Universitat Internacional de Catalunya
Introduction to Audiovisual Language
Other languages of instruction: English, Spanish
Teaching staff
By appointment by email.
Introduction
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 audiovisual 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
1. (Audio)Visual Perception
Auditory and visual perception and discrimination. Light and sound: the basic materials of audiovisual messages. Lighting. Fundamental concepts of lenses and objectives. Focus and Depth of Field. Optical Movements and Camera Movements. Properties and characteristics of sound. Basic classification of microphones.
2. Elements of Audiovisual Language
Audiovisual codes. Fragmentation of Time and Space. Characteristics and Composition of the Frame. Spatiotemporal coordinates: scale of shots, axis of action, shot/reverse shot. Visual and sound continuity.
3. Narrative Principles of the Audiovisual Message
Basic units of structure and narration (shot, sequence, scene). Dramatic structure as the foundation of audiovisual storytelling. Principles of unity, rhythm, and sequence. Technique for writing literary and technical scripts. Audiovisual narrative genres.
4. The Audiovisual Production Process
Stages of the audiovisual production process. Pre-production; Production and Post-production. Teamwork as the essence of audiovisual production. Role distribution and technical specializations in the production process.
5. Audiovisual Editing
Organization and classification of audiovisual materials. Principles of editing. Continuity or match cut. Introduction to audio and video digital editing and post-production. The word: voice-over and text in the audiovisual message.
Teaching and learning activities
In person
| TRAINING ACTIVITY | ECTS CREDITS |
| Coaching. Monitoring how students learn the content of the subject, either individually or in groups. In the coaching sessions, mistakes will be corrected, queries answered, and exercises and activities to achieve the established objectives will be suggested. | 0,8 |
| Focused Praxis. Handing in occasional exercises to learn theory through practice. | 1,2 |
| E-learning. Virtual learning based on ICT. | 0,6 |
| 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). | 0,6 |
| 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. | 0,8 |
Evaluation systems and criteria
In person
The course will be assessed continuously, and all parts must be passed to pass the course.
It is essential to bring headphones and an external hard drive or USB drive with sufficient capacity to class.
- 40% Project development and filmed practical exercises. Group and individual grades. In addition to meeting technical objectives, class participation, attitude, initiative, creativity, teamwork, and adherence to deadlines will be assessed.
- 30% Theoretical content test. Individual grade. This will cover content developed in class, engagement with recommended readings, and analysis of audiovisual pieces. The score will be out of 10, and a minimum of 4 is required to average with the other sections.
- 30% Final exam. This will consist of a theoretical part and a practical part.
* A minimum score of 4 is required on the final exam to average with the other grades from continuous assessment.
* The instructor reserves the right to fail a student on the audiovisual project if minimum standards of attendance, initiative, and participation during the process are not met.
* Faculty regulations regarding plagiarism, use of AI, etc., will be strictly observed.
In the second sitting, the grade will be retained if either of the two parts has been passed. Both the theoretical exam and the practical part must be passed to pass the course. In the third and subsequent sittings, the course must be retaken.
Bibliography and resources
Recomended Bibliography: will be comented during the course
Didactic resources
- Llibre estil Corporació Catalana de Mitjans Audiovisuals
- ésAdir: El portal lingüístic de la Corporació Catalana de Mitjans Audiovisuals
- BBC News Styleguide
- Directrices editoriales. Valores y criterios de la BBC
- Portal Comunicación (Portal dels estudis de la comunicació de l'Institut de la Comunicació (InCom))
- Arxiu INPUT (International Public Television)