Final Exam Assignment - Video Montage

From the syllabus: Final - editing montage project.
Students will work in groups of 2 or individually upon request to shoot (using a field
camera from the TV Studio) a short video segment (1 minute- give or take 5 seconds) that implies a message or theme (not
topic) indirectly through video photography and non-continuous montage editing. Music and/or sound effects
should be used as background, but no lyrics or narration should be used. The message or theme may be
intellectual, emotional, or spiritual in nature and could be expressed in a written statement or phrase. This
will be handed in on DVD on exam day with a paper in an envelope stating the intended message and
how it was achieved. Groups/students are not to share their message with others students until after the
showing of their video in class. No assignments will be accepted before exam day (or after).

Specific guidelines:

1. You should shoot any footage you need. The only exception is that you could not possibly have shot the footage because it is historical or far away. Limit how much stock footage you use. A montage that uses all stock footage will receive a lower grade.

2. Keep to the time limit. Montages are to be 1 minute long. Points will be docked if the length is less than 55 seconds or more than 1 minute 5 seconds.

3. Do not tell a story with this. This is idea-associative montage. The comparing of two or three images together creates meaning. There should be no plot, dialogue or story. To create cause and effect, show the cause first, then the effect.

4. Long shots don't fare as well here. Keep shots shorter - repetition of the message is acceptable, if needed.

5. Think about symbolism. Read the Zettl chapter on complexity editing again. You are somewhat trying to tell us something using code. For example, what can a rose represent? Does the color of a rose mean anything? If you use a cross, are you referring to Christ or crucifixion? Does the Bible refer to God, to God's Word or to a book? What makes a symbol specific is what goes with it. What you show before and after the image, makes a difference. How you show it (context) means something too.

6. This is not a cheap and easy project. Use good lighting. Use a good sound mix. Have interesting shots.

7. Audio is required, but doesn't have to be music. If you use music, no lyrics. Remember that sounds and music have meaning that can help or hurt your montage. Make sure it fits.

8. The video should start with a slate that contains the names of the producers, the date, and the words "Final Exam Montage." The slate should be 5 seconds, then 5 seconds of black before the montage. If the DVD has a menu, that's fine, but it is not the same as a slate. You may edit the montage on Premiere, FCP, or Avid.

Procedures on Exam Day:

1. Bring your DVD and paper to class. Make sure the disc works in the lab. If it doesn't work, you receive a zero. The DVD should have the names of you and your partner (if you had one) written on it.

2. When it is your turn to play your DVD, you (and your partner) will come up to the podium and put the disc in the player. Put it in pause on the slate and wait for the professor to give you the signal to play. Either you or your partner should turn out the lights during playback. After playback, turn the lights back on and wait for the class to guess your message.

3. After playing your DVD, the class will try to guess your montage's message. You can tell us if we are partly correct, or getting hot or cold. If someone gets very close, then read your message, and we are done. The professor will evaluate the montage immediately. Take your disc and leave your paper with the professor.

4. Your paper should include the message of the montage. It should then describe in detail how you think the images and sound created this message. Lastly, indicate at the bottom how much time each person contributed to the project in terms of percentages. 50% for each would mean that both people were involved equally. If you did not have a partner, you do not have to report this.

5. At the end of class, the professor will hand out evaluations and return papers. No further grading will be required. No evaluation sheets are needed for this. Partners receive the same grade.