In preparation for CUNY Grad Students to decide if they should take this class in the Spring of 2013, I asked the members of the current class to give me (and you) their thoughts, addressing you directly.
I promised the students in class that I would not use their name and I would print all of the responses without any editing, condensing or quote polishing…
Here’s the raw data, as it were..
Bob is definitely one of the best professors here. He is a genius when it comes to video storytelling, visuals, and capturing a whole story in two minutes. Unfortunately for me it means a whole lot of work and redos, but the class is making a much smoother video editor, and a better eye when I’m out shooting video. There will be a trial and error period when you got out, shoot, and ultimately find you did something wrong (didn’t capture audio, etc.). But part of the class is getting the habitual errors out of the way in the beginning of your video shooting career so that later in the class, and once you leave, you are a skilled videographer who doesn’t sweat the small stuff anymore. This is a highly recommended class.
…but I didn’t realize how much it would be until now. I spent the most of my time working on assignments for this class and there are many sleepless nights too where I am editing or re-editing my videos. But the class is worth-taking and I highly recommend it.
…for us to practice video skills in all aspects. The workload looks heavy but if you do it step by step it is actually very reasonable.
I like the way that Bob asks to complete a video project: audio cut –> rough cut –> fine cut. These steps help me get feedback from my peers and in the meantime I have a plenty of time to make it better.
I heard a lot from previous classes about the huge workload, how time consuming VSW is, etc. So I was prepared for that, and perhaps because I expected it to be so daunting it has actually been less crazy than I thought it would be.
Most important point about VSW: this is the most organized and efficient class you will take at CUNY. Bob is has more energy than any 3 professors and he will meet you half way on everything. If you don’t meet him halfway, he’ll just forget about you, which is great. Something about him makes you want to work.
Be careful with your schedule. You will want to dedicate all your time to getting things right for this class, but your other classes will suffer a bit. That’s ok. It’s worth it. Do yourself a favor and learn FCP X before you show up. Check out a dSLR during the break and mess around with it. You will save yourself hours of headache and you won’t screw up your deadlines for this class because of technical issues.
Start watching web video now. Vimeo is a good place to start. It’s a different medium than you think. Your stories have to be concise and tight. I came from a world of documentary film where I was very focused on mood and subtlety. Those are great skills for the web, but you really have to focus on tight storytelling. VSW is a great class to couple with audio writing. You want to learn short and tight. Which I have not. Just do it. Video is great.
He is uber responsive to student problems and questions. He packs each class full of energy and helpful ideas to strengthen your video storytelling craft. This is one of the classes that is a must take.
…but you will definitely be comfortable working as a one man band when you’re done. Remember–like you should in all classes–that feedback is there to help you improve. Finally, your hard drive absolutely will fail. Back it up regularly.
…it’s more important that you can appreciate good web video. It’s even OK if you know what you like when you see it but can’t quite describe it in the web video vernacular. Bob will help you with all of that.
That said, the take-aways from this class aren’t confined to the realm of video. Bob’s emphasis on storytelling – what makes a good story? why should we care? – have, I believe, made me a better writer. I am more diligent about story structure yet more comfortable letting my creativity roll.
Is it a lot of work? Yes. But this is the nature of the beast. You can’t really make up for lost time when doing video. There are no last minute phone calls when you’re putting together a video story.
Bob does a better job that a lot of professors in giving you a sense of the journalism landscape – where things are heading and what skills you need. This is much appreciated….
The workload isn’t as heavy as I thought it would be and Bob is very helpful. It’s definitely a fun class, except for the lights!
Every class is packed with great videos, tips, and inspiration. That said, the workload is intense. You need to make sure you schedule your time well so that you get out and get your material and start working on it right away. Overall, it’s seriously a worthwhile use of your time here at j-school… and always go back to the notes afterwards – there will be more great stuff in there.
…because it gives a fresh look on news video. But if you take this class, you’d probably better not take any other demanding classes and expect to be incredibly stressed out. It takes at least triple if not quadruple the amount of out-of-class time to just finish all the work compared with other classes, so just be prepared for that. And a general word of advice: take independent study for your capstone. That way you’ll actually be able to work on your capstone and not get bogged down by classwork.
I enjoyed the pacing of the class, & the in-class assignments. Bob is an excellent instructor — organized, resourceful, and accomplished. He shares inspiring work from other journalists, and gives insightful & useful feedback
I recommend planning out your stories weeks or months in advance. If you know you’re taking the class the next semester, start talking to people and coming up with story ideas. Have a list of people ready to go.
I recommend planning out your stories weeks or months in advance. If you know you’re taking the class the next semester, start talking to people and coming up with story ideas. Have a list of people ready to go.
It makes the pitching process easier, along with the shooting schedule. People need to feel comfortable spending extended periods of time with you — these stories shouldn’t be “quick hits”. As your J-school experience becomes considerably more demanding each semester (with the addition of internships and jobs), make it easier on yourself.
Also, practice with the equipment. Take a camera out and spend time with it, not just during your assignments—-
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Fall 2011 is the second semester of Video Storytelling for the Web class. There have been a few changes to the class based on the feedback from the Spring 2011 students.
In preparation for CUNY Grad Students to decide if they should take this class in the Spring of 2012, I asked the members of the current class to give me (and you) their thoughts…
I have not deleted, edited or changed a single word. And I’ve reproduced every single answer.
I was expecting this class to be a lot more work because of the warnings of the previous class. I think that’s an exaggeration especially if you can find subjects that are just open to letting you shoot what and when you need. Most people think it’s “cute” that a student wants to make a film about them.
I think if you want to really learn how to edit, how to tell a story, how to shoot – than this class is maybe even more helpful than broadcast craft (which concentrates more on cnn-new york one – newsiness and type newsy video). You’ll learn not only how to use Final Cut’s bells and whistles, but you’ll learn how to shoot no matter the camera and how to tell a story without relying on narration. If you don’t like participating in class and talking constructively in a group, don’t bother taking this class. You’ll just be a lump. Class is fun because everyone helps.
I don’t consider myself a video journalist, and my primary interest is in print, but as a class to get you to be able to handle the workflow that is involved in producing a video, it’s really useful. Bob breaks down video production into its smallest component parts: the story pitch, shot list, shooting techniques, audio cut, rough cut and fine cut, so it feels manageable and gives you a lot of time to get comfortable with the medium.
Probably the hardest class you could take here, but no class will teach you as much about storytelling than this one, whether you want to be a videographer or not.
The nature of the medium is demanding, and so is the class, but it seems to be paying off. Be open to different ways of telling stories and try to watch some good examples of web videos.
Be prepared to learn a lot, and work really hard doing it – and doing much of it on your own in the field. Very worthwhile, but not for the faint of heart.
–not during the final/3rd semester. Why? Because during the final/3rd semester, you may be more concerned about your capstone and getting a job. I wish I were able to take this class in the spring semester because I would have been able to dedicate 110 percent to this class. Now, unfortunately, I am conflicted–torn between applying to jobs, doing my capstone, etc. If you’re able to do the fourth semester, then by all means, do it and take the class then (most 4th semester students take fewer classes throughout the program so you have more time to devote to your assignments).
That being said, you’ll get out of the class what you put in. It’s demanding, but doable.
VSW is a different type of video course. It’s challenging, unique and fun. He teaches you the one-man band method, which seems daunting, but it’s really not that bad. Plus, these are marketable skills. Bob is a great professor with a wealth of knowledge and he brings in some top experts who have incredible work.
Good luck!
don’t take this class. If you are interested in telling visual stories: go for it. If you want to add something to your broadcast experience: certainly go for this class. It is hard work, but at the end, it pays off. You get great examples, great discussions and a great way of teaching a class.
but I would make sure you have the time to plan, shoot and edit. It’s time consuming, but the class is a fun/creative way of looking at stories. Looking at all the work folks put in will give anyone a profound appreciation for any three minute video they see in the media that doesn’t look crappy.
… like narrative. This class requires a lot of time–not just for production periods, but also for finding the perfect voices and images for your stories.
Deadlines approach faster beginning in the middle of the semester, which means you don’t have enough time to work on your stories. Make sure you stake out your story subjects FAR in advance so that you have sufficient time to work on them. It may seem cruel that Bob doesn’t give us enough time, but guess what: that’s how it is out there in the real world.
Expect to tell stories that have nothing to do with news. It’s nice. Forget about the corny broadcast TV discourse, forget about relaying information to viewers. Find things that interest you, stuff that you love. And get started NOW. Seriously. This stuff takes FOREVER.
Bob is really good at finding the ‘punctum’ of a story, something that pricks him in a certain way. He is good at finding the universal appeal of one person’s life.
The feedback that you get back from the class and from Bob is some of the best you will get in this school. It’s not a love meeting. It really makes you a better storyteller.
…to anyone who wants to learn or improve their visual storytelling skills. The class is demanding, so keeping on top of the class deadlines is a must.
The slower pace of the VSW class this year is appreciated. I assume that the idea is to give us more time to get into a mode where we can do quality work. Don’t waste any of this time. This VSW stuff takes time. Where a decent print piece might take a few hours, video can take days, and still be crap.
+ Budget time to edit the assignments. Sounds obvious, but with deadlines and mid-semester burnout, it happens. Make your life easier (and plan for unexpected glitches) by starting the editing process a few days before deadline.
+ If you’re not photographer and/or you’ve never taken out a photography class, check out a digital SLR photography for dummies book so you know what all those buttons mean and how to make your footage look its best. Another way to learn ISO/Aperture/shutter speed: play with this simulator http://camerasim.com/camera-simulator.html
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written Spring, 2011
This is the first semester for the Video Storytelling for the Web class and for me it’s been a ton of work but a great experience. I’m looking forward to tweaking some things next semester as a result of how things worked (or didn’t work) this semester.
In preparation for CUNY Grad Students to decide if they should take this class in the Fall of 2011, I asked the members of the class to give me their thoughts…
I have not deleted, edited or changed a single word. And I’ve reproduced every single answer.
it’s a lot of hard work and heavy lifting but the product you come out with is something you are proud off. We’ve all grew up watching these types of videos and being moved by them. It’s exciting to have the chance to finally make them.
After they take this class, they will feel more confident about telling stories in video. It takes away the fear of a camera and a making a movie, short or long one.
I think the key thing about this class is that it is totally, totally different than Broadcast. I think some people did broadcast craft instead of VSW, but VSW is a completely distinct form, and I think that’s the one of the coolest things about the class.
because you’ll end up improving your audio/radio skills and photo skills as well as video skills. It might also be good to mention that we have something due every week. But it’s a great class; I think everyone in it is excited about what we’re doing and learning so much. And we get the coolest gear.
In my opinion, this class is really amazing, but it is really hard. Going through this semester, I sort of have a love/hate relationship with this class. I love what we’re doing and it excited me, but it’s definitely been a major source of stress. It requires A LOT of work, effort and dedication. I would definitely focus on all the exciting things about this class: cool cameras, shooting amazing quality videos, having so much creative freedom with the subjects we shoot and how we shoot it, and how fun it is…. but people should also be prepared for a lot of work.
you don’t have other video classes at the same time. It offers a creative alternative to video broadcast.
I would like to continue this course with a second semester VSW2. Every lecture is well-structured in a away that engages the class and sheds light on another tool or strategy to making great video for web (and for any other video medium as well). Critique and pitch sessions are guided in a way that make them very useful in making your story stronger. This is achieved by limiting the time and ensuring that comments stay on topic (e.g. what’s the story, what can make it better, rather than the audio should be turned up here or there). Each class period builds on the lessons of previous classes to enhance our knowledge and skills in successful web video storytelling. This class has challenged and pushed me to take my video storytelling to the next level and inspired me to transfer those skills to other coursework. I never feel like any assignments are ‘busywork.’ Each assignment is a carefully selected exercise that teaches us something new or makes us better at something we may already know. Also, feedback on each assignment is thorough, timely and helpful in improving for the next assignment. Expectations for the course are clear and reasonable. I’ve been advising all students who ask to take this course if they can.
