VAT 100 COURSE DESCRIPTION

VAT 100 COURSE DESCRIPTION VAT 100 Introduction to Video Technology 2crs. 1 hr., 1hr. lab This course explains how video technology works. It covers the fundamentals of contemporary media technology including understanding video image formation, data compression, picture and sound generation and manipulation, and the impact of new technologies, such as HD-TV and P2P. Lab exercises introduce students to the operations of cameras, video-recording systems, microphones, and the uses of SMPTE Time Code. Students also examine systems for delivering media to the viewer, including webcast, broadcast, and satellite and cable distribution. Basic Skills: Must have passed ENG 088, RDG 075, and ESL 094

Borough of Manhattan Community College City University of New York Department of Speech, Communications, and Theatre Arts Video Arts and Technology Program Course: VAT 100: Introduction to Video Technology Section: 121 Location: Room S510A Time: T-Th. 12-12:50PM Credits: Two Basic Skills: Must have passed ENG 088, RDG 075, and ESL 094 Note: Overview Instructor: Philip Weisman pweisman@bmcc.cuny.edu Office Hours: Mon. & Tues. 11AM-12PM, Th. 1-2PM Office Locations: N677 or S506 Telephone: 212.220.8313 Accommodations will be made for students with disabilities who identify themselves to the instructor at the first session. INTRODUCTION TO VIDEO TECHNOLOGY: This course explains how video technology works. It covers the fundamentals of contemporary media technology including understanding video image formation, data compression, picture and sound generation and manipulation, and the impact of new technologies, such as HD-TV and P2P. Lab exercises introduce students to the operations of cameras, video-recording systems, microphones, and the uses of SMPTE Time Code. Students also examine systems for delivering media to the viewer, including webcast, broadcast, and satellite and cable distribution. Required Texts 1. Zettl, Herbert. Video Basics 5. Wadsworth Publishing Company. California, 2006. 2. Handouts/Essays provided in class. General Accountability ATTENDANCE AND PUNCTUALITY: ABSENCES At BMCC: The maximum number of absences is limited to one more hour than the number of hours a class meets in one week. For example, you may be enrolled in a four credit class that meets four times a week totaling four hours. You are allowed five hours of absence (not five days). In the case of excessive absence, the instructor has the option to lower the grade or assign an "F" or WU" grade. CLASS ATTENDANCE: If you do not attend class at least once in the first three weeks of the course and once in the fourth or fifth weeks, the Office of the Registrar is required to assign a grade of WU. Attendance in both regular and remedial courses is mandated by policy of the City University of New York. Instructors are required by New York State law to keep an official record of class attendance. LATENESS: Classes begin promptly at the times indicated in the Schedule of Classes. Arrival in classes after the scheduled starting time constitutes lateness. Latecomers may, at the discretion of the instructor, incur an official absence. GRADING POLICY: No Incompletes for Unofficial Withdrawals will be given. LEARNING OUTCOMES: Competencies include using and calibrating cameras, microphones, video and audio components, and lighting equipment. Understanding video and audio editing and delivery systems Understanding the standards and practices of the video industry including SMPTE time code, broadcast and transmission standards, aspect ratio, and RGB color Ability to work successfully in teams by dividing responsibilities and skills to accomplish complex production tasks Understanding simple data networks

General Accountability (continued): PROFESSIONALISM In addition to gaining a firm grasp of the technical and practical applications of digital video, it is the goal of this course to help each participant gain a new confidence in working with new technologies. Within this context we will create an atmosphere of congeniality that will lead to an active, working group dynamic. Teamwork and a pleasant, attentive attitude among all participants are essential in all aspects of video production. Without these elements, projects fail, money and time are wasted needlessly and people lose their jobs. POLICY ON PLAGIARISM Plagiarism is the presentation of someone else s ideas, words, or artistic/scientific/technical work as one's own creation. A student who copies or paraphrases published or on-line material, or another person's research, without properly identifying the source(s) is committing plagiarism. Plagiarism violates the ethical and academic standards of our college. Students will be held responsible for such violations, even when unintentional. To avoid unintended plagiarism, students should consult with their instructors about when and how to document their sources. The library also has both print and digital guides designed to help students cite sources correctly. Plagiarism carries a range of penalties commensurate with severity of the infraction. The instructor may, for example, require the work to be redone, reduce the course grade, fail the student in the course, or refer the case to the Faculty-Student Disciplinary Committee (see Article 15.4 of the Bylaws of the Board of Trustees). Cases referred to that committee could result in suspension or expulsion from the college.

SCHEDULE OF CLASSES Week 1: 8/31, 9/5/06 Introduction, Assignments & Overview. Basic image formation Read Zettl 4: Chapter 3, pp. 33-39, Zettl 5: pp. 35-42 Lab: Basic Image Formation: the differences between interlaced and progressive scanning systems are demonstrated including digital HDTV. Week 2: 9/7/, 9/12//06 Lecture: Digital Video Read Zettl 4: Chapter 3, pp. 40-44, Zettl 5: pp. 42-47 Lab: What is digital and why digital images and audio are different from analog ones? Picture quality comparisons utilizing different types of video dubs are demonstrated. Week 3: 9/14/, 9/19/06 Lecture: Basic Camera Function and Elements Read Zettl 4: Chapter 4, pp. 46-55, 61-65, Zettl 5: pp. 48-65 Lab: Demonstrations examine the differences between standard television, DTV and HDTV, the relationship of pixels and picture resolution. It will also examine the major parts of the camera and how a change of focal length upon given lens influences field of view, depth of field, and perspective. Week 4: 9/21, 9/26/06 Quiz #1 Lecture: Basic Camera Movements and Operational Features Read Zettl 4: Chapter 5, pp. 66-86, Zettl 5: pp. 68-88 Lab: Students will be shown how to adjust cameras on tripods and controlling hand-held camera movements. White balancing and calibration of the cameras are also demonstrated. Week 5: 9/28, 10/5/06 Lecture: Depth of Field/Light and Shadows Read Zettl 4: Chapter 7, pp.105-125, Zettl 5: pp. 105-111, 148-156 Lab: Depth of Field will be explained and demonstrated as well as what constitutes a fast or slow lens. Week 6: 10/10, 10/12/06 Lecture: Color/Interior Lighting Read Zettl 4: Chapter 7, pp. 125-133, Zettl 5: pp. 156-180 Lab: Students are shown the basic processes of color mixing utilizing a color television receiver. Generated colors, color temperature and white balance will also be examined. Demonstrations will also focus on the safety procedures for handling video lighting instruments as well as the use of directional and diffuse light. The use of spots and floods, the nature of illumination fall-off, and the differences between attached and cast shadows will also be examined. Week 7: 10/17, 10/19/06 Lecture: Sound Pickup Principle and Microphones Read Zettl 4: Chapter 8, pp. 150-166, Zettl 5: pp. 114-129 Lab: Students identify a variety of microphones, also naming the generating element and pickup pattern. Recording the same source under identical recording conditions with different mikes will be demonstrated. This experiment will also be repeated while moving an identified audio source around each type of microphone. Week 8: 10/24, 10/26/06 Lecture: Sound Control and Sound Recording Read Zettl 4: Chapter 8, pp. 166-179, Zettl 5: pp. 129-143 Lab: Students will be shown how to use a small mixer and audio console. Students attempt to control the volume of a singular fluctuating source, recording their results for comparison.

SCHEDULE OF CLASSES Week 9: 10/31, 11/2/06 Quiz #2 Lecture: Principles of Graphics Read Zettl 4: Chapter 9, pp. 184-190, Zettl 5: pp. 184-190 Lab: Demonstrations and discussions are focused on aspect ratios, readability, color, animated graphics and style. Week 10: 11/7, 11/9/06 Lecture: Video Effects Read Zettl 4: Chapter 9, pp. 190-201, Zettl 5: pp. 190-201 Lab: Superimpositions, keys and wipes are demonstrated and discussed. Week 11: 11/14, 11/16/06 Lecture: Videotape-Recording Systems Read Zettl 4: Chapter 11, pp. 220-230, Zettl 5: pp. 218-228 Lab: Demos: Tape and Disk-Based Recording systems, basic videotape tracks, the differences between composite and component systems, types of videotape recorders, time base correctors, and tape formats and quality. Week 12: 11/21, 11/28/06 Lecture: The Videotape-Recording Process Read Zettl 4: Chapter 11, pp. 230-236, Zettl 5: pp. 228-239 Lab: Students will be shown a practical approach to the videotape recording process through an understanding of the decks they might employ (analog or digital), while utilizing essential preparation and calibration techniques. Week 13: 11/30, 12/5/06 Quiz #3 Lecture: Post-Production Part 1: Linear Systems Read Zettl 4: Chapter 12, pp. 242-252, Zettl 5: pp. 240-250 Lab: Demonstrations and in-depth discussions will focus on the use of edit controllers as they apply to single and multiple source systems. The differences between pulse-count and SMPTE time codes systems and the uses of insert and assembly edits during the videotape editing process will also be examined. Week 14: 12/7, 12/12/06 Lecture: Post-Production Part 2: Non-Linear Systems and Procedures Read Zettl 4: Chapter 12, pp. 253-258, Zettl 5: pp. 250-256 Lab: Demonstrations of digital image and audio capturing, appropriate choices for shot selection, editing/sequencing and the final export to videotape will be this lab s prime focus. Week 15: 12/14/06: Reading Day 12/19/06: Final Examination