27 April 2015

UPDATE: 27 APR 201

UPLOADED SCHEDULE /  GUIDELINES:

To alleviate log jams and security issues related to simultaneous uploads for our course YouTube channel, I'm creating an upload schedule for all three sections of WRTG 3030. Each group will be given a two hour window. If you have not completed your upload by the end of your slot, you will need to discontinue the process in order for the next group to proceed. In other words, do NOT wait until the last half hour of your allotted time frame to begin the process.  The schedule is as follows:
Tuesday, 05 May
10:00am - 12:00pm: Alex, Chris, Shannon
12:00pm - 2:00pm: Adian, Victoria, Wyatt 
2:00pm - 4:00pm: Beckett, Ryan, Shalini
4:00pm - 6:00pm: Andrea, Kevin, Peyman
Wednesday, 06 May
8:00am - 10:00am: Austin, Brendan, Chrissy J, Nate Dogg
10:00am - 12:00pm: Ben, Dominic, Thomas
12:00pm - 2:00pm: Devon, Katherine, Owen
2:00pm - 4:00pm: Christina, Olivia, Veronica
4:00pm - 6:00pm: James, Kayla, Marta 
:00pm - 8:00pm: Charlie, Grant, Nina
8:00pm - 10:00pm: Daniel, Jennifer, Michelle
Thursday, 07 May
8:00am - 10:00am: Dobis P.R., Forrest, Odom 
10:00am - 12:00pm: Alec, Jared, Jason, Jeremy 
12:00pm - 2:00pm: Andrew, Craig, Sam
2:00pm - 4:00pm: Clayton, Daniel, Joshua 
4:00pm - 6:00pm: Conner, Emma, Thuy
6:00pm - 8:00pm: Alex, Becky, Christian, Jack 
8:00pm - 10:00pm: Casey, Taggert, Zeyu
I based the above schedule upon the order in which we critiqued your rough drafts. To this end, those of you whose videos we commented on last will have a little bit more time to work your the final versions.

With regard to your upload, the title of the video should be the title of your presentation. Additionally, I would like you to include the following information in the information section:
WRTG 3030: Writing on Science and Society (Joshua Ware)
Section [insert section number here]

University of Colorado-Boulder

Spring Semester 2015
Title of Presentation
Group Members Names with project duties
Please be fair and honest with your assessments of "project duties." If a particular group member did not contribute to the script, for example, do not list him/her as a script writer. Possible position titles include: script writer, videographer, project manager, site coordinator, video editor, and presenter. Obviously, there could be other duties; moreover, multiple people could have attended to a particular task. For instance, if there were two video editors, please list their description as co-video editor.

TEDTalk VIDEO ESSAY PROJECT "RUBRIC":

I would like you to ask yourself the following questions while completing your final drafts:

Does the video open with a TEDTalk-like splash screen? Does the opening shot after the splash screen have the presenter's name and the presentation's title in the bottom right-hand corner?

Is the argument clear and concise? Does the argument follow a comprehensible and logical pattern? To this end, is the introduction relevant and engaging? Does it clearly outline the purpose of the presentation? Does the body support the argument? Does it contain relevant examples? Are the examples illustrative and concrete? Does the conclusion answer the "so what" question? Does the conclusion end the presentation on a compelling note?

Does the video employ close-up, mid-range, and wide-range shots? Are these different perspectives used appropriately?

Does the video employ different angles (i.e. upward, downward, and eye-level)? If so, are these different angles used appropriately?

Does the video employ pans and zooms? If so, are these techniques used with a rhetorical purpose and technically proficient?

Are the shots/cuts of the speaker 7-12 seconds in length? Are quick cuts employed? Are they smooth, in that they work with a) the rhetorical turns of the argument, b) the cadence and rhythm of the speaker's voice, c) retain continuity of the speaker's body position in space, and d) do not contain "black space"?

Are complex concepts or data visualized with cutaways? Are the cutaways held for long enough so the audience can understand the data or image? If the cutaways are stock photographs or videos, are they clear and comprehensible? Are they relevant and necessary? Is there, roughly speaking, one-cutaway-per-minute? If so, are the cutaways appropriately spaced throughout the presentation?

Does the speaker remain cognizant of their place in space? To this end, does the speaker remain relatively stationary, moving, primarily, in relationship to the rhetorical turns in the argument? Does the speaker use their hands appropriately, using them to highlight their argumentation or point? Otherwise, do they keep them above their waist? Is the speaker appropriately dressed? Does the speaker appear enthusiastic and engaged? Does the speaker have (or appear to have) the presentation memorized?

Is the lighting of an acceptable quality? Is the sound of an acceptable quality? Does the location appear professional?

Does the presentation conclude with credits?

SCRIPT GUIDELINES:

The script for your TEDTalk video essay should be typed, single-spaced, 12-point Times New Roman font. You should use standard, one-inch margins.

In the top, right-hand corner, list all of your group members and the section number of your course. This header should be followed by a blank space, then a centered title (don't underline or place in boldface).

For the script proper, please use the paragraph form; each paragraph should correspond to a cut in the video. The one caveat to this format is for cutaways: if the speaker continues to talk over a cutaway, just place the words [cutaway] within the text to indicate this strategy.

Finally, you will need to conclude your script with a properly formatted works cited page.

Scripts should be emailed to me by Tuesday, 05 May at 10am. The documents should be attached to the email as a .doc or .docx file.

02 April 2015

UPDATE: 02 APR 2014

Yesterday, after speaking with each section regarding your progress on the TEDTalk-style video-essays, I've decided to cut the NPR RadioLab audio-essay. As such, your video project will be the last assignment of the semester. I would much rather have you complete one project in a coherent, professional manner, than attempt to complete two projects in a less than rigorous fashion.

In order to accommodate this development, I've altered the schedule as follows:
Friday, 03 April: Presentation by Tim Riggs of the Academic Media Resources 
Monday, 06 April: Recording of TEDTalk video-essays
Wednesday, 08 April: Recording of TedTalk video-essays
Friday, 10 April: Recording of TEDTalk video-essays 
Monday, 13 April: Editing of TEDTalk video-essays
Wednesday, 15 April: Editing of TEDTalk video-essays
Friday, 17 April: Editing of TEDTalk video-essays 
Monday, 20 April: Presentation and Critique of "Rough Drafts"
Wednesday, 22 April: Presentation and Critique of "Rough Drafts"
Friday, 24 April: Presentation and Critique of "Rough Drafts" 
Monday, 27 April: Questions, problems, issues regarding revising/editing
Wednesday, 29 April: Evaluations
Friday, 01 May: TEDTalk video-essays due
Since next week and the following week will be designated "Recording" and "Editing" weeks, respectively, that means our classrooms will be open during our sessions. To this end, groups can "reserve" our classrooms (through me) for recording-location purposes. I would request that you only reserve the room on a specific date if your are fully prepared to record (i.e. you have a complete script and you've practiced your material a few times). Also, remember that you'll only have the room for one hour. In other words, be ready to begin recording immediately.

During these two weeks, please feel free to email me if you have any questions specific to your group. If they cannot be answered via email, then we can schedule a meeting to discuss your issues and concerns.

Finally, as I mentioned to several of you yesterday, make sure that you create an interesting and entertaining introduction that captures your audience's attention (do not open your video with bland statistics and complex jargon); likewise, have clearly articulated transitional statements that a) highlight the purpose of your "talk," and b) signal the movement from one section of your video to the next.

20 March 2015

UPDATE: 20 MAR 2014

First, I would like to announce that the due date for the TEDTalk video-essay will be pushed back; instead of turning in the assignment on Monday 06 April, the assignment will now be due on Monday 13 April.

I will also move the due date of the RadioLab-style audio-essay; instead of a Friday, 01 May due date, you will turn the assignment in to me on Wednesday, 06 May.

As for the TedTalk, you will be expected to create a 7-9 minute video that concentrates on a specific sub-topic related to your umbrella topic/issue. In addition to delivering to me a video file, I would also like a typed hard-copy of your script (double-space, 12-point Times New Roman font).

You should organize your TedTalk video-essay in a comprehensible manner, employing a rhetorical framework that clearly conveys your message with discernible talking points and smooth transitions. To this end, think about the way in which concrete examples, narratives, and diagrams/images serve to highlight your material. Likewise, consider how editing, cuts, angles, and other technical aspects serve to enhance your language and offer compelling visual stimuli. Finally, consider how the presenter's body language (e.g. posture and hand movements), appearance, and vocals (e.g. cadence, rhythm, and intonation) affect the viewer's understanding and acceptance of the message.