57151 Storytelling with Sound and Image

Handbook description

This subject explores the production of news and current affairs in the audio visual domain within the context of a critical examination of current professional practice. Students develop skills in audio and video recording, interviewing, scripting, editing and presentation while devising and producing short news and current affairs reports. Students develop an understanding of the impact of online media developments on audio and visual journalism and the ethical implications that arise in the production of broadcast materials. A focus on issues relevant to cultural diversity is maintained throughout the course. Students log their stories in their e-portfolios, exploring the prospect of publishing more broadly.

Subject objectives/outcomes

At the completion of this subject, students are expected to be able to:

1. Research stories.
2. Use basic audio and video technologies for the production of news and current affairs packages.
3. Interview, write and edit media packages.
4. Adapt audio and visual material to contemporary developments in online media.
5. Apply journalism ethics to their audio/visual media practice.

Contribution to graduate profile

This subject makes a major contribution to student's ability to:

• Apply their knowledge and skills
• Manage projects.
• Work ethically.
This subject makes an additional contribution to student's abiliity to:
• Think analytically.
• Work collaboratively.

Teaching and learning strategies

Lectures, workshops, field work seminars, peer review and discussion. Use of the web for story publication.

Content

Overview of storytelling with sound and image

Contemporary media developments and convergence

Cultural diversity in storytelling

Recording and editing audio

Shooting video journalism – framing, sequences and overlay

Video camera and editing technical skills

Interviewing for audio and video.

Scriptwriting for sound, voice and video

Application of ethics to audio, video and online journalism.

Analysing and evaluating sound and image

Creating online packages – content, pictures and editing

Assessment

Assessment item 1: Audio news/current affairs story.

Objective(s):	a, b, c, e
Weighting:	30%
Task:	Students identify and research a three minutes (approx- no longer) radio/audio story; undertake interviews, write script, record voice over, edit and produce story. Student's research documents and sources, unedited interviews, and summary of calls are also required. Further details of this task will be circulated in class.
Assessment criteria:	Newsworthiness of story selection. Appropriateness for selected audience. Appropriateness of sources and interviews for radio. Appropriateness of writing for the spoken word. Consistency of editing techniques for selected story genre. Accuracy of professional script format. Clarity of audio recording. Intonation, speech rhythm and voice quality. Consistency with the MEAA code of ethics.

Assessment item 2: A video news report

Objective(s):	a, b, c, e
Weighting:	40%
Task:	Students work in pairs to collaborate on a video news report no longer than one minute fifty seconds. Students will need to identify and research a story ideal for video/television news. Students shoot two interviews and other video material including overlay and sequences, write script, perform voice over, edit and produce final story.
Assessment criteria:	Newsworthiness of story selection. Accuracy and depth of research. Appropriateness of sources and interviews. Appropriateness for selected audience. Quality of overlay, sequences and interviews. Clarity of sound recording. Quality of script presentation. Appropriateness of visual elements selection. Consistency of editing techniques for selected story genre. Consistency with the MEAA code of ethics.

Assessment item 3: An audio/visual sound slide publication.

Objective(s):	a, b, c, d, e
Weighting:	30%
Task:	Students create a multimedia package that may be a sound slide. Students identify, produce and publish a story online that includes both visual and audio elements. This story will develop/extend issues along the previous subject themes and allow students to use/re-purpose/extend/refocus material produced for former assessment items in this course.
Assessment criteria:	Accuracy and depth of research. Appropriateness of sound and image content selection. Suitability of the material to the format. Consistency with the MEAA code of ethics.

Minimum requirements

Attendance is essential this subject because it is based on a collaborative approach that involves essential workshopping and interchange of ideas. Students are required to attend a minimum of ten classes.

Indicative references

Phillips. G and Lindgren, Mai (2005) Australian Broadcast Journalism OUP.

Students will use a wide range of local and international examples of broadcast and online audio and visual journalism.