T206 Introduction to Design and Production
Indiana University, Department of Telecommunications
Summer Session I, 2009

Instructor
Norbert Herber 855-1798 or e-mail nherber AT indiana DOT edu
Office Hours (Radio-TV 344)

Associate
TBD

Required Texts & Media (available at the IU Bookstore & TIS)
Introduction to Media Production (third edition) by Kindem & Musburgr, Focal Press..

Media Access: TV, VCR/DVD, and the Internet are essential for this class

Course Description
Introduction to Design and Production provides a conceptual framework for writing, developing, and evaluating a variety of media products. This is not a hands-on production course. You will however be introduced to many of the fundamental techniques involved in the production process. These include: storyboarding, treatment writing, pitching, production design, visualization, composition, and editing strategies. This course is required in order to take more production courses in Telecom. You must achieve a C- or better in order to register for T283 (which is the most logical next course in the sequence.) If you plan on Design and Production as your concentration in Telecom, you MUST do well in this course.

T206 concentrates on visual storytelling strategies and production techniques. We will examine how stories are communicated in a variety of media formats including film, television, computer games, and multimedia on both CD-ROM and the World Wide Web.

Course Objectives

Role of the Student
Whether you go on to be a producer, editor, newscaster, or beekeeper you need to understand how media works. This class will show you a glimpse of the work involved in producing a mediated message, be it in broadcast or digital media. The concepts presented here are useful for those who are both producers and consumers of media (which is just about everybody).

Your role is to be an active participant in this class. Realize that the deeper you immerse yourself in the material, the more you are likely to learn and grow. This does not mean do the readings 5 times as opposed to once. Rather, do a reading. Investigate any relevant examples. Think about where else you have seen these concepts. When you watch movies, television, or surf the web what devices are at work that communicate a story to you?

We will look at a wide variety of material in this class and you will be asked to offer and defend your opinion concerning a variety of relevant subjects. Don't be bashful! Classroom discussion is a great way to present your ideas to a group and get feedback, and it's a lot safer since there are no careers on the line. Make the mistakes now so that you are prepared for the time when it really counts.

Student Integrity
You are expected to conduct yourself with decorum in this class. Professionalism and integrity are essential to success in any field. If you haven't started yet, now is a great time to develop these fundamental attitudes and behaviors. Plagiarism and cheating will not be tolerated. Both are grounds for an Academic Misconduct report and a failing grade. Any questions regarding these policies can be directed to the Code of Student Rights at http://campuslife.indiana.edu/code/index1.html

The production and discussion of creative work is a large part of this class. Any work or criticism that is offensive or that constitutes harassment of a racial, sexual, ethnic, or religious nature will result in a failing grade.

Mobile phones and pagers must be turned off before entering the classroom. If a device rings during class turn it off immediately. Repeat offenders will be told to leave the room.

Attendance
Attendance will be taken for all class periods. Realize that your chances of success in this class greatly improve with regular attendance. We will frequently watch and discuss media examples. You are accountable for these even if you were not present in the class on the day that they were shown. Your AI will take attendance each week at discussion. To accommodate for scheduling conflicts and other "surprises" that may occur during the semester, all students are allowed 3 absences. Your grade will be reduced 2 points (1%) for every unexcused absence. Unless it is unavoidable, do not schedule medical appointments or interviews during class or discussion section meeting times.

Students who have true emergencies, life-threatening illnesses, or deaths in the family may be granted excused absences. An excused absence must be supported with written documentation when you return to class. You will be responsible to get missed notes and information from a classmate.

Students observing religious holidays during the semester please see IU's Religious Holidays request form.

Communication
As many of you already know, e-mail, once employed, quickly becomes a seemingly indispensable part of daily life. Many of us use it to maintain relationships with family and friends. However, in the academic environment, e-mail is not the appropriate method to create and maintain a student-teacher relationship. E-mail should not be used for in-depth questions about course content, for requests for missed lecture notes, to explain an absence,to discuss grades, or for questions needing an immediate answer. All of these issues should be addressed personally with an instructor after class, during office hours, or at an arranged meeting time. E-mails sent to instructors or classmates that use inappropriate language, are uncivil, or violate Internet Etiquette (see http://www.udel.edu/interlit/chapter5.html) will be investigated for possible charges of student misconduct.