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Module Specifications.

Current Academic Year 2024 - 2025

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Date posted: September 2024

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Module Title
Module Code (ITS)
Faculty School
Module Co-ordinatorSemester 1: Colleen Murrell
Semester 2: Colleen Murrell
Autumn: Colleen Murrell
Module TeachersDeclan Fahy
Colleen Murrell
NFQ level 8 Credit Rating
Pre-requisite Not Available
Co-requisite Not Available
Compatibles Not Available
Incompatibles Not Available
Coursework Only
A student will have to submit a new, original piece of video journalism in a narrative format.
Description

Video Storytelling aims to train students to produce feature-style pieces of video journalism. The advanced module builds on the skills and understandings developed in the year two module, Video Journalism, to cover the principles and procedures involved in creating video stories that are more complex and more narrative-based than a typical video news report. The five-credit core module will focus on crafting video pieces that pay particular attention to the core aesthetic and dramatic elements of storytelling, such as structure, setting, and character. Students will also learn how creative shot selection and careful editing can enhance their video storytelling. By the end of the module, students will be equipped to create, plan, write, shoot, and edit an original piece of high-quality video storytelling.

Learning Outcomes

1. Identify, propose, and develop suitable stories for feature-style video journalism
2. Prepare a research brief for video production
3. Design and plan a shooting script and production schedule
4. Conduct original recording and interviewing
5. Evaluate broadcast pieces of video storytelling
6. Engage productively as a team member
7. Exercise mature judgement in applying appropriate legal and ethical standards, showing keen awareness of the special risks in television of defamation, invasion of privacy or offence to good taste
8. Produce a five-minute piece of original journalism marked by high standards of technical and storytelling quality.



Workload Full-time hours per semester
Type Hours Description
Lecture33Attending lectures where the principles and practices of video storytelling are explained, analysed, and evaluated.
Professional Practice92Students work in teams to produce original pieces of video journalism.
Total Workload: 125

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

1. Introduction to Video Storytelling
The difference between short form news stories and longer, current affairs style packages Examples The importance of central characters in a story

2. Preparing a Brief
How to write a brief. What is the story? Who are the interviewees? Where are you filming – do you need permission? When (how long will it take, how much shooting and editing time do you have). Division of labour – suggested roles for four person groups are producer, reporter, camera, sound/editor Discussion of roles. Shooting schedule. Shooting script. Technical work

3. How to Shoot a Longer Story
Sequences. Developing a character on screen. How to choose locations. Getting permission to shoot. Making sure you have enough material.

4. Scripting
The Lead in. Examples of good scripts. Writing to pictures How to let pictures breathe. Practical examples. VT details given to studio Technical work

5. Editing
How to edit sequences. How to make a package flow. Editing with music and natural sound. Obituaries and other packages that are created mainly in the edit suite rather than on the road. Working with an editor and alone

6. Reviewing Packages
Reviewing and developing initial packages. How to advance stories.

7. Legal and Ethical Issues
Legal issues with video journalism. Ethical issues with video journalism.

Assessment Breakdown
Continuous Assessment% Examination Weight%
Course Work Breakdown
TypeDescription% of totalAssessment Date
Professional PracticeWorking in self-selected teams, students should produce a piece of original video journalism (a ‘package’) approximately 1:30 duration marked by high standards of technical and aesthetic quality. This package must include at least two interviewees, a PTC, v/o script and at least one filmed sequence. Students should also write the studio lead in that would be broadcast before the story, and the production details that will be given to studio – super details etc.. Students should submit, with their video piece, the original brief and shooting and production schedule they wrote, also a short, not more than 500 word document written post production.40%Week 5
Professional PracticeContinuing to work in their team, should produce a 5/6 minute piece of original video journalism that is marked by high standards of technical and aesthetic quality. The 5/6 minute package should contain at least three interviews, a PTC, at least once film sequence and nat sound. At least one of the following two – music and vox pops - should also be used in this piece .They will also submit a final document of not more than 500 words detailing how the final project differed from the original plan, if at all60%Week 10
Indicative Reading List

    Other Resources

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