FORUM SEMINAR CXS 118

Video Project Guidelines

Introduction       Topics       Project Roles     Group Members    Training    Project timeline    Talent release form    Summary      Questions?    Inviting an interview candidate    Image and Soundtrack Resources

Introduction

DIIA is UT-Austins Division of Instructional Innovation and Assessment. It is an excellent resource for applying multimedia methods to learning, and we will have a unique opportunity this semester to undertake short video projects in CXS118. 

For the video projects, there will be several topics to choose from, and there are several areas of expertise that go into the creation of each video project. You will have the chance to sign up for a project by topic and by expertise.  The expertise may be that which you already have or can obtain in one or two one-hour workshops. Below are the project topics and the expertise areas needed for each. Sign-ups will be done on the first day of class and we will attempt to grant each students choices to the extent possible.

Topics
1. Making sustainable business solutions work: The Compact Fluorescent light bulb conundrum
2. Texas as a global citizen: Our energy outlook
3. Economic development and the Edwards aquifer: Advanced Micro Devices proposed new campus
4. Can UT become sustainable in its energy use?
5. Green homes vs. greenhouse gases
6. Climate Change

Video Project Roles (click each for description of activities)
1. Project Manager
2. Researcher/Subject Matter Expert (two per project team)
3. Script Writer/Storyboard Artist
4. Videographer/Audiographer
5. Video Editor

Training sessions
For video projects, DIIA offers one hour training sessions on each of the following:

- Shooting Digital Video
- Digital Video Editing
- Introduction to Digital Audio

The students who will film the guest speakers in class will need to attend the workshops on shooting digital video and digital audio. DIAA requires students to attend both of those workshops and demonstrate their competency in the use of their digital video kits before they are allowed to check out equipment.

The students in the Video Editing role should attend the video editing workshop, and they may wish to attend the audio workshop as well, although I don't know that it would be as critical.

DIIA also teaches a one-hour workshop on storyboarding which covers the process of planning a multimedia presentation by creating what is essentially a prototype on paper. This should be attended by the Script Writer/Storyboard Artist role and the Project Manager.

Overall, what is described above is the minimum amount of training needed to get started on the projects. It may be helpful for multiple people from each group to attend the sessions, and DIIA will make all of their workshops available to any student in CXS118.

DIIA also have some video-based tutorials available here:  http://www.utexas.edu/academic/diia/dms/learning.php. You are encouraged to review these prior to the start of classes.

Summary
So, overall, the training will take a minimum 1-2 hours per person/role unless you have a desire to take more training. The extra time that the training and other aspects of the video project will take will be offset by your not having to write a reaction paper for week 2 and one other week of your choice from among weeks 3-7. Before classes start, you are encouraged to consider what Project Expertise Role you would like to undertake and what topic you are most interested in, as well as to review DIIAs video-based tutorials.  

Questions?
Questions about the specifics of these workshops or the hardware or software that you cannot find answers to at http://www.utexas.edu/academic/diia/dms/.

Contact: Lucas Horton, Multimedia Specialist
Division of Instructional Innovation and Assessment
The University of Texas at Austin
512-475-6370
lhorton@mail.utexas.edu

Project Manager

• Works with Researcher/Subject Matter Expert and Project Manager to plan the video, including the types of media assets and content needed
• Develops a timeline
• Oversees the progress of the project
• Manages project documentation
• Delegates tasks and helps coordinate the work of other group members
• Coordinates final edit meeting

Researcher/Subject Matter Expert

• Works with Script Writer/Storyboard Artist and Project Manager to plan the video, including the types of media assets and content needed
• Researches the topic and identifies specific subtopics
• Collects and develops content
• Contributes to final edit

Script Writer/Storyboard Artist

• Works with Researcher/Subject Matter Expert and Project Manager to plan the video, including the types of media assets and content needed
• Transforms the researchers content into a script
• Creates a storyboard to graphically organize and visualize the project
• Contribute to final edit

Videographer/Audiographer

• Obtains and sets up equipment for video shooting
• Shoots video footage of in-class speakers
• Shoots any additional footage needed for the project
• Obtains audio clips (i.e., music and sound effects) to use in the project, if any
• Organizes video and audio assets for transfer to the video editor
• Contributes to final edit

Video Editor

• Transforms the script and storyboard into a complete video by integrating existing media assets
• Follows editing best practices to create a professional product
• Creates additional elements such as titles, transitions, captions, and credits
• Performs actual editing during the final edit meeting
• Outputs the completed project in the desired video format

Image and Soundtrack Resources