Course Syllabus
Commercial and Entertainment Video
COMJOUR 365
Spring 2025
Number of Credit Hours 3
Prerequisites: none
Course Details
Day and Time: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10:35am -11:50am
Meeting Location: Jackson Hall 162/Studio B
Instructor Contact Information
Instructor Name: Marvin Marcelo
Instructor Contact Information: Goertzen Hall 205
Instructor Office Hours: Mondays and Wednesday 2:00pm-3:00pm, Goertzen Hall 205
Course Description
This is a hands-on, practical experience course in which you will learn the process of entertainment and commercial video production. You will effectively produce, write, shoot and edit original material, programs and segments from concept to completion. Your work will be shown in class and may appear on particular social media websites.
Course Materials
Books:
Shoot, Edit, Share: Video Production for Mass Media, Marketing, Advertising and Public Relations. Published 2019, Focal Press. ISBN 13:978-1-138-90542-9
Other Materials:
- You will need access to a video camera, audio equipment and lights for each assignment.
- You will need access to an editing computer with compatible editing software.
- You will need an SD card to record your videos and a hard drive to store your video footage and playback your edited programs.
- You will need to have an account with a social media site such as YouTube to upload and playback your video assignments.
Fees: [insert]
|
Course Learning Outcomes (students will be able to:) |
Activities Supporting the Learning Outcomes | Assessment of the Learning Outcomes |
|---|---|---|
| Learn concepts and techniques of how to create and produce video messages for commercial and entertainment purposes. | Lectures and video production assignments in creating commercials, testimonial videos, non-profit video programs and short-form storytelling |
Use information or skill in a new situation. Evaluate projects based on assignment criteria and video production standards |
| Be able to identify basic and intermediate editing principles, such as montage, jump cuts, single camera still and motion photography, color theory and editing. | Viewing and editing video assignments according to prepared scripts. | Be able to analyze raw footage and create appropriate sequencing according to specific script and video guidelines. |
| Produce videos in which the audience correctly perceives the message and/or story in script writing and editing. |
Produce video programs in both 16:9 and 9:16 formats for different viewing audiences without losing important messaging for products and/or organizations. |
Distribution of completed projects in various formats on social media websites. Evaluate projects based on assignment criteria and video production standards |
| Dates | Lesson Topic | Assignment | Assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Week 1 |
Class introductions, overview & syllabus. Discuss our goals for semester. Discuss what types of commercial programs, segments and related videos you have seen and enjoyed. |
It all starts with you telling me a big fish story. | Class discussion |
| Week 2 January 14, 16 |
Production paperwork: Proposals, storyboards, location scout reports, talent and other releases and self-reflection from each person in the group.
|
Class discussion | |
| Week 3 January 21, 23 |
Operating EFP Cameras & Lenses with in-class demos:
|
|
|
| Week 4 January 28, 30 |
Audio equipment and operations.
|
Class discussion | |
| Week 5 February 4, 6 |
Lighting equipment and techniques discussed.
|
|
|
| Week 6 February 11, 13 |
Video Editing
|
|
|
| Week 7 February 18, 20 |
Post-production processes discussed. Testimonial videos project discussed.
|
Class discussion | |
| Week 8 February 25,27 |
Meeting Technical Standards for TV and the Web. Basic Waveform & Vectorscope readings explained.
|
|
Class presentation of projects |
| Week 9 March 4, 6 |
Mid-term review | Mid-term exam, Thursday, 3/6 | Exam |
| Week 10 March 18, 20 |
Pre-Production Planning. Script and story structure for long form video project | Class discussion | |
| Week 11 March 25, 27 |
Non-profit/Student Organization project discussed. Demos of sound production and use. |
Class discussion | |
| Week 12 April 1, 3 |
Demos and how to shoot & edit final project—Short Story.
|
|
Presentation of projects |
| Week 13 April 8, 10 |
Final projects discussed- demos. | Class discussion | |
| Week 14 April 15, 17 |
Short story demos and discussion of script writing and production values. | Class discussion | |
| Week 15 April 22, 24 |
Discuss final video presentations | Short Story final video projects are due and will be presented in class on Thursday, April 24 | Presentations of final projects |
Expectations for Student Effort
Students are expected to come to each class meeting and participate in class discussions and with their assigned groups. You must be able to devote at least two to three hours of set production (location scout, script writing, shooting, lighting, display set up, etc.) and another two hours (or more) to edit and put together the production book for each assignment.
Grading [add more lines if necessary]
| Type of Assignment (tests, papers, etc) | Points | Percent of Overall Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Commercial Product Photo presentation: Capture and edit at least 10 edited still photos and video put it to music with a theme for your commercial product (TBD in class). | 25 | 12.5% |
| Testimonial video assignment: Demonstrate camera composition, lighting techniques and storytelling of “long form” testimonial of commercial product. | 25 | 12.5% |
| Midterm Exam | 45 | 22.5% |
| Non-profit/Student organization —create program promoting a non-profit or student organization and its commitment to the community it serves. | 25 | 12.5% |
| Short story film presentation with/without commercial product. | 50 | 25% |
| Assignment Proposals: 4 @ 5 pts each | 20 | 10% |
| Class participation | 25 | 12.5% |
| Grade | Percent | Grade | Percent |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | 94%-100% | C | 73%-75% |
| A- | 90%-93% | C- | 69%-72% |
| B+ | 87%-89% | D+ | 65%-68% |
| B | 84%-86% | D | 58%-64% |
| B- | 80%/83% | F | 00-57% |
| C+ | 76%-79% |
Grades will be rounded up to the next .5 point - e.g., if a student earns an 89.5% their grade will be rounded up to a 90%.
Attendance and Make-Up Policy
Students should make all reasonable efforts to attend all class meetings. However, in the event a student is unable to attend a class, it is the responsibility of the student to inform the instructor as soon as possible, explain the reason for the absence (and provide documentation, if appropriate), and make up class work missed within a reasonable amount of time, if allowed.
Late work will NOT be accepted in this class. Do not ask for after- the-fact exceptions. Some consideration, however, might be given (at the discretion of the instructor) if there are extenuating circumstances such as prolonged hospitalization, family death, or extended individual sickness previously discussed. In cases of documented university conflict, you are responsible for making alternative arrangements a minimum of two weeks in advance and responsibilities must be fulfilled before the normally scheduled time.
Academic Integrity Statement
You are responsible for reading WSU's Academic Integrity Policy, which is based on Washington State law. If you cheat in your work in this class you will:
-Receive a failing grade for the assignment and possibly receive a failing grade in the class depending on the situation.
-Be reported to the Center for Community Standards
-Have the right to appeal my decision
-Not be able to drop the course of withdraw from the course until the appeals process is finished
If you have any questions about what you can and cannot do in this course, ask me.
If you want to ask for a change in my decision about academic integrity, use the form at the Center for Community Standards website. You must submit this request within 21 calendar days of the decision.