Registry

Module Specifications

Archived Version 2012 - 2013

Module Title	Digital Storytelling
Module Code	CM132
School	School of Communications
Online Module Resources
NFQ level	8	Credit Rating	10
Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	None
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

Description

This skills-based module will introduce students to the necessary technical, research and creative skills required to generate basic digital audio and video material for output to a variety of multimedia and destinations.

Learning Outcomes

1. Learn to work in a team-based environment.
2. Be familiar with the basic concepts of digital storytelling including the pre-production, production, and post-production requirements.
3. Understand audio capture, microphone types and simple editing techniques.
4. Utilise small held-held devices (such as iPods, iPhones, or other small digital cameras etc.), so as to be able to plan and shoot a simple video sequence.
5. Within a post-production environment, compose and arrange a series of audio and video clips, develop logical sequences, apply transition types, create lower-thirds, optionally incorporate copyright free music, format and export the final file for online distribution or incorporation into other multimedia projects.
6. Author audio visual material, including text, images, audio and video sequences into a variety of multimedia and/or online formats.

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full-time hours per semester
Lecture	11	Weekly
Laboratory	36	A/V recordings, Editing exercises, Software familiarisaton
Group work	24	Personal & team research; project planning and development.
Independent Study	60	General research and use of course materials
Lecture	21	Team exercises.
Assignment Completion	25	Group project 1 (minor)
Assignment Completion	45	Group project 2 (major)
Online activity	28	Software tutorials (self-directed)
Total Workload: 250

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

General Notice
As is the case with some multimedia modules the precise digital video hardware and software tools on offer to students may alter to adapt to the relatively rapid changes occurring within the sector.

Introduction to Digital Storytelling
Students will be introduced to the various theories of Pre-Production; Production and Post-Production.

Project Overview
Learning activities: Students will research project ideas, develop a storyboard or shot list; schedule actionable items; record a short audio sequence, record a series of video clips and arrange into an editable sequence; gather other media (i.e. textual and images) and author all within selectable multimedia environments (e.g. online video, websites/blogs, podcasts or iBook)

Introduction to Audio Recording
Understanding why, where and how to use various types of microphone to record high-quality audio; importing audio into an editing application; editing an audio sequence within a timeline; exporting the final sequence for subsequent use within other multimedia applications.

Introduction to Video Recording
Pre-production considerations; planning a shoot; special considerations of hand-held mobile devices (such as iPods/iPhones/compact cameras). Production considerations: keeping shots steady; in-camera editing; applying real-world framing/composition; exporting/importing files to other applications.

Introduction to the Non-Linear Editing
Non-linear editing within iMovie: the Interface; Projects; Events; Adding Music and Sound Effects; Adding Photos; Creating Titles; Working with Transitions; Adding Clips to your Project; Advanced Tools; Precision Editing; Using the Ken Burns Effect; Stabilizing your Clips; Using Keywords; Audio Options; Video Effects; Picture-in-Picture; Brightness, Contrast and Saturation; Voiceover; Analyzing People and Storyboarding; Trailers; Markers/Snap to Beat; Consolidating Media and Exporting.

Project Exercises
All students will be expected to carry out a series of short in-class exercises to help develop their creative and production skills.

Production Projects
Learning activities: Within a small group students will design and develop two projects - a minor and major. The former will consist of a short audio/video sequence and the latter the development of a complete range of media content i.e. audio/images/textual and/or video sequences for authorship within an iBook environment.

Nota Bene
As per 'Full-time Workload' description, students will be expected to continue their laboratory work with their own research and self-taught tutorial materials in order to increase their understanding and competencies within the various software and hardware environments. ==== Also, some restrictions may apply e.g. use of iPods during class periods only ( as of Sem.2 2013).

Assessment Breakdown
Continuous Assessment	100%	Examination Weight	0%

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Course Work Breakdown

Reassessment Requirement
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories; 1 = A resit is available for all components of the module 2 = No resit is available for 100% continuous assessment module 3 = No resit is available for the continuous assessment component
Unavailable

Indicative Reading List

Tom Ang: 2000, Picture editing, 10 Chapters, Focal Press, Great Britain, 0-240-51618-4
by Arthur L. Gaskill and David A. Englander; photographs & drawings by Irving Levine; additional pictures by David A. Marlin, John Premack, and Dean Gaskill: 1985, How to shoot a movie and video story, 16 Chapters, Morgan & Morgan Inc., New York, 0-87100-239-6
[by Jeremy Vineyard; illustrated by Jose Cruz]: 1999, Setting up your shots, 8 Chapters, Michael Wiese Productions, Studio City, CA, 0-941188-73-6
Peter Ward: 1996, Picture composition for film and television, 12 Chapters, Focal Press, Great Britain, 0-240-51421-1
Ivor Yorke: 1994, Basic TV reporting, 11 Chapters, Focal Press, Great Britain, 0-240-51283-9
by William Strunk, Jr.; with revisions, an introd., and a chapter on writing by E. B. White: 1979, The elements of style, 5 Chapters, Macmillan, New York, 0-02-418200-1

Other Resources

7641, Website, William Tuke, 2012, Video Hub, DCU, School of Communications, William Tuke, http://www.videohub.dcu.ie, 7642, Website, William Tuke, 2010, Student Movies, DCU, School of Communications, William Tuke, http://www.studentmovies.dcu.ie, 7643, Website, William Tuke, 2010, Digital Video Resource, DCU, School of Communications, William Tuke, http://www.dvresources.dcu.ie, 7644, Website, William Tuke, 2008, DCU, School of Communications, William Tuke, http://www.dcu.ie/~tukew/thinkdigitalvideo_site/pages/index.html, 7645, Application, Noteboom Productions Ltd., 2012, Tutor for iMovie '11, USA, Noteboom Productions Ltd., http://www.noteboomproductions.com, 7646, Application, Andrew Swanson, 2012, Learn iBooks Author, USA, The Mac U, http://www.themacu.com,

Programme or List of Programmes

MMA	BSc in Multimedia

Archives: