Module: Video Storytelling

Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title	Video Storytelling
Module Code	JRR1019 (ITS: CM30120)
Faculty	Communications	School	Humanities & Social Sciences
NFQ level	8	Credit Rating	10

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 will 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 ten-credit core module will also focus on turning TV stories and skills into news programmes.

Learning Outcomes

1. Identify, propose, and develop suitable stories for feature-style video journalism
2. Design and plan a shooting script and production schedule
3. Conduct original recording and interviewing
4. Engage productively as a team member
5. 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
6. Working as part of a small team, students will produce a TV news programme

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full time hours per semester
Lecture	39	Attending lectures and workshop seminars where the principles and practices of video storytelling and studio production are explained, analysed, and evaluated.
Professional Practice	92	Students work independently and in teams to research and report TV stories and produce a live TV news programme.
Total Workload: 131

Section Breakdown
CRN	10864	Part of Term	Semester 1
Coursework	0%	Examination Weight	0%
Grade Scale	40PASS	Pass Both Elements	Y
Resit Category	RC1	Best Mark	N
Module Co-ordinator	Colleen Murrell	Module Teacher	Conor Tiernan

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assessment Breakdown
Professional Practice	Students should produce a piece of original video journalism (a ‘package’) approximately 3:00 minutes' duration marked by high standards of technical and aesthetic quality. This package must include at least three interviewees, a PTC, v/o script and original footage. Students must also submit an intro and script document.	50%	Week 7
Professional Practice	Students in small groups must produce a studio based news programme of 15 minutes' duration. The programme must include at least two original VT news reports, 3 LVOs/LVO grabs, 1 live/as live reporter update, and 1 live interview with an invited guest. This is worth 30/50. Marks will be given for a personal student evaluation document (10/50). Marks will also be allotted for taking part in team work leading to the studio-based news programme (10/50)	50%	Week 12

Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories; RC1: A resit is available for both^* components of the module. RC2: No resit is available for a 100% coursework module. RC3: No resit is available for the coursework component where there is a coursework and summative examination element. ^* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a coursework/summative examination split; where the module is 100% coursework, there will also be a resit of the assessment

Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	None
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

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.

Indicative Reading List

Books:

Peter Stewart,Ray Alexander: 2021, Broadcast Journalism, 8, Routledge, New York, 406, 9780367460464

Articles:
None

Other Resources

None

This module has had its assessments changed this year (starting September 2022) to reflect that the module is now being taught through the new television studio. These changes have been written up by Colleen Murrell and Conor Tiernan on Tuesday 23rd August 2022. These changes should not affect the already approved status of this module.