CMN 696 (01) - Seminar in Media Studies

Seminar in Media Studies

Credits: 4.0
Term: Spring 2020 - Full Term (01/21/2020 - 05/04/2020)
Grade Mode: Letter Grading
Class Size:   20  
CRN: 56823
Variable topics in media research, theory, and practice. May be repeated for different topics. Topic descriptions available in department office during preregistration. Prereq: CMN 455, CMN 456, CMN 457 and two 500-level courses, or permission.
Section Comments: Full title: Short Documentary Production
Instructor Approval Required. Contact Instructor for permission then register through Webcat.
Prerequisite(s): CMN 455 with minimum grade of C and CMN 456 with minimum grade of C and CMN 457 with minimum grade of C
Repeat Rule: May be repeated up to 1 times.
Equivalent(s): CMN 696W
Only listed campus in section: Durham
Classes not allowed in section: Freshman
Only listed majors in section: CMN:BUSAPPL, CMN:MEDIA, COMMUNICATION
Instructors: STAFF

Times & Locations

Start Date End Date Days Time Location
1/21/2020 5/4/2020 TR 5:10pm - 6:30pm HORT 110
Additional Course Details: 

Seminar in Media Studies: Short Documentary Production.  Over the course of the semester, five teams of three students will develop a short   (3 to 7 minute) documentary. The subject of the documentary will be established by the second day of class. Attention will be given in choosing a subject to what topics may be   of interest to a Public Television affiliate. Students are encouraged to choose an issue which is ongoing, and is being discussed in the media. At least part of the short documentary will involve a critique of mainstream media’s demonstrable handling of the issue. Students will learn all phases of pre-production, production, post-production, and promotion of their short documentary. Reading, viewing and critiquing short documentaries, class discussion, group critiquing of each team’s work, and written critiquing will also be required throughout the  semester.  Upon determining the subject of their short documentary, students will begin writing a treatment in which they describe the story they will tell, and how they plan to tell it. Once their writing has been refined to a point of producing a suitable treatment, an outline of shooting the film, research, and an optional task of storyboarding will begin (along with other preproduction tasks). Students will then begin producing, directing, using the available cameras, as well as lighting for interviews, and sound   recording.  Editing may begin, as is often the case, before production is completely done. More than half the semester will involve editing on the suites provided in the CMN media lab. The primary goal in producing these short documentaries is learning the process of producing a short documentary. Additional goals include possible airing on NHPTV,  if    the docs meet their production standards and contain subject matter that is likely to be of interest to their audience. Co-majors are welcome in this course as well, and there are many suitable subjects that would be of interest if focused upon in a short documentary video. While there are no formal prerequisites in this class, the professor encourages those who have at least experienced once the process of making a video, preferably in CMN 596, CMN 597, or CMN 650.