Welcome Spring Term 2009 Students

Welcome to Ronald E. McNair High School’s Broadcasting classes. I’m Mrs. Green, your instructor and guide.

This blog is an attempt to put all assignments in one place where students can read them and make comments and ask questions. In fact, once I get your school emails set up, you will be expected to make comments and ask questions.

Advanced students – we have a full term ahead of us. I expect you to be role models and leaders and not only do your assignments, but also assist the newcomers as they need help.

Beginning students – this class is unlike any other class you have ever had. Yes, there are lectures and assignments and research projects. However, I consider this class an extension of the real world – more of a job than a class, and hopefully one you will enjoy coming to. If you come to class and follow the four “Ps,” you will do well, both in class and when you enter the workforce.

Prompt – be on time for class and out of class assignments. When you have a real job, this is critical.
Polite – treat your classmates and instructor with respect. In the work world respect is the expectation.
Prepared – come with necessary materials and prepared to work. Again, in the real world if a photographer/videojournalist turns up for work or on a story without the proper equipment, they are toast (aka fired). So if you are working on an animation, bring your props. If you have a presentation, bring the poster, etc. The excuse, “I forgot,” is just that – an excuse, and not worth the time it takes to say it.
Professional – this covers EVERYTHING mentioned and not mentioned. Follow school rules. Think. Plan. Organize. Be ready for the unexpected. Keep up to date on assignments and read the blog and know what is coming. Dress appropriately when on set or as part of a crew. Don’t have a sense of entitlement – those who work get rewards.

And there will be rewards for workers. The Lodi News Sentinel is working with me on a project that would allow a limited number of students to attend the Lodi Grape Festival and create video stories to post on their website. I’m considering pulling a crew together to enter the October 48 Hour Film Project.

Also – we are THIS close to producing the Daily Bulletin. The studio is wired to the school, the gear is in place…we are only lacking two things. Many of the classrooms need a coaxial cable from the wall plug to the class VCR and I need to work with the fourth period class this term on studio procedures – how to run the control room, work on the floor crew, and reading scripts. (Sorry second period students.) The first school day after Labor Day is our goal…which means we will shoot the first Bulletin on Friday, September 4 and play it back second period on Tuesday, September 8.

This looks to be an exciting and full year…and I welcome you to my world and hope you will enjoy it as much as I do.

Mrs. Green

Framing the horizon

Above are three photos of the same scene. The only change is where the horizon is placed.
In the first photo/Image 2333 the ground predominates, while the sky takes up less than one third of the scene.
In the second photo/Image 2331 the sky and ground are allotted approximately the same area.
In the third photo/Image 2332 the sky takes up roughly 3/4 of the scene.
Study these three images, then post a comment about these images including the following:
1. For each image, explain how the framing affects your perception of the image – what emotional response do you have and why.
2. Which is your favorite image out of the three. Explain why specifically you chose this image.
Once the entire class has completed this assignment, I will approve and post all comments. If you have not commented by the deadline you will receive a zero for this assignment.

Working in the studio…

July 3, 2009

FYI I will be working in the studio on Tuesday, July 7 from around 8am-ish until 4pm or later. Need to complete the control room wiring and move in bookcase, more books and get computer desks set up.

Any student who so desires may drop in and help. Heck, if you drop in, you WILL help.

Also…the wiring to hook us up to go school-wide will be completed on Tuesday. We’ll run some trials to make sure it works.

WE ARE GOING TO DO THE DAILY BULLETIN THIS FALL.

No question about it. As soon as I get the list of who is in the fall term class(es) I will start making calls. There will be a one day (four hour) video boot camp to prep so we can be up and running the day school begins. It may be hectic, but hey, that’s real world for ya.