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Guerrilla Political Videography Course Content and Objectives: Political videography is now a crucial avenue of political expression, and students of politics are wise to master the art of political video. At the high end, there are "big impact" examples such as Michael Moore's Fahrenheit 9/11. At the medium and low budget side, there are life changing video events, such as the viral video about Kony. And on the low-budget, micro-budget, and no-budget end, countless amateur videographers are presenting potent political content on venues such as YouTube and Vimeo. (Remember how the "Macaca" video unravelled George Allen's senate campaign in Virginia?) These days, video cameras are ubiquitous, and video recordings of political events of all sorts are captured and distributed by individuals, campaigns, news organizations, and even governments. But the competition to get political video seen by large numbers of eyeballs is increasingly fierce. Today, high impact, cutting edge quality are essential for video to get noticed. In the past, the written word dominated the mass distribution of political ideas. This was followed by radio, and then television. But never before has technology so fundamentally leveled the participatory playing field as with video. This course teaches students how to create, package, and distribute potent political content in video form. This is a practical "hands on" course on how to express political ideas using the video medium. This course is appropriate for students with no prior experience in video production. Students will learn the following production-related aspects of videography:
Additionally, students will examine the similarities and differences among the following sub-genres:
In this class, students will create political videos, and they will learn how to distribute these videos in various venues, including YouTube. Video assignments will typically be "handed in" by posting them on YouTube (as "unlisted" videos that are not searchable) and sending the instructor the URL via email. Students will compare their videos with those of other class members in order to gain perspective and share techniques. Students can find many practical applications for the content of this course. Minimally, students will find this course invaluable for doing video field work in nearly any discipline, potentially enhancing their graduate school experience greatly. This is particularly useful with respect to documenting field interviews. But other applications are also readily apparent. For example, students may intern with (or become employed by) political campaigns, and such campaigns may need to create low budget political commercials. This is especially true of local political campaigns. Such commercials can be broadcast inexpensively on cable channels as well as on the Internet, and good ones can become viral videos on YouTube that have enormous impact. Other students may want to create a political documentary for a school project, or even for mass distribution. Such documentaries do not need to be long; short YouTube clips can be tremendously effective. Some students may want to publish political commentaries on YouTube and other venues. And yet other students may want to use their new skills by gaining employment in the media after graduation. This course focuses on how to maximize the impact of political video content in a wide range of applications. Remember, quality in production is the key to the successful expression of political ideas in a video format. Required Equipment and Software: All students are required to have continuous access throughout the course to the equipment and software listed below. These items are not supplied by the instructor or Emory University.
Some Free Video Editing Software: For students who do not want to use some of the video editing software mentioned above, here are some free alternatives.
The above listed equipment and software items are sufficient for completing the course. Students will also be exposed to higher-end equipment and software in class so that they are aware of how these things are used. However, often good political recordings come not from the most expensive equipment, but from the equipment that is available at the moment that a political event is taking place. The key is to make the highest quality video using the equipment that is available. Class Requirements: Reading, writing, and video creation assignments are matched with class discussions, all focusing on the creation and interpretation of political videos. The course grade depends on the evaluation of all video and writing assignments, tests, a final project, as well as class participation and attendance. Some of the video and writing assignments will be built around the final project, and each student's final project will be constantly enhanced and revised as an ongoing work-in-progress throughout the semester. The grades are determined as follows: Note that attendance is important. If you are in class, I know that you have been exposed to the subject of the day. The Department of Political Science has a grading standard that applies to all courses. You can read about it here. The Honor Code is strictly enforced in this course. Plagiarism is an honor code violation. A signature forgery on attendance is an honor code violation. Podcast Policy: Podcasting courses can assist students tremendously. Students can listen to lectures more than once, and they can catch up on classes that were missed for, say, reasons of illness or religious obligation. I record and podcast many of the classes in this course (audio and/or video). By taking this course, all students are automatically giving their permission to be recorded during class participation. No further written permission is required. Disabilities Statement: It is the policy of Emory University to make reasonable accommodations for qualified students with disabilities. All students with special requests or need for accommodations should make this request in person as soon as possible after first visiting the Office of Disabilities. Required Texts: Internet Resources: General
Editing Software and Tutorials
Voice-over Tutorials
Examples and Features
Creative Commons
Scriptwriting
WEEKLY OUTLINE Week 1: The Art of Political Videography Week 2: The Art of Political Videography (continued) Week 3: Pre-production 1 Week 4: Pre-production 2 Week 5: Production Week 6: Post-production Week 7: Distribution Week 8: Genre 1 - Political documentaries Week 9: Genre 2 - Political music videos Week 10: Genre 3 - Political commentaries Week 11: Genre 4 - Political satire and comedy
Week 12: Genre 5 - Political events Week 13: Genre 6 - The Political Commercial
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