EZ NEWS BY 11:00AM OF
THE DAY OF YOUR NEWSCAST!! Late means
you automatically lose five of the possible 60 points for that
assignment. AFTER THAT IT IS AN ADDITIONAL FIVE POINTS PER HOUR!
ONLY WITH EXTREME EXTENUATING
CIRCUMSTANCES WILL THIS RULE NOT BE ENFORCED.
PLEASE
HAND IN BY FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 18th
A TYPED / PRINTED COPY OF YOUR WEEKLY SCHEDULE
INCLUDING CLASSES AND ANY OUTSIDE WORK / INTERNSHIPS, ETC. Failure to hand this
in on time will result in a loss of “participation” points.
A couple final
thoughts: First, yours is the first class to extensively use our new studio and
control room. And there is new equipment and software you aren’t familiar with.
I will do my best to help you become acclimated. But it is also up to you to
pay attention and focus on learning. Remember one push of the wrong button can
make us all look silly.
Finally, it is also expected that you will treat all your
colleagues in this class with courtesy. This is the place you begin to develop
and hone your professional skills and demeanor. Newsrooms can be stressful
environments. Tasks are accomplished quickly and goals achieved more easily
when you take your responsibilities seriously and treat your colleagues with
respect. There is no room for egos in
this class. And your professor will not tolerate disruptive behaviors. These
are the first days of your professional careers. Make valuable use of them.
NEWS COVERAGE
Our beat is both the
university and the community within and around Eau Claire. This may mean
transportation could be difficult at times but we will do the best we can.
Unfortunately, the university does not furnish vehicles for our use.
Consequently, there will be times you will need to provide your own
transportation to and from the location of your stories. Hopefully this will
not be a major problem and we will deal with crises as they arise.
It also means you need to think
beyond the UWEC campus. Remember the entire Eau Claire community will have
access to our newscasts. What are the issues and events that are important to
the area overall? Keep an eye out for events you come upon. DOES YOUR CELL
PHONE HAVE A CAMERA? CAN YOU GET PICTURES/VIDEO?
You also need to constantly be looking new story idea. One way to do
this is to become a news junkie. Watch, listen to, and read local and national
news materials. What kind of ideas can you get from them? Ask yourself how does
what is going on in the world affect Eau Claire? Can you localize a
national/international event/issue? Or is there something you are curious about
that might have meaning to your audience? These considerations should be the
foundation for your story ideas.
FACILITIES
THE LABS – HHH 106A
(the newsroom), HHH 105G (control rm/studio). They will be considered open from
the time I come in in the morning until I leave, unless there is a lab
assistant present. [Weekdays 8:00am – 5pm : Other times TBA] Please remember this
is not a normal general access lab and use it only for BROADCAST journalism
related work. You should not be writing papers or doing homework for other
classes in there. Also, there are other classes being held within close
proximity of the labs. Please, no loud and disorderly conduct.
Your crunch days will undoubtedly be the days before your newscasts,
sometimes in the evenings. In scheduling lab assistants, effort will be made to
have the labs open during early evening hours. And some of your colleagues are
lab assistants, meaning the possibility exists that if you are partnered with
one of these people you could do work in the newsroom outside of normal lab
hours. Additionally it is expected that while in the labs you will be courteous
and respectful of other broadcast students using the facility.
EQUIPMENT – We will
use university ENG field and in-house editing equipment. You will be (re)trained
to operate it and must be proficient with it before you will be allowed to take
it into the field. There are four cameras and potentially ten editing stations.
(Although the software, Adobe Premier Elements, will soon be on computers in
other labs on campus so eventually you should be able to edit in those places
as well.) While your 335 class has priority in using the cameras, tripods and
editing computers, later in the semester the CJ 241 class will also need access
to them. So in the interest of limiting potential equipment use conflicts, plan
ahead and get your interviews and video shooting (b-roll) done as early as
possible. Sign up sheets will be posted on the camera storage room door (across
from the newsroom) for you to reserve
equipment for your shoots. Return of
equipment at the designated time is imperative. FAILURE TO DO THIS WILL COST YOU
PARTICIPATION POINTS!! OVERNIGHT AND WEEKEND USE OF EQUIPMENT REQUIRES
PROFESSOR KAPFER’S PERMISSION!!
PHONES – UPDATE NEWSROOM PHONE: 836-2512. You are free to use the phone in the newsroom for setting up interviews and/or gathering information. Please use the six-digit system when calling university offices and dormitories, city and county offices and most state offices. The six-digit system simply means dialing the last six digits of a phone number. We also have the capability to record phone calls to computer so they can be edited into a package. So if you want to talk to someone like a state representative in Madison or a senator in Washington D.C. talk to me about it.
APPEARANCE
The operative word here is appropriate. If you are anchoring a show, you need to look professional. For men that means coat and tie. Women have a few more options but again the goal is to look professional (meaning beware exposed undergarments). If you are reporting in the field, dress as the situation dictates. It would be unadvisable to wear good shoes and slacks if you are slogging around in a field with a farmer talking about milk prices. On the other hand you don’t want to wear overalls to a courtroom. Remember you are representing Update News and, in essence, the university. You should be conscious of the visual message you send.
TV
10 and CTV
You certainly may participate in the activities available at the student operated TV10 and the public access channel at Community TV. If you plan broadcasting as a career, it is important to recognize that the more you learn about television and its operation the more marketable you will be. However, your work for this class MUST TAKE PRIORITY.
CONTESTS AND
PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
In Fall 2006, Update New won second place in the
Wisconsin Broadcast Association contest for student newscasts and an Award of
Merit from the Northwest Broadcast News Association. In Fall 2007 and Fall 2008
Update News received third place
awards from the WBA. These organizations also give awards for individual works.
You are encouraged to enter your work in these or other contests offered by
professional and academic organizations (SPJ, WBA, NAB - In fact extra credit points will be available for preparation and
submission of work).
You are also encouraged to join the Society of Professional Journalists
(SPJ). The purpose of the organization is to foster interaction between
students and professionals through informative programs and activities. The
first UWEC/SPJ meeting will be announced as soon as it’s scheduled.
SCHOLARSHIPS
and OTHER DATES OF NOTE:
The Damm Scholarship – For
broadcasting and other media continuing students. Deadline for application: in
the CJ office by 4pm, Oct. 2, 2009 October. The award is distributed one-half in
Fall, one-half in Spring.
WBA(Wisconsin Broadcasters
Association) Scholarship – Two $2000 and two $1000 scholarships to continuing
students in broadcast related programs. Deadline: In WBA office by Friday October
16. Look for posters with information.
WBA STUDENT SEMINAR/AWARDS:
Entry Deadline-probably first week of January 2010 / Seminar- March 6, 2010 at
Madison Marriot, Middleton. Registration cost:$10
SPJ MARK OF EXCELLENCE AWARD
DEADLINE and ERIC SEVEREID-NBNA AWARDS DEADLINE: January 2010 / AWARDS AT THE
MIDWEST JOURNALISM CONFERENCE in MINNEAPOLIS: Spring 2010
This is a difficult
subject to address within the context of this class mainly because we have news
services that provide us with information and copy to read over the air. Using
them is not considered plagiarism. On the other hand, inclusion of verbatim material provided us by a news
service within the text of a locally produced story and having the
writer/reporter claim the material as his or her own IS PLAGIARISM!!!
Also anything you copy/cut and paste off the internet
MUST BE REWRITTEN OR ATTRIBUTED!!!
I consider any academic misconduct in this
course as a serious offense, and I will pursue the strongest possible academic
penalties for such behavior. The disciplinary procedures and penalties
for academic misconduct are described in the UW-Eau Claire Student Services and Standards Handbook (http://www.uwec.edu/sdd/publications.htm) in the
section titled, “Chapter UWS 14—Student Academic Disciplinary
Procedures.”
If you have ANY
QUESTION about material you may want to include in your work, please ask!
Please know that
your professor will do his best to be available for you to provide guidance and
feedback on your work whenever possible. Office hours are listed above and on
the web site and, if necessary, special appointments can always be made. I want
you to become the best broadcast news people possible. So let me help you do
that.
SCHEDULED FINAL EXAM: Attendance is REQUIRED. Wednesday December 16th, 3pm.