Universitat Internacional de Catalunya

Introduction to Audiovisual Language

Introduction to Audiovisual Language
4
13387
1
First semester
OB
Main language of instruction: Catalan

Other languages of instruction: English, Spanish

Teaching staff


By appointment by email.

Introduction

In the event that the health authorities announce a new period of confinement due to the evolution of the health crisis caused by COVID-19, the teaching staff will promptly communicate how this may effect the teaching methodologies and activities as well as the assessment.


Introduction to Audiovisual Language is a subject of 4 ECTS credits that is taught in the first semester of the first course of Journalism. It is part of the base of the academic curriculum of the area of Audiovisual Journalism. Thus, along with other subjects studied during the first year (Journalistic Language 1), this subject contributes to prepare students to access the second course "Television Communication".

The subject aims to make the students acquire the knowledge and fundamental abilities of the audiovisual journalistic language. In this sense, it introduces both the theoretical and practical specificities of the elements that constitute the codes of the audiovisual language.

"Introduction to Audiovisual Language" provides very important technical and narrative knowledge to transmit the desired message. In addition, students will experience teamwork and acquire a critical attitude towards audiovisual products with which they will have to work as future communication professionals.

Pre-course requirements

It is not a requirement to have prior knowledge of the audiovisual world, although good predisposition and interest in the different television content is an extra to face the subject.

Objectives

The aim of the subject is to train the student with maximum knowledge related to audiovisual language, as well as to edit a story and a report, through theoretical and practical knowledge regarding the edition of the raw material from own or other recordings, valuing the application of different assembly techniques and the narrative procedures typical of the report and other audiovisual products.

Competences/Learning outcomes of the degree programme

  • 02 CG - The ability to learn and act an autonomously and responsibly
  • 07 CG - The ability to confront difficulties and resolve problems
  • 14 CE - The ability to plan technical and human resources
  • 28 CE - The ability to understand and apply production and editing techniques for newspaper, radio, television and Internet
  • 32 CE - Knowledge and mastery of the image and its communicative abilities
  • 45 CE - The ability and capacity to give a creative form to a journalistic message
  • 52 CE - The ability to adapt to changing circumstances

Learning outcomes of the subject

Students:

  • Will move in a professional environment with autonomy.
  • Will work with naturalness and professionalism in the process of recording with a single camera.
  • They can editi a video as they will have acquired knowledge of the video editing software.
  • They will use narrative resources critically to perform an audiovisual product.
  • Know the types of non-linear post-production rooms, their equipment and their configuration.
  • They will easily manage video editing software, audio, web pages and graphic editing.
  • Carry out the cataloging process, minute and capture of the images, interviews and statements for your organization in the assembly process.
  • Synchronize the video and its corresponding audio from the image and sound brands of the claquettes or from any other reference.
  • Complete the total edition of the project, determining the order and duration of entrances, off-field (off) and tails.
  • Generate and apply the master's degree inlays of credits, credits, graphics and marks, based on specific qualification tools.
  • It develops an audiovisual master's degree, taking into account the communicative conditions of rhythm, continuity and movement, among others, that contribute to the achievement of the objectives of the program.
  • Generate a final master's degree that meets the specific requirements and norms for broadcasting, video, sound and synchronisms.
  • Generate versions in various output formats adjusted to their recipients and bandwidth assumptions, available in satellite or Internet broadcasts.
  • They will know how to use graphic resources in journalistic or communication projects.

Syllabus

  • Presentation of the subject and the DMS

  • Basic language, types of plans and their narrative functions.

  • Camera

  • Recording with tripod

  • Recording in exteriors

  • Editing

1. Audiovisual panorama in Catalonia

1.1. Penetration of the media in Catalonia

1.2. The television of state scope

1.3. Catalan-language television

1.4. The local television

1.5. Television audience: channels and programs

 

2. Introduction to audiovisual journalism

2.1. The specificities of the audiovisual media with respect to the written press: think about images, detect important actions and write for the ear

2.2. Reception conditions for written and audiovisual narratives: characteristics and limitations

2.3. The elements of the audiovisual message. The conjugation of codes

2.4. Street team, team in the studio

 

3. Shooting of informative programs

3.1. The previous phase: Pre-production, planning and documentation

3.2. What is an ENG? Functions and tools of the television journalist

3.3. Typology of plans, camera movements and gold rules

3.4. Recommendations for shooting

 

4. Technical concepts: image and sound adjustment

4.1. Diaphragm, Iris, focus and depth of field

4.2. Color temperature / white balance

4.3. Neutral density filters

4.4. Gain

 

5. Script and narration

5.1. Vision and selection

5.2. Structure of news information

5.3. Script and text

5.4. The discourse of the assembly

 

6. Type of assembly

6.1. Tª of the double coding. What is first, the image or the text?

6.2. Mounting type

 

7. Digital edition and post-production.

7.1. Transitions

7.2. Correspondence image-voice

 

8. Problems of narrative and film continuity

8.1 Angle

8.2. Plans

8.3. Raccord

8.4. Axle leap

 

9. The sound in the audiovisual piece

9.1. Go off

9.2. Sound atmosphere

9.3. Declarations: the street interview

9.4. Synchronization

 

10. The text in the image

10.1. Lettering

10.2. Over-pressures

Teaching and learning activities

In person



The subject is organized combining the master classes with practical activities related to the theoretical content taught.

TRAINING ACTIVITY:
  • Lectures. In lectures, lecturers/professors not only transmit content or knowledge, but also, and above all else, attitudes, motivation, skills and values, etc. They also ensure that participants can express their opinions and arguments to the other students.
  • Focused Praxis. Handing in occasional exercises to learn theory through practice.
  • Practical workshop. A highly practical working activity, where students can acquire skills that are practical or also theoretical (intellectual skills, logical skills, critical skills, intellectual learning skills, study skills, quoting skills, etc).

ECTS CREDITS:

Evaluation systems and criteria

In person



The evaluation will be continued and the realization of the obligatory practices to pass the subject.


Students will have to deliver several related exercises. These works will be personal and in group development. In addition, other criteria such as attitude, teamwork, compliance with the term or creativity will be evaluated in the correction of the exercises and activities given. The follow-up of the recommended readings in class will also be taken into account.

Practices 70% (12 practicals will be required, of those that will count for the 10 best marks, not giving a practice will equate to 0 in that part)

30% exam (to make a half with the practical part you need to pass the 4)


Second call implies the realization of a practice equivalent to those carried out during the course (50% of the final mark) and the completion of the exam (50% of the final grade). In case of having approved one of the two parts at the first call, the note will be saved for the second.

For the 3rd call and later, the subject will be repeated.

Bibliography and resources

Basic Bibliography

  • Casero, A. y Marzal, J. (coord.) (2011): Periodismo en televisión. Nuevos horizontes, nuevas tendencias. Edició impresa i edició e-book.
  • Hudson, G., & Rowlands, S. (2007): The broadcast journalism handbook. Harlow, England; New York: Pearson Longman.
  • Oliva, Llúcia i Sitjà, Xavier (2007): Las noticias en radio y televisión: periodismo audiovisual en el siglo XXI. Barcelona: Omega (5a. ed.).
  • Ortiz, M. A. y Pérez-Ornia, J. R. (2006): Claves para elaborar la información en radio y televisión. Madrid: Instituto Oficial de Radio y Televisión.
  • Vilalta Casas, J. (2006): El espíritu del reportaje. Edicions Universitat de Barcelona.
  • Vilalta Casas, J. (2007): El reportero en acción. Edicions Universitat de Barcelona.

Complementary Bibliography

  • Baggaley, J.P. y Duck, S.W. (1982). Análisis del mensaje televisivo, Editorial Gustavo Gili.
  • Block, M. (2000): Writing broadcast news. Shorter, sharper, stronger.Chicago: Bonus Books.
  • Boyd, A. (2000): Broadcast Journalism. Techniques of Radio and TV News. Oxford: Focal.
  • Cebrián Herreros, M. (1998): Información audiovisual. Concepto, técnica, expresión y aplicaciones. Madrid: Síntesis.
  • Fernández Díez, F. y Abadía, J.M. (1999). Manual básico de lenguaje y narrativa audiovisual, Editorial Paidós
  • García Jiménez, J.. (2000): Información audiovisual, volumen I. Madrid:Paraninfo.
  • León, B. (coord.) (2010) Informativos para la televisión del espectáculo.Edició impresa i edició e-book.
  • Pérez, G. (2010): Informar en la e-televisión: Curso básico de periodismo audiovisual. Pamplona: EUNSA, Ediciones de la Universidad de Navarra.
  • Rodríguez Pastoriza, F. (2003): La mirada en el cristal. La información en televisión. Madrid: Fragua.

 

Didactic resources

  • Llibre estil Corporació Catalana de Mitjans Audiovisuals
  • ésAdir 
  • The BBC News Styleguide 
  • Directrices editoriales. Valores y criterios de la BBC 
  • El College of Production és una web de la BBC amb recursos d'àudio / vídeo per a la capacitació i l'aprenentatge
  • Portal de la Comunicació 
  • Portal dels estudis de la comunicació de l'Institut de la Comunicació (InCom) 
  • Arxiu INPUT (International Public Television)